In The
Court of Appeals
Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana
______________________________
No. 06-04-00079-CR
GARY COOKS, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
On Appeal from the 202nd Judicial District Court
Bowie County, Texas
Trial Court No. 01F0334-202
Before Morriss, C.J., Ross and Carter, JJ.
Opinion by Chief Justice Morriss
Concurring Opinion by Justice Carter
O P I N I O N
After kidnapping his former girlfriend, Delana Atkins, at gunpoint as she left work, Gary
Cooks forced Atkins to drive her car away from her workplace. Atkins' panicked, erratic
driving—resulting from Cooks abducting Atkins, threatening her life, and shooting his gun in the
car—prompted Cooks to take over the wheel. Atkins' subsequent, unsuccessful attempt to escape
the car succeeded only in seriously injuring her. Seeking "witnesses" that he did not push Atkins
from the car, Cooks took Atkins, first, to an anesthesiologist friend of Cooks and, then, to a former
Cooks attorney, each of whom pleaded with Cooks to take Atkins to the hospital for treatment. Two
hours after the initial abduction, Cooks drove Atkins to a hospital emergency room.
A central question in this appeal is whether, by taking Atkins to the hospital or by his actions
once there, Cooks voluntarily released her in a safe place, thus reducing aggravated kidnapping from
a first- to a second-degree felony and reducing the permissible range of sentence. The jury convicted
Cooks of aggravated kidnapping and found he did not voluntarily release Atkins in a safe place. In
accordance with the jury's sentencing recommendation, the trial court ordered that Cooks serve a life
sentence.
Cooks appeals, asserting that he was eligible for a lesser sentence because the evidence
established that he released Atkins in a safe place and that, by refusing to appoint another attorney
for him, the trial court forced him to represent himself in violation of the Sixth and Fourteenth
Amendments. We affirm because we hold (1) sufficient evidence shows Cooks did not voluntarily
release Atkins in a safe place, and (2) Cooks made an informed decision to represent himself.
(1) Sufficient Evidence Shows Cooks Did Not Voluntarily Release Atkins in a Safe Place
Aggravated kidnapping is generally punished as a first-degree felony, carrying a sentence of
five to ninety-nine years or life. Tex. Pen. Code Ann. §§ 12.32(a), 20.04(c) (Vernon 2003). At the
punishment stage of a trial, an individual convicted of aggravated kidnapping is eligible for a lesser
sentence if he or she can show by a preponderance of the evidence that he or she "voluntarily
released the victim in a safe place." Tex. Pen. Code Ann. § 20.04(d) (Vernon 2003). If the
defendant successfully shows this mitigating factor, the offense becomes punishable as a second-degree felony rather than a first-degree felony, and supports a shorter sentence. See Brown v. State,
98 S.W.3d 180, 181–82 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003).
Here, the jury considered and rejected Cooks' claim of voluntary release. Cooks argues that
the evidence conclusively established he voluntarily released Atkins in a safe place. To address this
point, we (A) address the appropriate standard by which we review evidentiary sufficiency,
(B) review caselaw interpretations of the statutory concept of voluntary release in a safe place, and
(C) assess the evidence against those interpretations, in light of that standard.
(A) Standard of Review
(i) Legal Sufficiency Review
We recognize some disagreement among the intermediate courts of appeals in Texas as to
whether we have jurisdiction to consider the legal sufficiency of the evidence on an issue where the
defendant has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence.
We agree with the majority
view as expressed by the Fort Worth Court of Appeals that the Sterner standard is the proper legal
standard of review for a criminal defendant's legal sufficiency challenge to the trier of fact's rejection
of his or her assertion of the sentence reduction in Section 20.04(d). See Sterner v. Marathon Oil
Co., 767 S.W.2d 686, 690 (Tex. 1989); Howard v. State, 145 S.W.3d 327, 332 (Tex. App.—Fort
Worth 2004, no pet.).
Under the Sterner standard of review, an appellant challenging the legal sufficiency of the
evidence to support an adverse answer on which he or she had the burden of proof must satisfy two
inquiries. Sterner, 767 S.W.2d at 690. First, the reviewing court must examine the record for
evidence that supports the finding, while ignoring all evidence to the contrary. Second, if there is
no evidence to support the finding, then the reviewing court must examine the entire record to see
if the contrary proposition is established as a matter of law. Id.
(ii) Factual Sufficiency Review
The proper standard for reviewing factual sufficiency where the law dictates that the
defendant has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence is whether, after considering
all the evidence relevant to the issue at hand, the judgment is so against the great weight and
preponderance of the evidence so as to be manifestly unjust. Meraz v. State, 785 S.W.2d 146,
154–55 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990).
(B) Voluntary Release in a Safe Place
The cases determining when a kidnapper voluntarily releases the victim in a safe place
require the kidnapper to release the victim without any element of rescue or escape.
In Brown, the appellant stabbed his victim in the neck with a knife and kidnapped her.
Brown, 98 S.W.3d at 182. The seriously injured victim later persuaded Brown to release her at a
hospital by promising him that she would "tell them [that she] did it." After a jury convicted Brown
of aggravated kidnapping, he requested that the jury sentence him as a second-degree felon because
he voluntarily released his victim in a safe place. The trial court, agreeing with the State, concluded
Brown had not voluntarily released his victim because he had been tricked or manipulated into
bringing her to the hospital. Id. The Tyler Court of Appeals agreed, holding that, in order for the
action to qualify as a voluntary release, the action must be the spontaneous product of the actor's free
will, uninfluenced by another's persuasion, coercion, or solicitation. Id.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals disagreed with the Tyler court, rejecting a broad
definition and, instead, applying a narrow definition of "voluntary" when determining the application
of Section 20.04(d). Id. at 188. In order for the action to be voluntary, there must be no elements
of escape by the victim or rescue by the police or by others. Id. (citing to Comments to Model Penal
Code, Section 212.1, at pages 233–34). The court concluded such a definition was consistent with
the legislative purpose of Section 20.04(d) to encourage kidnappers to release their victims. Id.
Therefore, the Tyler court erroneously applied a broad definition. Id.
On remand, the Tyler court concluded that, based on the narrow definition of "voluntary
release," Brown should have been subject to the lesser sentence under Section 20.04(d), although he
may have been tricked into bringing his victim to the hospital. The Tyler court reversed and
remanded the case for a new punishment hearing. Brown v. State, 109 S.W.3d 550, 551 (Tex.
App.—Tyler 2003, no pet.).
Although decided before Brown, this Court's rationale in Carreon v. State, 63 S.W.3d 37,
39 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2001, pet. ref'd), remains largely sound in light of Brown.
Holding that
the evidence did not support a Section 20.04(d) instruction, this Court held that application of
Section 20.04(d) should focus on the accused's conduct, not the victim's physical condition or ability
to escape. Id. (citing Wiley v. State, 820 S.W.2d 401, 411 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1991, no pet.)).
To qualify for the mitigating effect of Section 20.04(b), an accused "must have performed some
overt and affirmative act that brings home to the victim that [he or she] has been fully released from
captivity." Carreon, 63 S.W.3d at 39–40; Harrell v. State, 65 S.W.3d 768, 772 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2001, pet. ref'd). Such analysis is consistent with Brown's holding that
"voluntary release" does not include any element of rescue or escape.
(C) Cooks Did Not Voluntarily Release Atkins
The record reveals that Cooks did not voluntarily release Atkins, but was separated from her
by hospital personnel, in essence rescuing her from Cooks.
Cooks carried the gun into the hospital in his pocket and quickly took over the conversation
with medical personnel, not letting Atkins say anything. He would not let her call her parents, but
called them for her. Finally, she testified, he gave her the keys and left.
Sudie Boyd, a triage nurse at Christus St. Michael Hospital, first assessed Atkins on her
arrival. She provided relevant details regarding Cooks' departure and confirmed Atkins' statement
that Cooks "spoke for her completely." Atkins was not allowed to speak to Boyd, which Boyd
described as "very unusual" in that situation. Cooks even answered for Atkins when Boyd asked her
the level of pain she was experiencing. Boyd testified that Cooks stayed near Atkins and the nurse,
and that Atkins seemed withdrawn and would not make eye contact with Boyd during the
conversation. Boyd took her observations to her senior nurse and asked her to treat Atkins.
Eventually, Atkins was taken to a private room for treatment, and Cooks "was escorted by [Boyd]
to a family counseling room" in the waiting room. Once separated from Cooks, Atkins finally told
the senior nurse that Cooks had kidnapped her and that she sustained her injuries by jumping out of
the car in an attempt to escape.
While we have somewhat similar facts as those before the Brown court, there are critical
distinctions. Here, the evidence shows that the still-armed Cooks accompanied Atkins into the
hospital and continued to exert control over her, so much so that the hospital staff felt compelled to
intervene by separating the two. Atkins testified that Cooks would not let her speak to the hospital
staff. Boyd confirmed this version of events and explained that she became so concerned she sought
the aid of her senior nurse to treat Atkins and then escorted Cooks away from Atkins into another
part of the facility.
In Brown, it is unclear whether Brown accompanied his victim into the hospital. From our
reading of the facts, it does not appear he did. This distinction becomes critical to our analysis here
because our facts show rescue rather than release. And, under the definition of voluntary release set
forth in Brown, rescue or escape will not afford the criminal defendant the mitigating effect of
Section 20.04(d). Here, the evidence shows Cooks was separated from Atkins as a result of the
observations and actions of healthcare personnel.
Granted, after having been persuaded by his anesthesiologist friend and his former attorney,
Cooks brought Atkins to receive medical treatment for her injuries. We are not convinced, however,
that the act of taking Atkins to the hospital qualifies as a voluntary release under Section 20.04(d).
First, Cooks carried the gun in his pocket as the two entered the emergency room. He continued to
stay with Atkins and did not allow her to talk to the staff. He went so far as to answer questions
asked for the purpose of diagnosis, such as the level of pain Atkins was experiencing. Such acts are
not consistent with release. It was not until the perceptive Boyd detected some troubling aspect of
the pair's demeanor that Cooks was artfully separated from Atkins so that she felt "fully released
from captivity." It was only then, when she was free from Cooks' control, that she explained what
Cooks had done to her. While we understand the objective of Section 20.04(d) is to provide an
incentive to kidnappers to release their victims and recognize the wisdom in bringing Atkins to
receive medical treatment, we are not prepared to conclude these facts constitute a "voluntary
release" under Brown when, by all appearances, Cooks retained significant control over Atkins until
the intervention by medical personnel.
There is legally sufficient evidence to support the jury's failure to find that Cooks voluntarily
released Atkins. Also, we conclude the jury's finding was not against the great weight and
preponderance of the evidence. We overrule Cooks' first point of error.
(2) Cooks Effectively Asserted His Right To Represent Himself
The trial court twice appointed counsel for Cooks. Cooks was dissatisfied with both
attorneys and, although he was given more time than requested to try to retain counsel of his choice,
he elected to represent himself at trial. Cooks now complains that the trial court's refusal to appoint
a third attorney effectively forced Cooks to represent himself. Citing Renfro v. State, 586 S.W.2d
496 (Tex. Crim App. 1979), Cooks contends the record does not show he knowingly and voluntarily
waived his right to counsel. We hold that such a showing is not necessary where, as here, Cooks
successfully asserted his right to self-representation. The record is replete with evidence that Cooks
effectively asserted such a right and, thus, the trial court was bound to honor that right.
The Sixth Amendment implies the right to self-representation, and the right to assistance of
counsel is intended only to supplement that right. Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 807, 829–30
(1975). Although courts sometimes consider the right of self-representation in conjunction with the
issue of waiver of counsel, the right of self-representation is an independent constitutional right. Id.;
Martin v. State, 630 S.W.2d 952, 953 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982). It does not arise from the defendant's
power to waive the assistance of counsel. Lambrecht v. State, 681 S.W.2d 614, 615 n.2 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1984); Martin, 630 S.W.2d at 953. Therefore, exercising the right of self-representation does
not require the defendant to first knowingly and intelligently waive the right to the assistance of
counsel. See Saunders v. State, 721 S.W.2d 359, 362 (Tex. App.—Tyler 1985, pet. ref'd). The
defendant's demand for self-representation cannot be denied due to the record's failure to reflect
effective waiver of right to counsel. Id. The validity of the defendant's assertion of the right to
self-representation depends on whether the defendant was aware of the dangers and disadvantages
of self-representation, rather than the traditional analysis for waiver of counsel. Johnson v. State,
760 S.W.2d 277, 278 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988) (plurality op.). That is, the issue here is whether
Cooks effectively asserted his right to represent himself, rather than whether he effectively waived
his right to counsel. See id.
A trial court need not follow a "formulaic questioning" or particular "script" to assure itself
that an accused who has asserted his or her right to self-representation does so with "eyes open."
Burgess v. State, 816 S.W.2d 424, 428 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). The record must be sufficient for
the reviewing court to make an assessment that the defendant was made aware of the dangers and
disadvantages of the self-representation. Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835; Goffney v. State, 843 S.W.2d 583,
585 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992); Johnson, 760 S.W.2d at 279.
The Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution guarantee the right
of an accused to conduct his or her own defense. Faretta, 422 U.S. at 807. Thus, the defendant
decides whether to accept assistance of counsel or to conduct his or her own defense, and the United
States Supreme Court in Faretta mandated that "his choice must be honored" when the benefits of
the assistance of counsel are knowingly relinquished with an informed awareness of danger and
disadvantages of self-representation. Id. at 834; Burton v. State, 634 S.W.2d 692, 694 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1982).
Reviewing the several pretrial hearings in this case, we see that the trial court made certain
that Cooks wanted to proceed pro se and gave him every opportunity to hire counsel or use appointed
counsel. The trial court made great efforts, during both the lengthy set of pretrial hearings and the
trial, to ensure that Cooks' rights were protected.
The trial court first appointed counsel June 6, 2001. Cooks expressed extreme dissatisfaction
with his court-appointed attorney, filing several grievances against him and refusing to speak to him.
That attorney moved to withdraw, and the trial court granted the motion. The trial court then
appointed Cooks a second attorney, with whom Cooks also became extremely dissatisfied.
On June 19, 2003, Cooks filed a "Waiver of an Attorney" in which he expressed his desire
to represent himself and stated that he "fully understands the dangers and disadvantages of
proceeding to trial without the assistance of counsel." Cooks also filed a motion to substitute his
second appointed counsel with himself. Second counsel moved to withdraw based on the inability
to effectively communicate, the fact that Cooks had filed several grievances against him, and Cooks'
desire to proceed pro se.
On January 16, 2004, the trial court held a hearing on Cooks' motion to substitute counsel.
At this hearing, the trial court warned Cooks he would be held to the same standards as a lawyer.
Cooks requested that he have two to three weeks to see if he could obtain enough money to retain
his own counsel. The trial court went beyond Cooks' request and granted him a month. The trial
court then asked Cooks if that would be sufficient time, and Cooks responded affirmatively. The
State requested that the trial court set the case for trial on February 17, 2004, with the understanding
that trial would proceed with either retained counsel or Cooks himself. The trial court asked Cooks
if he understood that request, and Cooks responded that he did. The trial court then reminded
appointed counsel that he still maintained his position until further notice.
The trial court entered its order allowing defendant to proceed pro se on February 5, 2004.
The trial court ordered that second appointed counsel remain in the case in an advisory role.
Personnel changes in the trial court caused the case to be continued until March 1, 2004. Cooks then
sought another continuance, and the case was set for April 26, 2004.
On March 26, 2004, the trial court held another pretrial hearing in which it confirmed Cooks'
wishes regarding representation. The trial court asked Cooks whether he "had indicated . . .
that [he] wanted to represent [himself]." The trial court then asked whether Cooks intended to
continue to represent himself in the case or whether he intended to try to hire counsel. Cooks replied
he was going to go ahead and continue to represent himself until further notice. The trial court then
expressed concern and asked Cooks to give a more definite statement as to his wishes. The trial
court cautioned Cooks and stated the court would prefer that Cooks have an attorney so his rights
would be fully protected. The court acknowledged that Cooks had the right to proceed pro se and
asked whether the previous trial judge went over that right with Cooks. Cooks confirmed that the
previous trial judge did go over in great detail the right to self-representation.
Following yet another warning that having an attorney would better protect his rights, Cooks
then asked about how much more time he could have to try to hire another attorney. The State
protested the prospect of further delay since Cooks had been incarcerated for three years on the
matter. The trial court expressed its concern about how long the case had been pending and did not
allow additional time for Cooks to obtain another lawyer.
Cooks went on to reject his stand-by counsel, stating he did not want stand-by counsel
"anywhere near [his] situation." The trial court stated to Cooks, "You've indicated right now that
you want to represent yourself, and the Court is going to allow you that opportunity to represent
yourself." After addressing several of Cooks' complaints regarding his access to the law library, the
trial court again asked whether Cooks was going to continue to represent himself. Cooks responded
that it was his intention to represent himself "until further notice, sir, because I don't – I just don't
really trust anyone with my life here."
On April 23, during another pretrial hearing, Cooks confirmed he was representing himself,
but again voiced his complaints about access to the jail's law library. The trial court loaned him
copies of relevant codes and insisted that Cooks be ready for trial. After the trial court again insisted
that the matter go to trial the next week, Cooks protested:
[F]or the record, too, I'd like to acknowledge that I have not been represented fairly.
I've been here three years. That's a long sentence to me. Anybody that do [sic] the
time would see what I'm saying. But I've been here without correct due process or
anything. I've been in this place three years without any benefit of due process
whatsoever, and I've been totally ignored, and now I'm going to jury trial, and I've
already served basically a sentence already.
The trial court noted that Cooks had been appointed counsel twice and affirmatively chose not to use
either. The trial court also pointed out that Cooks had indicated he wanted to represent himself or
hire his own counsel, to which Cooks replied, "Yes, I truly do. But see, with all due respect, once
again, sir, I am not ready due to the fact that I have not had the right material, and three or four days
is not enough time for me to get in those books like that."
When Cooks moved the trial court to acknowledge the fact "that [his] Sixth Amendment has
been violated severely," the trial court and the State responded that Cooks repeatedly sought to
represent himself. Then Cooks went in another direction, complaining again about access to the law
library. When the trial court refused to continue the case again
and encouraged Cooks to utilize
stand-by counsel for any questions, Cooks replied he was going to go ahead as planned. He noted
again that he thought his rights were severely violated and "hope[d] everybody in here hear (sic) me."
On the scheduled trial date, based on Cooks' several and insistent complaints that he was not
ready and had no access to the law library, the trial court reluctantly agreed to continue the case to
June 1, 2004, so Cooks would have enough time to use the library and subpoena witnesses. The trial
court also asked whether Cooks still wished to proceed pro se:
The Court:You have chosen to represent yourself in this case, and the
Court is going to allow you that opportunity. And I believe that is how you want to
proceed, is that correct?
Mr. Cooks:(Nods affirmatively.)
The Court:You're nodding your head, and that means yes.
Mr. Cooks:Yes, sir.
The trial court then fielded general questions from Cooks about how the case would progress.
Finally, the trial court held three more pretrial hearings in which it ruled on Cooks' pro se motions
and took steps to remedy his complaints regarding law library access.
In the extensive pretrial period, Cooks complained about his appointed attorneys, complained
about access to the law library, and often cited due process violations. But he did not request a third
appointed attorney. In fact, he stated he did not trust an attorney to handle such a serious matter.
And he affirmatively rejected the idea of getting another court-appointed attorney. The trial court
gave him ample time to seek retained counsel, but Cooks never provided the trial court with any
indication that he was actively pursuing such a route. Rather, it would appear from the record that
Cooks used the prospect of retaining counsel as a tactic to delay the trial further.
In his "Waiver of an Attorney," Cooks expressed his desire to represent himself and
affirmatively stated that he "fully understands the dangers and disadvantages of proceeding to trial
without the assistance of counsel." He also represented to the trial court that the previous trial judge
had gone over in great detail the right of self-representation. Additionally, the record contains
several warnings by the trial court that Cooks would be held to the same rules as would a lawyer and
that his rights would likely be better protected by trained counsel. Despite these ample warnings
regarding the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation, Cooks knowingly chose to exercise
his constitutionally guaranteed right to represent himself. We overrule Cooks' second and final point
of error.
Having overruled both of Cooks' points of error, we affirm the trial court's judgment.
Josh R. Morriss, III
Chief Justice
CONCURRING OPINION
I concur in the majority opinion, but I believe there is another reason to hold the trial court
did not err on the issue of self-representation.
Even though Cooks had rejected the attorneys appointed to represent him and manage his
case and insisted on self-representation, the trial court provided him with standby counsel throughout
the entire course of the proceedings. Is it error to fail to admonish a defendant of the dangers and
disadvantages of self-representation when he is provided standby counsel? The Fourteenth Court
of Appeals addressed this issue in Robertson v. State, 934 S.W.2d 861 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th
Dist.] 1996, no pet.). There the defendant rejected his court appointed counsel and invoked his right
of self-representation, but the trial court required the attorney to remain in the case in the event the
defendant wanted to utilize his services. The defendant conducted the trial himself, and the attorney
did not participate. On appeal, the defendant complained that his waiver of counsel was not
knowingly made because the court failed to admonish him of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation. In analyzing this issue, the Fourteenth court explained the differences in full
representation by counsel, pro se representation, hybrid representation, and stand-by counsel. Before
the Robertson opinion, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals held that a defendant electing hybrid
representation was not entitled to the admonishments concerning the dangers of self-representation
since counsel was available to the defendant and participated in the trial to some degree. Maddox
v. State, 613 S.W.2d 275, 286 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1980) (op. on reh'g). In Robertson, the
court held that, although it was preferable to admonish a defendant when standby counsel is
appointed, it is not required. Waiver of counsel and the need to admonish arise only where a
defendant waives counsel in the sense of having none available; in other words, when the situation
neither involves a hybrid representation or standby counsel. 934 S.W.2d at 865. Because both
hybrid representation and standby counsel involve the defendant's assuming control over important
tactical considerations and deciding the extent to which the assistance of counsel will actually be
invoked, no basis exists on which to treat standby counsel differently for purposes of admonishment.
Id. Therefore, the court held that the failure to admonish Robertson of the dangers and disadvantages
of self-representation was not error since he was provided standby counsel. Id. at 866.
The holding in Robertson has been followed by the Houston First Court of Appeals in Walker
v. State, 962 S.W.2d 124 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1997, pet. ref'd). Walker conducted his
own trial, but did have standby counsel available, and the court held that the failure to admonish him
concerning the Faretta factors was not error. Id. at 127. Unpublished cases have adopted the
reasoning of the Robertson case. Young v. State, No. 05-98-00036-CR, 2000 Tex. App. LEXIS 15
(Tex. App.—Dallas Jan. 4, 2000, no pet.) (not designated for publication); Ivory v. State, No. 14-97-00421-CR, 1999 Tex. App. LEXIS 5590 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] July 29, 1999, pet. ref'd)
(not designated for publication). For this additional reason, I concur in the Court's opinion.
Jack Carter
Justice
Date Submitted: March 23, 2005
Date Decided: June 2, 2005
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