Michael Hull v. State of Arkansas

2020 Ark. App. 410, 607 S.W.3d 516

Opinion

Cite as 2020 Ark. App. 410 Reason: I attest to the accuracy ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS and integrity of this document Date: 2021-07-09 08:34:38 Foxit PhantomPDF Version: DIVISION IV 9.7.5 No. CR-19-676

Opinion Delivered September 16, 2020

MICHAEL HULL APPEAL FROM THE CLAY COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT, EASTERN DISTRICT APPELLANT [NOS. 11PCR-17-111 & 11PCR-18-7]

HONORABLE RANDY F. PHILHOURS, V. JUDGE

MOTION TO WITHDRAW DENIED; STATE OF ARKANSAS REBRIEFING ORDERED

APPELLEE

LARRY D. VAUGHT, Judge

Michael Hull appeals from two April 29, 2019 sentencing orders revoking his probation

in case Nos. CR-2017-111 and CR-2018-7. His attorney filed a no-merit brief and a motion to

withdraw as counsel in both cases pursuant to Rule 4-3(k) (2020) of the Rules of the Arkansas

Supreme Court and Court of Appeals and Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), and asserts

that there is no meritorious issue to argue on appeal.1 Hull was notified of his right to file pro

se points for reversal, but he has not filed any such points. As a consequence, the State has

not filed a brief in response. Because there is arguable merit on the issues of whether Hull

knowingly and intelligently waived his right to counsel and whether Hull effectively

1This case has returned to us after rebriefing. In Hull v. State, 2020 Ark. App. 196, at 1–

2, we denied counsel’s motion to withdraw and ordered rebriefing because Hull’s counsel’s no-merit brief failed to address all adverse rulings in violation of Anders and Rule 4-3(k). relinquished his representation to standby counsel, we hold that it is not appropriate to dispose

of this case with a no-merit appeal. We therefore deny counsel’s motion to withdraw and order

that this case be briefed on the merits.

Hull pled guilty on April 3, 2018, to possession of drug paraphernalia in case No. CR-

2017-111 and to possession of methamphetamine in case No. CR-2018-7, both Class D

felonies, and received a five-year term of supervised probation for each offense, to run

concurrently. On August 15, the State filed a petition to revoke Hull’s probation in both cases

alleging three violations: (1) Hull possessed methamphetamine on July 18, 2018; (2) he

possessed drug paraphernalia on July 15, 2018; and (3) he possessed a weapon on July 18,

2018. In January 2019, the State filed an amended petition to revoke alleging four additional

violations: (1) Hull failed to report to his supervising officer within twenty-four hours after

being released from incarceration on October 8, 2018; (2) he moved from his residence

without permission; (3) he failed to pay court costs; and (4) he failed to pay probation-

supervision fees.

At the revocation hearing only two witnesses testified. The first was Sam Poole of the

Piggot Police Department, who stated that on April 4, 2019, a probation search of Hull’s home

revealed needles, one having a clear substance in it that field tested positive for

methamphetamine; and gabapentin pills, which Poole testified is a substitute for

methamphetamine and tests positive for methamphetamine. Officer Poole testified that a

woman named Amanda Hackworth was at Hull’s home and that Hull admitted the needles

were his.

2 Justin Barnes, Hull’s probation officer, testified that Hull failed to report to probation

on May 16 and July 18, 2018; a probation search of Hull’s home on July 18, 2018, revealed a

baggie that contained a small amount of methamphetamine, a glass pipe containing a white

powdery substance, and a KA-BAR fixed blade knife and that Hackworth was in the home;

Hull admitted that items found in his home were his; Hull admitted using methamphetamine

on April 23, 2019, and tested positive for marijuana the morning of the revocation hearing

(April 29, 2019); Hull owed $1,500 in fines to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office; and Hull owed

$150 in probation-supervision fees.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the circuit court revoked Hull’s probation, finding

that he failed to report, he failed to pay his financial obligations, he tested positive for drugs,

drugs and drug paraphernalia were located during two probation searches of his home, and he

was living with a known felon. The circuit court sentenced Hull to two five-year terms of

imprisonment, to run consecutively. In this no-merit appeal, Hull’s counsel addresses three

adverse rulings and argues that there is no merit to an appeal of those rulings.

The first adverse ruling occurred at the onset of the revocation hearing when Hull

stated to the court: “I am dismissing [Kirk Lonidier] as my attorney. If I have to, I guess I will

do it myself, but I do not want him.” Hull requested one hour to call another attorney. The

court asked Hull, “Why in the world would you want to represent yourself, and why should I

allow you to?” Hull answered that he did not want to represent himself. He said that he had

talked to another lawyer but did not pay him. The court then asked Hull about his educational

background, to which Hull responded “high school.” The court asked about Hull’s court

experience, and Hull said, “None, except for TV.” The court asked Hull if he had ever had a

3 trial or a hearing, and Hull said no. Thereafter, the circuit court stated that it was denying

Hull’s request to relieve his appointed counsel. However, it effectively granted the motion and

appointed Lonidier to serve as standby counsel. The court instructed Lonidier to sit at the

counsel table with Hull, told Hull that Lonidier will advise Hull and answer any of Hull’s

questions, advised Hull that he will make the decisions, and urged Hull not to take this step.

In response, Lonidier asked for a bench conference, wherein he asked: “Do you - - just

to make sure I understand. Do you want him to examine the witnesses or me just tell him

what to ask, or do you want me to . . . ” The circuit court interrupted:

There is a list of questions to go through to determine if someone is to represent themselves or not. . . . And I have the thought to have the public defender available to assist him. I mean, the man has got a high school education. I made it clear to him that, you know, it’s not like TV, and I have not dismissed you. . . . So you should render him whatever assistance he will allow you to render him.

During the hearing, Hull did not ask any questions of the State’s first witness, and

Lonidier stated that he was instructed by Hull not to ask any questions. The court reminded

Hull that Lonidier was there to help with the rules of evidence, and Hull responded that he

did not know what questions to ask. The court again stated that “people shouldn’t represent

themselves in court” and that Hull “should either be an active participant . . . or . . . allow Mr.

Lonidier to do that for you.” After the testimony of the State’s second witness, Hull asked no

questions and instructed Lonidier not to ask any questions. The State rested. Lonidier advised

the court that Hull had no witnesses and did not want to testify.

In this no-merit appeal, Hull’s counsel first argues that the circuit court was correct in

allowing Hull to proceed pro se. The right of a criminal defendant to proceed pro se was

delineated in Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975), where the Supreme Court held that “in

4 order to represent himself, the accused must knowingly and intelligently forgo those

relinquished benefits [traditionally associated with the right to counsel].” Hatfield v. State, 346

Ark. 319, 324–25, 57 S.W.3d 696, 700 (2001) (citing Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835). The Supreme

Court further stated that although a defendant need not have the skill and experience of a

lawyer in order to competently and intelligently choose self-representation, he “should be

made aware of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation so that the record will

establish that he knows what he is doing and his choice is made with eyes open.” Hatfield, 346

Ark. at 325, 57 S.W.3d at 700 (citing Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835; Adams v. United States ex rel.

McCann, 317 U.S. 269 (1942)). In Faretta, the Court also concluded that a defendant’s technical

legal knowledge, as such, is not relevant to an assessment of his knowing exercise of the right

to defend himself. Hatfield, 346 Ark. at 325, 57 S.W.3d at 700 (citing Faretta, 422 U.S. at 836).

Likewise, the Arkansas Supreme Court has long recognized the crucial aspect of

informing an accused of his right to represent himself, along with the attendant risks. Id., 57

S.W.3d at 700. Furthermore, our supreme court has held that the circuit court maintains a

weighty responsibility in determining whether an accused has knowingly and intelligently

waived his right to counsel. Id., 57 S.W.3d at 700. Every reasonable presumption must be

indulged against the waiver of fundamental constitutional rights, and the burden is on the State

to show that an accused voluntarily and intelligently waived his fundamental right to the

assistance of counsel. Id., 57 S.W.3d at 700. Determining whether an intelligent waiver of the

right to counsel has been made depends in each case on the particular facts and circumstances,

including the background, the experience, and the conduct of the accused. Id., 57 S.W.3d at

700.

5 A criminal defendant may invoke his right to defend himself pro se provided that (1)

the request to waive the right to counsel is unequivocal and timely asserted, (2) there has been

a knowing and intelligent waiver of the right to counsel, and (3) the defendant has not engaged

in conduct that would prevent the fair and orderly exposition of the issues. Id., 57 S.W.3d at

700. A specific warning of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation, or a record

showing that the defendant possessed such required knowledge from other sources, is required

to establish the validity of a waiver. Id. at 325–26, 57 S.W.3d at 700. The “constitutional

minimum” for determining whether a waiver was knowing and intelligent is that the accused

be made sufficiently aware of his right to have counsel present and of the possible

consequences of a decision to forego the aid of counsel. Id. at 326, 57 S.W.3d at 700–01 (citing

Scott v. State, 298 Ark. 214, 766 S.W.2d 428 (1989) (quoting Patterson v. Illinois, 487 U.S. 285

(1988))).

In Daniels v. State, 322 Ark. 367, 373, 908 S.W.2d 638, 640–41 (1995), our supreme

court reversed and remanded for a new trial because the appellant was not represented by

counsel at his trial, there was no showing on the record that he knowingly and intelligently

waived this right, and the circuit court did not explain the risks or the consequences of

proceeding without counsel. Similarly, in Gibson v. State, 298 Ark. 43, 47, 764 S.W.2d 617, 619

(1989), the supreme court reversed and remanded because at no time did the circuit court

determine that Gibson made an intelligent waiver by explaining the risks or the consequences

of proceeding without counsel.

Considering the caselaw and the record before us, we are concerned with the adequacy

of the circuit court’s admonition to Hull relating the risks and dangers of proceeding pro se.

6 While the circuit court inquired about Hull’s educational background and hearing experience,

there is little evidence that the circuit court explained to Hull the risks or consequences of

proceeding without counsel. Our review of the record reveals the court made two admonitions

to Hull. First, after the court had already ruled on Hull’s request to relieve his counsel but

before the first witness was called to testify, the circuit court stated to Hull, “I urge you not to

take this step.” And during the hearing, the circuit court stated that “people shouldn’t

represent themselves in court.” These two comments are arguably insufficient explanations to

Hull of the risks and dangers of proceeding without representation. Therefore, we hold that

the issue of whether Hull knowingly and intelligently waived his right to counsel is not a wholly

frivolous one.

Hull’s counsel argues that any deficiencies in the circuit court’s Faretta inquiry were

rendered moot by Lonidier’s “effective defense.” The assistance of standby counsel can rise

to a level that the defendant is deemed to have had counsel for his defense, thereby mooting

any assertion of involuntary waiver. Bledsoe v. State, 337 Ark. 403, 410, 989 S.W.2d 510, 514

(1999). Whether such assistance rises to that level is a question that must be answered by

looking at the totality of the circumstances. Id., 989 S.W.2d at 514. Our cases on this issue

demonstrate that the assistance must be substantial, such that counsel was effectively

conducting a defense. Id., 989 S.W.2d at 514.

In Calamese v. State, 276 Ark. 422, 635 S.W.2d 261 (1982), there was no evidence of any

inquiry by the circuit court into the appellant’s attempted waiver of counsel, but the supreme

court determined that the appellant had been effectively represented at trial by appointed

standby counsel. There, standby counsel, with evident familiarity, immediately assumed a fully

7 active role as trial attorney. Counsel conducted the entire interrogation and cross-examination;

he made objections to evidence and exhibits; he presented a defense with numerous exhibits

and four defense witnesses, including eliciting lengthy testimony from the defendant; and

made a forceful closing argument. Id. at 424, 635 S.W.2d at 262. Under those facts, it was held

that the appellant was not left to represent herself at any stage of the proceedings and that she

was not denied her right to counsel. Id. at 425, 635 S.W.2d at 262.

Similarly, in Oliver v. State, 323 Ark. 743, 918 S.W.2d 690 (1996), no effective waiver

was obtained when the defendant elected to proceed pro se and standby counsel was

appointed to assist during trial. Nevertheless, the supreme court affirmed the conviction

because, with the exception of the defendant’s cross-examination of the first State witness,

standby counsel cross-examined each State witness, made objections during the State’s case,

presented a motion for directed verdict at the conclusion of the State’s case, recalled the State’s

first witness and examined him as well as the remaining six defense witnesses, and made

closing argument. Id. at 750, 918 S.W.2d at 693. Under such circumstances, the supreme court

held that the defendant was not denied his right to counsel because standby counsel actively

represented him during most of the proceeding and that the defendant effectively relinquished

representation to his standby counsel early in the trial. Id., 918 S.W.2d at 693.

There is an argument to be made that the facts in the case at bar are distinguishable

from those in Calamese and Oliver. Here, standby counsel did nothing at Hull’s hearing—Hull

instructed him not to question the witnesses. Under these circumstances, we cannot agree with

counsel that there is no merit to the argument that Lonidier actively represented Hull during

the proceeding sufficient to overcome the deficiencies in the circuit court’s Faretta inquiry.

8 In conclusion, we hold that counsel has failed to show that an appeal of Hull’s

sentencing orders revoking his probation in case Nos. CR-2017-111 and CR-2018-7 would be

wholly frivolous. Accordingly, we deny counsel’s motion to withdraw and order rebriefing in

adversarial form on the issues of whether Hull knowingly and intelligently waived his right to

counsel and whether Hull effectively relinquished representation to his standby counsel. In

addition, counsel should also address how any ruling in Hull’s favor on these issues would

affect another adverse ruling—the denial of Hull’s motion for a continuance.

Motion to withdraw denied; rebriefing ordered.

GRUBER, C.J., and MURPHY, J., agree.

Skarda & Lonidier, P.L.L.C., by: Kirk B. Lonidier, for appellant.

One brief only.