Sammie Coleman v. State

• Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
• Decided: July 28, 2006
• Docket: 03-04-00471-CR
• Status: Published

Opinion

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

NO. 03-04-00469-CR NO. 03-04-00470-CR NO. 03-04-00471-CR

Sammie Coleman, Appellant

v.

The State of Texas, Appellee

FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, 331ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT NOS. 9044089, 9044090, 9044092, HONORABLE BOB PERKINS, JUDGE PRESIDING

MEMORANDUM OPINION

A jury convicted Sammie Coleman of one count of aggravated assault, one count of

deadly conduct, and three counts of felon in possession of a firearm. See Tex. Pen. Code

Ann.§ 22.02 (aggravated assault) (West Supp. 2005), § 22.05 (deadly conduct) (West 2003), § 46.04

(firearm) (West Supp. 2005). The jury also found that Coleman employed a deadly weapon in the

commission of each offense. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 42.12 § 3g(a)(2) (West Supp. 2005).

The court sentenced Coleman as a habitual felon to serve the following concurrent sentences: forty-

five years for the aggravated assault, thirty-five years for the deadly conduct, thirty years for the first

count of felon in possession of a firearm, and twenty-five years each for the second and third

possession counts. See Tex. Pen Code Ann. § 12.42 (West Supp. 2005). In this appeal, Coleman

contends that (1) the district court erred by consolidating two felon in possession of a firearm counts that did not arise out of the same criminal episode as the other charged offenses; (2) the district court

incorrectly stated the law in its charge on his necessity defense; (3) the evidence was factually

insufficient to support a conviction for two of the three counts of felon in possession of a firearm;

and (4) he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel. We will affirm the judgments of

conviction.

BACKGROUND

This case arises out of a confrontation between Coleman and David Harris, in which

Coleman shot Harris eight times with a .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol.1 Both men had been

romantically involved with Tanisha Burton. The events in question took place in the early morning

hours of August 6, 2003. Coleman arrived at Burton’s house after midnight wanting to speak with

her. After a short argument, Coleman returned home. Harris then called Coleman on the telephone

warning him to leave Burton alone; the two exchanged harsh words and threats. Over the course of

the evening, Harris learned that Coleman had a key to Burton’s home. This made Harris

uncomfortable, and he insisted that Burton retrieve her key immediately, even though it was 3:30

a.m.

Burton and Harris then drove to Coleman’s home. Burton went inside while Harris

waited down the street. When Burton and Coleman began arguing, Harris approached, worried about

Burton’s safety. After Harris announced his presence, Coleman pulled out a gun and shot Harris.

1 Harris testified that he was shot eight times. Coleman testified that he shot in “rapid fire.” Fifteen shells were found nearby. The evidence was disputed as to whether Coleman reloaded or, instead, had a modified clip that held more rounds than a typical .40 caliber pistol.

2 Coleman’s description of the events differed from Burton and Harris’s account. Coleman testified

that Harris drew a gun and that he fired at Harris only in self defense.

Coleman fled the scene but turned himself in the following day. In a subsequent

search of Coleman’s home, the police discovered a .20 gauge shotgun and a .22 caliber rifle locked

to a metal bracket in the closet of an office. The police also found a leather bag containing .20 gauge

shotgun shells in the office. At trial, Coleman’s uncle testified that he had been storing the rifle and

shotgun in Coleman’s home and that Coleman did not have a key to the lock. His uncle did not

mention leaving a bag with shotgun shells with Coleman.

DISCUSSION

Misjoinder

In his first point of error, Coleman contends that the district court committed

fundamental error when it consolidated the two counts of felon in possession of a firearm involving

the shotgun and rifle found locked in Coleman’s closet with the three counts for offenses arising out

of his assault of Harris. As Coleman admits in his brief, he raises this claim for the first time on

appeal, citing Fortune v. State as support for the right to do so. 745 S.W.2d 364, 370 (Tex. Crim.

App. 1988) (misjoinder of offenses is fundamental error subject to review at any time). Although

Fortune has not been expressly overruled, it was decided under a prior version of the constitution

and code of criminal procedure, which were amended after the trial occurred in Fortune. See id. at

n.1.

In Nolte v. State, we observed that, as amended in 1987, the constitution and the code

of criminal procedure prohibit raising defects in the indictment for the first time on appeal. See 854

3 S.W.2d 304, 308 (Tex. App.—Austin 1993, pet. ref’d) (“all defects in a charging instrument were

waived if not raised by a defendant before trial . . . appellant’s failure to timely object to the

misjoinder waived his right to demand that this Court set aside the convictions arising from the

misjoined offenses”) (citing Studer v. State, 799 S.W.2d 263, 270-71 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990)).

Several of our sister courts have reached the same conclusion—that Fortune no longer controls the

preservation of error in misjoinder claims following the 1987 amendments. See Sanchez v. State,

928 S.W.2d 255, 257-58 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1996, no pet.) (“[S]ince the court of

criminal appeals announced its decision, the underlying statutory and constitutional provisions have

changed. . . . Under the newer article [1.14], an objection is required to preserve a misjoinder error,

[and] . . . reading the current versions of article 21.24 and 3.01 together, it is permissible for the State

to join two or more [non-property] offenses in a single indictment if the offenses are part of the same

criminal transaction or if the offenses are part of a common scheme or plan.”); Anderson v. State,

905 S.W.2d 367, 369-70 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1995, pet. ref’d) (Fortune “deal[t] with [an]

indictment returned prior to the effective date of article 1.14(b) . . ., [which] now requires objection

to preserve the error of misjoinder. Failure to object prior to trial waives the error.”); McGowen v.

State, 885 S.W.2d 285, 291 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1994, no pet.) (noting Fortune was decided on

prior statutes and holding that, pursuant to article 1.14(b), defendant must object to indictment errors

before trial to preserve error); Howell v. State, 795 S.W.2d 27, 28 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1990, pet.

ref’d) (since Fortune, penal code was amended to allow accused to be charged with multiple

property offenses in single indictment); see also Denton v. State, No. 03-96-00006-CR, 1998 Tex.

App. LEXIS 4981, at *33 (Tex. App.—Austin Aug. 13, 1998, pet. ref’d) (failure to object to

4 misjoinder prior to trial waived right to raise matter on appeal; Fortune does not control because

based on rulesin effect before adoption of article 1.14(b)).

Thus, it is well-settled that, pursuant to the current version of article 1.14(b) of the

code of criminal procedure, a claim of misjoinder is not fundamental error and may not be raised for

the first time on appeal. See Mallett v. State, 28 S.W.3d 603, 606-07 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi

2000), rev’d on other grounds, 65 S.W.3d 59 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001); Sanchez, 928 S.W.2d at 257;

Anderson, 905 S.W.2d at 369; Nolte, 854 S.W.2d at 308. Because Coleman did not raise this issue

in the district court, he has waived error. We overrule Coleman’s first point of error.

Charge on Necessity

In his second point of error, Coleman contends that the district court’s charge on his

necessity defense was fundamentally defective. The jury was instructed to acquit Coleman of

illegally possessing the .40 caliber pistol if it found that Coleman “reasonably believed that such act

was immediately necessary to avoid imminent harm, to wit: an assault by David Harris.” The jury

was also instructed that Coleman might have been “justified in exhibiting a firearm to ward off such

an assault.” Coleman argues that these instructions improperly limited the jury’s authority to acquit,

excluding the possibility that he was entitled to possess the pistol if he “reasonably believed that

possession was immediately necessary to avoid being harmed by Harris in the near future.” We need

not decide whether this instruction was error because we find that any error was harmless.

Because Coleman did not object to this charge, we review any error under the

Almanza standard. See Almanza v. State, 686 S.W.2d 157, 171-72 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985) (op. on

reh’g). We reverse only if an error in the instruction resulted in egregious harm, depriving the

5 appellant of a fair and impartial trial. See id.; Bluitt v. State, 137 S.W.3d 51, 53 (Tex. Crim. App.

2004). In this case, Coleman testified that he had owned the .40 caliber pistol for more than two

years before he used it to shoot Harris. Coleman was not entitled to a necessity instruction because

his continued possession of the firearm for over two years could not have been based on his

“reasonable belief that the criminal conduct was immediately necessary to avoid imminent harm.”

See Stefanoff v. State, 78 S.W.3d 496, 501 (Tex. App.—Austin 2002, pet. ref’d) (emphasis omitted)

(imminent harm component of necessity defense requires “an immediate, non-deliberative action

made without hesitation or thought of legal consequence”). Because Coleman was not entitled to

an instruction on the necessity defense, we hold that any error in such an instruction did not

constitute egregious harm.2 See Almanza, 686 S.W.2d at 171-72. We overrule Coleman’s second

point of error.

Factual Sufficiency

In his third and fourth points of error, Coleman contends that the evidence was

factually insufficient to support a conviction for possession of his uncle’s shotgun and rifle. When

there is a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a criminal conviction, the question

presented is whether a rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the offense

beyond a reasonable doubt. Zuniga v. State, 144 S.W.3d 477, 484 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). In a

factual sufficiency review, all the evidence is considered equally, including the testimony of defense

witnesses and the existence of alternative hypotheses. Orona v. State, 836 S.W.2d 319, 321 (Tex.

2 Coleman claims that the instruction limited the jury’s consideration of his necessity defense. He does not allege that the instruction affected any other aspect of the trial.

6 App.—Austin 1992, no pet.). Although due deference still must be accorded the fact-finder’s

determinations, particularly those concerning the weight and credibility of the evidence, the

reviewing court may disagree with the result in order to prevent a manifest injustice. Johnson v.

State, 23 S.W.3d 1, 9 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). The evidence will be deemed factually insufficient

to sustain the conviction if the evidence of guilt, considered alone, is too weak to support a finding

of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, or if the strength of the contrary evidence precludes a finding of

guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Zuniga, 144 S.W.3d at 484-85.

We analyze the sufficiency of the evidence in cases involving possession of a firearm

by a felon under the rules adopted for determining the sufficiency of the evidence in cases of

possession of a controlled substance. Coleman v. State, 188 S.W.3d 708, 720 (Tex. App.—Tyler

2005, pet. ref’d); Corpus v. State, 30 S.W.3d 35, 37 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000, pet.

ref’d); Young v. State, 752 S.W.2d 137, 140 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1988, pet. ref’d). Therefore, the

State was required to prove that Coleman knew of the weapons’ existence and that he exercised

actual care, custody, control, or management over them. Coleman, 188 S.W.3d at 720; Corpus, 30

S.W.3d at 37; see also Cude v. State, 716 S.W.2d 46, 47 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986). A person’s control

of the contraband need not be exclusive; it is sufficient if the evidence establishes that the defendant

and another jointly possessed the contraband. Martin v. State, 753 S.W.2d 384, 387 (Tex. Crim.

App. 1988); In re K.T., 107 S.W.3d 65, 72 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2003, no pet.).

Coleman’s uncle left the guns in Coleman’s home for safekeeping. The very purpose

of the arrangement was for Coleman to exercise care, custody, control, or management over the

firearms. Although the guns were locked by a chain to a bracket in Coleman’s closet, this bracket

could simply be unscrewed from the wall to access the guns. Moreover, Coleman’s possession of

7 ammunition for the shotgun is some indication that Coleman was not merely storing the weapons.

Viewing the evidence neutrally, we hold that the jury’s finding that Coleman was in possession of

the shotgun and rifle found locked in his closet does not constitute a manifest injustice. See Johnson,

23 S.W.3d at 9. Accordingly, we overrule Coleman’s third and fourth points of error.

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

In his final point of error, Coleman asserts that he was deprived of the effective

assistance of counsel because his attorney’s actions and omissions permitted the jury to hear

evidence of his prior felony convictions. Specifically, Coleman points to his attorney’s failures to

object to consolidating the cases, to file a motion in limine regarding the six prior felony convictions,

and to object to the admission of the prior felonies, as well as his attorney’s decision to elicit direct

testimony from Coleman about the prior convictions.

We evaluate claims of ineffective assistance of counsel at both phases of a criminal

trial against the standard set forth in Strickland v. Washington. See 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984);

Hernandez v. State, 988 S.W.2d 770, 772, 774 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) (applying Strickland

standard). In deciding a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, we must determine whether an

attorney’s performance was deficient, and if so, whether that deficiency prejudiced the defense.

Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687; Thompson v. State, 9 S.W.3d 808, 812 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). An

attorney’s performance is deficient if it falls below an objective standard of reasonableness.

Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688; Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 812.

Deficient performance is prejudicial when, but for the attorney’s unprofessional

conduct, there is a reasonable probability that the outcome of the proceeding would have been

8 different. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694; Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 812. A reasonable probability is a

probability that is sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694;

Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 812. Absent both showings, we cannot conclude that there was a breakdown

in the adversarial process that rendered the result of a trial unreliable. Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 813.

In determining whether an attorney’s performance was deficient, we apply a strong

presumption that the attorney’s conduct was within the range of reasonable professional assistance.

Id. at 814. We do not speculate about an attorney’s strategy. Blevins v. State, 18 S.W.3d 266, 271

(Tex. App.—Austin 2000, no pet.); see also Moore v. Johnson, 194 F.3d 586, 604 (5th Cir. 1999)

(courts not “required to condone unreasonable decisions parading under the umbrella of strategy, or

to fabricate tactical decisions on behalf of counsel when it appears on the face of the record that

counsel made no strategic decision at all”). We review the effectiveness of counsel in light of the

totality of the representation and particular circumstances of each case. Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 813.

“[A]ny allegation of ineffectiveness must be firmly founded in the record, and the

record must affirmatively demonstrate the alleged ineffectiveness.” Id. at 814 (citing McFarland

v. State, 928 S.W.2d 482, 500 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996)). The appellant bears the burden of

overcoming the presumption of reasonable attorney performance and is required to prove by a

preponderance of the evidence that his counsel was ineffective. Blevins, 18 S.W.3d at 271; Mayhue

v. State, 969 S.W.2d 503, 511 (Tex. App.—Austin 1998, no pet.). Therefore, the appellant must

produce a record from which we may discern that his attorney’s performance was not based on sound

trial strategy. Blevins, 18 S.W.3d at 271. We recognize that this burden is difficult to meet on direct

appeal. In the majority of cases, the record on direct appeal is simply underdeveloped and cannot

adequately reflect the failing of trial counsel. Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 813-14; see also Andrews v.

9 State, 159 S.W.3d 98, 102 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). Ineffective assistance of counsel claims may be

reviewed on direct appeal only when “no reasonable trial strategy could justify the trial counsel’s

conduct, [thus] counsel’s performance falls below an objective standard of reasonableness as a

matter of law, regardless of whether the record adequately reflects the trial counsel’s subjective

reasons for acting as she did.” Andrews, 159 S.W.3d at 102.

Here, Coleman did not allege ineffective assistance of counsel in his motion for new

trial and there is no record reflecting his attorney’s trial strategy with regard to his prior convictions.

On this undeveloped record, especially in light of the fact that Coleman testified at trial,3 we cannot

conclude that counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. See id. We

overrule Coleman’s fifth and final point of error.

CONCLUSION

Having overruled all of Coleman’s points of error, we affirm the convictions.

___________________________________________

W. Kenneth Law, Chief Justice

Before Chief Justice Law, Justices Patterson and Puryear

Affirmed

Filed: July 28, 2006

Do Not Publish

3 A witness’s credibility may be impeached by evidence that he has been convicted of a felony or other crime of moral turpitude. See Tex. R. Evid. 609.