STATE OF LOUISIANA
COURT OF APPEAL
FIRST CIRCUIT
2024 KA 0399
VERSUS
JOSHUA STEPHENS
JUDGMENT RENDERED:
Appealed from the Twenty -Third Judicial District Court Parish of Ascension • State of Louisiana Docket Number 35, 827 • Division B
The Honorable Cody Martin, Presiding Judge
Joshua Stephens, D.O. C. # 626275 APPELLANT Louisiana State Penitentiary DEFENDANT— Pro Se Angola, Louisiana
Prentice L. White COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT Louisiana Appellate Project DEFENDANT— Joshua Stephens Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Rickey L. Babin COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE District Attorney State of Louisiana Donald D. Candell Lindsey D. Manda Assistant District Attorneys Gonzales, Louisiana
BEFORE: THERIOT, HESTER, AND EDWARDS, JJ. EDWARDS, I
The Grand Jurors of the Twenty -Third Judicial District, for the Parish of
Ascension, charged the defendant, Joshua Stephens, by bill of indictment with
second degree murder— a violation of La. R.S. 14: 30. 1 ( count one); aggravated
criminal damage to property— a violation of La. R.S. 14: 55 ( count two); and being
a convicted felon in possession of a firearm— a violation of La. R.S. 14: 95. 1 ( count
three).' The defendant entered a plea of not guilty. Following a jury trial, the jury found the defendant guilty as charged on each count. On count one, the trial court
sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of parole,
probation, or suspension of sentence and ordered the defendant to pay a fee of forty- five dollars ($ 45. 00) to the indigent defender fund. On count two, the trial court
sentenced the defendant to ten years at hard labor. On count three, the trial court
sentenced the defendant to ten years at hard labor without benefit of parole,
probation, or suspension of sentence and ordered the defendant to pay a fine of one
thousand dollars ($ 1, 000. 00),. The trial court ordered the sentences on all three
counts to run concurrently. The defendant now appeals, designating one counseled
assignment of error and one pro se assignment of error. For the following reasons,
we affirm the defendant' s convictions; affirm the sentences on counts one and two;
affirm in part, and vacate in part the sentence on count three as to the imposed fine;
vacate the imposed fee; and remand for a hearing in compliance with La. Code Crim.
P. art. 875. 1 and for resentencing as to count three.
FACTS
On the evening of March 24, 2016, Dwayne Stephens— the victim— was
outside of his home, located at 39150 J. Lee Stephens Road in Ascension Parish,
when a vehicle pulled up. Three men exited the vehicle and began firing weapons in
1 The grand jurors also indicted co- defendants, Caleb Carter and Marcus Harris, in the same grand jury bill of indictment. The trial court granted the State' s oral motion to sever the co- defendants and proceed to trial as to Joshua Stephens only. See La. Code Crim. P. art. 704.
14 the direction of the house. Several people, including two children, were inside the
home when the shooting occurred. Dwayne was shot six times and died shortly thereafter. An eye -witness identified one of the shooters as the defendant— who is
also Dwayne' s cousin. Detectives with the Ascension Parish Sheriff' s Office
APSO") located the defendant in Texas, where he was arrested and subsequently extradited to Louisiana and charged with the instant offenses.
SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
In his counseled assignment of error, the defendant argues the evidence was
insufficient to convict him as the State failed to prove his identity as the shooter. Law
A conviction based on insufficient evidence cannot stand as it violates Due
Process. See U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1; La. Const. art. I, § 2. The standard of
review for sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction is whether, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact
could have found that the State proved the essential elements of the crime and the
defendant' s identity as the perpetrator of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S. Ct. 2781, .2789, 61 L.Ed.2d 560, 573
1979); State v. Currie, 2020-0467 ( La. App. 1 Cir. 2/ 22/ 21), 321 So. 3d 978, 982.
See also La. Code Crim. P. art. 821( B);
When a conviction is based on both direct and circumstantial evidence, the
reviewing court must resolve any conflict in the direct evidence by viewing that
evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution. When the direct evidence is
thus viewed, the facts established by the direct evidence and the facts reasonably inferred from the circumstantial evidence must be sufficient for a rational juror to
conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty of every essential element ofthe crime. La. R.S. 15: 438; Currie, 321 So.3d at 982. When a case involves
circumstantial evidence and the jury reasonably rejects the hypothesis of innocence
3 presented by the defense, that hypothesis falls, and the defendant is guilty unless there
is another hypothesis which raises a reasonable doubt. State v. Dyson, 2016- 1571 ( La.
App. 1 Cir. 6/ 2/ 17), 222 So.3d 220, 228, writ denied, 2017- 1399 ( La. 6/ 15/ 18), 257
So.3d 685.
Second degree murder is the killing of a human being when the offender has a
specific intent to kill or to inflict great bodily harm. La. R.S. 14: 30. 1( A)( 1). Specific
criminal intent is that state of mind which exists when the circumstances indicate that
the offender actively desired the prescribed criminal consequences to follow his act or
failure to act. La. R.S. 14: 10( l). Specific intent may be proved by direct evidence or
by inference from circumstantial evidence, and is an ultimate conclusion to be resolved
by the fact finder. State v. Howard, 2023- 1060 ( La. App. 1 Cir. 6/ 3/ 24), 392 So.3d
365, 370- 71.
Aggravated criminal damage to property is the intentional damaging of any
structure wherein it is foreseeable that human life might be endangered, by any means
other than fire or explosion. La. R.S. 14: 55( A). Aggravated criminal damage to
property requires proof of general criminal intent. General criminal intent is present
when the circumstances indicate the offender, in the ordinary course of human
experience, must have adverted to the prescribed criminal consequences as reasonably certain to result from his act. Thus, aggravated criminal damage to property is
committed upon proof that the accused voluntarily did the act. See State v. Dawson,
2018- 0257 ( La. App. 1 Cir. 9/21/ 18), 2018 WL 4520104, * 2 ( unpublished).
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon requires proof of the defendant' s
status as a convicted felon, and that the defendant was in possession of a firearm. The
State must also prove ten years have not elapsed since the date of completion of the
punishment for the prior felony conviction. See La. R.S. 14: 95. 1; State v. St. Cyre,
2019-0034 ( La. App. 1 Cir. 12/ 19/ 19), 292 So. 3d 88, 113, writ denied, 2020- 00142
La. 5/ 26/ 20), 296 So.3d 1063.
C! The State bears the burden of proving the elements of each offense, along with
the burden of proving the identity of the defendant as the perpetrator. When, as in this
case, the key issue is the perpetrator' s identity, rather than whether the crime was
committed, the State is required to negate any reasonable probability of
misidentification. A positive identification by only one witness is sufficient to support
a conviction. State v. Coleman, 2017- 1045 ( La. App. 1 Cir. 4/ 13/ 18), 249 So. 3d 872,
877- 78, writ denied, 2018- 0830 ( La. 2/ 18/ 19), 263 So. 3d 1155.
Evidence and Testimony Presented at Trial
Bernard Jones, Jr. testified as an eye -witness to the instant crimes. Mr. Jones
lived across the street from the victim, Dwayne, and had also known the defendant for
several years. Mr. Jones testified that the defendant was Dwayne' s cousin. On the
evening ofMarch 24, 2016, Mr. Jones stated he went to the gas station to get something
to drink and then drove to Dwayne' s house where he, Dwayne, and another gentleman,
Fred, were outside talking. As Dwayne and Fred entered the house, Mr. Jones went to
sit in his vehicle. While sitting in his vehicle, Mr. Jones saw the defendant' s vehicle—
which he described as a yellowish, two -door Lincoln Continental— pull up to
Dwayne' s house. The defendant was driving the vehicle, and Marcus Harris and Caleb
Carter (the co- defendants) were passengers. Mr. Jones testified the defendant jumped
out of the car holding an assault rifle and began firing shots at the house as Dwayne
and Fred were walking through the door. According to Mr. Jones, the defendant
unloaded the first magazine and then retrieved a second magazine from Caleb Carter
and started shooting at the house again. The defendant attempted to get a third
magazine, but was unable to do so. Mr. Jones testified Marcus Harris was located at
the passenger side near the front seat of the defendant' s vehicle. According to Mr.
Jones, Marcus Harris had a small handgun and was shooting at the house as well. When
the defendant noticed Mr. Jones exit his vehicle, he told Marcus Harris: " He make
another move, you do him too." The defendant and co- defendants then got back into
5 the defendant' s vehicle and quickly drove away. Mr. Jones called 911. Mr. Jones
testified there were several people inside the house when the defendant was shooting
at it, including the victim' s fiancee, his two children, and :Fred. Mr. Jones admitted he
had a few drinks and " probably" used crack cocaine prior to the shooting. However,
Mr. Jones affirmed that he was one -hundred percent certain the defendant was the
person he saw shoot the victim.
Tamekia Ricksthe victim' s fiancee— testified that on the night of the
shooting, she was inside their home with the victim' s two children, a twelve -year-old
and a four-year-old. Ms. Ricks testified Dwayne was walking through the front door
when the shooting started. Dwayne was struck by gunfire and then collapsed in the
kitchen. Ms. Ricks called 911. According to Ms. Ricks, Dwayne and the defendant
were relatives, and she and Dwayne treated the defendant like a son. Ms. Ricks testified
she noticed the defendant' s vehicle, which she described as a cream -colored Lincoln
Town Car, through the kitchen window. She also testified she heard the defendant' s
voice yelling Dwayne' s name, during the shooting.
Dr. Karen Ross, a forensic pathologist with the East Baton Rouge Parish
Coroner' s Office, performed the autopsy in this case. Dr. Ross testified that the victim
suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the left side ofthe chest, one to the
lower abdomen, one to the lower chest, two to the left arm, and one to the left hand.
Dr. Ross testified the gunshot wound to the left side of his chest, which hit the victim' s
heart, " would have been the most rapidly fatal and singularly fatal."
Kailye Smith worked for the Investigative Support Division of the APSO and
helped process the crime scene in this case. She testified that the victim' s house was
shot approximately forty times, with bullet holes starting from the left side ofthe house
and continuing past the front door. According to Ms. Smith, two different caliber guns
were used. However, the .22 caliber rifle fired considerably more shots than the . 380
caliber weapon.
C Approximately fourteen hours after the shooting in the instant matter, Joshua
Poret— who worked at the Louisiana State Fire Marshal' s Office— responded to a
possible arson in St. Landry Parish. Mr. Poret testified that when he arrived on the
scene, he saw a burnt vehicle. The vehicle' s license plate was still intact. After running
the license plate, it was discovered the vehicle was registered to the defendant.
Lieutenant Randy Heflin with the APSO testified he interviewed Mr. Jones as a
witness to the shooting. During the interview, Mr. Jones identified the defendant in a
photographic lineup as one of the shooters. Mr. Jones also identified the co-defendants,
Marcus Harris and Caleb Carter, in photograph lineups. Several days later, Lt. Heflin
learned the defendant and Marcus Harris were located in Galveston, Texas. Lt. Heflin
testified the defendant and Marcus Harris were taken into custody and extradited to
Louisiana.
Lieutenant Glenn Luna with the APSO testified he interviewed the defendant
after he was extradited to Louisiana. Lt. Luna testified the defendant admitted to setting
his vehicle on fire. However, the defendant denied any involvement in the victim' s
death. The defendant explained he was at a gas station when the shooting occurred,
and received phone calls informing him that people were saying his vehicle was
involved in the shooting.
The State also introduced text messages exchanged between victim' s phone and
the defendant' s phone shortly before the shooting. The text messages indicated the two
men were having a dispute, with an escalating exchange ending with Dwayne telling
the defendant, " I want u to use it ... u and [ your] brothers[.]" The shooting occurred
shortly thereafter.
Finally, the State and the defendant stipulated that the defendant was a convicted
felon, having been previously convicted of aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal
use of a firearm, and possession of cocaine. It was further stipulated those convictions
11 fell within the ten-year window and could be used as a predicate offense for the crime
of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The defendant did not testify at trial.
Discussion and Analysis
On appeal, the defendant argues the State failed to provide sufficient and
credible evidence the defendant was responsible for the victim' s death. The defendant
contends Mr. Jones was intoxicated at the time he witnessed the offense, and no other
direct or physical evidence connected the defendant to the shooting. We disagree.
In the absence of internal contradiction or irreconcilable conflict with the
physical evidence, one witness' s testimony, if believed by the trier of fact, is sufficient
to support a factual conclusion. Further, where there is conflicting testimony about
factual matters, the resolution of which depends upon a determination of the credibility
of the witnesses, the matter is one of the weight of the evidence, not its sufficiency.
State v. Alexander, 2014- 1619 ( La. App. 1 Cir. 9/ 18/ 15), 182 So. 3d 126, 131, writ
denied, 2015- 1912 ( La. 1/ 25/ 16), 185 So.3d 748. Accordingly, on appeal, this court
will not assess the credibility of witnesses or reweigh the evidence to overturn a fact
finder' s determination of guilt. State v. Lavy, 2013- 1025 ( La. App. 1 Cir. 3/ 11/ 14),
142 So.3d 1000, 1006, writ denied, 2014- 0644 ( La. 10/ 31/ 14), 152 So. 3d 150.
A thorough review of the record reveals the State provided ample evidence of
each offense, and the defendant' s identity as the perpetrator of those offenses. Mr.
Jones testified he had known the defendant for years and was familiar with the kind of
car the defendant drove. On the night of the shooting, Mr. Jones saw the defendant' s
vehicle pull up to the victim' s house. Mr. Jones then saw the defendant get out of the
vehicle with an assault -style rifle and fire several rounds of ammunition into the
victim' s home as the victim was walking through the front door. Specific intent may
be inferred from a defendant' s act of pointing a gun and firing at a person. State v.
Henderson, 99- 1945 ( La. App. 1 Cir. 6/ 23/ 00), 762 So.2d 747, 751, writ denied, 2000-
M. 2223 ( La. 6/ 15/ 01), 793 So.2d 1235. Accordingly, Mr. Jones' testimony, by itself,
establishes each element of the crime of second degree murder.
Moreover, Mr. Jones testified the victim' s fiancee, his two children, and his
friend Fred were all inside the home when the defendant shot at the house no fewer
than forty times. Accordingly, the jury could have reasonably found this testimony
sufficient to find the defendant guilty of aggravated criminal damage to property.
Finally, because the defendant stipulated to his status as a convicted felon, Mr. Jones'
testimony that the defendant was in possession of the assault -style rifle was sufficient
to find him guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
The defendant contends Mr. Jones was too intoxicated at the time of the
shooting to be viewed as a credible or reliable witness. However, the jury heard
evidence of Mr. Jones' intoxication and gave it the weight they believed it deserved.
This court will not assess the credibility of witnesses or reweigh the evidence to
overturn a fact finder' s determination of guilt. Lavy, 142 So.3d at 1006.
Additionally, the State introduced a significant amount of circumstantial
evidence against the defendant. Ms. Ricks testified she recognized the defendant' s
vehicle and heard the defendant' s voice during the shooting. The jury also saw
evidence of an escalating text message exchange between the victim and the defendant
just prior to the shooting. Moreover, the jury heard evidence the defendant fled to
Texas after the shooting and admitted to setting his vehicle on fire once he learned the
vehicle was implicated in the victim' s death. Flight and attempt to avoid apprehension
indicate consciousness of guilt:, and therefore are circumstances from which a juror
may infer guilt. See State v. Fuller, 418 So.2d 591, 593 ( La. 1982).
An appellate court errs by substituting its appreciation of the evidence and
credibility of witnesses for that of the fact finder and thereby overturning a verdict on
the basis of an exculpatory hypothesis of innocence presented to, and rationally
rejected by, the jury. See State v. Calloway, 2007- 2306 ( La. 1121/ 09), 1 So. 3d 417,
W 418 (per curiam). Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution,
we find that a rational trier of fact could have found that the State proved beyond a
reasonable doubt all of the elements of second degree murder, aggravated criminal
damage to property, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and the
defendant' s identity as the perpetrator of those offenses. This counseled assignment of
error is without merit.
INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
In his pro se assignment of error, the defendant argues his trial counsel was
ineffective for failing to object to the prosecutor' s closing remarks, which amounted
to prosecutorial misconduct and for failing to question a witness regarding his interest
or bias in the case.
Law
A defendant is entitled to effective assistance of counsel under the Sixth
Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, § 13 of the Louisiana
Constitution. In assessing a claim of ineffectiveness, a two-pronged test is employed.
The defendant must show that ( 1) 1 his attorney' s performance was deficient; and (2) the
deficiency prejudiced him. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct.
2052, 2064, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 ( 1984). The error is prejudicial if it was so serious as to
deprive the defendant of a fair trial or " a trial whose result is reliable." Strickland, 466
U.S. at 687, 104 S. Ct. at 2064.
The defendant must prove actual prejudice before relief will be granted. It is
not sufficient for the defendant to show that the error had some conceivable effect on
the outcome of the proceeding. In order to show prejudice, the defendant must
demonstrate that, but for counsel' s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. Further, it is unnecessary to address the issues of both
counsel' s performance and prejudice to the defendant if the defendant makes an
10 inadequate showing on one of the components. State v. Turner, 2023- 0831 ( La. App 1 Cir. 4/ 19/ 24), 2024 WL 1694002, * 6 ( unpublished).
A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is more properly raised by an
application for post -conviction relief in the trial court where a full evidentiary hearing
may be conducted. However, in the interest of judicial economy, an appellate court
may address the issue of ineffective assistance where the record discloses evidence
needed to decide the issue and the defendant raises the issue by assignment of error on
appeal. State v. Kimble, 2023- 0176 ( La. App. 1 Cir. 9/ 21/ 23), 376 So. 3d 869, 875.
The defendant asserts that his counsel failed to object or request a mistrial after
the prosecutor referenced his prior convictions during his closing remarks. The
defendant specifically challenges the following remarks:
I ask you at the end of the day, at the end of these deliberations, that you find him guilty of [second] degree murder, I ask that you find him guilty for placing the lives of Fred, Tamekia[,] and those two children in harm of aggravated criminal damage to property, and I ask you, due to his own admissions, he' s been convicted of aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal possession and use of a firearm, possession of cocaine, I ask you find him guilty of felon with a firearm.
Closing arguments in criminal cases should be restricted to the evidence
admitted, to the lack of evidence, to conclusions of fact that may be drawn therefrom,
and to the law applicable to the case. Further, the State' s rebuttal shall be confined to
answering the argument of the defendant. See La. Code Crim. P. art. 774; State v.
Bedwell, 2018-0135 ( La. App. 1 Cir. 6/ 21/ 18), 2018 VVL 3080356, * 2 ( unpublished),
writ denied, 2018- 1247 ( La. 1/ 18/ 19), 262 So. 3d 288. Prosecutors are allowed wide
latitude in choosing closing argument tactics. Id.
The remarks in question were within the permissible scope of closing arguments. The record reflects that the State and the defense stipulated that the
defendant had previously been convicted of aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal
11 use of a firearm, and possession of cocaine. Thus, the prosecutor' s reference to the
defendant' s criminal history was clearly drawn from the evidence stipulated to at trial,
and any objection by defense counsel thereto would have been futile. Therefore, the
defendant' s argument does not satisfy either prong of Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 104
S. Ct. at 2064.
The defendant next argues that his counsel was ineffective for failing to question
a witness regarding his interest or bias in the case. The defendant references the
testimony provided by Mr. Jones and insists that defense counsel did not ask the
witness if he made a deal with the State, if he had a criminal conviction or pending
criminal charges, nor did counsel attack Mr. Jones' credibility.
It is unclear from the record whether Mr. Jones entered any deals with the State
or whether he has a criminal record; therefore, this court cannot adequately review the
defendant' s claim. Because the record does not allow for definitive resolution on
appeal, we find the defendant' s claim is more properly relegated to post -conviction
proceedings, where the trial court may conduct a full evidentiary hearing. See State v.
Anderson, 2022- 0587 ( La. App. 1 Cir. 12/ 22/ 22), 357 So. 3d 845, 854, writ denied,
2023- 00352 ( La. 9/ 6/ 23), 369 So3d 1267.
PATENT ERROR
This court routinely conducts an independent review of the entire record,
including a review for patent error under La. Code Crim. P. art. 920( 2). Our review
revealed the existence of a patent sentencing error in this case.
At the time the trial court sentenced the defendant on October 11, 2023 and
November 14, 2023, La. Code Crim. P. art. 875. 1 required the trial court to conduct
a hearing to determine whether the payment of any fine, fee, cost, restitution, or
monetary obligation would cause substantial hardship to the defendant. Article
875. 1( C) states, in pertinent part.
12 1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, prior to ordering the imposition or enforcement of any financial obligations . . . the court shall conduct a
hearing to determine whether payment in full of the aggregate amount of all the financial obligations to be imposed upon the defendant would cause substantial financial hardship to the defendant or his dependents[.]
2) The defendant or the court may waive the judicial determination of a substantial financial hardship required by the provisions of this Paragraph. If the court waives the hearing on its own motion, the court shall provide reasons, entered upon the record, for its determination that the defendant is capable of paying the fines, fees, and penalties imposed without causing a substantial financial hardship.
In this case, the trial court imposed a fine of one thousand dollars ($ 1, 000. 00)
as to count three and ordered the defendant to pay a forty-five dollars ($ 45. 00) fee
to the indigent defender fund. However, the trial court did not hold the mandatory hearing required under La. Code Crim. P. art. 875. 1( 0). The record contains no
waiver of the judicial determination of financial hardship. Accordingly, we affirm
the defendant' s sentence on count three insofar as it sentences him to a concurrent
ten years imprisonment at hard labor without the benefit of parole, probation, or
suspension of sentence. Pursuant to La. Code Crim. P. art. 875. 1, we are obligated
to vacate the defendant' s sentence on count three insofar as the sentence included
the imposition of a fine of one thousand dollars ($ 1, 000. 00) without a hearing to
determine if the fine would impose a substantial hardship. We also vacate the order
requiring the defendant to pay forty-five dollars ($ 45. 00) to the indigent defender
fund. We remand this case to the trial court for a hearing in compliance with La. Code Crim. P. art. 875. 1. See State v. McKnight, 2023- 0886 ( La. App. 1 Cir.
7/ 24/ 24), 395 So. 3d 897, 904- 06, writ denied, 2024- 01069 (La. 12/ 11/ 24), 396 So. 3d
13 DECREE
Based on the foregoing, we affirm the defendant' s convictions; affirm the
sentences on counts one and two; affirm in part, and vacate in part the sentence on
count three as to the imposition of the one thousand dollars ($ 1, 000. 00) fine; and
vacate the imposition of the forty-five dollars ($ 45. 00) fee to be paid to the indigent
defender fund. We remand for a hearing in compliance with La. Code Crim. P. art.
875. 1 and for resentencing as to count three.
CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED; SENTENCES ON COUNTS ONE AND TWO AFFIRMED; SENTENCE ON COUNT THREE AFFIRMED IN PART, AND VACATED IN PART; FINANCIAL OBLIGATION IMPOSED PURSUANT TO LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTES 15: 168 VACATED; REMANDED FOR HEARING IN COMPLIANCE WITH LOUISIANA CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ARTICLE 875. 1 AND FOR RESENTENCING AS TO COUNT THREE.