FIRST DIVISION BARNES, P. J., GOBEIL and PIPKIN, JJ.
NOTICE: Motions for reconsideration must be physically received in our clerk’s office within ten days of the date of decision to be deemed timely filed. https://www.gaappeals.us/rules
January 31, 2025
In the Court of Appeals of Georgia A24A1633. WHITE v. THE STATE.
PIPKIN, Judge.
Travis White challenges his convictions for Unlawful Acts of Violence in a
Penal Institution, see OCGA § 16-10-56, for which he was sentenced as a recidivist
pursuant to OCGA § 17-10-7 (a) to 15 years in confinement followed by five years on
probation. On appeal, White alleges that he received ineffective assistance of counsel
and that the trial court erred during sentencing by imposing a $500 attorney fee award.
Although we see no merit on White’s claim concerning counsel’s effectiveness, we
conclude that the trial court failed to properly analyze White’s ability to pay the
attorney fee reimbursement award. Consequently, we affirm White’s convictions, but we vacate the portion of his sentence imposing the $500 attorney fee award and
remand this case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
The record from White’s one-day trial shows that, on October 19, 2022, White
was in the F dorm of the Pierce County Jail with Marzadius Sermon and Bernard
McQueen.1 White got into two separate arguments with McQueen and Sermon,
during which White spit on both men, called them a racial slur, and moved toward
them with balled fists. Thereafter, the men got into a physical altercation and White
sustained some injuries. Jail Officer Henderson was notified of the incident and
began an investigation. Officer Henderson discovered that the entire incident had
been recorded by the jail’s surveillance system; this recording was played for the jury.
Upon seeing that White had been injured during the fight, Officer Henderson checked
on White’s physical well-being and encouraged White to be truthful about his injuries
so that he could receive the appropriate medical care. At this time, White became
angry, balled his fists and moved aggressively toward Officer Henderson while using
vulgar language. Officer King, who was nearby, restrained White in order to prevent
the situation from escalating.
1 Sermon testified as a witness at trial, McQueen did not. 2 1. White alleges that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel. It is well
settled that, in order to establish a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a
defendant must show that his counsel’s performance was professionally deficient and
that, but for such deficient performance, there is a reasonable probability that the
result of the trial would have been different. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U. S.
668, 687 (III) (104 SCt 2052, 80 LE2d 674) (1984). “In reviewing the trial court’s
decision, we accept the trial court’s factual findings and credibility determinations
unless clearly erroneous, but we independently apply the legal principles to the facts.”
(Citation and punctuation omitted.) Wright v. State, 291 Ga. 869, 870 (2) (734 SE2d
876) (2012).
At the hearing on his motion for new trial, White alleged numerous instances
of ineffective assistance of counsel, claiming that counsel was ineffective for: (1)
waiving opening statements, (2) failing to more thoroughly cross-examine or impeach
the State’s witnesses, (3) failing to investigate and prepare for trial, (4) presenting a
“pro forma” motion for a directed verdict at the close of the State’s case, (5) failing
to call any defense witnesses, (6) making a cursory closing argument, (7) failing to
submit written jury charges to the trial court or request the jury be charged on any
3 lesser included offenses, (8) failing to offer any evidence in mitigation at the
sentencing hearing, and (9) failing to move for a mistrial after a juror on the panel was
removed when it was discovered that she was dating a deputy who worked at the
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. Trial counsel and White both testified at the hearing
on the motion. After the hearing, the trial court concluded that trial counsel was
deficient “by not making an opening argument, by not interviewing witnesses to the
altercation, by not determining the possible grounds for impeaching the witnesses
against the Defendant, by making a cursory closing argument, and by presenting no
evidence in mitigation or in support of the Defendant at sentencing.” However, the
trial court determined that “regardless of such deficiency, there is [no] reasonable
probability that the outcome of the trial would have been different,” noting, in part,
that the incident between the inmates was captured on video and shown to the jury.
The trial court also concluded that “[a]ll other grounds for new trial not specifically
addressed herein are denied without further opinion.”
On appeal, White alleges that the trial court’s finding of no prejudice was error.
Based upon the record before us on appeal, we must disagree. As to the question of
prejudice, the trial court correctly recognized that the jury viewed the video recording
4 of the incident that occurred between White, McQueen, and Sermon. The record
shows that the video evidence corroborated Sermon’s testimony and White has not
shown how calling McQueen to the stand or attempting to impeach Sermon with his
prior convictions would have resulted in a different outcome. Indeed, the jury was
aware that Sermon was an inmate in the jail when this fight occurred and that he had
charges pending against him at the time of trial. See Lanier v. State, 310 Ga. 520, 526-
527 (3) (c) (852 SE2d 509) (2020) (explaining that, in order to make a threshold
showing of prejudice, a defendant “must introduce either testimony from the uncalled
witness or a legally recognized substitute for his or her testimony. He may not rely on
hearsay and speculation to prove ineffective assistance.”).
Further, White has presented no evidence showing that any additional
witnesses were available to testify, what their testimony would have been, or how that
testimony could have led to a reasonable probability of a different outcome. Indeed,
White presented no evidence showing “what further investigation would have
revealed or to offer any additional witnesses to demonstrate that their testimony
would have been relevant and favorable.” Fairclough v. State, 276 Ga. 602, 605 (4)
(581 SE2d 3) (2003). Likewise, White has failed to show what mitigating evidence
5 should have been presented at his sentencing hearing and how that would have led to
a different outcome at sentencing, especially when White was facing recidivist
punishment. Finally, White has failed to show prejudice based on counsel’s waiver of
his opening statement and counsel’s succinct closing argument. Indeed, White does
not explain what counsel should have said in either statement or how these new
arguments would have resulted in a different outcome at trial.2 And because a
defendant cannot rely on hearsay and speculation to prove Strickland’s prejudice
prong, see Lanier, 310 Ga. at 526-527 (3) (c), White’s claims concerning the trial
court’s prejudice analysis must fail.
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FIRST DIVISION BARNES, P. J., GOBEIL and PIPKIN, JJ.
NOTICE: Motions for reconsideration must be physically received in our clerk’s office within ten days of the date of decision to be deemed timely filed. https://www.gaappeals.us/rules
January 31, 2025
In the Court of Appeals of Georgia A24A1633. WHITE v. THE STATE.
PIPKIN, Judge.
Travis White challenges his convictions for Unlawful Acts of Violence in a
Penal Institution, see OCGA § 16-10-56, for which he was sentenced as a recidivist
pursuant to OCGA § 17-10-7 (a) to 15 years in confinement followed by five years on
probation. On appeal, White alleges that he received ineffective assistance of counsel
and that the trial court erred during sentencing by imposing a $500 attorney fee award.
Although we see no merit on White’s claim concerning counsel’s effectiveness, we
conclude that the trial court failed to properly analyze White’s ability to pay the
attorney fee reimbursement award. Consequently, we affirm White’s convictions, but we vacate the portion of his sentence imposing the $500 attorney fee award and
remand this case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
The record from White’s one-day trial shows that, on October 19, 2022, White
was in the F dorm of the Pierce County Jail with Marzadius Sermon and Bernard
McQueen.1 White got into two separate arguments with McQueen and Sermon,
during which White spit on both men, called them a racial slur, and moved toward
them with balled fists. Thereafter, the men got into a physical altercation and White
sustained some injuries. Jail Officer Henderson was notified of the incident and
began an investigation. Officer Henderson discovered that the entire incident had
been recorded by the jail’s surveillance system; this recording was played for the jury.
Upon seeing that White had been injured during the fight, Officer Henderson checked
on White’s physical well-being and encouraged White to be truthful about his injuries
so that he could receive the appropriate medical care. At this time, White became
angry, balled his fists and moved aggressively toward Officer Henderson while using
vulgar language. Officer King, who was nearby, restrained White in order to prevent
the situation from escalating.
1 Sermon testified as a witness at trial, McQueen did not. 2 1. White alleges that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel. It is well
settled that, in order to establish a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a
defendant must show that his counsel’s performance was professionally deficient and
that, but for such deficient performance, there is a reasonable probability that the
result of the trial would have been different. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U. S.
668, 687 (III) (104 SCt 2052, 80 LE2d 674) (1984). “In reviewing the trial court’s
decision, we accept the trial court’s factual findings and credibility determinations
unless clearly erroneous, but we independently apply the legal principles to the facts.”
(Citation and punctuation omitted.) Wright v. State, 291 Ga. 869, 870 (2) (734 SE2d
876) (2012).
At the hearing on his motion for new trial, White alleged numerous instances
of ineffective assistance of counsel, claiming that counsel was ineffective for: (1)
waiving opening statements, (2) failing to more thoroughly cross-examine or impeach
the State’s witnesses, (3) failing to investigate and prepare for trial, (4) presenting a
“pro forma” motion for a directed verdict at the close of the State’s case, (5) failing
to call any defense witnesses, (6) making a cursory closing argument, (7) failing to
submit written jury charges to the trial court or request the jury be charged on any
3 lesser included offenses, (8) failing to offer any evidence in mitigation at the
sentencing hearing, and (9) failing to move for a mistrial after a juror on the panel was
removed when it was discovered that she was dating a deputy who worked at the
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. Trial counsel and White both testified at the hearing
on the motion. After the hearing, the trial court concluded that trial counsel was
deficient “by not making an opening argument, by not interviewing witnesses to the
altercation, by not determining the possible grounds for impeaching the witnesses
against the Defendant, by making a cursory closing argument, and by presenting no
evidence in mitigation or in support of the Defendant at sentencing.” However, the
trial court determined that “regardless of such deficiency, there is [no] reasonable
probability that the outcome of the trial would have been different,” noting, in part,
that the incident between the inmates was captured on video and shown to the jury.
The trial court also concluded that “[a]ll other grounds for new trial not specifically
addressed herein are denied without further opinion.”
On appeal, White alleges that the trial court’s finding of no prejudice was error.
Based upon the record before us on appeal, we must disagree. As to the question of
prejudice, the trial court correctly recognized that the jury viewed the video recording
4 of the incident that occurred between White, McQueen, and Sermon. The record
shows that the video evidence corroborated Sermon’s testimony and White has not
shown how calling McQueen to the stand or attempting to impeach Sermon with his
prior convictions would have resulted in a different outcome. Indeed, the jury was
aware that Sermon was an inmate in the jail when this fight occurred and that he had
charges pending against him at the time of trial. See Lanier v. State, 310 Ga. 520, 526-
527 (3) (c) (852 SE2d 509) (2020) (explaining that, in order to make a threshold
showing of prejudice, a defendant “must introduce either testimony from the uncalled
witness or a legally recognized substitute for his or her testimony. He may not rely on
hearsay and speculation to prove ineffective assistance.”).
Further, White has presented no evidence showing that any additional
witnesses were available to testify, what their testimony would have been, or how that
testimony could have led to a reasonable probability of a different outcome. Indeed,
White presented no evidence showing “what further investigation would have
revealed or to offer any additional witnesses to demonstrate that their testimony
would have been relevant and favorable.” Fairclough v. State, 276 Ga. 602, 605 (4)
(581 SE2d 3) (2003). Likewise, White has failed to show what mitigating evidence
5 should have been presented at his sentencing hearing and how that would have led to
a different outcome at sentencing, especially when White was facing recidivist
punishment. Finally, White has failed to show prejudice based on counsel’s waiver of
his opening statement and counsel’s succinct closing argument. Indeed, White does
not explain what counsel should have said in either statement or how these new
arguments would have resulted in a different outcome at trial.2 And because a
defendant cannot rely on hearsay and speculation to prove Strickland’s prejudice
prong, see Lanier, 310 Ga. at 526-527 (3) (c), White’s claims concerning the trial
court’s prejudice analysis must fail.
White also raises the issue of cumulative prejudice based upon the trial court’s
numerous deficiency findings. “When we consider whether a defendant was
prejudiced by the alleged deficiency of trial counsel, we measure the evidence that
should have been – but was not – presented to the jury against the totality of the
2 White also contends that the trial court erred by finding no prejudice as to his remaining claims of ineffective assistance. In its order, the trial court summarily denied White’s claims regarding the “pro forma” directed verdict, counsel’s failure to submit written jury charges and his failure to move for a mistrial. Based upon the record before this Court and the lackluster arguments on deficiency and prejudice on these claims in White’s brief, we cannot say that the trial court erred by denying these claims of ineffective assistance. 6 evidence that was presented.” (Citation and punctuation omitted.) Woods v. State, 312
Ga. 405, 411 (III) (1) (862 SE2d 526) (2021). Here, White did not present any
additional or new evidence at his motion for new trial hearing. Meanwhile, the
evidence against him at trial was strong, especially in light of the video evidence
presented to the jury. Consequently, we see no cumulative prejudice here. See Woods,
312 Ga. at 412 (III) (1) (citing a collection of cases declining to find cumulative
prejudice where evidence of defendant’s guilt was “overwhelming” or “very
strong”).
2. At the sentencing hearing, the trial court imposed, among other things, a
$500 attorney fee award as a part of White’s punishment. White argues that this was
error and moves this Court to set aside this “void” portion of his sentence. As an
initial matter, we disagree with White’s characterization of the attorney fee award as
void, as a trial court does have the statutory authority to levy such fees against a
criminal defendant as “repayment of all or a portion of the cost for [a public defender]
providing legal representation.” OCGA § 17-12-51 (a). However, in assessing such
fees, a trial court must first determine whether or not the payment imposed would
create a financial hardship on the defendant. OCGA § 17-12-51 (d). In doing so, “the
7 trial court must inquire and determine such facts as the amount of defendant’s
income, assets, expenses, and outstanding obligations so as to have some basis for
finding ability to pay or reimburse.” (Citation and punctuation omitted.) Martin v.
State, 361 Ga. App. 511, 519 (3) (864 SE2d 693) (2021).
Here, the trial court generally ordered White to pay “five hundred dollars [in]
attorney’s fees,” but there is nothing in the record showing that the trial court
performed any kind of inquiry regarding White’s ability to pay the fee reimbursement
award. Therefore, we vacate the general condition of probation imposing a
reimbursement of $500 in attorney fees and remand the case for further proceedings
consistent with this opinion. See Martin, 361 Ga. App. at 520 (3).
Judgment affirmed, sentence vacated in part, and case remanded for resentencing.
Barnes, P. J., and Gobeil, J., concur.