Court Opinion

ID: 1071378
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-09 19:41:35.761172+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:05:50.847451
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
                          AT NASHVILLE
                                 September 16, 2003 Session

                MARCIE A. MURRAY v. STATE OF TENNESSEE

                 Direct Appeal from the Criminal Court for Davidson County
                           No. 94-C-1532    Seth Norman, Judge

                   No. M2002-03098-CCA-R3-PC - Filed February 18, 2004

The petitioner contends that the post-conviction court erred in denying relief from her convictions
for first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder. The petitioner has failed to
show prejudice from any alleged ineffective assistance, and the issue concerning Leonard Rowe’s
testimony has been previously determined and is not cognizable for relief on post-conviction. The
judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.

     Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Criminal Court Affirmed

JOHN EVERETT WILLIAMS, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which JOSEPH M. TIPTON and
DAVID G. HAYES, JJ., joined.

Kathleen G. Morris, Nashville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Marcie A. Murray.

Paul G. Summers, Attorney General and Reporter; Elizabeth T. Ryan, Assistant Attorney General;
Victor S. (Torry) Johnson, III, District Attorney General; and Tom Thurman, Assistant District
Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

                                             OPINION

        The petitioner, Marcie A. Murray, was convicted of first degree murder and conspiracy to
commit first degree murder. She received consecutive sentences of life imprisonment and twenty
years. Her convictions and sentences were affirmed on direct appeal by this Court. State v. James
Murray, Marcie Murray and Sharon R. Hurt, No. 01C01-9702-CR-00066, 1998 Tenn. Crim. App.
LEXIS 1323 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Nashville, Dec. 30, 1998). The petitioner filed a petition for
post-conviction relief that was denied. The petitioner contends in this appeal that the post-conviction
court erred in denying relief for ineffective assistance of counsel because 1) the decision to testify
was made by counsel and not petitioner, 2) counsel had a conflict of interest, 3) counsel failed to
subpoena an alibi witness, and 4) counsel failed to obtain certain “easily available” evidence. The
petitioner also claims the post-conviction court erred by precluding certain testimony of Leonard
Rowe at the post-conviction relief hearing. The judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.
                                                 Facts

        The following factual background is taken from this Court’s opinion in the petitioner’s initial
appeal. Murray, 1998 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 1323, at *3-17. The petitioner and her husband,
James Murray, initially shot the victim during a “drive-by” shooting. However, the victim survived
the shotgun wound. Several months later, the petitioner, her husband, and the victim’s wife, drugged
the victim by putting Elavil and diphenhydramine (commonly known as Benadryl) into mixed drinks
consumed by the victim. The concoction caused the victim to become unconscious. While the
victim was unconscious, the petitioner and her husband each shot the victim in the head. Both of
the shots were fatal. The petitioner was convicted of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit
first degree murder

        Counsel for the co-defendant, James Murray, testified at the hearing on the petition for post-
conviction relief. The co-defendant’s trial counsel stated that he did not think that his client or the
petitioner would have been found guilty without the testimony by the petitioner at trial. Although
he had originally planned for his client to testify, he felt that the State’s case was marginal and
decided that it would be best if his client did not testify. He also tried to convince the petitioner’s
trial counsel that the petitioner should not testify.

        The co-defendant’s trial counsel talked with Pam Woolums, the petitioner’s sister, regarding
calling her as an alibi witness. She told him that James Murray and the petitioner were out of town
when the murder occurred. Woolums indicated that she was willing to testify, but she needed to be
subpoenaed in order for her to get off of work. The co-defendant’s counsel testified that he
subpoenaed her, but she did not show up for trial. He later found out that she had outstanding
warrants.

        James Murray testified that the petitioner had medical problems while incarcerated at
Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) pending trial. He said that she had trouble remembering
things. She was also having numerous seizures. He believed that her trial counsel was “coaching
her” on what to say.

        Dr. Charles Harlan was the medical examiner who performed the autopsy on the victim in
this case. Prior to being murdered, the victim in this case had ingested a large quantity of Benadryl.
Dr. Harlan testified that he did not know if Benadryl was available in a clear tasteless form when this
murder was committed, in opposition to his trial testimony. The cause of death in this case was two
gunshot wounds to the head. He stated that Benadryl was available in several forms including liquid,
capsules, and tablets.

        The petitioner’s trial counsel testified that he was the appointed counsel for the petitioner at
trial. He stated that the petitioner made the decision to testify at trial. She felt that her story needed
to be told. She was aware that James Murray would not be testifying. Trial counsel felt that they
were losing the case anyway, and the petitioner’s testimony did not matter at that point.
Additionally, the petitioner was well educated (the petitioner was a registered nurse), and he felt that

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she could present her side as well as possible. He said that if the petitioner had not wanted to testify
“then that would have been that.” He agreed that he should have subpoenaed Woolums himself and
not relied on a co-defendant’s counsel. The petitioner indicated to trial counsel that she was being
abused and not being given proper medical treatment while at CCA. Trial counsel stated that he
represented CCA several years ago in cases involving alleged civil rights violations similar to those
alleged by the petitioner.

                                               Analysis

        The petitioner contends on appeal that she received ineffective assistance of counsel. This
Court reviews a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel under the standards of Baxter v. Rose, 523
S.W.2d 930 (Tenn. 1975), and Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052 (1984). The
petitioner has the burden to prove that (1) the attorney’s performance was deficient, and (2) the
deficient performance resulted in prejudice to the defendant so as to deprive her of a fair trial.
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S. Ct. at 2064; Goad v. State, 938 S.W.2d 363, 369 (Tenn. 1996);
Butler v. State, 789 S.W.2d 898, 899 (Tenn. 1990). The failure to prove either deficiency or
prejudice justifies denial of relief; therefore, the court need not address the components in any
particular order or even address both if one is insufficient. Goad, 938 S.W.2d at 370. In order to
establish prejudice, the petitioner must establish a “reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s
unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. A reasonable
probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Strickland, 466 U.S.
at 694, 104 S. Ct. at 2068.

        The test in Tennessee to determine whether counsel provided effective assistance is whether
his or her performance was within the range of competence demanded of attorneys in criminal cases.
Baxter, 523 S.W.2d at 936. The petitioner must overcome the presumption that counsel’s conduct
falls within the wide range of acceptable professional assistance. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104
S. Ct. at 2065; State v. Honeycutt, 54 S.W.3d 762, 769 (Tenn. 2001). Therefore, in order to prove
a deficiency, a petitioner must show “that counsel’s acts or omissions were so serious as to fall below
an objective standard of reasonableness under prevailing professional norms.” Goad, 938 S.W.2d
at 369 (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688, 104 S. Ct. at 2065).

         In reviewing counsel’s conduct, a “fair assessment . . . requires that every effort be made to
eliminate the distorting effects of hindsight, to reconstruct the circumstances of counsel’s challenged
conduct, and to evaluate the conduct from counsel’s perspective at the time.” Nichols v. State, 90
S.W.3d 576, 587 (Tenn. 2002) (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S. Ct. at 2065). The fact that
a particular strategy or tactic failed or hurt the defense does not, standing alone, establish
unreasonable representation. However, deference to matters of strategy and tactical choices applies
only if the choices are informed ones based upon adequate preparation. Henley v. State, 960 S.W.2d
572, 579 (Tenn. 1997); Hellard v. State, 629 S.W.2d 4, 9 (Tenn. 1982).

        The petitioner bears the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence the factual
allegations that would entitle the petitioner to relief. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-110(f). This Court

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is bound by the post-conviction court’s findings of fact unless the evidence preponderates against
those findings. Fields v. State, 40 S.W.3d 450, 456-57 (Tenn. 2001). The court’s application of the
law to the facts is reviewed de novo without any presumption of correctness. State v. Burns, 6
S.W.3d 453, 461 (Tenn. 1999).

         The petitioner first argues that the decision to testify at trial was made by counsel and not by
her. She points out that trial counsel was unable to locate any signed acknowledgment form
regarding her right not to testify. The petitioner contends that she was prejudiced, as indicated by
co-defendant’s trial counsel’s testimony that he felt that she would have been found not guilty until
she testified. The only evidence in the record concerning the decision to testify is the testimony of
her trial counsel. He testified that the petitioner made the decision to testify. He indicated that she
wanted to tell her side of the story. Despite not being able to locate any acknowledgment form, he
specifically remembered advising her about the right not to testify. The petitioner did not testify at
the post-conviction relief hearing and has produced no evidence to the contrary that the decision to
testify at trial was hers alone. This argument is without merit.

        The petitioner next argues that she received ineffective assistance of counsel because trial
counsel had an actual conflict of interest due to his representation of CCA in civil rights cases. She
argues that his loyalty to CCA colored his judgment, causing him to minimize the severity of her
complaints about her treatment at CCA. He indicated to the petitioner that if she intended to pursue
any claims against CCA, he would not be able to represent her. The mere fact that counsel might
have a potential conflict of interest in representing clients does not authorize a presumption of
ineffective assistance of counsel. Cuyler v. Sullivan, 446 U.S. 335, 100 S. Ct. 1708 (1980); State
v. Parrott, 919 S.W.2d 60 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995). In order for prejudice to result, an attorney must
actively represent conflicting interests. Cuyler, 446 U.S. at 349-50, 100 S. Ct. at 1718-19. “The
proper focus is solely upon whether counsel’s conflict affected counsel’s actions . . . .” Netters v.
State, 957 S.W.2d 844, 848 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1997). We conclude that there was no “actual
conflict of interest.” This argument is without merit.

        The petitioner contends ineffective assistance because of trial counsel’s failure to subpoena
Pam Woolums, an alibi witness. Counsel acknowledged that he should not have relied on a co-
defendant’s trial counsel to subpoena the witness. However, the petitioner has failed to demonstrate
prejudice on this issue. The co-defendant’s trial counsel subpoenaed Woolums, and she did not
show up at trial. Additionally, Woolums did not testify at the post-conviction hearing, so it is
impossible to know what her testimony would have been. The only way to establish the prejudicial
value of a witness’s testimony is to present that witness at the post-conviction hearing. Black v.
State, 794 S.W.2d 752, 757 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990). “It is elementary that neither a trial judge nor
an appellate court can speculate or guess on the question of . . . what a witness’s testimony might
have been if introduced by defense counsel.” Id. This argument is without merit.

        The petitioner lastly contends ineffective assistance because of trial counsel’s failure to
obtain evidence of the forms of Benadryl available at the time of the murder. The autopsy of the
victim in this case revealed large amounts of Benadryl. Apparently, the defendants in this case gave

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the victim Benadryl before shooting him in the head. The petitioner argues that Dr. Harlan testified
at trial that colorless, tasteless Benadryl was available at the time of the murders. However, evidence
subsequently discovered revealed that this statement was incorrect. As the post-conviction court
noted, this was irrelevant. The State never presented proof of the form of Benadryl used. The doctor
testified that he could not determine from the autopsy the form of Benadryl ingested by the victim.
The evidence showed that it could have been liquid, capsules, or even tablets. At most, the evidence
could have been used to impeach the statements of Dr. Harlan. It is undisputed that the victim in this
case died from two gunshot wounds to the head. The petitioner has failed to demonstrate sufficient
prejudice on this issue. This argument is without merit.

        The petitioner also contends that the post-conviction court erred in refusing to allow
testimony by Leonard Rowe concerning statements he made after the trial. Leonard Rowe was a co-
defendant who pled guilty in exchange for testifying against the petitioner and the other co-
defendants. Specifically, the petitioner sought his testimony that he had given sworn statements
post-trial that he had lied during his testimony at trial and had been pressured by the State to give
certain testimony through a “secret agreement.” The petitioner initially sought to present this
evidence to the trial court at the hearing on the motion for a new trial. The post-conviction court
ruled that the issue had already been litigated and decided and should be dismissed. See Tenn. Code
Ann. § 40-30-106(f). In regard to this issue on direct appeal, this Court stated in pertinent part:
        [Petitioner bases her claim] on two sworn statements given by Leonard Rowe on
        August 1 and August 27, 1996, over one year after the trial. The statement of August
        1st was given to counsel for Ms. Hurt and the statement of August 27th was given to
        counsel for Ms. Hurt and counsel for [petitioner]. These statements were given in the
        presence of a court reporter, but no representative of the State was present to cross-
        examine Rowe during either statement. In the first statement, Rowe claimed that
        during the trial, he “was under a lot of pressure on the witness stand, threats, if [he]
        didn’t convince the jury that [Appellants] were guilty, the D.A. was going to burn
        [his] ass.” In addition, he said that the prosecutor promised him a letter of
        recommendation so that he would make parole at the earliest possible date. Rowe
        stated that he believed that this meant that he would only “do a little bit more jail
        time,” although he admitted that there was never any discussion of how much time
        he would actually serve. Rowe also claimed that he was “tutored” by the prosecutor
        as to what to say at trial and the prosecutor “put words in [his] mouth.” Rowe
        claimed that he did not tell the truth at trial, but he refused to specify what he had
        been untruthful about. Rowe also stated that he felt that the State had not lived up
        to its promises, but he refused to say why that was the case. In the second statement,
        Rowe reiterated these claims and stated that the prosecutor specifically told him not
        to reveal the fact that he had made a deal with the State. Despite making these
        allegations, Rowe invoked his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination
        and refused to testify during the hearing on the Motion for a New Trial.
Murray, 1998 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS at *63-66.

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        A post-conviction court shall dismiss any petition for post-conviction relief that claims relief
for issues that have been waived or previously determined. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-106(f).
Section 40-30-106(h) defines “previously determined” as follows:
        A ground for relief is previously determined if a court of competent jurisdiction has
        ruled on the merits after a full and fair hearing. A full and fair hearing has occurred
        where the petitioner is afforded the opportunity to call witnesses and otherwise
        present evidence, regardless of whether the petitioner actually introduced any
        evidence.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-106(h) (emphasis added). As we determined in the direct appeal, the trial
court was correct in refusing to grant the motion for a new trial based on the affidavits alone. See
Hicks v. State, 571 S.W.2d 849, 852 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1978). The trial court granted the petitioner
an evidentiary hearing, but Rowe refused to testify. This issue has been previously determined and
is not cognizable for relief on post-conviction.

                                             Conclusion

        Based on the foregoing and the record as a whole, the judgment of the post-conviction court
is affirmed.

                                                     ___________________________________
                                                       JOHN EVERETT WILLIAMS, JUDGE

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