Court Opinion

ID: 3119317
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 08:20:20.355767+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:45:18.046939
License: Public Domain

AFFIRM; Opinion issued November 14, 2012

                                               In The
                               fLwrt uf .\ppeab
                         ifth Distrirt iif trxu it a11a
                                       No. 05-1 0-00528-CR

    GREGORY DEANGELO GARNER A/K/A GREGORY UNDERWOOD, Appellant

                                                 V.

                               THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

                      On Appeal from the Criminal District Court No. 2
                                   Dallas County, Texas
                           Trial Court Cause No. F09-5 1267-NI

                              MEMORANDUM OPINION
                           Before Justices Bridges, Richter, and Murphy
                                    Opinion By Justice Bridges

       Appellant Gregory Deangelo Gamer a!kla Gregory Underwood appeals his murder conviction

and accompanying sentence of 35 years’ imprisonment. In two issues, appellant contends the trial

court erred in: (I) allowing evidence suggesting appellant immediately fled after the offense and (2)

preventing the defense from impeaching a witness who left a false impression with the jury about

the deceased. We affirm.

                                           Background

       At trial, Amber Moran testified she knew both appellant and Brandon Gibbs, the victim. All

three lived in a neighborhood where “everybody knew everybody.” Moran stated that, on the

evening before the murder, she, appellant and some friends came upon Gibbs, who confronted
appellant about a police raid on Gibbs’s apartment a \\eek or so earlier. A “little altercation began

concerning Gibbs “door being kicked in over there in the apartments” by a SWAT team about two

weeks earlier. Gibbs and appellant argued. Gibbs was “kind of hot.” and he asked appellant

questions about “selling dope” and told appellant “don’t come over here no more.” Appellant said

it had “nothing to do with him.” Moran testified that Gibbs wanted to “fist fight” appellant, but

appellant was   “trying to   walk away.” Appellant was “shook up” and told Gibbs to leave him alone

and that if “you keep messing with me, dawg. I’m going to kill you.” Moran testified she “didn’t

think nothing of’ this statement because she had said things like that when she got mad. At the time.

Moran “brushed it off’ and told appellant to “come on” and “let it go.” and the confrontation ended.

       The next morning, February 7, 2009, Moran was walking to the store alone when she saw

appellant and Gibbs arguing. Moran was going to “do the same thing [she] did the night before” and

tell appellant to “chill out.” Moran testified appellant pulled a “small” gun out of his jacket and shot

Gibbs. Appellant’s hand was shaking as he pulled out the gun. Moran testified Gibbs “didn’t have

no gun.” but he said.    [Sb now you’re going to shoot me.     .   .   shoot mc. shoot me.   .   .   you   want to

kill me; kill me.” Appellant’s first bullet hit Gibbs under the arm. Gibbs said, ‘[M]an, this nigger

just shot me” and “did some type of turn.” Appellant fired the gun again, and this time Moran did

not see where Gibbs was hit. Later, Moran thought it “looked like it was somewhere along the back

of his neck.” Moran heard a third shot, but she did not know where the third bullet went. Moran

assumed Gibbs was “trying to run back to the house.” but he fell to the ground. Appellant “took off

running.”

       Other residents of the apartment complex. Robin Fife and Anna Jean Woods. testified they

heard arguing outside their apartments. Both residents, along with Clifton Lee Turner, who was

visiting friends at the time of the shooting, testified they also heard gun shots. When Fife came
outside, she saw a person king on the ground.

        Dallas police oflicers found two shell casings at the scene. An ambulance transported Ciibhs

to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. The autopsy

revealed the two slugs were fired from a single weapon.

        A jury convicted appellant of murder. and the trial court sentenced him to 35 years’

imprisonment.

                                               Analysis

        In his first issue, appellant argues the trial court erred in allowing flight evidence.

Specifically, appellant complains of the admission of evidence that he had left the Dallas area

sometime after the date of the offense, had missed a “mandatory” (probation) appointment four days

later, and was arrested several weeks later in St. Louis at a homeless shelter.

        We review a trial court’s ruling under the rules of evidence for an abuse of discretion.

Angle/on v. State, 971 S.W.2d 65, 67 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998). The trial court must be given wide

latitude to exclude or. particularly in view of the presumption of admissibility of relevant evidence,

not to exclude misconduct evidence as it sees fit. Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 390 (Tex.

Crim. App. 1990) (emphasis in original). So long as the trial court operates within the boundaries

of its discretion, an appellate court should not disturb its decision. 1d

        The record reflects the trial court, during a recess in the proceedings and outside the presence

of the jury, held “a little hearing on this proffer of testimony of flight.” During the hearing, defense

counsel made the following objection:

       First of all. if it’s admissible, it has to be noticed under 404(b). I have not received
       any such notice. There is no evidence that Gregory was anywhere but where he was
       supposed to be. as far as not fleeing on any day before he’s arrested in St. Louis. We
       don’t know where he was. The State cant show that               hey can’t even show that
       he was not where he was supposed to be at that time. Beyond. he’s the notice, the
                                                                               --
        lack of notice to me. I’m unable to put on a proper defense because 1 will bring in
        United States Marshal a Deputy United States Marshall [sic 1 from St. I .ouis to
                                 ——

        testify he was living at that time in St. Louis under the name of Garner. tinder his
        own date of birth. tinder his own Social Security number. et cetera. etcetera. I cant
        do that. I can’t reasonably anticipate this is going to he done unless I’m given 404(h)
        notice .Any probative value of this is outweighed by the prejudice. Beyond the
        Constitutional provisions of the Fifth. Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments. Article I
        Section 9 and Article 1. Section 1 0. of the Fexas Constitution. I am not able to
        render effective assistance under those circumstances when I don’t get notice of what
        they intend to do in that regard. It simply is not something for a jury to decide what
        the importance of that is until you do your gatekeeper function. The gatekeeper
        function is 403, 404 requirement and I didn’t get any notice of this. I am entitled to
        notice. I’ve asked for it. I was supplied other things. I was not supplied that. It
        requires you to draw the inference on lop of the inference to get there, at best. I
        didn’t have a chance to read this Burks case yet. I don’t know the circumstances. It’s
        about 30 pages. 1 just was handed it.

We construe counsel’s objection to be lack of notice under rule 404(b), depriving him of the ability

to provide effective assistance of counsel, and unfair prejudice under rule 403. See TEx. R. EvID.

403. 404(b). The trial court overruled appellant’s objections.

        At trial, the State called Denise Kuenstler without identifying her as appellant’s probation

officer. Kuenstier testified appellant appeared for scheduled appointments on December 30, 2008.

January 30, 2009, and February 3, 2009. On February 3, appellant was told to return the next day

but failed to do so. However, he did appear on February 5, 2009. Appellant next had a mandatory

meeting scheduled with Kuenstler on February 11, 2009, but he did not appear. Kuenstler testified

that she did not hear from appellant after February 5. 2009. Kuenstler further testified that appellant

stated he was homeless at the January 30, 2009 appointment. The issue of “flight” was not raised

during Kuenstler’ s testimony.

        Following Kuenstler’ s testimony. the State introduced into evidence a two-page report by the

U.S. Marshal’s office. Appellant had “no objection” to the introduction of the report. The report

showed federal marshals were seeking appellant under the name of “Gregory Underwood.” The
Marshals determined appellant was accessing his MySpace account from a computer at an address

associated with the OfOce lbr i)evelopmental Disability Resources in St. Louis. Missouri. The

Marshals contacted Candice Airidge, the supervisor of a homeless shelter at the address, and showed

Airidge and her assistant Kim Busby a picture of appellant.         Bushy immediately recognized

appellant’s photograph as “Gregory Garner.” Busby and Airidge pulled up “Garner’s” photograph.

which       very similar to the photograph the Marshals had cor Underwood.’ ‘I’he social security

number and date of birth appellant gave to the shelter were the same as the Marshals had for

“Underwood.”

        Bushy stated appellant had been coming to the shelter regularly since the end of March 2009,

and he used the internet. took showers. did laundry. and slept at the shelter. Appellant was

sometimes accompanied at the shelter by Chris Jackson, whom Busby identified as either a close

friend or cousin of appellant. The Marshals left their contact information and left the shelter. The

next day, Busby called and said appellant was in the shelter’s waiting room. The Marshals went to

the shelter and arrested appellant, who attempted to identify himself as “Gregory Garner” but gave

his mother’s and father’s information which was the same as that of the “Underwood” fugitive they

were seeking. For several minutes, appellant attempted to falsely identify himself, but he admitted

he is known as both “Gregory Underwood” and “Gregory Garner.” Again, during the State’s

presentation of the   pt the prosecutor did not refer to appellants “flight.”

        On appeal. appellant complains the trial court erred because: (1) the State failed to provide

notice of its use of the evidence of his flight under rule 404(b) and (2) the probative value of the

evidence was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice under rule 403. We

disagree.

        Rule 404(b) prohibits the admission of extraneous offense evidence to prove an individual’s
character or to show action in conformity with that character. TEx. R. liviD. 404(b). This limitation

is not based on legal relevance: rather. the evidence is inherently prejudicial. has a tendency to

confuse the issues. and forces the accused to defend himself against uncharged crimes in addition

to the charged offense. Daggen     it State.   187 S.W.3d 444, 451 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). Yet

extraneous offense evidence may be admissible for other purposes such as proof of motive,

opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge. identity, or absence ofmistake or accident TEx.

it EviD. 404(b).

       Under rule 403, relevant evidence of extraneous offenses may be excluded if its probative

value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice or confusion ofthe issues. See

TEx. It EvID. 403; Montgomery, 810 S.W.2d at 389. In considering a rule 403 challenge. courts

must balance (1) the inherent probative force ofthe evidence that is. how strongly it serves to make
                                                             —

more or less probable the existence of a fact of consequence to the litigation, with (2) the

proponent’s need fur that evidence against (3) any tendency ofthe evidence to suggest a decision on

an improper basis, commonly, an emotional one, (4) any tendency of the evidence to confuse or

distract the jury from the main issues, (5) any tendency ofthe evidence to be given undue weight by

a jury that has not been equipped to evaluate the probative force of the evidence, and (6) the

likelihood that presentation of the evidence will consume an inordinate amount oftime or merely

repeat evidence already admitted. Gigliobianco v. State, 210 S.W.3d 637, Ml 42 (Tex. Crim. App.

2006). We should reverse the trial court’s balancing determination “rarely and only after a clear

abuse of discretion.” Montgomery. 810 S.W.2d at 392.

       Contrary to appellant’s argument the evidence admitted at trial did not refer to appellant’s

“flight” nor demonstrate appellant had fled Texas. Rather, the evidence showed appellant stated he

was homeless at a January 30,2009 appointment with Kuenstler, went to a homeless shelter in St.

                                                 -6-
Louis. and was arrested there. Appellant had given his correct (late ot birth and social security

number at the shelter, and he was   sometimes in   the company ol Jackson, a close friend or cousin.

The evidence did not show Kuenstier was appellant’s probation oflicer or that appellant was under

any legal obligation to meet with her. The only mention of “flight” appears to be the trial court’s use

of the term at the beginning of a hearing outside the presence of the jury. Thus, the evidence

presented at trial merely showed the circumstances surrounding appellant’s arrest and did not

characterize appellant’s presence in St. Louis as the result of his ilight.” The        circumstances

surrounding a defendant’s arrest are generally admissible. (oure! v.     State,   792 S.W.2d 106. 107

(Tex. Crim. App. 1990); Maddox v. State, 682 S.W.2d 563, 564 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985). This rule

is restricted by the same test as any extraneous matter: the evidence must be relevant to a material

issue in the case and the probative value must outweigh the prejudicial value. Couret, 792 S.W.2d

at 107.

          Here, Moran testified she saw appellant shoot Gibbs. who died from his wounds. The

evidence showed appellant missed a scheduled appointment with Kuenstler four days after the

shooting. Kuenstler did not see appellant thereafter. Nearly two months after the shooting, appellant

began staying at the shelter in St. Louis using his own social security number and date of birth.

Marshals tracked appellant to the shelter by tracking his MySpace account and arrested him at the

shelter. This evidence was relevant to show an interruption in appellant’s attendance at meetings

with Kuenstler following the shooting. However, this evidence did not have any tendency to suggest

the jury make its decision on an improper basis, confuse or distract the jury from the main issues,

or be given undue weight by the jury. See Gigliobianco, 210 S.W.3d at 641-42. The State did not

identify Kuenstier as appellant’s probation officer and did not develop evidence appellant was on

probation. Further, the evidence showed appellant had told Kuenstier he was homeless, and he was
arrested at a homeless shelter that happened to he in St. louis. The State presented no evidence that

appellants movement from Fexas to St. Louis constituted fiiht. See Id.

           Even ifwe were to construe the evidence admitted at trial as evidence of ilight.” appellants

flight is not an extraneous offense” under rule 404(b). See Harper v.                                      Siaie.    930 S.W.2d 625. 630

(Tex. App.i-Iouston [1 st I)ist. 1996. no pet).’ Rather. flight evidence is relevant and admissible

to show appellanfs consciousness of guilt. See Cunirell v. State, 731 S.W.2d 84, 92 (Tex. Crim.

App. 1987). Flight evidence also presents circumstances relevant to prove the controlling facts of

the case rather than an extraneous offense under rule 404(b). See Bighy v. State, 892 S.W.2d 864,

883 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994) (evidence of flight admissible as a circumstance from which an

inference of guilt may be drawn). Accordingly, the State was not required to comply with the notice

provisions of 404(b). See Harper. 930 S.W.2d at 630.

           Further. even if the notice provisions of 404(b) applied, we would still conclude the trial

court did not err in admitting evidence of appellant’s flight prior to his arrest because the details

surrounding appellant’s arrest were admitted elsewhere without objection from appellant. See

Ethingion v. Stale. 819 S.W.2d 854, 858 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). See also TEx. R. App. P. 33.1(a);

Fuller v. State, 253 S.W.3d 220, 232 (Tex. Crirn. App. 2008) (To preserve error, a party must make

a timely and specific objection or motion at trial, and there must be an adverse ruling by the trial

court.).

           Next, we consider appellant’s argument that the probative value of the ‘flight” evidence was

substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.                                       Again, because the evidence of

appellant’s location came in elsewhere without objection, he has waived this objection. See

     Although the i-lw-per court cites rule4O1( ) under the old Texas Rules of Criminal Evidence, rule 304(h) is substantiallvthe same in the Current
Texas Rules of Evidence
 1ihington. $ 9 S. W.2d at $58; Fuller. 253 S.W.3d at 232. However, even if we were to address this

 objection. we would conclude this argument is also without merit. Because evidence ot’ flight

 supports an inference of guilt. a jur could reasonably conclude appellants fiuilure to appear on the

 designated date after the murder was probative of his participation in the offense. Sec Bigby, 89$

 S.W.2d at 883. Appellant argued he was falsely identified as the perpetrator of the crime and thus,

 additional evidence, including location evidence, was probative to showing appellant’s

 consciousness ofguih. Further. in light of other evidence before the jury without objection (showing

 appellant was arrested in St. Louis. that he initially denied who he was to law enforcement officials.

 and then denied a connection to Dallas), we conclude the evidence likely had little potential to

 unfairly prejudice the jury against appellant. See Rogers v. State, 991 S.W.2d 263, 266 (Tex. Crim.

 App. 1999). Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence of

 appellant’s location. Angleton, 971 S.W.2d at 67; Harper, 630 S.W.2d at 630. We overrule

 appellant’s first issue.

        In his second issue, appellant contends the trial court reversibly erred in preventing the defense

from impeaching a witness who left a false impression with the jury about the deceased victim. At

trial, the State called Bridgette Gibbs, who explained the victim was her oldest son. She testified as

follows: “Well, Brandon was Brandon. He didn’t bother anybody. He helped raise his brothers and

sisters because I worked all the time. He was a good daddy. He was raising his two girls and just had

a little baby boy. He’d been with his girlfriend 15 years. 1-Ic didn’t bother nobody.” She added the

victim was a straight-A student, who went to school until the eleventh grade.

        On cross-examination, defense counsel asked whether Gibbs had been a member of the Crips

gang and specifically whether she knew her son was wearing all blue when he was shot. His mother

said she did not know what he was wearing, but blue was his favorite color. She also denied he was
a member of the (‘rips gang. She stated, however, that she ‘.as aware police officers had executed

a narcotics search warrant at her son’s apartment about a week prior to his murder and that he had

been arrested form isdemeanor possession ni mariRlana. She agreed with defense counsel’ s statement

that he had a teardrop tattoo under his eye and had a tattoo on his back that said, “Are you greedy?”

She also admitted her son “had some brushes with the law” and confirmed her son was convicted of

a state jail felony, serving three months in jail for that offense.

         On re-direct-examination, Gibbs again confirmed that she was aware her son had been

convicted of drug possession for which he served three months and “had a misdemeanor marijuana

charge.” The prosecutor then concluded: “And that’s about it?” She responded. “That’s it.”

         On re-cross-examination, defense counsel wanted to probe further by asking Gibbs whether

she knew her son was charged and “no billed” in 2001 and 2002 for possession of a controlled

substance. The State objected, indicating the witness had already stated she was not aware of any

other offenses. The trial judge sustained the objection. Defense counsel argued he was entitled to

the additional questions, because Gibbs gave an inaccurate response when asked about her son’s

criminal history. The trial judge ruled defense counsel could not inquire further into the matter. On

appeal, appellant urges the trial court’s decision was reversible error.

         An appellate court may not disturb a trial court’s evidentiary ruling absent an abuse of

discretion. State v. Dixon. 206 S.W.3d 587. 590 (T’cx. Crim. App. 2006). As long as the trial court’s

decision was within the zone of reasonable disagreement and was correct under any theory of law

applicable to the case, it must be upheld. Walters v. State. 247 S.W.3d 204, 217 (Tex. Crim. App.

2007).

         Generally, a party is not entitled to impeach a witness on a collateral matter. See Shiman v.

State, 604 S.W.2d 1 82, 183 (Tex. Crim. App. 1980): Bates v. State, 587 S.W.2d 121, 133 (Tex. Crim.

                                                  —1 0—
App.   1979). In his brief appellant argues that his defensive theory was that Moran lied when she

identified Ihim j as the shooter of her friend Gibbs.” Therel’ore, we conclude Gibbs’s criminal history

was merely collateral to the case at hand.

        We note an exception to the general rule stated in Ramire: exists when a witness leaves a false

impression concerning a matter relating to her credibility (such as her own criminal history), giving

the party latitude to correct the false impression. Id. at 676. But courts construe this false impression

exception narrowly James v. State. 102 S.W.3d 162, 181 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003. pet. ref d).
                     .

ln this case. Gibbs’s knowledge of her son’s history of’ being no billed” does not relate to her

credibility and thus, the false impression exception does not apply. In addition, the false impression

exception does not allow counsel to rely on his own interrogation during cross-examination to

contradict the witness and then admit evidence of collateral matters which would be otherwise

inadmissible. Crenshaw v. State, 125 S.W.3d 651, 656 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.j 2003, pet.

ref d). Thus, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in limiting defense counsel’s

cross-examination of the victim’s mother.       See Ramos. 245 S.W.3d at 417-18.           We overrule

appellant’s second issue.

        We affirm the trial court’s judgment.

                                                                        /

                                                       DAVID L. BRIDGES
                                                       JUSTICE

Do Not Publish
TEx. R. App. P. 47
100528F.U05
                             1nitrt tif p.ira1s
                      ifth iEitrirt uf !Jrxa at Oa11a

                                      JUDGMENT
GREGORY 1)1/ANGELO GARNER A/K/A                   Appeal from the Criminal District Court No.
GREGORY UNDERWOoD. Appellant                      2 of Dallas County. lexas. ( Fr.CtNo. F09-
                                                  51267-NI).
No. 05-1000528-CR           V.                    Opinion delivered by Justice Bridges,
                                                  Justices Richter and Murphy.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

      Based on the Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment ot’the trial court is AFFIRMED.

Judgment entered November 14. 2012.

                                                   /
                                                                    (1
                                                             (-.
                                                 DAVID 1/. BRIE GES
                                                 JUSTICE