Court Opinion

ID: 9368587
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-02-05 21:09:43.40938+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:16:09.276133
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                         OF TEXAS
                                        NO. WR-94,433-01

                           EX PARTE ANDREW LEWIS, Applicant

              ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
           CAUSE NO. 2016-0335-A IN THE 217TH/159TH DISTRICT COURT
                           FROM ANGELINA COUNTY

       Per curiam.

                                            ORDER

       Applicant was convicted of two counts of reckless injury to a child causing serious bodily

injury and one count of intentional or knowing injury to a child causing serious bodily injury. The

Twelfth Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Lewis v. State, No. 12-16-00319-CR (Tex.

App.–Tyler Sept. 6, 2017, pet. ref’d). Applicant filed this application for a writ of habeas corpus in

the county of conviction, and the district clerk forwarded it to this Court. See TEX . CODE CRIM .

PROC. art. 11.07.

       The trial court held a hearing and adopted Applicant’s proposed findings of fact and

conclusions of law. The court found that, with respect to the third count, Applicant’s claims of

ineffective assistance of trial counsel had merit and recommended granting a new trial. We disagree.
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        On post-conviction review of habeas corpus applications, the convicting court is the “original

factfinder” and this Court is the “ultimate factfinder.” Ex parte Storey, 584 S.W.3d 437, 439 (Tex.

Crim. App. 2019). In most circumstances, we defer to the trial judge’s findings of fact because the

judge is in the best position to assess witnesses’ credibility. Ex parte Thuesen, 546 S.W.3d 145, 157

(Tex. Crim. App. 2017). However, if our independent review of the record reveals circumstances that

contradict or undermine the trial judge’s findings, we may exercise our authority to enter contrary

findings and conclusions. Storey, 584 S.W.3d at 440. We review de novo conclusions of law. Ex

parte Weinstein, 421 S.W.3d 656, 664 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014).

        Applicant contends in relevant part that defense counsel failed to obtain a doctor’s assistance

to review the child’s medical records, help counsel prepare for cross-examination, or testify. As a

result, counsel failed to impeach the State’s doctors with evidence in the hospital records that

contradicted their testimony. The trial court finds and concludes that no reasonable trial strategy

could justify defense counsel’s omission in failing to call a pediatrician or radiologist to impeach the

State’s doctors’ testimony.

        However, Applicant has not shown prejudice. Both State’s doctors testified at trial that the

child’s “shrill cry,” loss of alertness, and going limp while in Applicant’s care would have

immediately followed the infliction of a brain injury. The swelling on the child’s forehead originated

shortly before the child went to the hospital because swelling appears quickly and subsides quickly.

Applicant’s doctors who testified at the habeas hearing did not contradict this testimony.

        Applicant also asserts that defense counsel should have obtained school and medical records

showing that, contrary to the State’s doctor’s “grim prognosis,” the child “had no medical problems”

and was doing well. Applicant neglects to mention that the medical records admitted into evidence

at trial showed that in June 2014, a medical report concluded the child had “Mild left sided lower
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extremity hypertonicity most likely sequilae of the head trauma. But expect to have minimal impact

of mobility and ambulation.” And in April 2015, a doctor noted that the child’s “exam was notable

for increased left sided tone predominantly in the leg that is most likely sequilae of the head trauma.

Based on her exam findings she has a handcapping condition diagnosed as spastic monoplegic

cerebral palsy.” 1 WRIT .pdf 191. An EMT who he responded to the 9-1-1 call noted that “all her

movements tracked to the left side,” which he explained indicated a brain injury. 1 WRIT .pdf 96.

        Defense counsel acknowledged in the habeas proceedings that a medical expert would have

been helpful. But he also stated that at trial, he was focused on the identity of the abuser. He believed

the jury would conclude that someone caused “serious bodily injury by criminal means,” to the child,

so he wanted to create doubt that the abuser was Applicant.

        In light of the symptoms described at trial by Applicant, the child’s grandfather, and the EMT

– plus the reports of subdural bleeding, the 2014 report of a condition likely related to head trauma,

and the 2015 report of spastic monoplegic cerebral palsy likely resulting from the head injury – it

is unlikely that a defense doctor’s testimony such as Applicant describes, or a cross-examination

informed by consulting with a doctor, would have affected the result. See TEX . PENAL CODE § 6.04;

Honea v. State, 585 S.W.2d 681, 685 (Tex. Crim. App. 1979) (overruled on other grounds in

Thompson v. State, 236 S.W.3d 787, 800 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).

        Therefore, Applicant has not established ineffective assistance of trial counsel for failing to

obtain the assistance of a doctor. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688, 694 (1984).

        Applicant’s remaining allegations are without merit.

        Relief is denied.

Filed: February 1, 2023
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