Court Opinion

ID: 4194342
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-08-09 04:11:14.1103+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:40:01.128392
License: Public Domain

Opinion issued August 8, 2017

                                      In The

                              Court of Appeals
                                     For The

                          First District of Texas
                            ————————————
                              NO. 01-15-00804-CR
                           ———————————
                         KELLY JO IVEY, Appellant
                                        V.
                      THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

                   On Appeal from the 208th District Court
                           Harris County, Texas
                       Trial Court Case No. 1449456

                         MEMORANDUM OPINION

      A jury convicted appellant Kelly Jo Ivey of the first-degree felony offense of

intoxication manslaughter, causing the death of a peace officer with a deadly

weapon, a motor vehicle. See TEX. PENAL CODE §§ 49.08–.09. Ivey pleaded true to

an enhancement paragraph alleging that she had a previous conviction for
possession of a controlled substance. The jury assessed punishment at 60 years in

prison and a $10,000 fine.

      Ivey raises four appellate issues, including a challenge to the sufficiency of

the evidence to support her conviction. She also argues that the trial court erred by

denying her motion to suppress evidence and by overruling her objection to

improper argument by the State during the punishment phase of trial. Finally, she

contends that she received ineffective of assistance of counsel during the

punishment phase.

      We conclude that the State presented legally sufficient evidence to support

Ivey’s conviction and that the record does not support her claim for ineffective

assistance of counsel. Additionally, Ivey’s remaining issues do not demonstrate

reversible error. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

                                   Background

      While driving his Harris County Sheriff’s Department vehicle, Deputy J.

Valdez III was involved in a head-on automobile accident with a sport-utility

vehicle on East Wallisville Road in Harris County. Appellant Kelly Jo Ivey and her

husband, Casey Byfield, were in the SUV. After emergency personnel arrived at

the scene of the accident, Valdez and Ivey were transported to a hospital for

treatment. Valdez died at the hospital. Ivey received treatment in the emergency

room, where she was interviewed by Deputy A. Albers. During the recorded

                                          2
interview, Ivey said that she was driving the SUV and her husband was in the

passenger seat. She also informed Albers that she had ingested methamphetamines

prior to the accident. Albers placed Ivey under arrest.

      After further police investigation, a grand jury indicted Ivey for the first-

degree felony offense of intoxication manslaughter causing the death of a peace

officer with a deadly weapon, a motor vehicle. The indictment also alleged that

Ivey had a previous felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.

      Before trial, Ivey moved to suppress her recorded statement to Albers. She

argued that the interview was a custodial interrogation, and because she was not

given Miranda warnings, her statement was inadmissible. At the suppression

hearing, Albers testified that before the interview he knew there had been a head-

on accident, Valdez had died as a result, and Ivey may have been the driver of the

other vehicle. He also testified about his interaction with Ivey during the interview.

Albers told Ivey several times that she was not under arrest, and he testified that

she could have left at any time and at no time was she placed in handcuffs. He did

not, however, tell her she was free to leave. During the interview, Albers learned

from other officers that Ivey was at fault for the accident. In response to his

questions, Ivey said that Valdez had come into her lane, and she had swerved to

miss him. The trial court denied Ivey’s motion to suppress her recorded statement.

                                          3
      During the guilt-innocence stage of trial, the State called several witnesses to

testify about the night of the accident and the results of the subsequent police

investigation. The lead police investigator testified about a reconstruction of the

accident. According to the investigator, Valdez had been driving in the correct

lane, Ivey’s vehicle had been heading in the opposite direction in the wrong lane,

and the two cars collided. Additionally, he concluded that Ivey had been impaired

as a result of the methamphetamines she had taken, that she was driving the vehicle

that collided with Valdez, who was on duty at the time, and that her impaired state

caused his death.

       Albers testified about his interview with Ivey. The State played the

recording of the statement she gave in the hospital. Several other officers testified

that Ivey had identified herself as the driver of the vehicle at the time of the

accident. Further, two witnesses opined that Ivey had been the driver of the vehicle

because the injuries she sustained were consistent with those one would expect of

the person driving the vehicle. Finally, the State introduced the results of blood

tests taken from Ivey that confirmed she had methamphetamines in her system.

      The jury found Ivey guilty of intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer

with a deadly weapon.

      At the punishment phase of trial, Ivey pleaded true to the enhancement

allegation that she had a previous felony conviction for possession of a controlled

                                          4
substance. She also stipulated that she previously had been convicted of several

other offenses, including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, “theft, third

offender,” forgery, and two thefts by check.

      The State also produced evidence about the impact that Valdez’s death had

on his friends and family. This evidence included testimony from his mother, his

son, and several law-enforcement officers who were his friends. Before the

testimony from Valdez’s son, defense counsel objected, arguing that the testimony

would be unduly prejudicial. The trial court overruled the objection and allowed

the 11-year-old boy, A.V., to testify. He initially testified that he wanted “to be a

cop” when he grew up. He described things he used to do with his father, including

fishing, going out to eat, and playing video games. A.V. said his father was his

hero. Finally, near the end of his testimony, he testified about the impact his

father’s death had on the family dog.

      During his closing argument on punishment, the prosecutor discussed

September 11 and how that is a day “when we remember our heroes.” He then

instructed “every peace officer that is wearing a badge” to “stand up.” Defense

counsel objected to this argument, contending that it was improper and “highly

prejudicial in front of the jury.” The trial court overruled the objection and said,

“Have a seat.”

                                         5
      The jury assessed punishment at 60 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Ivey

appealed.

                                       Analysis

      Ivey raises four issues on appeal. First, she challenges the sufficiency of the

evidence to support her conviction. Next, she argues that the trial court erred by

denying her motion to suppress evidence of her recorded statement and by

overruling her objection to the State’s jury argument during the punishment phase.

Finally, she contends that she received ineffective assistance of counsel during the

punishment phase of trial.

I.    Sufficiency of the evidence

      Ivey challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support her conviction.

She contends that the evidence was insufficient to establish beyond a reasonable

doubt that she was the driver of the SUV that struck Valdez’s vehicle. Ivey argues

that the State had minimal direct evidence identifying her as the driver of the

vehicle.

      We review the sufficiency of the evidence to support a criminal conviction

by determining whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to

the verdict, the trier of fact rationally was justified in finding the essential elements

of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Brooks v. State, 323 S.W.3d 893, 894–95

(Tex. Crim. App. 2010). We measure the evidence “by the elements of the offense

                                           6
as defined by the hypothetically correct jury charge for the case.” Malik v. State,

953 S.W.2d 234, 240 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). As the exclusive judge of the facts,

the jury may believe or disbelieve all or any part of a witness’s testimony.

Chambers v. State, 805 S.W.2d 459, 461 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). We presume that

the factfinder resolved any conflicting inferences in favor of the verdict, and we

defer to that resolution. See Brooks, 323 S.W.3d at 922. On appeal we may not re-

evaluate the weight and credibility of the record evidence and thereby substitute

our own judgment for that of the factfinder. Williams v. State, 235 S.W.3d 742,

750 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). For purposes of proving guilt beyond a reasonable

doubt, direct and circumstantial evidence are equally probative. Jones v. State, 458
S.W.3d 625, 630 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2015, pet. ref’d).

      A person commits the offense of intoxication manslaughter causing the

death of a peace officer if the person: (1) operates a motor vehicle in a public

place; (2) is intoxicated; and (3) by reason of that intoxication causes the death of a

peace officer, while in the actual discharge of an official duty, by accident or

mistake. See TEX. PENAL CODE §§ 49.08–.09. Ivey only challenges whether the

evidence was legally sufficient to support the jury’s finding that she operated a

motor vehicle. In assessing whether the evidence is sufficient to support that

element, a court examines all of the evidence to determine whether it supports a

finding that the appellant exerted personal effort to cause the vehicle to function.

                                          7
Denton v. State, 911 S.W.2d 388, 390 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995); Mitchell v. State,

419 S.W.3d 655, 663 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2013, pet. ref’d).

      Ivey emphasizes evidence that indicated she may not have been driving the

vehicle at the time of the accident. In particular, she relies upon the testimony of

two witnesses who saw her husband get into the driver’s side of the car before the

accident. Despite this evidence, other evidence indicated that Ivey was driving the

vehicle at the time of the accident. The most substantial of this evidence was Ivey’s

own admission, made to Albers after the accident, that she had been driving. This

recorded admission was played for the jury. Additionally, another police officer

testified that Ivey told him at the scene of the accident that Valdez “came over in

my lane, and I swerved to miss him.” Based on this statement, the officer

concluded that Ivey had been driving. Further, several witnesses testified that the

injuries Ivey sustained were consistent with those one would expect of a person

driving the vehicle during the accident. As a result, they opined that Ivey had been

driving.

      Examining all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we

conclude that a rational jury could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Ivey

operated the vehicle at the time it crashed into Valdez’s police cruiser. See

Mitchell, 419 S.W.3d at 663; Gowans v. State, 995 S.W.2d 787, 791 (Tex. App.—

Houston [1st Dist.] 1999, pet. ref’d). Thus, because no challenge has been raised to

                                         8
the sufficiency of the evidence of the other elements of the offense, we conclude

the evidence was legally sufficient to sustain her conviction. See Brooks, 323
S.W.3d 894–95. We overrule Ivey’s challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence.

II.   Motion to suppress

      Ivey contends that the trial court erred by denying her motion to suppress the

recorded statement that she gave to Albers in the hospital. She argues that the

statement was the result of custodial interrogation, and therefore her rights were

violated when she was not warned that her statement could be used against her. See

Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 444–45, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 1612 (1966).

      “A trial court’s ruling on a motion to suppress, like any ruling on the

admission of evidence, is subject to review on appeal for abuse of discretion.”

Amador v. State, 275 S.W.3d 872, 878 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009). “In reviewing a

trial court’s ruling on a motion to suppress, appellate courts must view all of the

evidence in the light most favorable to the trial court’s ruling.” State v. Garcia–

Cantu, 253 S.W.3d 236, 241 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008). We use a bifurcated standard

of review in assessing the trial court’s ruling. St. George v. State, 237 S.W.3d 720,

725 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). We grant the trial court almost complete deference in

determining historical facts, and the trial court is the sole trier of fact and judge of

the credibility of witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony. Id.

                                           9
      A trial court’s ultimate custody determination is a mixed question of law and

fact. Herrera v. State, 241 S.W.3d 520, 526 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); Ervin v. State,

333 S.W.3d 187, 203 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2010, pet. ref’d). We defer

almost totally to a trial court’s custody determination when the questions of

historical fact turn on credibility and demeanor. Herrera, 241 S.W.3d at 526–27.

Conversely, we review a trial court’s custody determination de novo when the

questions of fact do not turn on credibility and demeanor. Id. at 527. When a trial

judge denies a motion to suppress and does not enter findings of fact, the evidence

is viewed in the light most favorable to the trial court’s ruling and we assume that

the trial court made implicit findings of fact that support its ruling as long as those

findings are supported by the record. Id.

      In Miranda, the United States Supreme Court determined that an accused

person who is held in custody must be warned “at the outset” of interrogation.

Miranda, 384 U.S. at 467–68, 86 S. Ct. at 1624; see Jones v. State, 119 S.W.3d
766, 772 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). Failure to comply with the Miranda warning

requirements results in forfeiture of the use of any statement obtained during that

interrogation by the prosecution during its case-in-chief. Jones, 119 S.W.3d at 772.

Likewise, the Code of Criminal Procedure provides that a statement is only

admissible if, among other requirements, the defendant was given statutory

warnings before the statement was made and the defendant “‘knowingly,

                                            10
intelligently, and voluntarily’” waived the rights set out in the warnings. Herrera,
241 S.W.3d at 526 (quoting TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 38.22).

      The record indicates that Ivey never received Miranda or article 38.22

warnings. But neither Miranda warnings nor article 38.22 warnings were required

unless the interrogation of the accused was custodial. Herrera, 241 S.W.3d at 526;

TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 38.22, § 3(a). The meaning of “custody” is the same

for both Miranda and article 38.22 purposes. Herrera, 241 S.W.3d at 526.

      The defendant bears the initial burden of proving that a statement was the

product of a custodial interrogation. Gardner v. State, 306 S.W.3d 274, 294 (Tex.

Crim. App. 2009). A person is in “custody” only if, under the facts and

circumstances, a reasonable person would believe that his freedom of movement

was restrained to the degree associated with a formal arrest. Dowthitt v. State, 931
S.W.2d 244, 254 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). The question turns on whether a

reasonable person would have felt that he was not at liberty to terminate the

interrogation and leave. Nguyen v. State, 292 S.W.3d 671, 678 (Tex. Crim. App.

2009). The reasonable-person standard presupposes an innocent person. Dowthitt,
931 S.W.2d at 254.

      The determination of custody is entirely objective, and the subjective intent

of law-enforcement officials is not relevant unless communicated to the suspect.

Id. The subjective belief of the suspect also is not relevant. Id. Generally, four

                                        11
situations may constitute custody: (1) the suspect is physically deprived of her

freedom of action in any significant way; (2) a law-enforcement officer tells the

suspect she is not free to leave; (3) law-enforcement officers create a situation that

would lead to a reasonable person to believe that her freedom of movement has

been significantly restricted; or (4) there is probable cause to arrest the suspect, and

law-enforcement officers do not tell the suspect she may leave. Gardner, 306
S.W.3d at 294; Dowthitt, 931 S.W.2d at 255.

      Ivey contends that the fourth circumstance applies in this case. She argues

that Albers knew prior to interviewing her in the hospital that Valdez had died and

that the SUV had caused the accident. Additionally, she contends that Albers had

been told she was the driver of the SUV. Based on this, Ivey argues that Albers had

probable cause to arrest her prior to the interview, and he never told her she was

free to leave. Therefore, she contends she should have received warning of her

Miranda rights before Albers interviewed her.

      Even if Ivey is correct that Albers had probable cause to arrest her prior to

beginning the interview, or he developed probable cause during the interview,

“situation four does not automatically establish custody; rather, custody is

established if the manifestation of probable cause, combined with other

circumstances, would lead a reasonable person to believe that he is under restraint

                                          12
to the degree associated with an arrest.” Dowthitt, 931 S.W.2d at 255; see Gardner,
306 S.W.3d at 294 n.48.

       In a typical determination of whether restraint rises to the degree associated

with arrest, several factors are considered, including the amount of force displayed,

the duration of the detention, the efficiency of the investigative process, whether

the restraint occurs at the original location or the person is transported to another

location, and whether the officer told the detained person that the person was under

arrest or was being detained only for a temporary investigation. State v. Sheppard,

271 S.W.3d 281, 291 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008). When restraint is due to medical

treatment, and is not initiated by law enforcement, few of these factors apply.

Martinez v. State, 496 S.W.3d 215, 220 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016,

pet. ref’d).

       No force was needed to restrain Ivey because she had been incapacitated by

her injuries. Albers testified that Ivey was not handcuffed and she could have

ended the interview at any time. Further, although Albers did not tell Ivey she was

free to leave, he did tell her several times that she was not under arrest.

Additionally, Ivey volunteered her statement that she had taken meth in response to

Albert’s open-ended questions about the events of the day before. The fact that

Ivey incriminated herself, likely giving the police probable cause to arrest, did not,

                                         13
in itself, create a custodial situation. See Estrada v. State, 313 S.W.3d 274, 294

(Tex. Crim. App. 2010).

      Assuming, without deciding, that there was probable cause to arrest Ivey

before or sometime during her statement, these circumstances did not cause her to

be placed in custody. It is the “‘compulsive aspect of custodial interrogation, and

not the strength or content of the government’s suspicions at the time the

questioning [is] conducted’” that determines custody for Miranda purposes.

Stansbury v. California, 511 U.S. 318, 323, 114 S. Ct. 1526, 1529 (1994) (quoting

Beckwith v. United States, 425 U.S. 341, 346–47, 96 S. Ct. 1612, 1616 (1976)).

Although Ivey was a suspect, no evidence suggests that Albers restrained her to the

degree associated with arrest, or that he deprived her of her physical freedom in

any way before, during, or after the questioning.

      Ivey did not meet her burden to show that a reasonable person in her

circumstances would have felt deprived of freedom to the extent associated with

formal arrest. See Dowthitt, 931 S.W.2d at 255. She was not in custody at the time

she gave her statement to Albers, and therefore the Miranda warnings were not

required for the statement to be admissible. See Herrera, 241 S.W.3d at 526. The

trial court’s denial of Ivey’s motion to suppress was reasonably supported by the

record. Accordingly, we overrule this issue.

                                         14
III.   Improper jury argument

       Ivey contends that the trial court erred by overruling an objection she made

to the prosecutor’s closing argument during the punishment phase of trial.

       A trial court’s ruling on an objection to improper jury argument is reviewed

for abuse of discretion. See Garcia v. State, 126 S.W.3d 921, 924 (Tex. Crim. App.

2004). “The trial court does not abuse its discretion unless its determination lies

outside the zone of reasonable disagreement.” Martinez v. State, 327 S.W.3d 727,

736 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010). The test for abuse of discretion is whether the ruling

was arbitrary or unreasonable. Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 380 (Tex.

Crim. App. 1990). Permissible jury argument falls into four distinct and limited

categories: (1) summary of the evidence; (2) reasonable deductions from the

evidence; (3) response to opposing counsel’s argument; or (4) plea for law

enforcement. Brown v. State, 270 S.W.3d 564, 570 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008). We

examine allegedly improper argument “in light of the facts adduced at trial and in

the context of the entire argument.” McGee v. State, 774 S.W.2d 229, 239 (Tex.

Crim. App. 1989).

       An improper argument will not constitute grounds for reversal unless the

statements to the jury inject new and harmful facts into the case or are extreme and

manifestly improper. Brown, 270 S.W.3d at 573 n.3; McGee, 774 S.W.2d at 238.

“In determining whether jury argument is extreme or manifestly improper, we look

                                        15
at the entire record of final arguments to determine if there was a willful and

calculated effort on the part of the State to deprive appellant of a fair and impartial

trial.” Brown, 270 S.W.3d at 573 n.3.

      Ivey complains of the following jury argument:

             State:              I thought about this this morning on the
                                 drive in. The longer we get away from
                                 September 11th, the more everyone goes
                                 back to their regular lives and tends to forget
                                 about what happened that day; and here are
                                 the 12 of you—13 of you on September
                                 11th, a day when we remember our heroes
                                 and look out there and look at every peace
                                 officer.

                                 Every peace officer that is wearing a badge
                                 stand up.

             Defense Counsel: Objection, Your Honor. That would be
                              improper argument. It is highly prejudicial
                              in front of the jury.

             Court:              Overruled. Have a seat.

After the trial court overruled the objection to the argument quoted above, the State

argued:

             State:              Those men put on a bulletproof vest and
                                 they will give their lives for every one of
                                 you; and you know what, they probably in
                                 this case, they did give their life for her.

                                          16
Ivey contends the prosecutor’s argument was highly prejudicial because it went

beyond a proper plea for law enforcement and elevated Valdez’s worth beyond that

of a civilian.

       In response, the State argues that the prosecutor’s statements were a proper

plea for law enforcement because by asking the peace officers to stand, the

prosecutor was “reminding the jurors of the people who they were protecting with

their sentence.” A proper plea for law enforcement may take many forms. For

example, the State has been permitted to argue the impact of the jury’s verdict on

narrower groups making up the “community.” See Borjan v. State, 787 S.W.2d 53,

57 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990). This has included allowing the State to argue on behalf

of law-enforcement officers who were the victims of a criminal offense. See

Freeman v. State, 340 S.W.3d 717, 729–30 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011) (allowing

prosecutor to argue about the consequences of killing a police officer); Rhodes v.

State, 450 S.W.2d 329, 331–32 (Tex. Crim. App. 1970) (allowing prosecutor to tell

the jury that through its verdict it could either show police officers “we don’t mind

if you get shot” or “we are proud of you and we appreciate what you are doing for

us”). Further, in an argument about sentencing, a prosecutor may seek to place a

moral responsibility upon jurors. See, e.g., Rocha v. State, 16 S.W.3d 1, 21 (Tex.

Crim. App. 2000). Such an argument is a permissible plea for law enforcement. Id.

                                         17
      The challenged argument was made during the punishment phase. Ivey had

been found guilty of intoxication manslaughter causing the death of a peace

officer, and the task for the jury was to decide the appropriate sentence. Through

its argument which referenced September 11 and the peace officers in the

courtroom, the State placed a moral responsibility upon the jurors to protect and

support other peace officers like Valdez through their verdict. We conclude that the

trial court’s decision to allow the State’s argument fell within the zone of

reasonable disagreement regarding whether the argument constituted a permissible

plea for law enforcement. See Freeman, 340 S.W.3d at 729–30; Borjan, 787
S.W.2d at 56; Rhodes, 450 S.W.2d at 331–32. The trial court did not abuse its

discretion by overruling Ivey’s objection to the State’s jury argument. See

Freeman, 340 S.W.3d at 729–30; Borjan, 787 S.W.2d at 57; Rhodes, 450 S.W.2d

at 331–32. Accordingly, we overrule this issue.

IV.   Ineffective assistance of counsel

      Ivey argues that her trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to

object to testimony from Valdez’s son during the punishment phase about the

impact his death had on the family dog.

      Claims that a defendant received ineffective assistance of counsel are

governed by the standard announced in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668,

104 S. Ct. 2052 (1984). Strickland mandates a two-part test: (1) whether the

                                          18
attorney’s performance was deficient, i.e., whether counsel made errors so serious

that he or she was not functioning as the “counsel” guaranteed by the Sixth

Amendment, and if so, (2) whether that deficient performance prejudiced the

party’s defense. 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S. Ct. at 2064. “The defendant has the burden

to establish both prongs by a preponderance of the evidence; failure to make either

showing defeats an ineffectiveness claim.” Shamim v. State, 443 S.W.3d 316, 321

(Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. ref’d) (citing Lopez v. State, 343
S.W.3d 137, 142 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011)). “When an ineffective assistance claim

alleges that counsel was deficient in failing to object to the admission of evidence,

the defendant must show, as part of his claim, that the evidence was inadmissible.”

Ortiz v. State, 93 S.W.3d 79, 93 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002).

      A reviewing court “must indulge a strong presumption that counsel’s

conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance,” and the

appellant bears the burden to overcome the presumption that, under the

circumstances, the challenged action was a result of sound trial strategy.

Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S. Ct. at 2065. An accused is not entitled to

perfect representation, and a reviewing court must look to the totality of the

representation when gauging trial counsel’s performance. Frangias v. State, 450
S.W.3d 125, 136 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013).

                                         19
      A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel must be “‘firmly founded in the

record’ and ‘the record must affirmatively demonstrate’ the meritorious nature of

the claim.” Menefield v. State, 363 S.W.3d 591, 592 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012)

(quoting Thompson v. State, 9 S.W.3d 808, 813 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999)). “It is a

rare case in which the trial record will by itself be sufficient to demonstrate an

ineffective-assistance claim.” Nava v. State, 415 S.W.3d 289, 308 (Tex. Crim.

App. 2013). The record’s limitations often render a direct appeal inadequate to

raise a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, as trial counsel is unable to

respond to any articulated concerns. See Goodspeed, 187 S.W.3d at 392.

Ordinarily, trial counsel should be given “an opportunity to explain his actions

before being denounced as ineffective.” Rylander v. State, 101 S.W.3d 107, 111

(Tex. Crim. App. 2003). Therefore, when the record is silent as to trial counsel’s

strategy, a reviewing court should not find deficient performance unless the

challenged conduct was “so outrageous that no competent attorney would have

engaged in it.” Goodspeed, 187 S.W.3d at 392. Rather, when direct evidence of

trial counsel’s strategy is unavailable, “we will assume that counsel had a strategy

if any reasonably sound strategic motivation can be imagined.” Lopez, 343 S.W.3d

at 143.

      The State called Valdez’s son, A.V., to testify during punishment. Before he

took the stand, defense counsel objected that his testimony would be unduly

                                        20
prejudicial. The trial court overruled this objection. A.V. then testified about his

relationship with his father. The State asked why he was worried about his dog.

A.V. responded that he was worried “because my dog still thinks that my dad is at

work . . . . I feel like I can see what he is thinking like when is my dad coming

home . . . .”

       Ivey contends that her counsel should have objected to A.V.’s testimony

about his dog, which may have been inadmissible as improper or prejudicial

victim-impact evidence.

       During the punishment phase of trial, “evidence may be offered by the state .

. . as to any matter the court deems relevant to sentencing . . . .” TEX. CODE. CRIM.

PROC. art. 37.07. Victim-impact evidence is evidence concerning the effect the

victim’s death will have on others, particularly the victim’s family members. Haley

v. State, 173 S.W.3d 510, 517 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). Victim-impact evidence is

“admissible at the punishment phase when that evidence has some bearing on the

defendant’s personal responsibility and moral culpability.” Id. But victim-impact

evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the

danger of unfair prejudice. See TEX. R. EVID. 403; Salazar v. State, 90 S.W.3d 330,

335–36 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). In determining whether victim-impact evidence is

unfairly prejudicial, courts must consider: “(1) how probative the evidence is;

(2) the potential of the evidence to impress the jury in some irrational, but

                                         21
nevertheless indelible way; (3) the time the proponent needs to develop the

evidence; and (4) the proponent’s need for the evidence.” See Salazar, 90 S.W.3d

at 336.

      A.V.’s testimony had a bearing on Ivey’s moral culpability, reminding the

jury that her driving while intoxicated had foreseeable consequences to the

victim’s family, who also suffered harm as a result of her conduct. See id. To the

extent a valid objection might have been available, the record is silent as to why

trial counsel did not object to testimony about A.V.’s concern for the family dog.

The record could have been supplemented by a hearing on a motion for new trial,

but no motion for new trial was filed. Ivey has failed to meet her burden under the

first prong of Strickland to show that her allegations of ineffective assistance of

counsel are firmly founded in the record, see Menefield, 363 S.W.3d at 592, and to

overcome the presumption of reasonable performance by trial counsel, who has

had no opportunity to respond to the complaints made for the first time on appeal.

See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S. Ct. at 2065.

      When the issue on appeal is ineffective assistance of counsel, we cannot

reverse unless both prongs of Strickland are satisfied. See id. at 687, 104 S. Ct. at

2064. We conclude that Ivey has not satisfied the first prong of the Strickland

analysis, and we need not consider whether she has satisfied the requirements of

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the second prong. See Lopez, 343 S.W.3d at 143. Accordingly, we overrule this

issue.

                                      Conclusion

         We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

                                                Michael Massengale
                                                Justice

Panel consists of Chief Justice Radack and Justices Keyes and Massengale.

Do not publish. TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b).

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