Court Opinion

ID: 4073091
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-30 03:26:35.63336+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:32:38.517123
License: Public Domain

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IEC 2 8 2015

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

ATSTIN, TEXAS _ Abe| Acosta, C|erk
Ex parte l IN THE 29th JUDICIAL
Aaron Merchell Reed ~ DISTRICT COURT FOR

DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS

APPLICANT'S REQUEST FOR THE COURT UPON
ITS OWN MOTION TO RECONSIDER EN BANC
DE NOVO / ALSO PUTTING THE COURT.ON NOTICE
OF INTENT TO FILE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS IF DENIED.

TO THEHHON©RABLEQJUSTICES:
Comes now, Aaron Merchell Reed, ex parte: respectfully requesting this Honorable
court ot initiate upon its own motion :a de novo, en banc, reconsideration hearing on
the pe§’curiam order filed with this court in style ex parte Aaron Merchell Reed appli~
cationRNo. WR 77,853-02 on October l4, 2015 shown inama§tach@$appendixl! for the follow-

ing reasons:

In the State's order designating issues shown in attached exhibit §, the state issued
an order asserting that the following issues was controverted, previously unresolved
facts: d v _

(l) Did Applicant's trial counsel, Kenneth Onyenah, render ineffective assistance of
counsel by failing to object to the court setting punsihment, misinforming Applicant

as to his eligibility for community supervision advising Applicant not to take the State's
plea bargain offer/or failing to provide a legal basis for his objections at trial?

(2) Did Applicant's counsel on appeal, Renie McClellan.render ineffective assistance

of counsel by failing to inform Applicant of the outcome of Applicant's appeal, which
Applicant points out under style Reedv. State No. OS~OO-Ol726-CR affirmed on October
12, 2001. On July?24, 2913 the State in style ex parte Reed issued yet another order

as shown in attached exhibit_§, seeking an affidavit from Applicant's trial counsel
Kenneth Chuks Onyenah addressing the following issues

(l) Why the court was allowed to assess the punisment“in Applicant's case after you had
requested pretrial that the jury set the punishment:

(2) What if any, discussions took place between you and the Applicant regarding whether

the court or the jury would assess his punishment.
(3) What if any, discussions took place between you and Applicant and what, if any advice

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`you gave the Applicant regarding he ability of the court to impose a probationary sent-
ence in this case. (4) When if ever, and by what methos, if any, she notified Aaron
Meachell Reed of the decision of the Dallas Court of Appeals on or about 12, 2001 in
Reed v. State No. 05-00-01726.

Trial counsel Kenneth Onyenah submitted his affidavit on or about August 24, 2013
in style ex parte Aaron Merchell Reed as shown in attached é! asserting the following:
that the court has ordered him to submit affidavit addresing theuudderlined issue.
(1) Why the court was allowed to assert the punishment in the Applicant's case after ~
you had requested pre-trial that the jury set the punshment. (2) What if any,Fdiscussions
took place between you and the Applicant regarding whether the court or the jury would
assess his punishment: (3) What if any, discussions took place between you and the App- t
licant and what, if any, advice you gave the Applicant regarding the ability of the court
to impose a probationary sentence in this case (at 2) in style ex parte Aaron Meachell
Reed. `

Counsel Kenneth Onyenah in response to issue (l) asserted; It was §efendant's choice
to have the judge sentence him. After the jury returned a verdict the judge asked if we
were ready for sentencing and Defendant opted for judge to sentence him. I advised him
we had filed an option for the jury to access punishient if theyrreturned a guilty verdict. ~
He desired to change the option and elected for the judge to sentence him.
(2) In response to Applicant's 2nd issue, counsel Onyenah allege§ that he couldn't remem~
ber exactly what we discusse d but I typically would advise clients that jury will have
to return a unanimous verdict in the sentence phase and they may have a difference in
opinion as to punsihment, howeverr;with the judge it is just one person.g
(3) In response to Applicant's 3rd issue counsel Onyenah stated that he told Defendant
that he was not eligible for probation because he had a been convicted of a felony prior
to this case that was a final conviction. I told him both the judge and the jury cannot
give him probation. The State made him offer of jail time and he rejected it against my

advice.

Applicant furtherjpointssout:that:thék$tate's finding of fact and conclusion of law
on application for writ of Habeas Corpus under writ No. W00-00199-U(A) style ex parte
Meachell Reed, acknowledge under:issues$raised by Applicant consisted of the following:
(1) Applicant claims jurorbMedderslshouldehavesbeenfstruckefor§causete f»';:d ; :»fa ;

(2) Applicant claims that his trial counsel was ineffective because he failed to object

to strike juror Medders (b) did not object to Applicant being sentenced by the trial judge

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despite having filed a pretrial motion requesting jury sentencing: (c)incorrectly told
Applicant he was eligible for probation if convicted and recommend that Applicant not
accept a two year imprisonmenttplea offer, and (d) failed to make evidentiary object with
specificity during trial. v

(3) Applicant claims Appellate Counsel was ineffective for failing to inform Applicant
that his conviction was affirmed by the Court of Appeals so that he could file a petition
for discretionary review which states, the primary objective of voir dire is to assemble
a competent, fair, impartial and unprejudiced jury'lto:judge the facts of the case. Staley
v. State 877 S.W.2d. 885, 896-97 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994) cert. denied 514 U.S. 1020, 131,
L.Ed. 222, 115 Sct. 1360 (l995).?Accordingly the Tex. Code of Crim. Proc. art. 35.16
_allows either side to challenge a juror for cause when the challenging side can show the
juror is incapable or unfit to serve on the jury. Also it has already been determined
thatQalimited number of constitutional violations still requre the grant of habeas corpus ~
relief without a showing of harm, such as the failure to provide counsel or a biased fact
finder. Such errors are structual, because the violationaffectsthe framework in which
the trial take placeuand defies analysis by harmless error standard ex parte Fierro 934
S.W.2d. 370, 374 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). Therefore Applicant asserts that a de novo review
of this claim is necessary, because the State Court in it facts and findings in style

ex parte Reed has failed to make a final disposition or facts and finding as to why App-
icant claim that juror Medder should have been challenged for cause, as required in ex
parte Torres 943 S.W.2d. 469, 474 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997).

(3) A de novo review should be afforded to Applicant in regards to Applicant's contention
that he was denied effective assistance of counsel on appeal due to appellate counsel's
failure to inform Applicant of the outcome of his appeal, which the State in its findings
of facts as shown in Applicant's attached exhibit ;§;_J found: (l) Applicant and his wife
allege that Applicant's appellate counsel, Renie McClellan failed to inform Applicant
that his direct appeal was denied by the Dallas Court of Appeals (2) McClellan filed an
affidavit stating that she had no independent recollection of representing Mr. Reed, 11
although she had procedures in place for notifying clients regarding the disposition of
their appeals. NeverthelesschClellan sadmr§s; that she is unable to absolutely confirm
"that she notified Applicant about the appellate decision. Also given that Applicant's
wife has filed a detailed affidavit explaining her futile attempts to contact McClellan
and McClellan's lack of a specific memory regarding whether she informed Applicant of

the denial of his direct appeal by the Dallas Court of Appeal the court also recommended
that of an abundance of caution that Applicant be granted theropportunity to file an out

of time petition for discretionary review with the Court of Criminal Appeals from the

(3)

denial of his appeal by the Dallas Court of Appeal. The court also asserted that he app-
ellate decision occured in 2001 and Applicant did not file his application until 2012.
McClellan's lack of memory is not suprising. Nevertheless, the State has not pleaded the
affirmative defense of Laches and therefore, the court considered the defense waived.
see Ragsdale v. ragsdale 520 S.W.Zd. 839, 844 (Tex. App. - Ft. Worth 1975).3Eaches is
an affirmative defense which must be pleaded by the party asserting it): Smith v. Secre-
tary of New Mexico Dept. of Corrections 50 F.3d 801: 30 (lO Cir. 1995). Holding?that;
Laches is an affirmative defense thatmust be asserted by the prosecution in Rost-Conviction
cases. However the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected the State Court findings in
the light of ex parte Crow asserting that Applicant has waited over (12) years ot file
his writ of Habeas Corpus, and who's to say Applicant would have filed a P.D.R.

Applicant asserts that a de novo review is necessary to determine if the T.C.C.A. ass-
erting Laches in the light of ex parte Crow as shown in attached exhibit _j__ despite
the State Court in it findings of facts and conclusion of law (at 5) shown in attached
exhibit _§:__which found that the affidavit of Applicant's wife to be true and counsel's
actions to be deficient was arbitrary to the State asserting that they acknowledge waiving
such affirmative Laches defense in the light of Smith v. secretary of New Mexico Dept.
of Corrections 50 F.3d 801, 821, 30 (lO Cir. 1995). Also to determine whether the T.C.C.A.
denial was contrary to ex parte Reed 271 S.W.3d. 698, because hte trial court findings

of facts and conclusinos of law in realation to this ground is supported by the rocord.
ARGUMEN'I' OF SENTENCING BY COURT RATHER THAN JURY

Applicant also points out that his argument in reference to being sentenced by the
court instead of hiseIectionto be sentence by the jury. The State Court in its finding
of facts which asserted at 2-3 shown in attached exhibit _§L_i That Applicant alleged
that he elected to be sentence by a jury as reflected in his trial attorney's Ominibus
pretrial motion. Howver counsel Kenneth Onyenah in his affidavit claimed that Applicant
changed his mind after the jury returned its verdict, nevertheless, it was clear during
voir dire that if Applicant was convicted, he would be sentenced by the trial judge. See
trial TR. at [l-lO(trial court informed jury that after its finding on guilt-innocence
its responsibility in the case will come to an end.)] Likewise, the jury venire was not
questioned regarding the range of punishment in the case and Applicant made no objections
therefore in the light of Brezeale v. State 683 S.W.2d. 446 (Tex. Crim. App.) which the
court of Criminal Appeals held that in the absence of an affirmative showing that no wa

waiver of jury trial was executed, the court written citation of arjury waiver by a n»

\ en

defendant will be presumed to be correct, which Applicnat asserts that this error should

be entitled to a de novo reconsideration because controverted issues surrounds the State
Court findings of fats and such adopting of such would be contrary and unreasonable in

the light of ex parte Adams 768 S.W.2d. 281 (Tex. Cr. App. 1989) and Sterry v. State 959
S.W.Zd. 249, 257-258 (Tex. App. - Dall. 1977) due?to the fact that the State Court findings
of facts at 2-3 shown in attached exhibit _§i_, failed ot overcome Applicantis selection

to be sentenced by a jury, nor does the record support a request, or granting by the court
of any change in reference to a election for punishment or that Applicant waived this

due process right.

ln relation with the pleaooffer/probation eligibility the State Court finding of facts_
consisted of an affidavit from both Applicant and his wife asserting that counsel Onyenah
,informed Applicant that he was eligible for probation and also recommended that he not
take the State's two year plea offer. Counsel Onyenah in his affidavit denied both App-
licant and his wife's allegations and asserted that Applicant rejected the two year plea
offerjagainst his advice, which the record on habeas review supported shown (at Tr. at
II 7-8). Also there:was no sworn motion filed for probation, and counsel denied allegation
in his affidavit that he inform Applicant that he was eligible for probation. See attached
exhibit is

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in its October 14, 2015 stated that Apppicant
contends that he was deprived of an opportunity to file a petition for discretionary review
(P.D.R.) due to therineffective assistance of his appellate counsel. Counsel has filed
an affidavit stating that due to Applicant's delay in raising this claim, she has no inde-
pendant recollection of Applicant's case. The trial court recommends relief in the form
of an out-of-time P-D.R. We disagree.

The Applicant has waited almost eleven years to raise this out-of-time P.D.R. Claim
based upon an allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel. In ex parte Crow, we opined:

The question then becomes whether counsel's conduct caused the deprivation. In the
P.D.R. context, satisfying that showing entails (1) demonstrating that the Appellant was
entitled to be in the appellate process, and (2) Absent counsel's conduct, the appellant
would have timely filed a P.D.R. When the appellant has no right to appeal, he can hardly
be in position to complain about he denial of a P.D.R. In that circumstance, there should
have been no occasion to file a P;D.R..because appeal itselwaas unauthorized. Likewise,
when an appellant would not have filed a P.D.R. anyway, even if he has been notified in
compliance with Wilson, then her attorney's action connot be said to have caused the de-v

privation citing ex.parte Crow,

ass

 

Given Applicant's extreme delay in raising this claim, we find he has not shown that,
absent any allegedly deficient conduct on the part of counsel, he would have timely filed
a P.D.R. Relief is denied.

All of the Applicant's otehr grounds for relief are denied.

Applicant argues that the T.C.C.A. October 14, 2015 order shown in attached exhibit
_l__, asserting that Applicant has no right to appeal is contrary to Douglas v. California
83 Sct. 814 (1963). Also the determination as to whether or not appellate would have filed
a (P.D.R.) is also contrary to ex parte Lemke 13 S.W.3d. 791, 793 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000)
and Maples v. Thomas 132 Sct. 912 (2012) in determining whether or not Applicant should
be granted an out of time. In light of Jarrett 891 S.W.2d§ at1939twhiéh assert that/rif
appellate counsel's action or inactiono denies an appellant his opportunity to prepare
and file a petition for discretionary review, that defendant has been denied his Sixth
Amendment right to effective assistance fo counsel.

Applicant further asserts that he submitted facts supporting the contention that he
was provided erroneous advice about being eligible for probation as shwon at RR. vol. 2:6)
and also attached exhibit_§l_ in the Omnibus Pretrial Motion shown in attached exhibit
_l£L, which Applicant asserts that such erroneous advice falls in the context of the guide-
lines set out in Missouri v. Frye 132 sct. 1399 (2012) new previous unabailable retroactive
Supreme Court Law, surrounding erroneous advice.

Applicant moves this court, requesting that a De Novo Evidentiary Hearing be granted
if not Applicant would like to put the court on notice of its intent to file a writ of
Mandamus as set out in Singleton v. Johnson 178 F.3d 381 (5th Cir. 1989) which alterna-
tively, Petitioner argues that if there is nolfindings to which the presumption of correct-
ness applies, the district Court should have conducted a"De Novo Evidentiary Hearing. We
agree. The Petitioner is entitled to a full and fair Evidentiary Hearing, on theaissue
of whether his attorney was aware of the Petitioner's desire to file an appeal and there-
fore had an obligation to do so. See Goodwin v. Johnson 132 F.3d 162, 182 5th Cir. 1997)
concluding that the Petitioner was entitled to an Evidentiary Hearing because the State
did not afford him a full and fair Evidentiary Hearing on a disputed factual issue. There
cannot even be the semblance of a full and fair hearing unless the State Court actually
reached and decided the issues of fact tendered by the defendant citation omitted) noting
that the habeas trial court is proposed findings did not survive the Court of Criminal
Appeals' denial we stated in Micheaux v. Collins 911 F.2d 1083, 1085 5th Cir. 1990) that
in these circumstances it was proper for the Federal Court to conduct a hearing De Novo
on the voluntariness of the Petitioner's guilty plea. Micheaux v. Collins 944 F.2d at
232 (5th Cir. 1991). Hill v. Court of Appeals for Fifth Dist. 34 S.W.3d. 924 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2001).

trw

`33An act is ministerial "if it does not involve the exercise of any discretion:

(A) ministerial "act is one which is acccomplished without the exercise of discretion
in judgment. If there is any descretion or judicial determination attendant to the act,
it is not ministerial immature§ None is a ministerial act implicated if the trial court
nmst weigh C@nmicting'claims or collateral matters which require legal resolution. -

Examples are helpful in making clear the distinction between ministerial and discretion-
ary acts. Vacating an order is ministerial, as is forwarding the notice of appeal. Issuing
or executing capiasafter mandate has issued is ministerial in nature. Last, consideration
of a motion properly filed and befoe the court is ministerial. State ex-rel Curry v. Gray
720 S.W.2d. 125, 128 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987).

The court has also described the ministerial act requirement as a requirement that the
relator have "a clear right to the relief soughtI"FState ex-rel Wade v. Mays 689 S.W.2d.
945, 947 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985). Teh relief sought must be clear and indisputable "such
that its merits are beyond dispute." Wade 689 S.W.2d. 897. Thus under the ministerial act/
clear legal right requirement, the law must clearly spell out the duty to be performed...
with such certainty that nothing is left to the exercise of discretion or judgment. Id.
at 899 quoting Texas Department of Corrections v. Dalehite 623 S.W.2d. 420, 424 (Tex. crim.
App. 1981) quoting Forbes v. Houston 356 S.W.2d. 709 Tex. Civ. App. - Houston [1st Dist._
1962] . `

If denied Applicant once again would like to put the State Court on notice of if intent
to see a writ of mandamus in light of In Re House 65 S.W.3d. 694 (Tex. App. - Amarillo
2001) which states: By convening a hearing and receiving evidence, the trial court effec-
tively granted Petitioner a writ of Habeas Corpus and thus there accrued to Petitioner
a right to appeal the trial court's refusal to release or discharge him from restraint,

precluding him from thereafter seeking habeas relief in the Court of Appeals.
CONCLUSION

Applicant asserts that, said motion for De Novo reconsideration of his application
Writ of Habeas Corpus contains supporting facts of a denial of a unbias trial, a right
to trial by jury as well as have the jury assess his punishment, allegations of ineffec-
tive assistance of counsel seeking an out of time appeal under new previsou retroactive
law set out in Martinez v. Ryan 132 Sct. 1309, (2012): and Trevino v. Thaler 133 Sct.
1911 (2013): which the T.C.C.A. in its Oct. 14, 2013 order failed to adhere to Applicant's
complete denial of a fair and impartial trial, leaving Applicant's conviction to rest on
a complete fundamental miscarriage of justice as set in Murray v. Carrier 477 U.S. 496,
91. L;Ed.2d. 397, 106 Sct. 2639 (1986).

C"ll

CERTIE`ICATE OF SERVICE

Respectfully submitted

Cscr\em-m-Q_¢_lcl
Aaron Meachell Reed
TDCJ-ID #1009528
French Robertson Unit
12071 FM 3522
Abilene, Texas 79601

I, Aaron Meachell Reed, declare under the penalty of perjury that the foregoing state-

ments within this instrument are true and correct.

Subscribed and sworn on the

\A* &\ , 2015

CBW

C)Guwwn.vo (laad

Aaron Meachell Reed
TDCJ-ID #1009528
French Robertson Unit
12071 FM 3522
Abilene, Texas 79601

EXHIBIT SHEET

NO.

llT.C.C.A. October 14, 2015 order.
42 The District Court's order designating issues.

3 The District Court's order requesting an affidavit from trial counsel Kenneth Chuks

Onyenah.

lim

Affidavit of trial counsel Kenneth chuks Onyenah.

The State Court's findings of fact and conclusion of law.

|m

§ Omnibus pretrial motion.

 

' `.‘_13'.~'_:,`

. »,-¢_':¢§-

lN THE COURT OF CR|M|NAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS

 

No. Wli:vv,sss-oz

`EX PARTE AARON MEACHELL REED, Applicant

,
'<\.,‘-§f
t t

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. W00-00199-U IN THE 291st DISTRICT COURT
FROM DALLAS COUNTY

 

Per curiam. t
oRDER

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 1107 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the
k clerk ofthe trial court transmitted to this Court_this_ application for a writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of aggravated
robbery and sentenced to life imprisonment The Fifth Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction
Reed v. State, No. 05-00-01726-CR (Tex. App._Dallas October 12, 2001) (not designated for
publication).

Applicant contends, inter alia, that he was deprived of an opportunity to file a petition for

discretionary review (PDR) due to the ineffective assistance of his appellate counsel. Counsel has

 

 

WRIT NO. W00-00199-U(A)

EX PARTE § IN THE 291ST JUDICIAL
§
AARON MEACHELL REED, § DISTRICT COURT
Applicant §
§ DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS

ORDER DESIGNATING ISSUES

Having considered the Applicant’s Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus and the
State’s Response thereto, the Court finds that the following controverted, previously
unresolved facts material to the legality of the Applicant’s confinement exist:

l) Did Applicant’s trial counsel`, Kenneth Onyenah, render ineffective

assistance of counsel by failing to object to the court setting punishment
misinforming Applicant as to his eligibility for community supervision,

advising Applicant not to take the State’s plea bargain offer, and/or failing
to provide a legal basis for his objections at trial?

2) lDid Applicant’s counsel on appeal, Renie McClellan, render ineffective
assistance of counsel by failing to inform Applicant of the outcome of
Applicant’s appeal?

The Court finds that Applicant’s grounds for relief concerning juror Jerry Medders

and trial counsel’s failure to challenge juror Jerry Medders for cause are without merit

and recommends that those grounds be denied.

¢-\_`_`,'/\,_`\,

The Court further finds that Applicant’s fifth ground for relief complaining of the

 

trial court’s admission of medical records was raised on direct appeal and rejected by the
Court of Appeals. The Court therefore recommends that Applicant’s fifth ground for

relief be denied.

The Court appoints ‘C£{£M_B£M_ to resolve the

issues and prepare findings of fact and conclusions of law for the court. The issues may

be resolved by affidavits, depositions, interrogatories, or by hearings, as deemed

 

WRlT NO. W00-00199-U(A) [p( %S/

coURT oF cRiMiNAL APPEALS
oF TEXAS

EX PARTE
AARON MEACHELLE REED,

291’“ JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS

Applicant.

va`/VV

 

QM
The court, having considered the allegations contained in Applicant’s Application for Writ
of Habeas Corpus and his Supplemental Application in the above numbered and entitled cause,finds
that evidence is necessary in order to resolve issues raised in the Applications.
ORDERED Applicant’s trial attomey, Kenneth Chuks Onyenah,, shall submit an affidavit
within thirty days of then date of this order, addressing the following issues and attaching true and
correct copies of any documentary evidence related to those issues:

(1) Why the Court was allowed to assess the punishment in Applicant’s case after
you had requested pretrial that the jury set the punishment;

(2) What, if any, discussions took place between you and the Applicant regarding
whether the Court or the jury would assess his punishment; and

(3) What, if any, discussions took place between you and the Applicant and what,

if any advice you gave the Applicant regarding the ability of the Court to impose a

probationary sentence in this case.

FURTHER ORDERED Applicant’s appellate attomey, Renie McClellan, shall submit an
affidavit, Within thirty days of the date of this order, addressing the following issue and attaching

true and correct copies of any documentary evidence related to that issue:

When, if ever, and by what method, if any, she notified Aaron Meachelle Reed of the
decision of the Dallas Court of Appeals on or about October 12, 2001 in Reed v.
State, No. 05-00-01726.

FURTHER ORDERED the Clerk of the Court should send a copy of this order to Applicant

and the attorney for the state. The Clerk shall also send a copy of the order, certified mail, postage
prepaid to:

Kenneth Chuks Onyenah _
8585 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite MZS
Dallas, Texas 75247-3805

Renie McClellan
1250 W. Mickingbird Lane
Dallas, Tean 75248

Renie McClellan
P.O. Box 1989
Cedar Hill , Texas

4/

SIGNED AND ENTERED THIS §§ 2 day of July, 2013.

 

 

JUDGE PREsiDiNG f

 

WRIT NO. W00-00199-U(A)

Ex PARTE § coURT oF cRi_ AL APPEALS
AARoN MEACHELLE REEI) oF TEXAS g
§ § 93 35
Applicant, '{3‘€:: § _Ti
>~" ’ ¢""’ _...
m§I.‘ N
§ 291sr JUi)iciAL Di T;@c;f._; oURTF':
DALLAS coUNTY, Exi?zsj ==- _ l'Tf-
o mr'i:c `_'Z
13 §§§ 2 C`
AFFii)AviT orKENNETH oNYENAH_ 5 w w g
' ~< l\)
sTArE oF TEXAS §
DALLAS coUNTY_

Kenneth Onyenah appeared in person before me today and, stated under -oath: l am
above the age of eighteen years, and I am fully competent to make this affidavit in accordance
with laws of State of Texas. The facts stated in this affidavit are within my personal knowledge
and are true and correct. .

"My name is Kenneth Onyenah, Attomey at Law. I represented Aaron Meachelle Reed at
trial of this casev in 2000.

The Court has ordered me to submit affidavit addressing the underlined issues;

l. Why the Court was allowed to assess the punishment in Applicant’s case after you had

requested pre-trial that the jury set the punishment

2. What, if any, discussions took place between you and the Applicant regarding whether
the Court or the jury would assess his punishment; and

3. What, if any, discussions took place between you and the Applicant and what, if any,
advice you gave the Applicant regarding the ability of the Court to impose a probationary

sentence in this case.

 

‘y»`

Res onse to lSt issue

 

It was Defendant’s choice to have the Judge sentence him. After the jury returned a
verdict the Judge asked if we were ready for sentence and Defendant opted for Judge to
sentence him. I advised him we had filed an option for the jury to access punishment if
they returned a guilty verdict. He desired to change that option and elected for the Judge
to sentence him.

Response to Z“d issue

l cannot remember exactly what we discussed but l typically would advise clients that
jury will have to return a unanimous verdict in the sentence phase and they may have
differences in opinion as to punishment, however, with the Judge it is just one person.
Response to 3rd issue

l told Defendant that he was not eligible for probation because he had been convicted of a
felony prior to this case that was a final conviction I told him both the Judge and the

jury cannot give him probation. The State made him offer of jail time d he rejected it

©Ml A…

Kenneth Onyena, Afiiant

against my advice."

  

This Affidavit was signm<::' oath before me on / y the affiant

t\,D mom/h

Notary Public, State of Texas

 

 

 

 

WRIT NO'. W00-00199-U(A)

_ COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS

EX PARTE
AARON MEACHELLE REED,

291" i)isTRiCT COURT
DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS

Applicant.

V\./\./`./`./V

 

FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSI NS OF LAW
ON APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF HABEA RPUS

The Court, having considered the allegations contained in Applicant’s Application for Writ

of Habeas Corpus in the above numbered and entitled cause, makes the following Findings of Fact

and Conclusions of Law:

HIST§ !RY OF THE CASE
Applicant was found guilty by a jury of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. The Court
set his punishment at life imprisonment Applicant’s conviction and sentence were upheld on
appeal. Reed v. State, 2001 WL 1205342 (Tex. App- Dallas, Oct 12, 2001). Pursuant to Tex. R.

Crim. P. Art. 11.07 § 3(d), the Court has appointed F. Clinton Broden, Esq. to make findings of fact.

ISSUES RAISED Ihl APPLICATION
Applicant raised five issues in his Application:
(1) Applicant claims Juror Medders should have been struck for cause.

(2) Applicant claims that his trial counsel was ineffective because he (a) failed to
object to strike Juror Medders; (b) did not object to Applicant being sentenced by the
trial judge despite having filed a pretrial motion requesting jury sentencing; (c)
incorrectly told Applicant he was eligible for probation if convicted and recommend
that Applicant not accept a two year imprisonment plea offer; and (d) failed to make
evidentiary object With specificity during trial.

3) Applicant claims Appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to inform
Applicant that his conviction was affirmed _by the Court of Appeals so that he could
file a Petition for Discreti'onary Review.

 

 

 

 

(4) Similar to Claim 2b, Applicant claims he was denied his right to jury sentencing

(5) Applicant claims that the Trial Court erred by allowing the introduction of
certain medical records. ‘

This Court entered it Order Designating Issues identifying the following issues for resolution:
( l) Did Applicant’s trial counsel , Kenneth Onyenah, render ineffective assistance of
counsel by failing to object to the court setting punishment, misinforrning Applicant
as to his eligibility for community supervision, advising Applicant not to take the

State’s plea bargain offer, and/or failing to provide a legal basis for his objections at
'trial?

(2) Did Applicant’s counsel on appeal, Rennie McClellan, render ineffective
assistance of counsel by failing to inform Applicant of the outcome of Applicant’s
appeal?

In that same order, this Court concluded that Applicant’s claims regarding Juror Medders were
without merit and recommended that those claims be denied. Likewise, it found that Applicant’s
claim regarding the introduction of the medical records was raised on direct appeal and rejected by
the Court of Appeals and, therefore, should also be denied.
SPECIFIC F!NDINGS OF FACT AND NCL SIONS OF LAW
A. Sentencing by Court Rather than log
1. Applicant alleges that he elected to be sentenced by a jury as reflected in his trial

attorney's Omnibus Pretrial Motion.

2. Applicant’s trial counsel, Kenneth Onyenah, filed an affidavit sating that Applicant

o

changed his mind about wanting the jury to sentence him.'

 

lOnyenah claims this change of mind took place after the jury returned its verdict.
Nevertheless, it was clear during voir dire that, if Applicant was convicted, he would be
sentenced by the trial judge. See Tn'al Tr. at II: 10 (Trial Court informed jury that after its finding
on guilt-innocence its “responsibility in the case will come to an end.”) Likewise, the jury venire
was not questioned regarding the range of punishment in the case.

2

 

 

 

 

 

3. The Trial Court’s case jacket reflects a notation “10-10-00 Jury Waiver 337/56.”
Nevertheless, no jury waiver was found in the clerk’s record nor for minute entry 337/56.

4. In Brezeale v. State, 683 S.W.2d 446 (Tex. Crim. App.), the Court of Criminal Appeals
held that in the absence of an affirmative showing that no waiver of jury trial was executed , a court’s
written recitation of ajury waiver by a defendant will be presumed to be correct.

5. Applicant did not object at any point when it became obvious during the voir dire that the
Trial Court was operating under the presumption that jury Sentencing had been waived. lt is also
unlikely that the trial judge would have endorsed the entry on the trial jacket that Applicant waived
a jury as to sentencing unless Applicant did, in fact, waive a jury.

6. In light of Brezeale and Onyenah’s affidavit, the Court recommends that the ground for .
relief (Grounds 2b and 4) alleging that he was deprived his right to be sentenced by a jury be

DENlED.

B. Plea Ofl`er/Probation Eligi'bilig

l. Applicant and his wife allege that Applicant’s trial counsel informed him that he was

eligible for probation and recommended that he reject a two year plea offer by the State.

2. Onyenah’s affidavit alleges that he told Applicant that was not eligible for probation and
that Applicant rejected the two year plea offer against his advice.

3. Prior to jury selection, the following colloquy took place

Mr. Onyenah: l discussed with you the arrangement I made With the D.A. to reduce

your offense and give you two years on this case. You reject that. Would you tell the

Court if you rejected that at your own volition?

The Defendant Yes sir.

Mr. Onyenah: However, you at this time wish to - do you at this time wish to change
your mind and accept two years that State has offered so this case is disposed of?

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Defendant: No sir.
Trial Tr. at ll:7-8 (emphasis added).

4. Immediately thereafter, the Trial Court informed Applicant that he faced a minimum
punishment of 25 years if convicted and it was shown he had “been to the penitentiary two times.”
The Trial Court then reaffirmed Applicant was rejecting the State’s two year plea offer. Id. at Il:8.

5. The Court credits Onyenah’s affidavit. ln light of the wording used at the pretrial hearing
that Onyenah arranged for the two year plea offer, it would not appear that he would then
recommend that Applicant reject this offer.

6. No sworn motion for probation was filed and Applicant was admonished as to minimum
incarceration punishments by the Trial Court with no mention of probation ever being an option.
This corroborates Onyenah’s affidavit that Applicant was not told he was eligible for probation.

7. The Court recommends that this ground for relief (Ground 20) be DENIED
C. Failing to Object with Specificity

1. ln the only example that Applicant gives to support his ground for relief on this ground,
Applicant’s trial counsel did state the basis of his objection: that State’s Exhibit Number 3
constituted hearsay.

2. Applicant offers no other examples to support his claim, much less does he claim that a
meritorious objection was forfeited because of his trial counsel's failure to object with more
specificity. Courts will not consider conclusory allegations and such allegations will not support

post-conviction relief . See, e.g., Ex parte Marti'nez, 195 S.W.3d 713 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006)

 

. il ;'_';..“o ".‘;f `

_,.`e...,,,. .. .

 

 

 

3. The Court recommends that this ground for relief (Ground 2d) be denied .2
D. Failure to Inform Applicant of §§ourt of Appeal’s Decision

1. Applicant and his wife allege that Applicant’s appellate counsel , Renie McClellan, failed
to inform Applicant that his direct appeal was denied by the Dallas Court of Appeals.

2. McClellan filed an affidavit stating that she had no independent recollection of
representing Mr. Reed although she had procedures in place for notifying clients regarding the
disposition of their appeals. Nevertheless, McClellan admits that she is “unable to absolutely
confirm” that she notified Applicant about the appellate decision.3

3 . Given that Applicant’s wife has filed a detailed affidavit explaining her futile attempts to
contact McClellan and McClellan’s lack of a specific memory regarding whether she informed
Applicant of the denial of his direct appeal by the Dallas Court of Appeals, the Court recommends,
out of an abundance of caution, that Applicant be GRANTED the opportunity to file an out of time
Petition for Discretionary Review with the Court of Criminal Appeals from the denial of his appeal
by the Dallas Court of Appeals.

ORDERS OF THE COURT

_____'_______....___-----

In implementing the Court's Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the Clerk will:

 

2’l`he Court has considered Applicant’s ineffective assistance of trial counsel claims both
individually and cumulatively in making the recommendations'herein.

3Give that the appellate decision occurred in 2001 and Applicant did not tile his
Application until 2012, McClellan’s lack of memory is not surprising. Nevertheless, the State
has not pleaded the affirmative defense of laches and, therefore, the Court considers the defense
waived. See, e.g., Ragsdale v. Ragsdale, 520 S.W.2d 839, 844 (Tex. App.- Ft. Worth 1975)
(“Laches is an affirmative defense which must be pleaded by the party asserting it.”); Smith v.
Secretary of New Mexico Dept. of Corrections, 50 F.3d 801 , 821 n.30 (10‘h Cir. 1995) (Holding
laches is an affirmative defense that must be asserted by the prosecution in post-conviction
cases).

 

' dings and

script of all papers in this cause and transmit the Court’ s Fin

jud gment, sentence, indictment, docket sheets,a copy of the co

1 . Prepare a tran
urt’s file jacket

Order,including the
cords of this cause, to the

s and other exhibits and evidentiary matter filed in the trial re
rt of Criminal Appeals as provided by Article 11.07 of the Te
Conclusions of Law ,and the Or

y of these Findings of Fact and

and notation
xas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Cou
der thereon ,

2. Send a cop
positing same in the U S. Mail.

to the Applicant and Counsel for the State by de

iziznrnisd'1 022 day of 1957 ,2013.

WW

UDGE PRESIDING

SIGNED AND ENTE

 

 

 

 

v ';;z:,‘~¢;~. ~

 

 

 

 

 

CA USE NO. F99-53515

  

THE`s_rATE oF' z ' iN THE 291sT CRIMINAL q
i)isrnicr Coiinr oF *_‘. '_ iv 7 »

DALLAS COUNTY, TE‘(AS

93%99%66

oiviiviBUs Pi_zErnrAL ivio'rroN " ’
’, ro ring HoNoRABLE JUD_GE or~' sAiD count

COMEs NOW the defendant in the above styled and numbered cause and files this his

 

enforcement agency may " ;- ' in its possession or in its knowledge of or which it has a duty to_
` inquire concerning this or this case. Brady y, Maryland 373 U. S 83 (1963), Ex Parte Adams, -
' 768 S W. 2d. 281 _(Tex. Cr. App 1989), and Q'Rarden v, §tate, 777 S. W 2d 455.
' ` j n.l `
f ' The defendant requests-lan identification hearing outside the presence of the jury.
5 l j i ni. l
The defendant requests a sub rosa hearing prior to the introduction of any statements
allegedly made by the defendant, either orally o_r in writing, to determine the voluntariness and

admissibility of them and requests disclosure of these statements prior to trial Jackson v Denno,

__-_ ,,.._‘..._.'.‘...~~. .'»{._.~.»~-»- ""‘
_`_ ‘, ..,'W . ..'~

_~_ , -`._...._i..' »_

t »»~-~ 378 U;;s 368'(19'64)

'OMNIBUS PRETRIAL MOTION
D. WlLLL$

PAGE .1

IV.
The defendant requests the production and disclosure of all physical evidence or tangible

items, objects, and matters not the work pro the State which are or may be relevant to the

   
   

guilt or innocence or punishment " ' : ~ '~ ~ "ch evidence will of may be offered by the

any laboratory r " ns pertaining to any test conducted at the request of the
State of any law ent x " agency on any physical or tangible evidence
V.

The defendant requests a list of witnesses who will be called by the State either in their
case-in-chief or rebuttal at the guilt/innocence phase of the trial or the punishment phase.
Highlai_id vx State, 494 S.W.2d 186 (Tax. Cr. App. 1973).

` vr.
iThe defendant requests a hearing out of the presence of the jury before any evidence of
te. *.:‘a.tee'_'s :.-'an.=.=.cz£cins or evidence of other ciimes, wrongs, or acts allegedly committed by the

..'- .:- -- -_._,..". -.... -.., .>-..~.-..,. ._ _.1‘ , .`,4. .,. . ~_= ¢~,1 -~-b~ ,-;..~-_-,;-~~ ~,~,,~».~.a '.-"g.s\_?
i _, i . t ed ~.-. .i.e .ai,. 3..~.. i..~...er ....~...s»_> .._~_.-.- ._i:.....

..-.\`.~ _. .,-.»'_~_-. .-..‘....i.-i; . .) ',‘~~.

(ll

ri.‘v;e ‘.,: .-a`_ ;v.‘:_=‘.z::: to R:.;.`e ¥I~=t`ofi, ?eus Rul‘ec c»t`Crirm`riai Evidence
VH.
The defendant requests that a shuffle be made of the jury panel.

VIII.

- The defendant requests"arraignm'ent’out of the presence of the jury.

OMN!BUS PRE'!'RIAL MOT!ON
D. WILL|S

PAGE` 2

lX.
The defendant requests that a complete record be made of the trial, including voir dire, all

testimony, bench conferences and argument of c

 
  
  
  
 

v lable to counsel any and all written
estities, and/or any statements used by a witness to

" lved in the tiial, at such time as the State passes the

witness for cross-examinatio_ .
lXI.
The defendant requests that counsel ford the defendant be permitted to examine the
testimony of each witness who testified before the Grand Jury at such time as they are passed for
cross-examination, and to be advised, prior to trial, of the names of any persons who testified on

regard to this case at the Grand Jury hearing Dennis v, g ,§, 855 (1996):

1
XII.
".".‘.-: defendant requests a hearing outside the presence of the jury to determine the

.`-... . ‘- .... ... ._.., ____ :.' ,_ ‘ ,.,.'.',,._, _____-,.‘;.,‘ .',i...,'.__- .'- .` ,..,;._.,,...4 .~._,°.'._.,.i .. `._, ,_¢_,j ,..j.,j_-,_‘.. _’.,.
' . .. _¢ \ ,.,.. ‘ -n»~¢L - l i".~'.~.-v‘. ~ "'~».,~- ¢.,¢," _,_~_',_` 3 .4-'2 __‘\ ,.,.L...§.L_.'”~B '.,¢ .'....> .-2-~» w ~‘*._'.~£ _.i\»~

:=~~»-,:: .=:;.-..-:-e;- ::e:~.is to offer as evidence herein, and would request that the Court suppress
:."_~s w:.'e.':-~;e ir`:he Court determines that the evidence was obtained in violation of the United

w'.

States Constitution of F ederal Law of the Constitution or laws of the State of Texas.

' 7 animus Pmmu, .vrono/v

D. WILLIS

PAGE 3

XIII.
The defendant requests that the Court order the State to produce, prior to trial, all
criminal records of witnesses that they intend to call to the stand in the trial of this case, and

further, to determine and disclose any pending criminal ch that prospective witness may

have. Further, the defendant requests that the State § e defendant whether it has made,
promised, or implied any promises, bene , ce t ny prospective witness in order to
. . . . o .

 
   
  

'{'
or inducements have been ma ss by any law enforcement agency or by any other

individual, or whether any indivi has'coerced, forced, or threatened the witness in any way in
order to procure the witnesses testimony.
XIV.
The defendant requests notice of the State’s intent to offer certified documents in evidence

in the trial of this case,l and requests disclosure of them prior to trial.

) .
XV.

§

I:. tire e'-.'»-'~" er`cen'»iction. the defendant elects to have the " ’d»_ ) assess

l

’1`\?~2`.-£.’-°"3;"_-°._ .`»`RZ}.H$ES CO.\`SIDERED, the Defendant prays L‘:.zt a hearing -':e .'~.e§
;.-.- :.`~.=s .‘.!etz'on and that the Court order the State to produce the requested items as designated
above and permit the defendant to inspect, copy, photograph and conduct any necessary analytical
tests on such items. The items are not privileged and are within the proper`scope_,of discovery by
the defendant

OMNIDUS PRKTRIAL MOTION
D. WILLIS

PAGE 4

ne and disclose whether any such benefits