Court Opinion

ID: 1074907
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-09 20:12:56.29699+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:18:02.126642
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
                           AT JACKSON
                                  November 6, 2001 Session

             ANTHONY RICHARDSON v. STATE OF TENNESSEE

                  Direct Appeal from the Criminal Court for Shelby County
                             No. P-21728    Chris Craft, Judge

                   No. W2000-01438-CCA-R3-PC - Filed February 7, 2002

Petitioner, Anthony Richardson, was convicted of first-degree murder in the Shelby County Criminal
Court. This Court affirmed the conviction on direct appeal. See State v. Richardson, 995 S.W.2d
119 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1998). Petitioner filed a petition for post conviction relief, which the post-
conviction court subsequently denied. Petitioner challenges the denial of his petition, raising the
following issues: (1) whether the trial court’s comments during a witness’ testimony deprived him
of his sixth amendment right to a jury trial; (2) whether Petitioner was denied his sixth amendment
right to a jury trial when the trial court “forced” counsel to proceed to trial; (3) whether the
prosecutor’s biblical reference at trial constituted reversible error; and (4) whether there was a
conflict of interest when the same judge presided at both his trial and post-conviction hearing. After
a thorough review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

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

THOMAS T. WOODALL , J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which GARY R. WADE, P.J., and JOE
G. RILEY, J., joined.

Gerald Stanley Green, Memphis, Tennessee (on appeal) and John Finklea, Memphis, Tennessee (at
trial) for the appellant, Anthony Richardson.

Paul G. Summers, Attorney General and Reporter; John H. Bledsoe, Assistant Attorney General;
William L. Gibbons, District Attorney General; and Elaine Sanders, Assistant District Attorney
General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.
                                              OPINION

I.      Background

        In the direct appeal of Petitioner’s conviction, this Court summarized the facts as follows:

        On June 1, 1994, Terry Gilliard, the victim, was shot to death at the LeMoyne
        Gardens Apartments in Memphis, Tennessee. The victim was shot by two separate
        individuals, Appellant and Earline Jackson. The two shootings were apparently
        unrelated. Appellant testified that earlier that day, he fought with victim, left the
        scene, and retrieved a gun that he had hidden nearby. When he returned, he saw
        something being passed between the victim and his friends. Afraid for his life,
        Appellant testified that he shot the victim in self-defense. After Appellant fled the
        scene, witnesses testified that Earline Jackson also shot the victim additional times.
        The medical examiner testified that shots from each weapon were fatal. Appellant
        and Earline Jackson were charged with first degree murder.

       On August 6, 1999, Petitioner filed a pro se petition for post conviction relief, raising
numerous claims including ineffective assistance of counsel and trial court error. Subsequently, the
post-conviction court appointed counsel to assist Petitioner. Appointed counsel filed a total of three
amended petitions alleging specific instances of ineffective assistance of counsel. Following a
hearing, the post-conviction court denied relief to the Petitioner, entering its written findings of fact
and conclusions of law on May 9, 2000. Subsequently, Petitioner filed a timely notice of appeal to
this Court.

II.     Post-Conviction Hearing

        At the post-conviction hearing, the trial court heard testimony from Petitioner and
Petitioner’s trial counsel, Joseph Ozment. Petitioner testified that he filed the instant petition based
upon the ineffective assistance of counsel. Petitioner testified that trial counsel should have objected
to the entry of autopsy photographs at trial. Petitioner described the autopsy photographs of the
victim’s gunshot wounds as “gross.” In support of his claim, Petitioner testified that the trial court
was reluctant to present the photographs to the jury before lunch. Furthermore, Petitioner claimed
that the photographs were not relevant. Petitioner stated that before the photographs were admitted,
the medical examiner testified extensively about the location of the victim’s gunshot wounds, using
the prosecutor as a mannequin. Petitioner also testified that the photographs were not admitted for
identification purposes because previously, the medical examiner identified the victim in a separate
photograph. Petitioner claimed that the photographs were admitted solely to inflame the jury.

        Petitioner further testified that trial counsel failed to object to the trial court’s comments on
the testimony of a witness called by the defense. Petitioner testified that in order to prove self-
defense, it was necessary to show that the victim, or someone close to the victim, was carrying a
weapon. Petitioner testified that on direct examination, a witness named Mr. Flynn stated that he
was with the victim when Petitioner began shooting and Flynn testified that, “I -- we ran to the left,

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and he [Petitioner] was, you know, he was still coming at us. Then I shot right back through -- it was
a little opening in the side of the wall. I ran back through there.” However, Petitioner testified that
on cross-examination Mr. Flynn recanted his statement that “I shot right back through.” In response,
the trial court stated, “he [Mr. Flynn] said, ‘I shot back through this way.’ I took it to mean he ran
that way.’” Petitioner claimed that the trial court’s statement was an improper comment on the
evidence. Petitioner testified that Mr. Flynn’s testimony supported his theory of self-defense, and
that absent the court’s comments, he might have had a stronger argument for self-defense.

         Petitioner further testified that trial counsel should have continued the trial to a later date.
Petitioner claimed that a few days before trial, counsel admitted that he was not a “hundred percent”
because his wife was in the midst of a difficult pregnancy and his brother was hospitalized.
Petitioner stated that he asked counsel to continue the trial. Petitioner admitted that counsel made
one attempt to continue the trial, but claims that he should have tried again. Furthermore, Petitioner
testified that the court might have been persuaded to continue the trial if counsel had explained his
family difficulties as the reason for the continuance. Petitioner admitted that trial counsel stated “he
was going to try to give his all,” and that counsel gave his all to a certain extent. On cross-
examination, Petitioner admitted that he did not believe that trial counsel was deficient because he
was not ready.

        Petitioner further testified that he wanted to negotiate a plea agreement, but counsel failed
to present a written offer. Petitioner claimed that before the trial began, counsel presented him with
a potential twenty-year plea agreement. However, Petitioner claimed that when counsel presented
him with the agreement form, it was blank. Petitioner testified that counsel told him to sign the
blank agreement, and then, he would try to negotiate a twenty-year plea bargain. Petitioner testified
that he would have accepted the twenty-year agreement if it was in writing. In addition, Petitioner
further stated that the trial court refused to accept the plea.

       Petitioner further testified that the prosecutor’s reference to a scripture passage at trial was
unduly prejudicial. Petitioner, through his post-conviction counsel, acknowledged that this issue was
addressed by the appellate court.

         The State presented testimony from Petitioner’s trial counsel, Joseph Ozment. Counsel
testified that any objection to the entry of the autopsy photographs would have been “fruitless.”
Counsel testified that the photographs were “extremely mild” with “[n]othing grotesque about
them.” Counsel testified that based on his appellate experience, the autopsy photographs, which
depicted each fatal wound, were relevant to the State’s burden of proof. Counsel also testified that
autopsy photographs are usually admitted even though the medical examiner used demonstrative
evidence, such as a mannequin, for an illustration. Counsel further testified that he chose not to
object to the trial court’s comments on Mr. Flynn’s testimony because the court’s interpretation was
fair. Furthermore, counsel testified that he addressed this issue through cross-examination, and
probably argued it during closing arguments.

      Counsel also testified that on the day of trial, he was prepared to proceed as scheduled.
Counsel acknowledged that the trial court provided adequate time and resources to prepare for trial.

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Counsel testified that on the day of trial, the trial was delayed for over an hour for plea negotiations,
which, although attempted, proved unsuccessful. Counsel stated that Petitioner refused to accept a
negotiated plea agreement. Counsel refuted Petitioner’s claims that he requested a continuance, or
that he was issued blank paperwork during plea negotiations. Finally, counsel acknowledged that
during Petitioner’s trial his brother was hospitalized and his wife was experiencing a difficult
pregnancy. However, counsel testified that although it might have been “more convenient” if the
trial date was postponed, his personal affairs did not affect his representation of Petitioner, his
performance at trial, or the trial’s outcome.

        At the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing, the post-conviction court denied Petitioner relief
in a written order. The post-conviction court found that Petitioner failed to prove the allegations in
his petition by clear and convincing evidence. The trial court further determined that Petitioner had
not established a valid claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.

III.    Analysis

        In order to obtain post-conviction relief a petitioner must allege that his conviction or
sentence is void or voidable because of an abridgement of a constitutional right. Tenn. Code Ann.
§ 40-30-203 (1997). If granted an evidentiary hearing, Petitioner has the burden of proving his
allegations by clear and convincing evidence. Id. § 40-30-210(f). Findings of fact and conclusions
of law made by the post-conviction court are afforded the weight of a jury verdict, and may not be
reweighed or re-evaluated by this Court. See Tidwell v. State, 922 S.W.2d 497, 500 (Tenn. 1996);
Black v. State, 794 S.W.2d 752, 755 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990). Consequently, this Court is bound
by those findings unless the evidence contained in the record preponderates otherwise. See State v.
Burns, 6 S.W.3d 453, 461 (Tenn. 1999).

        A defendant alleging ineffective assistance of counsel must prove the allegations of fact
underlying his claim by clear and convincing evidence. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-210(f) (1997);
Fields v. State, 40 S.W.3d 450, 458 (Tenn. 2001). In order to determine whether counsel provided
effective assistance, this Court must decide whether counsel's performance was within the range of
competence demanded of attorneys in criminal cases. See Baxter v. Rose, 523 S.W.2d 930, 936
(Tenn. 1975). When reviewing a defense attorney's actions, this Court may not use "20-20"
hindsight to second-guess counsel's decisions regarding trial strategy and tactics. See Hellard v.
State, 629 S.W.2d 4, 9 (Tenn. 1982).

        To succeed on a claim that his trial counsel was ineffective at trial, a petitioner bears the
burden of showing that his counsel made errors so serious that he was not functioning as counsel as
guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment and that the deficient representation prejudiced the petitioner
resulting in a failure to produce a reliable result. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687
(1984); Cooper v. State, 849 S.W.2d 744, 747 (Tenn. 1993). To satisfy the second prong, the
petitioner must show that he was prejudiced by his counsel's unprofessional errors, such that there
is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's errors, the result of the proceeding would have
differed. See Strickland, 468 U.S. at 694. Petitioner’s failure to prove either element, deficient
performance or prejudice, requires dismissal of his claim. See id. at 697.

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A.      Trial Court’s Comments

         In his first issue, Petitioner argues that the trial court’s comments on a witness’ testimony,
in the jury’s presence, deprived him of his sixth amendment right to a jury trial by “invading the fact
finding role and province of the jury.” U.S. Const. amend. VI. We disagree.

        The comments at issue were made by the trial court during the cross-examination of Mr.
Flynn, the victim’s cousin. On direct examination, Mr. Flynn testified that he was walking with the
victim when Petitioner confronted them with a gun. Flynn testified to the following events:

        Mr. Flynn:      . . . and he [Petitioner] shot.

        Counsel:        What did you do [in response] ?

        Mr. Flynn:      I -- we ran to the left, and he [Petitioner] was, you know, he was still
                        coming at us. Then I shot right back through -- it was a little opening
                        on the side of the wall. I ran back through there.”

        On cross examination, defense counsel inquired:

        Counsel:        Mr. Flynn, did I hear you correctly, did you say that you shot?

        Mr. Flynn:      What?

        Counsel:        Did I hear that you said you shot back or you shot something of that
                        nature?

        Mr. Flynn:      No, you didn’t hear me say that.

        Counsel:        Oh, so you --

        Court:          Let me say this, Mr. Ozment. He said, “I shot back through this
                        way.” I took it to mean he ran that way.

        Counsel:        Well, Your Honor, it sounded like --

        Court:          Well, you can ask him about that.

        Mr. Flynn:      Well, I ran through there.

        Court:          He did use the word “shot.”

        Petitioner has waived this issue by altering theories on appeal. A party may not litigate an
issue in the trial court on one ground, abandon that ground post-hearing, and assert a new basis or
ground for his contention in this Court. See State v. Dooley, 29 S.W.3d 542, 549 (Tenn. Crim. App.
2000). In the petition and at the hearing, Petitioner alleged that trial counsel was ineffective because
counsel failed to object to the trial court’s comments. However, on appeal, Petitioner argues that

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the trial court’s comments deprived him of his constitutional right to a jury trial. U.S. Const. amend.
VI.

        Even if not waived, we find that the trial court’s comments were merely a corrective measure,
intended to clarify Mr. Flynn’s use of the word “shot.” The trial court’s comments did not violate
Petitioner’s sixth amendment right to a jury trial. Neither did trial counsel render ineffective
assistance at trial by not objecting to the trial court’s comments. Petitioner is not entitled to relief
on this issue.

B.      Forced to proceed with trial

        Additionally, Petitioner argues that his sixth amendment right to a jury trial was violated
when the trial court “forced” counsel to proceed to trial. U.S. Const. amend. VI. On appeal,
Petitioner appears to allege that he was deprived of his sixth amendment right to effective assistance
of counsel because counsel was “forced” to proceed to trial although counsel was not “one hundred
percent.” Id.

        Petitioner has failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that counsel was forced to
proceed to trial, or that counsel was not “one hundred percent.” In its written order denying
Petitioner relief, the post-conviction court found that the trial had been continued for one month
because of trial counsel’s family problems. Furthermore, the post-conviction court noted that on the
day of trial, Petitioner’s trial counsel made the following declaration to the court:

        I’ve been down to visit Mr. Richardson several times. Nothing new has developed
        in any of our conversations . . . The Court appointed an investigator on this. I have
        had a good investigation. I’ve had good interviews with witnesses. This case is
        ready. It couldn’t be more ready . . . And I would state that for the record.

         In addition, Petitioner’s trial counsel testified at the post-conviction hearing that his family
problems did not affect his representation of Petitioner or the trial’s outcome. Petitioner also
testified that trial counsel gave his all “to a certain extent,” and was not deficient in his performance
because he was not ready. Petitioner has failed to show that he was denied his sixth amendment
right to a jury trial or effective assistance of counsel. Petitioner is not entitled to relief on this issue.

C.      Prosecutorial Misconduct

         In his next issue, Petitioner claims that he is entitled to post-conviction relief because of
prosecutorial misconduct. Specifically, Petitioner claims that his conviction should be reversed
because the prosecutor erred by reading and commenting from the Bible when he “knew that his trial
tactic . . . was under scrutiny by the appellate courts of this State.”

         A petitioner in a post-conviction proceeding is not entitled to relief based upon claims that
have been waived or previously determined. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-206(f) (1997). A claim for
relief is "previously determined" when a court of competent jurisdiction has ruled on the merits after

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a full and fair hearing. Id. § 40-30-206(h). “A full and fair hearing has occurred where the petitioner
is afforded the opportunity to call witnesses and otherwise present evidence, regardless of whether
the petitioner actually introduced any evidence.” Id.

        We find that this issue was “previously determined” on direct appeal where the court held
that the prosecutor’s conduct was harmless error. See State v. Richardson, 995 S.W.2d 119, 125-28
(Tenn. Crim. App. 1998). Additionally, we agree with the post-conviction court’s finding that “no
additional prejudice has been shown at the hearing on this petition which could have affected the
verdict.” Petitioner is not entitled to relief on this issue.

D.     Conflict of Interest

       Finally, Petitioner argues that permitting the same judge to preside at both his trial and post-
conviction proceeding presented a conflict of interest because it was “inappropriate for a judge to
hear a case alleging serious errors in a trial over which he presided.” Petitioner’s claim can be
rephrased as an allegation of error because the trial judge failed to recuse himself.

        Petitioner has waived this issue on appeal by failing to support his argument with authority.
Tenn. Ct. Crim. App. R. 10(b). Furthermore, Petitioner failed to present this claim at the hearing
or in his post-conviction petition. Likewise, no written motion to recuse appears in the record on
appeal. An issue raised for the first time on appeal is waived. See State v. Townes, 56 S.W.3d 30,
35 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2000).

         Notwithstanding waiver, Petitioner would not be entitled to relief on this issue. Section 6
of Rule 28 of the Rules of the Supreme Court states, in part, “that the presiding judge shall assign
a judge to hear the case who may be the original hearing judge. Should the presiding judge fail to
assign a judge, and no judge is designated by the Chief Justice, the judge who presided at the original
trial shall hear the petition.” Therefore, we find that the judge did nothing improper by presiding
at Petitioner’s post-conviction hearing.

                                          CONCLUSION

       We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

                                                       ___________________________________
                                                       THOMAS T. WOODALL, JUDGE

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