Court Opinion

ID: 1056111
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-08 21:04:05.15057+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:04:15.922667
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
                           AT JACKSON
                              Assigned on Briefs April 19, 2005

                      RICKIE REED v. STATE OF TENNESSEE

                      Appeal from the Criminal Court for Shelby County
                          No. P-28123    Bernie Weinman, Judge

                     No. W2004-01878-CCA-R3-PC - Filed June 17, 2005

The petitioner, Rickie Reed, appeals from the trial court's denial of post-conviction relief. The single
issue presented for review is whether the petitioner was denied the effective assistance of counsel
at trial. The judgment is affirmed.

                  Tenn. R. App. P. 3; Judgment of the Trial Court Affirmed

GARY R. WADE, P.J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which JOSEPH M. TIPTON and ALAN E.
GLENN, JJ., joined.

C. Anne Tipton, Memphis, Tennessee, for the appellant, Rickie Reed.

Paul G. Summers, Attorney General & Reporter; Michael Markham, Assistant Attorney General;
and Emily Campbell, Assistant District Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

                                              OPINION

        On June 18, 2001, the petitioner was convicted of second degree murder and attempted
second degree murder. The trial court imposed consecutive sentences of twenty-three and twelve
years respectively. This court affirmed on direct appeal. State v. Rickie Reed, No. W2001-02076-
CCA-R3-CD (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, Oct. 31, 2002). On March 17, 2003, our supreme court
denied application for permission to appeal.

        On February 4, 2004, the petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief alleging, among
other things, that he had been denied the effective assistance of counsel. Counsel was appointed and
thereafter the petition was amended wherein it was specifically alleged that trial counsel had failed
to present all possible issues on appeal, particularly the issue of whether the verdicts of attempted
second degree murder and reckless aggravated assault, the latter of which was merged into the
former, were inconsistent because of differing levels of criminal intent, knowing and reckless.
        The petitioner was convicted as the result of two separate shootings between rival gangs
occurring on July 25, 1999. In the first incident, the Memphis residence of Kathy Branch on Marble
Street was engulfed by gunfire. As she ran through her house, which was also occupied by two of
her children who were asleep in a bedroom, she was shot five times. Later, when Fredrick Branch
learned that his aunt, Kathy Branch, had been shot, he armed himself and joined several other armed
men who drove in a blue Chevrolet Cavalier to Ms. Branch's residence. After Ms. Branch was
placed into an ambulance, the men drove down Merchant Street until they saw a blue Lincoln which
appeared to be waiting in a driveway. When a Nissan with tinted windows approached them from
behind, several shots were exchanged. Gunfire from the Nissan struck the car in which Fredrick
Branch was riding before his companions were able to get away. He was shot during the exchange
and had died by the time police arrived.

        During the ensuing investigation, the petitioner admitted to police that he shot at the Kathy
Branch house and he also acknowledged that later, when he was in the Nissan, he fired shots at the
blue Chevrolet Cavalier, whose passengers were involved in an altercation with the passengers of
the blue Lincoln. The petitioner estimated that he fired ten shots at the vehicle occupied by Fredrick
Branch. While acknowledging that he was a member of the Gangster Disciples and aware that the
occupants of the Chevrolet were members of the Vice Lords, he told police that he did not know the
occupants of the residence on Marble Street or the occupants of the blue Chevrolet. An autopsy
performed on Frederick Branch indicated that he had suffered a series of injuries, most likely from
one shot in the back. The petitioner admitted using an SKS, a high powered assault-type weapon.
There was evidence that Deon Vance, who was with the petitioner in the Nissan, also fired shots.
In the direct appeal, this court concluded that the evidence was sufficient to support the second
degree murder conviction under the theory of criminal responsibility for the conduct of another.
Reed, slip op. at 7; see also Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-402 (defining criminal responsibility).

        At the evidentiary hearing, the petitioner testified that he had received a copy of the discovery
material from his trial counsel prior to trial and had had ample opportunity to discuss the facts and
the circumstances of the case during the several visits his counsel made to the jail. He did, however,
complain that his counsel failed to employ an investigator and failed to interview or present as
witnesses "a couple of guys who [were] there that night." The petitioner, who confessed to his
involvement in the two shootings, also criticized his trial counsel for failing to ask for any ballistics
testing. He explained that it was his counsel's understanding that the TBI believed that the fragments
were insufficient for testing. The petitioner testified that after the trial, he learned in prison from his
co-defendant, Deon Vance, that the TBI ultimately determined that the bullet was consistent with
the weapon that the petitioner had used.

        The petitioner testified that he actually received an offer from the state to enter a plea with
a term of as little as ten years, which he agreed to accept, but that for some reason the offer was
withdrawn. He recalled that the state then made an offer of fifteen years, which he refused. The
petitioner explained that had he known that ballistics testing would have connected his weapon to
the fatal shot, he would have accepted the fifteen-year offer.

                                                   -2-
        Trial counsel testified that he worked in conjunction with the attorney appointed to represent
co-defendant Vance. He stated that he did receive discovery materials from the state, which had an
open file policy, and that these materials were provided to the petitioner. Trial counsel confirmed
that he had discussed the case with the petitioner on several occasions both at the jail and at various
court appearances. It was his opinion that he did not need the assistance of an investigator and he
acknowledged that he did not request one during the course of his representation. Trial counsel
stated that he had a transcript of the preliminary hearing testimony of Kathy Branch and a copy of
the statement that she had provided to the police. It was his belief that an interview, under those
circumstances, would not have been of further benefit. He also stated that he had the statements of
Antropolez Burchett and Quentius Nesbitt, occupants of the vehicle in which Fredrick Branch was
riding and witnesses for the state at trial. Trial counsel explained that because the petitioner had
acknowledged his participation in the shooting, his defense was to establish that it was a reckless act
and not a knowing killing, characterizing it as part of a "rolling gun battle" between the occupants
of the three vehicles.

        Trial counsel interviewed the medical examiner who thought that it would not be possible
to match the bullet to the gun or to identify the caliber of the weapon that fired the bullet. Trial
counsel explained that he did not want to request ballistics testing because he believed the absence
of proof aided his theory. Trial counsel also testified that while he raised several issues in the motion
for a new trial, including the issue of inconsistent verdicts on attempted second degree murder and
reckless aggravated assault, it was his opinion that there was no likelihood of success on those issues
as grounds for relief on appeal.

        At the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing, the trial court found as follows: (1) That the
petitioner provided his trial counsel only with the street names of several witnesses, that none were
helpful to the defense, and that otherwise trial counsel had access to the testimony of all of the state
witnesses he chose not to interview prior to trial; (2) that trial counsel chose not to request ballistics
testing because the state had determined that the fragments were too small to test and because he
thought it would be contrary to the defense theory of lack of intent; (3) that no ballistics tests were
ever done that linked the fragments to any particular weapon, including that utilized by the petitioner
in the crimes, and that there were several other weapons used in each of the two incidents; (4) that
while the state offered the petitioner a fifteen-year sentence prior to trial, the petitioner refused the
offer even though he was fully aware that he could be convicted under the theory of criminal
responsibility; (5) that trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to present inconsistent verdicts as
a ground for relief on appeal because the issue would have had no merit on appeal; and (6) that the
defense theory that there were several high powered weapons involved in each of the two incidents
was a reasonable theory.

        Under our statutory law, the petitioner bears the burden of proving the allegations in his post-
conviction petition by clear and convincing evidence. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-110(f) (2003).
Evidence is clear and convincing when there is no serious or substantial doubt about the accuracy
of the conclusions drawn from the evidence. Hicks v. State, 983 S.W.2d 240, 245 (Tenn. Crim. App.

                                                   -3-
1998). On appeal, the findings of fact made by the post-conviction court are conclusive and will not
be disturbed unless the evidence contained in the record preponderates against them. Brooks v.
State, 756 S.W.2d 288, 289 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1988). The burden is on the petitioner to show that
the evidence preponderated against those findings. Clenny v. State, 576 S.W.2d 12, 14 (Tenn. Crim.
App. 1978). The credibility of the witnesses and the weight and value to be afforded their testimony
are questions to be resolved by the post-conviction court. Bates v. State, 973 S.W.2d 615 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 1997).

        When a petitioner seeks post-conviction relief on the basis of ineffective assistance of
counsel, he must first establish that the services rendered or the advice given was below "the range
of competence demanded of attorneys in criminal cases." Baxter v. Rose, 523 S.W.2d 930, 936
(Tenn. 1975). Second, he must show that the deficiencies "actually had an adverse effect on the
defense." Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 693 (1984). The error must be so serious as to
render an unreliable result. Id. at 687. It is not necessary, however, that absent the deficiency, the
trial would have resulted in an acquittal. Id. at 695. Should the petitioner fail to establish either
factor, he is not entitled to relief. Our supreme court described the standard of review as follows:

               Because a petitioner must establish both prongs of the test, a failure to prove
       either deficiency or prejudice provides a sufficient basis to deny relief on the
       ineffective assistance claim. Indeed, a court need not address the components in any
       particular order or even address both if the defendant makes an insufficient showing
       of one component.

Goad v. State, 938 S.W.2d 363, 370 (Tenn. 1996).

        On claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, the petitioner is not entitled to the benefit of
hindsight, may not second-guess a reasonably based trial strategy, and cannot criticize a sound, but
unsuccessful, tactical decision made during the course of the proceedings. Adkins v. State, 911
S.W.2d 334, 347 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994). Such deference to the tactical decisions of counsel,
however, applies only if the choices are made after adequate preparation for the case. Cooper v.
State, 847 S.W.2d 521, 528 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1992).

        Claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are regarded as mixed questions of law and fact.
State v. Honeycutt, 54 S.W.3d 762, 766-67 (Tenn. 2001); State v. Burns, 6 S.W.3d 453, 461 (Tenn.
1999). When reviewing the application of law to the post-conviction court's factual findings, our
review is de novo, and the post-conviction court's conclusions of law are given no presumption of
correctness. Fields v. State, 40 S.W.3d 450, 457-58 (Tenn. 2001); see also State v. England, 19
S.W.3d 762, 766 (Tenn. 2000).

       In Black v. State, 794 S.W.2d 752 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990), this court enumerated the
standard for establishing prejudice by counsel's failure to subpoena witnesses. To establish
prejudice, the petitioner must: "(1) produce the witness at his post-conviction hearing; (2) show that
through reasonable investigation, trial counsel could have located the witness; and (3) elicit both

                                                  -4-
favorable and material testimony from the witness." Denton v. State, 945 S.W.2d 793, 802-03
(Tenn. Crim. App. 1996) (citing Black, 794 S.W.2d at 757). This standard requires a petitioner to
produce the uncalled witness at the post-conviction proceeding so that the court need not speculate
as to the materiality of the testimony or credibility of the missing witness. Black, 794 S.W.2d at 758.

        In this appeal, the petitioner insists that his trial counsel failed to adequately investigate and
was deficient in his performance for failing to employ an investigator. He points out that the duty
of defense counsel is to do more than discover the evidence gathered by the state and that a proper
investigation would have included an attempt to interview the surviving victim, Kathy Branch. In
support of his argument the petitioner makes reference to the American Bar Association Standards
for Criminal Justice as approved by our supreme court in State v. White, 114 S.W.3d 469, 478
(Tenn. 2003):

        "[T]he basic duty defense counsel owes to the administration of justice and as an
        officer of the court is to serve as the accused's counselor and advocate with courage
        and devotion and to render effective, quality representation." See ABA Standards for
        Criminal Justice 4-1.2(b) (3d ed.1993). This duty requires defense counsel to exert
        every reasonable effort to protect the client's interests, both in the investigation and
        the trial of a case, by interviewing the client; apprising the client of his or her rights;
        conducting a thorough legal and factual investigation of the case; attempting to
        obtain information in the possession of the prosecution and law enforcement
        authorities; filing appropriate motions for the suppression of the evidence; raising all
        available claims, issues and defenses; conducting effective cross-examination of the
        State's witnesses; and attempting to mitigate punishment if the client is convicted.

        The petitioner also complains that trial counsel should have determined independently
whether ballistics testing could have been performed on the bullet fragments removed from the
deceased victim. The petitioner insists that trial counsel failed in his responsibilities by relying upon
the TBI report rather than securing an independent ballistics analysis. The petitioner maintains that
there was prejudice because he would have accepted a plea bargain offer had he known that the
bullet fragments which killed the victim were likely fired from his weapon.

        Initially, defense counsel does have a duty to investigate. The problem in this instance is that
the petitioner has not established any prejudice by any deficiencies on the part of trial counsel
regarding the investigation. Even if trial counsel had failed to adequately interview any of the
potential witnesses, including the victim Kathy Branch, there is no indication from the proof
introduced at the evidentiary hearing how this might have affected the trial in any way. Further, the
petitioner was unable to produce any of the witnesses at the evidentiary hearing that he believed trial
counsel should have produced at the trial. It is his responsibility to do so; otherwise, he is not
entitled to relief. See Black, 794 S.W.2d at 757.

      As to the final issue, the state went to trial without being able to prove that the petitioner's
weapon fired the shot that killed Fredrick Branch. That evidence was favorable to the defense at the

                                                   -5-
time of the trial. Trial counsel was faced with the choice of going to trial with that advantage or
insisting upon further testing. The state's theory of guilt was criminal responsibility for the actions
of another. Several individuals fired shots at the vehicle in which the victim was a passenger. While
testing subsequent to trial may have established that the bullet fragments were consistent with the
weapon utilized by the petitioner, a fact that would have further incriminated the petitioner, it is our
view that trial counsel cannot be subjected to the standard of second-guess.

       Accordingly, the judgment is affirmed.

                                               __________________________________________
                                               GARY R. WADE, PRESIDING JUDGE

                                                  -6-