GARRETT, J.
The defendant, Christopher M. Bell, was charged with aggravated burglary and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Following a jury trial, he was convicted of the responsive verdict of attempted aggravated burglary and as charged on the firearm offense. He was adjudicated a second felony offender and sentenced as such on the attempted aggravated burglary charge to 15 years at hard labor without benefit of probation or suspension of sentence. On the firearm offense, he was sentenced to ten years at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. The trial court ordered that the sentences be served concurrently with credit for time served. The defendant appeals. For the reasons stated below, we affirm the defendant's convictions and sentences.
FACTS
On the night of July 7, 2015, Benny and Rebecca York were sleeping in recliners in the den of their home on Lowry Road in rural Caddo Parish. Mrs. York was awakened by a sound she assumed was caused by her cat. When she called the cat's name, she heard the sound of a person's voice. Realizing there was an intruder in their home, she immediately woke up her husband. Mr. York saw a large man leaving through the front door. He grabbed a high intensity flashlight and his unloaded shotgun, and placed three shotgun shells in his pocket. Although he and his wife initially went out the back door of the residence together, he sent her back inside to call 911.
As Mr. York went around the corner of the home, he observed car lights in his neighbor's yard. He then came across a man crouched behind a pine tree in his yard. The man was wearing a hoodie and holding a roll of duct tape. The man told Mr. York to not "mess" with him and to go back in his house. Mr. York responded by instructing the man to put his head in the grass until the sheriff arrived. At trial, Mr. York identified this man as the defendant.
At this point, a "huge"
Mr. York ran back to the house, where his wife was still talking to the 911 operator. In a state of great excitement, he gave descriptions of the men and their vehicle,
Sgt. James Moore of the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office responded to the call about a burglary in progress with two men and a gun and headed toward the crime scene. At approximately 11:30 p.m., he was about five miles from the York residence, driving west on Blanchard Latex Road, when he was passed by a vehicle matching the broadcast description of the burglars' car and occupied by two men. Based upon his reasonable suspicion that this was the suspect vehicle, Sgt. Moore turned around and initiated a stop. The defendant, who was driving, was ordered out of the vehicle and patted down by Sgt. Moore. Sgt. Moore checked his driver's license; the vehicle registration and insurance proof were retrieved from the car for examination. The car was registered to the defendant and a relative. Sgt. Moore walked the defendant to the front of his patrol car. A reserve deputy who arrived on scene got the passenger, Donte Demunguia, out of the car and patted him down. He kept Demunguia at the back of the defendant's car. Unbeknownst to Sgt. Moore, who was focusing his attention on the defendant, Demunguia gave the deputy permission to open the trunk. As soon as it was opened, the defendant said he did not want his car searched. Sgt. Moore directed the deputy to secure the trunk, which he did.
In the meantime, Mr. York was brought to the scene of the stop. According to his testimony, only 30 to 45 minutes had passed since the incident at his home. He positively identified first the car and then the two men. Following the identification, the officers determined that they had probable cause to arrest the men, and a decision was made to tow the car to the impound lot. According to Sgt. Moore's testimony, an inventory search of the vehicle was conducted before the car was moved. Two shotguns were found in the trunk, which was cluttered with numerous items, including shoes, boots, clothing and various bottles. The shotguns — Mr. York's unloaded Smith & Wesson shotgun and a loaded Remington Model 870 20-gauge shotgun owned by Demunguia — were removed by Corp. John McCain, a crime scene investigator. Mr. York, who was still at the scene of the stop, identified his stolen shotgun.
Subsequently, a search warrant was obtained by Detective Purgerson, and a more thorough search of the impounded car was conducted. A plastic bag was found under the spare tire; it contained a 9 mm Ruger pistol, two black gloves, a long-sleeve black shirt, a black hood, and a chisel. Crime lab testing of these items revealed the defendant's DNA on the gloves. While Demunguia was excluded as the source of DNA on any of the items, the defendant could not be excluded as to the hood and the shirt. Law enforcement officers learned that the pistol had been reported stolen in Texas.
The defendant and Demunguia were charged with aggravated burglary. The defendant,
The defendant's attorney filed a motion in limine to exclude any reference to the pistol recovered from the defendant's trunk as having been stolen. The motion was argued at a hearing on March 1, 2016; the court deferred ruling until March 7, 2016, when trial was set to commence. At that time, the court granted the motion.
Defense counsel also filed a motion to suppress and, alternatively, motion for a free and voluntary hearing, and/or a motion in limine as to the defendant's statement to the police. The state agreed it would not use the statement, except for rebuttal purposes, and defense counsel deemed that motion satisfied.
On the first day of trial, the defendant filed a pro se pleading entitled "Motion of Ineffective Counsel," in which he claimed that his appointed attorney threatened him "with intimidation" to take a plea deal and failed to file pretrial motions "that were essential to defendant charges, as well as victim/witness(s) testimony." He requested that his attorney be relieved and that the court assign "adequate," "competent" counsel. The trial court allowed the defendant to argue the matter in open court; it then denied the motion. Additionally, the state declined the defendant's offer to plead guilty to attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and serve four years at hard labor in exchange for the state dropping the other charge and not filing a habitual offender bill.
After lunch, the defendant refused to return to court or to wear a leg restraint device under his civilian clothing, which would "lock up" if he attempted to run. Despite the urging of the deputies and his own attorney, the defendant insisted that he wanted to stay downstairs in the jail. Court was continued, over the state's objection, until the following morning on the motion of defense counsel.
In addition to the victims, crime lab personnel and various law enforcement officers, the state presented the testimony of the defendant's accomplice, Demunguia. Although his version of the events differed somewhat from Mr. York's testimony, his testimony placed the defendant at the scene. He testified that the burglary was the idea of the defendant, who was his girlfriend's cousin and a recent acquaintance. He admitted that, while he brought his own shotgun that night, the defendant was the one wearing the ski mask and gloves. According to his testimony, the defendant
During his testimony about the items recovered from the defendant's car, Corp. McCain inadvertently made a reference to the pistol being reported stolen in Texas. The defendant's motion for mistrial was denied, and the trial court admonished the jury to disregard the remark.
The defendant was convicted of the responsive verdict of attempted aggravated burglary and as charged on the firearm charge. Defense counsel filed a motion for post-verdict judgment of modification of verdict, which was denied.
Due to the defendant's prior felony conviction, the state filed a habitual offender bill of information. Defense counsel filed a motion to quash the multiple offender bill of information, which was denied, and a sentencing statement which set forth mitigating factors in the defendant's favor. After the defendant was adjudicated a second felony offender, the trial court sentenced him to 15 years at hard labor without benefit of probation or suspension of sentence, pursuant to La. R.S. 15:529.1, on the burglary charge. On the firearm charge, he was sentenced to ten years at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence, under La. R.S. 14:95.1. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.
On appeal, the defendant asserts an ineffective assistance of counsel claim and error in the denial of his motion for mistrial.
INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
In two assignments of error, the defendant claims that the trial court erred in denying his pro se motion to replace his appointed trial counsel due to ineffective assistance and in failing to hold an evidentiary hearing on the issue. He also contends that his attorney was ineffective because he failed to file motions to suppress based upon the search of the car and Mr. York's identification.
Right to Effective Counsel
The Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution guarantee accused persons the right to effective assistance of counsel in a criminal prosecution. State v. Thomas, 2012-1410 (La. 9/4/13), 124 So.3d 1049; State v. Joshua, 50,566 (La.App. 2 Cir. 8/10/16), 201 So.3d 284. If a defendant is indigent, he has the right to court-appointed counsel; however, an indigent defendant does not have the right to have a particular attorney appointed to represent him. State v. Harper, 381 So.2d 468 (La. 1980); State v. Diggs, 43,740 (La.App. 2 Cir. 12/10/08), 1 So.3d 673, writ denied, 2009-0141 (La.
A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is analyzed under the two-prong test developed by the United States Supreme Court in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). To establish that his attorney was ineffective, the defendant first must show that counsel's performance was deficient. This requires a showing that counsel made errors so serious that he was not functioning as the "counsel" guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment. The relevant inquiry is whether counsel's representation fell below the standard of reasonableness and competency as required by prevailing professional standards demanded for attorneys in criminal cases. Strickland, supra; State v. Moore, 48,769 (La.App. 2 Cir. 2/26/14), 134 So.3d 1265, writ denied, 2014-0559 (La. 10/24/14), 151 So.3d 598. The assessment of an attorney's performance requires his conduct to be evaluated from counsel's perspective at the time of the occurrence. A reviewing court must give great deference to trial counsel's judgment, tactical decisions, and trial strategy, strongly presuming he has exercised reasonable professional judgment. State v. Joshua, supra; State v. Bailey, 49,362 (La.App. 2 Cir. 11/19/14), 152 So.3d 1056, writ denied, 2014-2645 (La. 10/2/15), 178 So.3d 988, cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 136 S.Ct. 1204, 194 L.Ed.2d 210 (2016); State v. Grant, 41,745 (La.App. 2 Cir.4/4/07), 954 So.2d 823, writ denied, 2007-1193 (La. 12/7/07), 969 So.2d 629. The filing of pretrial motions is squarely within the ambit of an attorney's trial strategy. Counsel is not required to engage in futility. State v. LeBeau, 621 So.2d 26 (La. App. 2 Cir. 1993), writ denied, 629 So.2d 359 (La. 1993). The fact that a particular strategy is unsuccessful does not establish ineffective assistance. State v. Moore, supra.
Second, the defendant must show that counsel's deficient performance prejudiced his defense. This element requires a showing that the errors were so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial, i.e., a trial whose result is reliable. Strickland, supra; State v. Moore, supra. The defendant must prove actual prejudice before relief will be granted. It is not sufficient for the defendant to show that the error had some conceivable effect on the out-come of the proceedings. Rather, he must show that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, there is a reasonable probability the outcome of the trial would have been different. Strickland, supra; State v. Bailey, supra. A defendant making a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel must identify certain acts or omissions by counsel which led to the claim; general statements and conclusory charges will not suffice. Strickland, supra; State v. Moore, supra. The failure of counsel to make meritless objections or file futile motions is not ineffective assistance. State v. Bailey, supra.
Generally, a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is properly raised in an application for post-conviction relief ("PCR") in the trial court. This is because PCR creates the opportunity for a full
Car Search Issues
The defendant contends that trial counsel was ineffective because he failed to file a motion to suppress the evidence found in the car trunk. He asserts before us on appeal that there was a nonconsensual search of the trunk on the night of his arrest, which taints the post-arrest search, as well as a subsequent search with a warrant based on "false representation" by the detective who secured the warrant. As to these contentions, we find that the record before us is not sufficiently developed to allow this court to rule upon them at this point in the proceedings. The evidence adduced at the trial was not designed to address the arguments now being made pertaining to the search and seizure issues. While it seems highly unlikely that a motion to suppress would have been successful,
Identification Issue
We do find that the record is sufficiently developed on the matter of Mr. York's on-site identification of the defendant as one of the two men in his yard. Simply put, there is no legal basis to support the filing of a motion to suppress the identification, and the defendant's contention that his counsel was ineffective in failing to file such a motion is groundless.
Fairness is the standard of review for identification procedures, and reliability is the linchpin in determining the admissibility of identification testimony. Manson v. Brathwaite, 432 U.S. 98, 97 S.Ct. 2243, 53 L.Ed.2d 140 (1977). Even if the identification could be suggestive, it is the likelihood of misidentification which violates due process, not merely the suggestive
When assessing the reliability of an identification, the following factors must be considered: (1) the opportunity of the witness to view the criminal at the time of the crime; (2) the witness's degree of attention; (3) the accuracy of his or her prior description of the criminal; (4) the level of certainty demonstrated at the confrontation; and (5) the length of time between the crime and the confrontation. Manson, supra; State v. Odom, supra; State v. Womack, supra.
One-on-one identifications, also known as "show-up" identifications, are not favored; however, under certain circumstances, they are admissible at trial. State v. Odom, supra. Such identifications have been found to be admissible when the identification occurred in close proximity to the time of the offense and the suspect is presented for immediate identification. State v. Robinson, 404 So.2d 907 (La. 1981); State v. Odom, supra. Such prompt confrontations between the defendant and the victim provide fairness by ensuring the reliability of the identification and the expeditious release of innocent suspects. State v. Womack, supra.
The testimony adduced at trial established that the identification was made within 30 to 45 minutes after Mr. York had encountered the men outside his home. His testimony demonstrated that he was at close quarters with the men, one of whom held him at gunpoint and disarmed him during a struggle. He had the benefit of a very bright flashlight to see the defendant's features and observed him holding a roll of duct tape, which was subsequently recovered in the yard by law enforcement personnel. While Mr. York initially described the men as white, photos of the defendant — who is black — reveal that he is light-skinned. Mr. York was able to provide law enforcement with an accurate description of the getaway car that led to the quick apprehension of the men at a location in the vicinity of the York home.
We see nothing inappropriate in the identification procedure utilized by the law enforcement personnel under the circumstances presented here. The incident occurred late at night in a rural area. A deputy responding to the 911 call passed a vehicle matching the description provided by the victim. The officer's decision to bring Mr. York to the scene of the vehicle stop was prudent under the circumstances. The prompt identification of the getaway vehicle and the perpetrators provided fairness by ensuring the reliability of the identification and the possibility of expeditious release of innocent suspects. Furthermore, nothing in this record indicates that Mr. York has ever waivered in his identification of the defendant as the man he saw in his yard with the roll of duct tape. The "show-up" identification of both the vehicle and the two perpetrators by Mr. York shortly after the traumatic events at his home was reliable and thus admissible. Since the procedure was proper, we find no merit to the defendant's claim that trial counsel was ineffective because he failed to file a motion to suppress Mr. York's identification of him. Counsel is not obliged to file meritless motions.
Plea Bargain Allegations
As to the defendant's conclusory assertion in his pro se motion that his attorney "on numerous occasions threatened" him "with intimidation" to take a plea bargain, we note that, just prior to the commencement of trial, the defendant himself twice expressed interest in pleading guilty for sentences of either four years or five to six years. However, the state had taken all plea offers off the table in January 2016, and it rejected the late offers made by the defendant. An effort by trial counsel to encourage the defendant — who had a prior felony conviction, which is an aggravating sentencing factor, and who faced the possibility of being adjudicated a habitual offender, resulting in an enhanced sentence — to accept an advantageous plea bargain which significantly reduced his sentencing exposure can scarcely be construed as an action detrimental to his client's best interest.
Finally, we note that the defendant's filing of his pro se motion on the first day of trial appeared — in conjunction with his other actions in refusing to return to the courtroom — to be part of a calculated effort to delay his trial. Under the circumstances of this case, the trial court did not err in denying the motion without an evidentiary hearing.
MOTION FOR MISTRIAL
The defendant argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion for mistrial after a police officer inadvertently mentioned that the pistol hidden under the spare tire in his car trunk was stolen when the court had previously granted a motion in limine to exclude that information.
Law
Mistrial is a drastic remedy which is authorized only where substantial prejudice will otherwise result to the accused. State v. Roberson, 46,697 (La.App. 2 Cir. 12/14/11), 81 So.3d 911, writ denied, 2012-0086 (La. 4/20/12), 85 So.3d 1270. The determination of whether actual prejudice has occurred lies within the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of that discretion. State v. Wilson, 50,589 (La. App. 2 Cir. 5/18/16), 196 So.3d 614; State v. Authier, 46,903 (La.App. 2 Cir. 4/25/12), 92 So.3d 494, writ denied, 2012-1138 (La. 11/2/12), 99 So.3d 662. Likewise, the determination of whether an admonition will adequately cure any prejudice and assure a fair trial lies within the trial court's discretion. State v. Parker, 49,009 (La.App. 2 Cir. 5/15/14), 141 So.3d 839.
The law regarding mistrials on the grounds of improper references to other crimes is well settled. La. C.E. art. 404(B) provides that evidence of other crimes, acts or wrongs is generally not admissible. La. C. Cr. P. art. 770(2) provides that a mistrial shall be granted upon motion of the defendant when a remark or comment is made within the hearing of the jury by the judge, the district attorney, or a court official during trial or in argument and that remark refers to another crime committed or alleged to have been committed by the defendant as to which evidence is not admissible. State v. Roberson, supra. For purposes of La. C. Cr. P. art. 770, a law enforcement officer is not considered a "court official," and an unsolicited, unresponsive reference to other crimes evidence made by a law enforcement officer is not grounds for a mandatory mistrial under La. C. Cr. P. art. 770. State v. Terry, 47,425 (La.App. 2 Cir. 11/21/12), 108 So.3d 126, writ denied, 2012-2759 (La. 6/28/13), 118 So.3d 1096; State v. Roberson, supra; State v. Ellis, 42,520 (La.App. 2 Cir. 9/26/07), 966 So.2d 139, writ denied, 2007-2190 (La. 4/4/08), 978 So.2d 325. Absent a showing of a pattern of unresponsive answers or improper intent by the law enforcement officer or prosecutor, such comments
La. C. Cr. P. art. 771 sets forth permissive grounds for requesting an admonition or a mistrial when a prejudicial remark is made on grounds that do not require automatic mistrial under article 770. It covers remarks or comments made by a witness or person other than the judge, the district attorney or a court official. La. C. Cr. P. art. 775 also sets forth additional permissive grounds for mistrial. Under these articles, mistrial is at the discretion of the trial court and should be granted only where the prejudicial remarks of the witness make it impossible for the defendant to obtain a fair trial. State v. Roberson, supra.
Even if a mistrial was warranted under La. C. Cr. P. art. 770, 771, or 775, the failure to grant a mistrial would not result in an automatic reversal of the defendant's conviction, but would be a trial error subject to the harmless error analysis on appeal. State v. Roberson, supra. Trial error is harmless where the verdict rendered is "surely unattributable to the error." State v. Wilson, supra.
Discussion
As previously mentioned, immediately prior to commencement of trial, the trial court granted the defendant's motion in limine to exclude reference to the pistol recovered from the defendant's trunk as having been stolen. However, when Corp. McCain was questioned by the prosecutor about his role in collecting evidence as a crime scene investigator, the following exchange occurred:
Defense counsel objected, and, outside the jury's presence, moved for a mistrial. Following a conference with the attorneys, the trial court ruled that the witness's statement did not rise to the level of a mistrial and denied the motion. The court then read to the jury an admonition agreed upon by both sides. It stated:
Corp. McCain was not a court official under the mandatory mistrial article, La. C. Cr. P. art. 770. His unsolicited and unresponsive statement referencing the gun's stolen status was not deliberately elicited by the prosecutor's question about evidence collection. Nor is there any evidence in this record to suggest that he made the statement with any intent to prejudice the defendant.
Furthermore, the evidence of the defendant's guilt was overwhelming. He and his car were positively identified by the victim. The victim's shotgun, which was forcibly taken from him by the assailants, was recovered from the trunk of the defendant's car, along with the codefendant's shotgun, which was used during the offense. The defendant's accomplice testified against him at trial. In light of these facts, we find that the reference to the pistol hidden in the trunk being stolen was not so prejudicial that it made it impossible for the defendant to obtain a fair trial.
We find no abuse of the trial court's discretion in ruling that a mistrial was not mandated and that an admonition to the jury was sufficient. This assignment of error is meritless.
ERRORS PATENT
Our review of the record reveals two errors patent. First, the minutes incorrectly state that the sentence for attempted aggravated burglary was to be served "without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence." The transcript showed that the trial court properly directed that this sentence be served without benefit of probation or suspension of sentence, pursuant to La. R.S. 15:529.1(G). Accordingly, the trial court is instructed to correct this error in the minutes, as the transcript controls over the minutes when there is a conflict. State v. Lynch, 441 So.2d 732 (La. 1983); State v. Clark, 44,594 (La.App. 2 Cir. 8/19/09), 16 So.3d 1256, writ denied, 2009-2106 (La. 8/18/10), 42 So.3d 400.
Second, the defendant's sentence is illegally lenient because the trial court failed to impose the mandatory fine for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. See La. R.S. 14:95.1(B), which requires imposition of a fine between $1,000 and $5,000. Pursuant to La. C. Cr. P. art. 882(A), an illegal sentence may be corrected at any time by the court that imposed the sentence or by an appellate court on review. However, as this court has recognized, we are not required to take such action. State v. Pena, 43,321 (La.App. 2 Cir. 7/30/08), 988 So.2d 841. The state did not object to the error and the defendant was not prejudiced in any way by the failure to impose the mandatory fine. Thus, we decline to remand the case for correction of the sentence to include a fine.
CONCLUSION
The defendant's convictions and sentences are affirmed.
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