WPC  *gi ֦(t%bPONEK!*`PD#j\d@/S^FlQP)j/(ex}hCꁉS*sE,ȢT1?FȒ=cu<¬%iq2hӄJ<~R/. lht>>@Zo^iw( oA}4 U$A-dB3%{3Z#`WP}c}F')c'=DO/59vv_ϔ"\|c24ި—;nr') (>~ҟRԘ9} Nہr/ g5:l,.Cfk#J݇\?lT.N-c.m許l G'!TMG1Y~?SyqPU %2­dK5'gL@͞0*Zde5-&XE~1ݵb4i*# LUNW % 0(4U/:U-:0bjErw@ 0D 0C 0D U:2 %l U: AQ  0D 0D& Bj j D/ B D3 HP LaserJet 4HPPCL5MS,,,,,,0nL(9 Z 6Times New Roman RegularX($q$ @ d3|x6 ,cAZ"Arial Regular,rAZ"Arial Regular- - ;  #Xd#   " # D$  % & ' D( ) D* Xe+ Ӏ($$   1  (;(20$ !  4   0  (#$  0    0$4   1    X_XXInthebriefs,thepartiesspellthenameLettner.ThetranscriptspellsitLetner,soweadopt  thetranscriptsspelling.,  AZ"Arial Regular  ""  X_XXX XX_   Ad FILEDX_X    July14,1998  CecilCrowson,Jr. XX_AppellateCourtClerk ,cAZ"Arial Regular!"# &C<< CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3$ !  (3$ !   d((' dxdP Pd$$$$'dxd !  * * * * 4X_XXXTR[A' Legal3'A' Legal3'T H   + r )<,(j 8` `@E` ttx$, rߛ+ INTHECOURTOFCRIMINALAPPEALSOFTENNESSEE  *,XXXX*ATKNOXVILLE34XDX,XXX3APRIL1998SESSION  `  @ ' 44XDX' 474  STATEOFTENNESSEE, 7 )    4 747  7 )C.C.A.No.03C019707CR00317 Appellee, 7 )     7 )CampbellCountyV. 7 ) n    7 )HonorableLeeAsbury,Judge#X6<XXX_M#X_XXX6< T   RONNIEWALDEN,  7 )  :    7 )(FirstDegreeMurderLife) &v  Appellant. 7 )  \ 4c4 FORTHEAPPELLANT: c FORTHEAPPELLEE:  DouglasA.* * * * Trant* * * *  c JohnKnoxWalkup V #X6<XXX_ #X_XXX6<AttorneyatLaw c AttorneyGeneral&Reporter < 900S.GayStreetSuite1502 c ElizabethB.* * * * Marney* * * *  X Knoxville,TN37902 c AssistantAttorneyGeneral > Ѐ c CriminalJusticeDivision $  c 425FifthAvenueNorth c Nashville,TN372430493 c WilliamPaulPhillips c DistrictAttorneyGeneral c P.O.Box10 c Huntsville,TN37756 c CliftonSexton,Jr. c MichaelRipley c ShaneSexton c AssistantDistrictAttorneysGeneral c P.O.Box323 c * * * * Jacksboro* * * * ,TN37757 c OPINIONFILED:___________________ AFFIRMED ~4/5  PAULG.SUMMERS,  6728 Judge+  H  76<XXdXXd7    H  76<XXdXXd7    H  76<XXdXXd7    H  76<XXdXXd7    H  76<XXdXXd7   + #X6<XXX_# X_XXX6<   4 D4c Q(DOPINION  :$6<  H  76<XXdXXd7   +  H  #Xd#    + 4 4 DX_XXX_ #X_XXX_#X_XXX_ Theappellant,RonnieWalden,wasconvictedoffelonymurderandsentencedtolifeimprisonment.Theappellantfiledapro* * * * se* * * * motionforanew H trial,allegingineffectiveassistanceofcounsel.Thetrialcourtdeniedthemotion.Theappellant#X_XXX_#X_XXX_Ԁappeals.Weaffirmthejudgmentofthetrialcourt.  0  In1992,theappellantwasindictedforfirstdegreemurder,felonymurder,aggravatedkidnaping,andaggravatedrobbery.Thestatesoughtthedeathpenalty.Thefactsasestablishedattrialarethattheappellant,MichaelFord,VivianWhite,andthevictim,Jerry* * * * Letner* * * * , #  1      ׀wereridinginthevictimscarinthe , earlymorninghoursofJanuary12,1992.Theappellant,Ford,andthevictimhadbeendrinkingalcohol.Thevictimwasdrunk.#X_XXX_{#X_XXX_Thevictimthoughtthatthe t appellantwastakinghimhome.WhitetestifiedthattheappellantdrovetoapayphonewhereFordmadeaphonecall.Theconversationmentioneda plan.Thevictimsaidthatheneededtorelievehimself.Theappellanttoldthevictimtowaitafewminutes.Finally,theappellantpulledoffofthesideoftheroad.Thevictim,theappellant,andFordwenttothebackofthecar.#X_XXX_g#X_XXX_ԀWhitetestified p!  thatsheheardstompingonthegravelandsomethinghitthe* * car.Theappellant,Ford,orbothattackedthevictim.* * * * Thevictimsbodywasplacedinthetrunkofthecar.Thevictimswalletandapproximately$32weretaken. Ford,theappellant,andWhitewenttogetFordsmotherscar.FordandWhitefollowedtheappellanttothevictimshouse.WhitetestifiedthattheappellantandFordhadtalkedaboutthevictimhavingalotofmoney.Shethoughtthattheywenttothevictimshousetogetthemoney.Theyabortedtheplanbecausethevictimsneighborswereawake.FordandWhitefollowedtheappellanttoanearbylakeorriver.Thevictimwasplacedinthefrontseatofhiscar.Theappellantand/orFordrolledthecarintothewater.Theappellant,Ford,andWhiteleft,butreturnedtogetthevictimswatchandring.#X_XXX_d#X_XXX_ԀThe 7P28 * * appellantthrew* * * * thevictimswalletandabloodytoweloutofthecar.Dr.ClelandBlake,apathologist,testifiedthatthevictimdiedofacompressioninjurytotheheadthatcouldhavebeencausedbysomeonestompingonhishead. Attheendofthestatesproof,theappellantsattorneys,CharlieAllen,Jr.andMichael* * * * Debusk* * * * ,metwiththeappellantandseveralofhisfamilymemberstodiscusstheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofcallingtheappellantandFordtotestify.Althoughtheappellantdisagrees,thetrialcourt* * found,* * * * andtherecordreflects,thattheappellantdecidedtofollowhisattorneysadviceforhimandFordnottotestify.Afterthemeeting,thedefenserested.#X XXX c#X XXX Ԁ#X XXX #X XXX Theappellanthad 0 rejectedapleabargainoffer* * offorty* * * * yearsforaidingandabettingseconddegreemurder,aggravatedrobbery,and* * * * kidnapping* * * * .#X XXX =#X XXX ԀThejuryfoundtheappellantguilty @ offelonymurder.Hewassentencedtolifeimprisonment#X XXX p#X XXX .#X XXX ##X XXX Ԁ#X XXX f#X XXX White,ateenager,   testifiedforthestateandprovidedproofaboutthevictimsdeathand#X XXX #X XXX the "  robbery#X XXX ^#X XXX .#X XXX #X XXX ԀBeforetheappellantstrial,Fordhadpledguiltytoseconddegree $" murder,aggravatedkidnaping,andaggravatedrobbery.Hereceivedaneightyyearsentence.#X XXX #X XXX Ԁ#X XXX #X XXX Ԁ P(#&   Afterappellants#X XXX A#X XXX Ԁtrialattorneysfiledamotionforanewtrial,theappellant ,`'* filedapro* * * * se* * * * motionfornewtrialbasedonineffectiveassistanceofcounsel.He -@), allegedthathisattorneysfailuretocallhimandFordaswitnesseswasineffectiveassistanceofcounsel.#X XXX #X XXX ԀThecourtappointedcounseltorepresentthe 1-0 appellantonbothmotionsforanewtrial.#X XXX d!#X XXX ԀAfterahearing,thecourtdeniedthe 3.2 motions.Theissuebeforeusiswhethertheevidencepreponderatesagainstthetrialcourtsfindings. 0948  Tobegrantedreliefonthegroundofineffectiveassistanceofcounsel,anappellantmustestablishthattheadvicegivenortheservicesrenderedwerenotwithinthecompetencedemandedofattorneysincriminalcasesandthat,butforcounsel'sdeficientperformance,theresultofhisorhertrialwouldhavebeen* * different" ." # .# * * Strickland* * * * v.Washington,466U.S.668(1984).Specifically,the 0  appellanthastheburdenofshowingthatthereisareasonableprobability,thatbutforcounsel'serror,theresultoftheproceedingwouldhavebeendifferent.#X XXX "#X XXX ԀIn @  Tennessee,theappropriatetestiswhethercounsel'sperformancewaswithintherangeofcompetencedemandedofattorneysincriminalcases.Baxterv.Rose,  523S.W.2d930,936(Tenn.1975).Wegivedeferencetoquestionsaboutthecredibilityofthewitnesses,theweightandvaluetobegiventheirtestimony,andthefactualissuesraisedbytheevidenceastheyareresolvedbythetrialcourt.Blackv.State,794S.W.2d752,755(Tenn.* * * * Crim* * .* * App* * .* * 1990).Furthermore,the 0 factualfindingsofthetrialcourtareconclusiveonappealunlesstheevidencepreponderatesagainstthejudgment.Id. @  Thecourtmustindulgeastrongpresumptionthatcounsel'sconductfallswithinthewiderangeofreasonableprofessionalassistance;thatis,thedefendantmustovercomethepresumptionthat,underthecircumstances,thechallengedactionmightbeconsideredsoundtrialstrategy.* * * * Strickland* * * * ,466U.S. P(#& at689.Weshoulddefertotrialstrategyortacticalchoicesiftheyareinformedonesbaseduponadequatepreparation.* * * * He! i! llard* * * * v.State,629S.W.2d4,9 ,`'* (Tenn.1982).Additionally,thecourtshouldavoidthedistortingeffectsofhindsightandjudgethereasonablenessofcounsel'schallengedconductonthefactsoftheparticularcase,viewedasofthetimeofcounsel'sconduct.* * * * Strickland* * * * ,466U.S.at689-90.#X XXX %#X XXX  3.2  #X XXX ,#X XXX Ԁ#X XXX -#X XXX Attrial,thetheoryofthedefensewasthattheappellantdidnotstompon P726 thevictimandthattheintenttorobwasformedaftertheinjurieswereinflicted 0948 uponthevictim.#X XXX C-#X XXX ԀOneoftheappellantsattorneys,Mr.Allen,testifiedthathe  interviewedFordseveraltimes.Fordsaidthattheappellantparticipatedinbeatingthevictim.ThesestatementswereconsistentwiththestatementsthatFordhadgiventothepolice.Mr.AllentestifiedthatwhenheinterviewedFordshortlybeforetrial,Fordstatedthathewastheonewhostompedonthevictim.However,Fordcontinuedtoimplicatetheappellant,statingthattheappellanttookthevictimswallet,wenttothevictimshouse,andthathecontinuedtohitthevictimasheandFordputhiminthetrunk.Mr.AllenalsotestifiedabouthisinvestigationofthecallmadebyFordonthemorningofthemurder.FordcalledGregWilliamson.Mr.AlleninterviewedWilliamsonsmotherwhotoldMr.Allenthatthephoneconversationwasthat theyweregoingtorollthisguyandbuydrugs.Fordalsodeniedmakingthreatsagainsttheappellantastheappellanthadclaimed.Mr.AllentestifiedthattheappellantsstatementsthroughouttheinvestigationofthecasewerealsoinconsistentanddidnotcoincidewithFordsstatements.Mr.AllenadvisedtheappellantthathisandFordstestimonywoulddomoreharmthangood.Mr.AllentestifiedthatthedefensecouldnotgettheproofinanybettersituationbycallingtheappellantandFordtotestify.#X XXX ].#X XXX ԀMr.Allen "  explainedthatWhitetestifiedthatshedidnotseewhostompedonthevictim.Dr.* * * * Cleland* * * * testifiedthatitwaspossiblethatthevictimwasstruckonlyonceandthattherewasonlyonefootimprintonthevictims* * head& .& ' .' * * * * * * ' ' * * * * * * % ThejurywasinformedthatFordhadpledguilty% ( .T( ) % .% ) % #X XXX 4#X XXX % ) % % T) he* * * * onlyevidencebeforethejuryastowhostruckthe 0*%( victimwasadmissionsmadebytheappellanttoalawenforcementofficer.* * $ $ #X XXX T6#X XXX $ ThejurywasinformedthatFordhadpledguilty.$ * * * * Mr. ,`'* Allentestifiedthathetoldtheappellantthatitwastheappellantsultimatedecisionofwhetherornottotestify.Mr.AllentestifiedthattheappellantagreedthatheandFordwouldnottestify. Theappellantssecondattorney,Mr.Debusk,testifiedthathebecameinvolvedinthecaseafterthestatedecidedtoseekthedeathpenalty.HetestifiedthattheappellanttoldadifferentstoryeachtimeheandMr.Allen 0948 interviewedhim.Hefurthertestifiedthattheappellantstestimonyatthehearingonthemotionfornewtrialwasinconsistentwithhispriorstatements.HeadvisedtheappellantnottotestifyandnottocallFordasawitness,asdidMr.Allen.#X XXX p7#X XXX  #X XXX :#X XXX Atthehearingonthemotionfornewtrial,theappellantstheorywasthat `  hisandFords#X XXX =;#X XXX Ԁtestimonywastheonlyevidencetorebutthestatesproofthatthe @  appellantstruckthevictim.Fordtestifiedthat,ifcalledatthetrial,hewouldhavetestifiedthatheknocked#X XXX ;#X XXX Ԁthevictimtothegroundandkicked#X XXX =#X XXX Ԁhimbecausethe  victimsaidsomethingsmart.Fordtestifiedthat,althoughhetookthevictimswallet,therewasnoplantorobthevictimbeforethekickingofthevictim.Fordtestified,however,thatheandtheappellantputthevictiminthetrunk,laterplacedthevictiminthefrontseatofthe#X XXX i=#X XXX Ԁcar,andthattheappellantdrovethe 0 victimscarintothelake.Fordtestifiedthatheandtheappellanttooktowelsandwipedbloodandfingerprintsoffofthevictimscar.Fordadmittedthathehadgiveninconsistentstatementstothepolice,sayingthattheappellantwasresponsibleforthevictimsdeathandlaterthathe,Ford,hitthevictim,butthattheappellantkickedthevictim. TheappellanttestifiedthatFordcalledGregWilliamsonshousefromapayphoneandthathe,theappellant,andWhitedrovetoWilliamsonsdrivewaywherethevictimandFordgotouttorelievethemselves.Theappellanttestifiedthatheheardathump,gotoutofthecar,andsawthevictimlyingontheground.Theappellantdeniedkickingthevictim,takinghiswallet,ordrivingthecarintothelake.HeadmittedthathehelpedFordputthevictimsbodyinthetrunkandthathewipedbloodoffofthecar.Theappellanttestifiedthathedidnottakethewallet,butthathedidthrowitoutthewindow.HeadmittedhelpingFordplacethevictiminthefrontseatofthecar,butdeniedrollingitintothelake.Theappellantadmittedthathefirsttoldthepolicethathedidnothaveanythingtodo 0948 withthevictim.HetestifiedthathecouldnotremembergivingastatementsayingthatForddideverything.Theappellantdeniedpointingoutthelocationofthebeatingandrobbery.HedeniedtellingthepolicethatFordknockeddownthevictimandthatheandFordstompedthevictim.Headmittedthrowingthetoweloutofthewindow.Headmittedthatheknewthathisattorneyshadcopiesofallhisstatementsandthathisstatementswereinconsistentwithhispresenttestimony.#X XXX >#X XXX   Thecourtfoundthattheappellantfailedtoestablishineffectiveassistanceofcounsel.#X XXX (F#X XXX ԀThecourtcreditedthetestimonyoftheattorneys.Heheldthatthe  testimonyoftheappellantandFordwaslessthancredible,citingthemanyinconsistentstatementsthattheyhadmade.#X XXX F#X XXX ԀThecourtheldthatMr.Allenand P Mr.Debuskhadthoroughlyinvestigatedallaspectsofthecaseandhadinterviewedallpotentialwitnesses.ThecourtfoundthattheirreluctancetocalltheappellantandFordwasbasedonsoundreasons,wellsupportedbytheevidenceintroducedatthehearing.Thecourtsaidthatwhentacticaldecisionsaremadebywellpreparedattorneysinfullconsultationwiththeirclientandhisfamily,andthedecisionsarebasedonsoundreasonsandconsideredjudgment,thereisnoineffectiveassistanceofcounselmerelybecauseadverseresultsoccur.Thetrialcourtfurtherfoundthat,giventhepreviousstatementsoftheappellantandFordandtheuncertaintyofwhattheymighthavesaidonthewitnessstand,theappellanthadfailedtoshowanylikelihoodofachangeintheresultofhistrial. Theappellanthasfailedtoshowthattheevidencepreponderatesagainstthefindingsofthetrialcourt.Thetacticaldecisionsoftheappellantstrialattorneyswerewellwithintherealmofcompetentrepresentation.Whitedidnotseewhostompedonthevictim.ThejuryknewthatFordhadpledguilty.TheappellantandFordhadgivennumerousinconsistentstatementstothepolice 0948 andtheappellantslawyers.Bothcouldhavebeenimpeachediftheyhadtestified.Theirtestimonyatthehearingonthemotionfornewtrialdidnotcoincide.TheappellantmaintainedthathewentalongwiththecrimebecauseFordhadthreatenedtokillhimandhisfamily.Forddeniedmakingthethreats.Theappellantdecidednottotestifybasedonhisattorneysadvice.Hewasnotforcedtogiveuptheright,andhisattorneyswouldhaveputhimonthestandhadheinsistedontestifying.Theappellantsattorneysdiscussedthesituationnotonlywiththeappellantbuthisfamilymembers.Finally,WhitestestimonyattrialandFordstestimonyatthehearingonthemotionfornewtrial,clearlyimplicatedtheappellantinthecriminalepisode.#X XXX G#X XXX ԀThereisnotareasonable  probabilitythattheoutcomeofthetrialwouldhavebeendifferentiftheappellantandFordhadtestified.  Thetrialcourttreatedtheappellantsmotionfornewtrialasamotionforpostconvictionrelief.Themotionshouldhavebeenconsideredanamendmentorsupplementtotheappellantspriormotionforanewtrial.Thetrialcourtaddressedbothmotionsfornewtrialtogether.#X XXX HP#X XXX Therefore,thejudgmentonthe "  appellantsconvictionhadnotyetbecomefinalwhenhefiledhispro* * * * se* * * * motion $" foranewtrial.#X XXX _R#X XXX ԀDefendantsmayonlyfileonemotionforpostconvictionrelief.#X XXX ~S#X XXX Ԁ#X XXX T#X XXX If p&!$ apostconvictionattackisfiledinthefuture,theissueaddressedinthisopinionwillhavebeenpreviouslydetermined. ThejudgmentofthetrialcourtisAFFIRMED.#X XXX DT#X XXX #X XXX SU#X XXX #X XXX U#   4 4         :p59    __________________________ 4 4 N    PAULG.SUMMERS,JudgeCONCUR:__________________________JERRYL.SMITH,Judge__________________________CURWOODWITT,Judge