Hazlip v. Stephens

Filing 28

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER GRANTING 21 MOTION for Summary Judgment with Brief in Support. Final judgment to be entered by separate order. No COA will be issued. (Signed by Chief Judge Lee H Rosenthal) Parties notified.(leddins, 4)

United States District Court
Southern District of Texas

ENTERED
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON DIVISION
RODNEY KEITH HAZLIP,
TDCJ #1794439,
Petitioner,
v.
LORIE DAVIS, Director,
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Correctional Institutions Division,
Respondent.

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September 27, 2017
David J. Bradley, Clerk

CIVIL ACTION NO. H-16-0607

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Rodney Keith Hazlip is serving a 40-year prison sentence in the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division (TDCJ) imposed after his conviction for felony
driving while intoxicated. (Montgomery County, Texas, Cause Number 10-04-04149-CR). Hazlip
has filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 and a brief in support, seeking
relief from that conviction and sentence. (Docket Entry Nos. 1, 9). The respondent has moved for
summary judgment, arguing that Hazlip is not entitled to relief because two of the claims are
procedurally barred and the remaining claims lack merit. (Docket Entry No. 21). Hazlip has filed
a reply. (Docket Entry No. 24).
Based on the pleadings, the motion and reply, the state-court records, and the applicable law,
the court grants the respondent’s motion, denies Hazlip’s petition, and enters final judgment by
separate order. The reasons for these rulings are set out below.

I.

Background and Procedural History
A.

Hazlip’s State Court Proceedings

A Montgomery County grand jury indicted Hazlip in Cause Number 10-04-04149-CR,
charging him with his third DWI. This is a felony under Texas Penal Code § 49.04.1 The indictment
alleged that on April 19, 2010, Hazlip operated a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated,
and that he had two prior DWI convictions.2 The indictment included enhancement allegations that
Hazlip’s two prior felony convictions made him a habitual offender,3 and that the vehicle Hazlip
used to commit the offense was a deadly weapon.4
Two months before trial, a clinical psychologist, Dr. Walter Quijano, evaluated Hazlip at his
attorney’s request to determine whether he was competent to assist in his own defense.5 Hazlip had
been diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features, which he treated with prescription
drugs and self-medicated with alcohol and marijuana.6 Dr. Quijano concluded that Hazlip was
competent to proceed.7 Defense counsel raised the issue of Hazlip’s competency again before jury
selection. The trial court denied counsel’s request for a formal competency proceeding after

1

Indictment, Docket Entry No. 19-2, at 31-32. For purposes of identification all page citations refer
to the page number imprinted by the court’s electronic filing system, CM/ECF.
2

Id.

3

Id. The indictment actually lists three prior felony offenses in paragraphs A, B, and C, but the state
abandoned paragraph B during the punishment phase of the proceeding. See Court Reporter’s Record, vol.
5, at 82-84.
4

Indictment, Docket Entry No. 19-2, at 31.

5

Psychological Forensic Evaluation, Docket Entry No. 19-3, at 8-16.

6

Id. at 10.

7

Id. at 16.

2

considering Dr. Quijano’s report, Hazlip’s demeanor in response to questioning, and information
from the Montgomery County Jail about Hazlip’s medication regimen.8
During trial, the State presented evidence that law enforcement received several 911 calls
on the night of April 19, 2010. These calls reported that a red and white Chevy Blazer was being
driven in a reckless manner. The driver ran a red light and almost collided with other vehicles.9 An
eyewitness, Gustavo Olvera, testified that he was out walking with his four-year-old daughter and
had to move out of the path of a red and white Chevy Blazer that was careening through his
neighborhood at a high rate of speed.10 Moments later, the Blazer crashed into some bushes on
Olvera’s property and lodged in a ditch.11 The driver, later determined to be Hazlip, got out of the
Blazer and began walking towards Olvera’s house.12 Olvera used his cellphone to call his wife and
told her to lock the doors because he thought that Hazlip was intoxicated.13 Hazlip asked Olvera to
help him get his Blazer out of the ditch.14 When Olvera refused, Hazlip threatened to kill him.
Olvera called 911.15
Trooper Michael Martin of the Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the call. At
the scene, he arrested Hazlip for DWI based on the alcohol on his breath and other signs of

8

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 2, Docket Entry No. 19-5, at 11-26.

9

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 30.

10

Id. at 159-61, 170.

11

Id. at 162.

12

Id. at 167-68.

13

Id. at 162-64.

14

Id. at 164.

15

Id. at 164-65.

3

intoxication.16 When Trooper Martin learned that Hazlip had at least two previous DWI convictions,
he took Hazlip to a local hospital for a blood draw, as state law required.17 A forensic scientist,
Camille Stafford, testified that Hazlip’s blood-alcohol level was 0.26, over three times the Texas
legal limit of 0.08.18 His blood was drawn more than four hours after he crashed his vehicle.19
Stafford used retrograde extrapolation to estimate that Hazlip’s blood-alcohol content had been from
0.06 to 0.10 higher when he was driving.20 The State presented evidence that Hazlip had two
previous convictions for DWI at the time of the charged offense.21 The jury found Hazlip guilty of
felony DWI and found in the affirmative that Hazlip had used a deadly weapon — his vehicle —
in committing the offense.22
During the punishment proceeding, the State presented additional evidence showing that
Hazlip’s criminal record included four prior DWI convictions, two other previous felony
convictions, and a pending assault charge for an altercation with his girlfriend’s elderly stepfather.23
The defense presented testimony from Dr. Quijano by way of mitigation. He examined Hazlip and
determined that he had a chronic mental illness, bipolar disorder, that was “in partial remission”

16

Id. at 68.

17

Id. at 82-84.

18

Id. at 142.

19

Id. at 128, 145-47 (noting that the crash occurred at 7:56 p.m, and that blood was drawn at 12:25

a.m.).
20

Id. at 151-52.

21

Id. at 183-97.

22

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 4, Docket Entry No. 19-7, at 39, 40.

23

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 5, Docket Entry No. 19-8, at 14-15, 17-24, 31-40, 76-78.

4

when he was taking his medication.24 A mental health case-worker and Hazlip’s girlfriend also
testified about his mental health and his need for medication.25
Hazlip faced a potential sentence of 25 years to life imprisonment.26 After finding two of
the enhancement allegations in the indictment to be true, the jury sentenced Hazlip to a 40-year term
of imprisonment.27
On direct appeal, Hazlip argued that the trial court erred by: (1) denying his request for a
formal competency hearing or raising the issue of competency during the trial; (2) admitting the
retrograde-extrapolation evidence from the State’s expert without an adequate factual basis for her
opinion; and (3) failing to instruct the jury during the punishment phase that “prior bad acts” could
be considered only if proven beyond a reasonable doubt.28 The Texas intermediate court of appeals
affirmed the conviction in an unpublished opinion, Hazlip v. State, No. 10-04-04149-CR, 2012 WL
4466352 (Tex. App. — Beaumont Sept. 26, 2012). The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals refused
Hazlip’s petition for discretionary review and the United States Supreme Court denied his certiorari
petition. See Hazlip v. Texas, 134 S. Ct. 2704 (2014). The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied
Hazlip’s application for a state writ of habeas corpus under Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of

24

Id. at 48-49.

25

Id. at 65-75.

26

See Tex. Penal Code § 12.42(d) (providing that, subject to certain exceptions, “if it is shown on the
trial of a felony offense . . . that the defendant has previously been finally convicted of two felony offenses
. . . on conviction the defendant shall be punished by imprisonment in [TDCJ] for life, or for any term of not
more than 99 years or less than 25 years”).
27

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 6, Docket Entry No. 19-9, at 4-5.

28

Appellant’s Brief, Docket Entry No. 19-11, at 3, 11-12

5

Criminal Procedure, without a written order, based on findings of fact and conclusions of law
entered by the trial court.29 This federal petition followed.
B.

Hazlip’s Federal Habeas Petition

Hazlip raises an assortment of allegations and claims for relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2254. The
respondent has organized the claims as follows:
1.

The trial court erred and violated Hazlip’s rights because —
a.

he was illegally sentenced as a felony DWI offender
when the State could not link him to his prior DWI
convictions;

b.

the trial court committed a Pate violation when it
failed to hold a competency hearing;

c.

the trial judge was biased against him; and

d.

it allowed retrograde-extrapolation evidence to be
admitted in error.

2.

The prosecutor made an improper remark during closing argument by
injecting facts not in evidence.

3.

Hazlip’s trial counsel was ineffective because she failed to —
a.
b.

properly challenge his competency or object to the
trial court’s finding of competency;

c.

object to the admission of a 911 call;

d.

29

investigate and proffer an insanity defense;

impeach eyewitness Gustavo Olvera with a prior
inconsistent statement;

Action Taken on Writ No. 84,378-01, Docket Entry No. 20-12, at 1.

6

e.

object to the jury charge for failing to include an
application paragraph for the deadly weapon
instruction;

f.

object to the trial judge’s numerous errors;

g.

object to the trial court’s bias;

h.

object to a violation of “the Rule”;

i.

interview witnesses or have a firm command of the law; and

j.

properly litigate the suppression of custodial
statements made in violation of Miranda v. Arizona,
384 U.S. 436 (1966), evidence seized as the result of
an illegal arrest, or the blood alcohol test results.

4.

There was no evidence to support the jury’s deadly weapon finding.

5.

Hazlip’s appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise or
adequately brief the following issues —
a.
b.

the prosecutor’s improper closing argument;

c.

the sufficiency of the evidence to support the deadly weapon finding;

d.

the admission the retrograde-extrapolation evidence; and

e.
6.

the illegal sentence;

the lack of an adequate jury instruction on prior bad acts at punishment.

Hazlip was denied a fundamentally fair trial by the cumulative effect
of the errors committed by the trial court, the prosecutor, and his
defense counsel.30

30

See Respondent’s Motion for Summary Judgment, Docket Entry No. 21, at 1-3. The list of claims
is consistent with the issues raised in the petition and supporting brief. See Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at
8-20; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 11-85. Hazlip has filed a lengthy response to the motion for
summary judgment and, although he disagrees with the respondent’s analysis, he does not object to the
categorization of his claims. See Petitioner’s Traverse, Docket Entry No. 24, at 3-184. Because Hazlip does
not object, the court adopts the respondent’s categorization with minor modifications for ease of analysis.

7

The state court records show that all but one of these claims (Claim 5d) were raised and rejected on
the merits, either on direct appeal or collateral review.
The respondent moves for summary judgment, arguing that two of the claims (Claim 4 and
Claim 5d) are procedurally barred and the remaining claims lack merit. Each claim is addressed
below under the applicable legal standards.
II.

The Legal Standards
A.

Exhaustion of State Court Remedies is Required

A federal court may not grant habeas relief on a claim unless the petitioner has first
exhausted state remedies for that claim. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(b). Exhaustion requires a petitioner
to first present his claims to the highest state court having criminal jurisdiction, in a procedurally
proper manner, so that the state court has a fair opportunity to consider challenges to the conviction
before those issues come to federal court for habeas corpus review. See O’Sullivan v. Boerckel, 526
U.S. 838, 844-45 (1999). In Texas, habeas petitioners “must exhaust state remedies by pursuing
their claims through one complete cycle of either state direct appeal or post-conviction collateral
proceedings.” Busby v. Dretke, 359 F.3d 708, 723 (5th Cir. 2004). The exhaustion requirement is
not met if the petitioner presents new legal theories or factual claims in his federal habeas petition
that were not properly presented or considered on state-court review. Moore v. Quarterman, 454
F.3d 484, 491 (5th Cir. 2006).
The respondent argues that Hazlip did not present Claim 5d (ineffective assistance of
appellate counsel based on the retrograde-extrapolation evidence) in state court. In his response to
the summary judgment motion, and in his other pleadings, Hazlip attempts to assert other claims that
were not presented in a way that allowed the state court to consider them on the merits. Those

8

claims include Hazlip’s assertion of cumulative error due to “myriad” rulings or comments by the
trial court and his trial attorney’s failure to object to each ruling or comment.31 Many of those
rulings and comments are mentioned only briefly, with a record cite but with no supporting facts.32
The state-court record confirms that Hazlip did not raise these grounds for relief in his state habeas
corpus application.33 Claims not articulated in the state habeas application, or raised, if at all, in a
supporting memorandum, were not properly presented to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. That
court requires compliance with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 73.1, which specifies how to
raise grounds for relief. See Ex parte Walton, 422 S.W.3d 720, 721 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014) (the
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals “will not consider grounds for relief set out in a memorandum of
law that were not raised on the form” required by TRAP 73.1) (emphasis in original). By failing to
present his claims in a procedurally proper manner, Hazlip failed to exhaust these claims. See
Castille v. Peoples, 489 U.S. 346, 351 (1989) (raising a claim “in a procedural context in which the
merits of that claim will not be considered” is not “fair presentation” needed for exhaustion under
the habeas statutes).
Recognizing that he has not adequately exhausted state court remedies for some of his claims
of trial-court error and ineffective assistance, Hazlip appears to argue that exhaustion should be
excused. He argues that he could not present all of his claims because of the 50-page limit imposed

31

Petitioner’s Traverse, Docket Entry No. 24, at 23-40; Docket Entry No. 24-1, at 1-12.

32

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 14-15.

33

Application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus Under Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal
Procedure, Docket Entry No. 20-20, at 7-28.

9

on a memorandum accompanying a state habeas corpus petition.34 See Tex. R. App. P. 73.1(d). A
page limit does not excuse exhaustion or other procedural default, especially when there is no
request for leave to exceed the limit. See Weeks v. Angelone, 176 F.3d 249, 271 (4th Cir.1999) (a
state court’s 50-page limit on briefs “merely limited the manner in which [the petitioner] could
present his arguments; it did not wholly prevent him from presenting them”); see also Trujillo v.
Ploughe, 475 F. App’x 261, 266-67 (10th Cir. 2012) (Colorado’s 30-page limit on appellate briefs
was not “cause” for a habeas petitioner’s procedural default of a claim that he merely listed in his
brief without citing facts, argument, or authority); Orbe v. True, 233 F. Supp. 2d 749, 760-64 (E.D.
Va. 2002) (a 50-page limit on state habeas petitions did not excuse a petitioner from fairly presenting
his claims for purposes of exhaustion); Jones v. Stephens, Civil No. 3:14-cv-3134, 2015 WL
5052296, at *3 (N.D. Tex. July 15, 2015) (the 50-page limit under TRAP 73.1(d) does not excuse
the exhaustion requirement).
Hazlip does not allege, and the record does not reflect, that he asked for leave to file a brief
longer than 50 pages. Under these circumstances, the page limit does not excuse his obligation to
fairly present his claims in state court for purposes of the exhaustion requirement. See Hill v. Norris,
96 F.3d 1085, 1087-88 (8th Cir. 1996) (an inmate who failed to submit a motion to file an
“overlength petition” may not assert the page limit as an excuse for his failure to exhaust). Hazlip
does not otherwise show that the 50-page limit set by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals was
unreasonable. The reason for his failure to exhaust was not the page limit, but rather his strategic
choices of the claims to focus on. See Mueller v. Angelone, 181 F.3d 557, 585 (4th Cir. 1999) (the

34

Petitioner’s Traverse, Docket Entry No. 24, at 23-24; Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 15.

10

petitioner sought to raise some 77 claims, 55 of them only by reference in two concluding
footnotes).
The federal habeas court limits its analysis to claims that Hazlip fairly presented for
adjudication on the merits during his direct appeal or in his state habeas corpus application, as
reflected in the state court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law.35
B.

Claims Adjudicated on the Merits are Entitled to Substantial Deference

To the extent that Hazlip’s claims were adjudicated on the merits in state court, the legal
standard in the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (“AEDPA”), codified at 28
U.S.C. § 2254(d), applies. A federal habeas corpus court may not grant relief unless the state court’s
adjudication “resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application
of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States[.]” 28
U.S.C. § 2254(d)(1). Clearly established federal law in this context consists of “the holdings, as
opposed to the dicta, of [the Supreme] Court’s decisions as of the time of the relevant state-court
decision.” Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 412 (2000). When a claim presents a question of fact,
a petitioner cannot obtain federal habeas relief unless he shows that the state court’s denial of relief
“was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the
[s]tate court proceeding.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d)(2).
This statutory framework “imposes a ‘highly deferential standard for evaluating state-court
rulings, . . . [which] ‘demands that state-court decisions be given the benefit of the doubt.” Renico
v. Lett, 559 U.S. 766, 773 (2010) (citations omitted). “A state court’s decision is deemed contrary
to clearly established federal law” for purposes of § 2254(d)(1) only if it (1) “reaches a legal

35

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 81-87.

11

conclusion in direct conflict with a prior decision of the Supreme Court”; (2) “reaches a different
conclusion than the Supreme Court on materially indistinguishable facts”; or (3) “applies a rule
different from the governing law set forth in [Supreme Court precedent].” Boyer v. Vannoy, 863
F.3d 428, 441 (5th Cir. 2017) (citations omitted). To constitute an “unreasonable application of”
clearly established federal law, a state court’s holding “must be objectively unreasonable, not merely
wrong; even clear error will not suffice.” Woods v. Donald, — U.S. —, 135 S. Ct. 1372, 1376 (2015)
(quoting White v. Woodall, — U.S. —, 134 S. Ct. 1697, 1702 (2014)). “To satisfy this high bar,
a habeas petitioner is required to ‘show that the state court’s ruling on the claim being presented in
federal court was so lacking in justification that there was an error well understood and
comprehended in existing law beyond any possibility for fairminded disagreement.’” Woods, 135
S. Ct. at 1376 (quoting Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 103 (2011)). This standard is
intentionally “difficult to meet” because it was meant to bar relitigation of claims already rejected
in state proceedings and to preserve federal habeas review as “a ‘guard against extreme malfunctions
in the state criminal justice systems,’ not a substitute for ordinary error correction through appeal.”
Richter, 562 U.S. at 102-03 (quotation omitted); accord Young v. Davis, 860 F.3d 318, 324 (5th Cir.
2017).
A state court’s factual determinations are also entitled to deference on federal habeas corpus
review. Findings of fact are “presumed to be correct” unless the petitioner rebuts those findings with
“clear and convincing evidence.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1). This presumption of correctness extends
not only to express factual findings, but also to the state court’s implicit findings. See Garcia v.
Quarterman, 454 F.3d 441, 444-45 (5th Cir. 2006) (citing Summers v. Dretke, 431 F.3d 861, 876
(5th Cir. 2005); Young v. Dretke, 356 F.3d 616, 629 (5th Cir. 2004)). A federal habeas corpus court

12

may not characterize state-court factual determinations as “unreasonable ‘merely because [it] would
have reached a different conclusion in the first instance.’” Brumfield v. Cain, –– U.S. ––, 135 S. Ct.
2269, 2277 (2015) (quoting Wood v. Allen, 558 U.S. 290, 301 (2010)). “Instead, § 2254(d)(2)
requires that [a federal court] accord the state trial court substantial deference.” Id.
C.

The Motion for Summary Judgment

The respondent’s motion for summary judgment is filed under Rule 56 of the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure. This rule states that a reviewing court “shall grant summary judgment if the
movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to
judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); see also Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317,
322 (1986). A fact is “material” if its resolution in favor of one party might affect the outcome of
the suit under governing law. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U .S. 242, 248 (1986). An issue
is “genuine” if the evidence is sufficient for a reasonable jury to return a verdict for the nonmoving
party. Id.
In deciding a summary judgment motion, the reviewing court ordinarily must “construe all
facts and inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party.” Dillon v. Rogers, 596 F.3d
260, 266 (5th Cir. 2010) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). A federal habeas court
applies general summary judgment standards only to the extent they do not conflict with the
AEDPA. See Smith v. Cockrell, 311 F.3d 661, 668 (5th Cir. 2002) (“[Rule 56] applies only to the
extent that it does not conflict with the habeas rules.”), abrogated on other grounds by Tennard v.
Dretke, 542 U.S. 274 (2004). The presumption of correctness in 28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1) overrides
the ordinary summary judgment rule that disputed facts must be construed in the light most
favorable to the nonmoving party. See Smith, 311 F.3d at 668.

13

Hazlip represents himself. “The filings of a federal habeas petitioner who is proceeding pro
se are entitled to the benefit of liberal construction,” meaning that his submissions “are not held to
the same stringent and rigorous standards as are pleadings filed by lawyers.” Hernandez v. Thaler,
630 F.3d 420, 426 (5th Cir. 2011) (internal citation marks and quotation omitted); see also Erickson
v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007) (“A document filed pro se is ‘to be liberally construed,’ . . . and
‘a pro se complaint, however inartfully pleaded, must be held to less stringent standards than formal
pleadings drafted by lawyers.’”). Although self-represented litigant’s pleadings are entitled to
liberal construction, they are still required to explain or identify specific facts in support of their
claims. See, e.g, United States v. Stanford, 805 F.3d 557, 572 (5th Cir. 2015) (citing Yohey v.
Collins, 985 F.2d 222, 225 (5th Cir. 1993)); Bookman v. Shubzda, 945 F. Supp. 999, 1004-05 (N.D.
Tex. 1996) (a pro se litigant has an obligation to support his claims). It is not the court’s duty to sift
through the record for evidence that supports a litigant’s contentions. See Green v. Johnson, 160
F.3d 1029, 1036 n.2 (5th Cir.1998) (it is not the court’s job “to go on a fishing expedition through
the record to find facts favoring or disfavoring [a habeas petitioner’s] arguments”). Nor does the
court have an obligation to fashion new or better arguments on the litigant’s behalf. See Jones v.
Alfred, 353 F. App’x 949, 952 (5th Cir. 2009) (“[O]ur responsibility to construe pro se filings
liberally . . . does not mean that we will invent, out of whole cloth, novel arguments on behalf of a
pro se plaintiff in the absence of meaningful, albeit imperfect, briefing.”) (internal citation and
quotation marks omitted).
The grounds for relief Hazlip asserts, and the arguments for summary dismissal, are analyzed
below.
III.

The Claims of Trial Court Error (Claim 1)

14

In Claims 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d, Hazlip contends that the trial court abused its discretion during
his state criminal proceeding and violated his right to due process. These claims were rejected in
state court. The respondent argues that Hazlip is not entitled to relief because he neither establishes
constitutional error nor shows that he was prejudiced.
“[A] state defendant has no constitutional right to an errorless trial.” Bailey v. Procunier,
744 F.2d 1166, 1168 (5th Cir. 1984) (citing Banks v. McGougan, 717 F.2d 186, 190 (5th Cir. 1983)).
A federal habeas corpus court may grant relief “only when the trial judge’s error is so extreme that
it constitutes a denial of fundamental fairness under the Due Process Clause.” Bailey, 744 F.2d at
1168 (citing Skillern v. Estelle, 720 F.2d 839, 852 (5th Cir. 1983)). The harmless-error standard set
out in Brecht v. Abrahamson, 507 U.S. 619 (1993), applies on federal habeas corpus review. See
Fry v. Pliler, 551 U.S. 112, 121 (2007). Under this standard, habeas petitioners “are not entitled to
habeas relief based on trial error unless they can establish that it resulted in ‘actual prejudice.’”
Davis v. Ayala, — U.S. —, 135 S. Ct. 2187, 2197 (2015). Relief is proper only if the reviewing
court has “grave doubt about whether a trial error . . . had ‘substantial and injurious effect or
influence in determining the jury’s verdict.’” Davis, 135 S. Ct. at 2198. None of Hazlip’s claims
of trial court error warrant relief under this standard.
A.

The Claim of an Illegal Sentence (Claim 1a)

Hazlip’s primary claim is that the trial court erred by sentencing him as a felon for a
misdemeanor offense.36 Hazlip argues that his sentence is “illegal,” and an abuse of discretion,

36

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 8; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 11-13.

15

because the State failed to link him to the prior DWI convictions used to enhance his DWI to a
felony.37
DWI typically is a misdemeanor offense under Texas law. See Tex. Penal Code § 49.04.
The offense is a third-degree felony, however, when two prior DWI convictions are alleged as
jurisdictional elements. See Tex. Penal Code § 49.09(b)(2); see also State v. Mewbourn, 993 S.W.2d
771, 772 (Tex. App. — Tyler 1999, no pet.) (prior DWI convictions are allegations of jurisdiction
or elements of a felony DWI offense under § 49.09(b)). To establish that a defendant has a prior
DWI conviction for purposes of the enhancement, “the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt
that (1) a prior conviction exists, and (2) the defendant is linked to that conviction.” Flowers v.
State, 220 S.W.3d 919, 921 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).
The Texas state habeas corpus court, which also presided over Hazlip’s trial, considered this
claim and found that “the evidence was sufficient to link [Hazlip] to his two prior DWI convictions
for purposes of jurisdictional enhancement.”38 The record supports this finding. The State presented
certified copies of judgments showing that Hazlip had two prior Texas convictions for DWI.39
Although the judgments did not include legible fingerprints confirming Hazlip’s identity as the
defendant in those cases, the State submitted additional evidence in the form of driver’s license
records from the Texas Department of Public Safety.40 Those records confirmed that Hazlip had two
prior DWI convictions and sufficiently identified him by date of birth, driver’s license number, and

37

Id.

38

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 85 (citing Flowers v. State,
220 S.W.3d 919 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); Gentile v. State, S.W.2d 359 (Tex. App. — Austin 1993, no pet.).

39

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 183-86.

40

Id. at 186-197.

16

state identification number as the same Rodney Keith Hazlip who committed both of those
offenses.41 This satisfied the jurisdictional enhancement requirement, elevating Hazlip’s offense to
a felony. See Flowers, 220 S.W.3d at 921-25 (other documents may be used to prove a prior DWI
conviction, including a defendant’s driver’s license record from the Texas Department of Public
Safety; there is no “best evidence” rule for satisfying this element).
The respondent correctly notes that whether Hazlip’s sentence was properly enhanced turns
on the state court’s interpretation of its own laws. That does not raise a federal constitutional claim
and is not subject to federal habeas corpus review.42 See Kemph v. Estelle, 621 F.2d 162, 163 (5th
Cir. 1980) (per curiam); see also Rubino v. Lynaugh, 845 F.2d 1266, 1271 (5th Cir. 1988) (“[T]he
determination of what prior crimes should count for enhancement purposes under Texas law was
solely for the State and not cognizable in federal habeas corpus.”); Rubio v. Estelle, 689 F.2d 533,
536 (5th Cir. 1982) (a habeas petitioner’s claim that her conviction was not a felony under state law
is “not cognizable” in a federal habeas proceeding). The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that
“federal habeas corpus relief does not lie for errors of state law.” Estelle v. McGuire, 502 U.S. 62,
67-68 (1991); Lewis v. Jeffers, 497 U.S. 764, 780 (1990); Pulley v. Harris, 465 U.S. 37, 41 (1984).
“A state prisoner seeking federal review of his conviction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 must assert
a violation of a federal constitutional right.” Lawrence v. Lensing, 42 F.3d 255, 258 (5th Cir. 1994).
Federal habeas corpus relief will not issue to correct errors of state constitutional, statutory, or
procedural law. Pemberton v. Collins, 991 F.2d 1218, 1223 (5th Cir. 1993).

41

Id.

42

Respondent’s Motion, Docket Entry No. 21, at 19-22.

17

Hazlip does not establish that his sentence was improperly enhanced for purposes of the
felony DWI statute or that a constitutional violation occurred when the trial court sentenced him as
a felon based on the evidence showing that he had at least two prior DWI convictions. Hazlip does
not have a valid claim for federal habeas review of the enhanced sentence he received. He does not
show that the state court’s decision to reject his improper-enhancement claim was an unreasonable
determination of the facts or application of the law. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment
dismissing this claim is granted.
B.

The Claim That Failing to Hold a Competency Hearing was Error (Claim 1b)

Hazlip contends that the trial court erred by denying his defense counsel’s request for a
competency hearing, in violation of Pate v. Robinson, 383 U.S. 375 (1966).43 In that case, the
Supreme Court held that a trial court must hold a hearing where the evidence “raises a ‘bona fide
doubt’ as to [the] defendant’s competence to stand trial[.]” Pate, 383 U.S. at 385. A defendant is
incompetent to stand trial if he does not have a “sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer
with a reasonable degree of rational understanding” and “a rational as well as factual understanding
of the proceedings against him.” Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402 (1960) (per curiam);
DeVille v. Whitley, 21 F.3d 654, 656 (5th Cir. 1994).
The intermediate court of appeals discussed the failure to convene a formal competency
hearing at length and concluded that the trial court did not abuse its discretion. The state court
explained:
. . . Hazlip argues the trial court should have conducted a competency hearing when,
just before voir dire, he advised the trial court that he had not gotten his medications
and that he was confused.

43

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 11-12, 18-19.

18

We review a trial court’s failure to conduct a competency trial under an abuse of
discretion standard. Moore v. State, 999 S.W.2d 385, 393 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999);
Garcia v. State, 595 S.W.2d 538, 542 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1980);
Salahud-din v. State, 206 S.W.3d 203, 207 (Tex. App. — Corpus Christi 2006, pet.
ref’d). A reviewing court gives a trial court’s assessment of a defendant’s mental
competency great deference. McDaniel v. State, 98 S.W.3d 704, 713 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2003). Therefore, we will not substitute our judgment for that of the trial court;
rather, we will determine whether the trial court’s decision is arbitrary or
unreasonable. See Montoya v. State, 291 S.W.3d 420, 426 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009)
(noting that the trial court is “in a better position to determine whether [the
defendant] was presently competent”). We apply the same standard whether the issue
of competency is presented pre-trial or during trial. Moore, 999 S.W.2d at 393.
“A defendant is presumed competent to stand trial and shall be found competent to
stand trial unless proved incompetent by a preponderance of the evidence.” Tex.
Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 46B.003(b) (West 2006). A defendant is incompetent to
stand trial if he does not have:
•

sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable
degree of rational understanding, or

•

a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against
him.

Id. art. 46B.003(a). If a party suggests that a defendant is incompetent to stand trial,
the trial court “shall determine by informal inquiry whether there is some evidence
from any source that would support a finding that the defendant may be incompetent
to stand trial.” Id. art. 46B.004(c) (West Supp. 2012).[] Bona fide doubt is the proper
standard for determining whether a trial court should conduct an informal inquiry.
Montoya, 291 S.W.3d at 425. Evidence capable of creating a bona fide doubt about
a defendant’s competency may come from the trial court’s own observations, known
facts, evidence presented, affidavits, motions, or any other claim or reliable source.
LaHood v. State, 171 S.W.3d 613, 618 (Tex. App. — Houston [14th Dist.] 2005, pet.
ref’d) (citing Brown v. State, 129 S.W.3d 762, 765 (Tex. App. — Houston [1st Dist.]
2004, no pet.)). If the defendant exhibits truly bizarre behavior, has a recent history
of severe mental illness, or at least moderate mental retardation, a bona fide doubt
may exist. Montoya, 291 S.W.3d at 425.
In Hazlip’s case, both parties acknowledge that a psychologist found Hazlip
competent for trial approximately two months before the trial began,[] and the trial
judge could properly presume that Hazlip was competent on the morning the trial
began. See id. When Hazlip claimed he had not received his prescription
medications, the trial court questioned Hazlip. However, the trial court was not
required to believe Hazlip’s claim that he had not been given his medications. The
19

record reflects that prior to voir dire, Hazlip answered questions in the trial court’s
presence, explaining that the role of the jurors, the judge, and the prosecutor was to
“figure out what is going on.” Importantly, Hazlip presented no experts to show that
he was incompetent, and no witnesses except for Hazlip testified that he had not
received his medications on the morning of trial. Compare Clark v. State, 47 S.W.3d
211, 218 (Tex. App. — Beaumont 2001, no pet.) (“To be entitled to a second
competency trial before a jury, there must be new evidence indicating a change in
mental condition from the previous finding.”), with Garcia v. State, 595 S.W.2d 538,
542 (Tex. Crim. App. 1980) (concluding that the trial court erred in failing to
conduct a competency trial where the testimony of four witnesses would support a
finding of incompetency); and Thornhill v. State, 910 S.W.2d 653, 654–55 (Tex.
App. — Fort Worth 1995, pet. ref’d) (trial court erred in failing to conduct second
competency hearing to allow the defendant to present additional evidence not
available at the first hearing).
In the absence of express findings, we [infer] that the trial court, based on Hazlip’s
responses in court, reasonably concluded that Hazlip had not been truthful when he
claimed to be confused. Based on the information before it, the trial court could
reasonably conclude that Hazlip’s assertion of incompetence was goal oriented, as
he indicated a desire that the trial court appoint another attorney to represent him.
We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by deciding that Hazlip’s
evidence insufficient to overcome the presumption that he remained competent for
trial. See McDaniel, 98 S.W.3d at 713 (stating that a reviewing court gives a trial
court’s assessment of a defendant’s mental competency great deference).
Hazlip, 2012 WL 4466352, at *1-3 (footnotes omitted). Hazlip repeated this claim on collateral
review, where the trial court confirmed that there was “no bona fide doubt” about Hazlip’s
competency and found that he was “competent to stand trial.”44
A petitioner seeking habeas relief based on the trial court’s failure to hold a competency
hearing has the burden of showing that “objective facts known to the trial court were sufficient to
raise a bona fide doubt as to his competency.” Enriquez v. Procunier, 752 F.2d 111, 113 (5th Cir.
1984). The petitioner’s burden to prove that he was incompetent is a “heavy” one. See DeVille, 21
F.3d at 656.

44

A habeas petitioner must show that there are “sufficient facts to positively,

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 83, 85.

20

unequivocally and clearly generate a real, substantial and legitimate doubt as to the mental capacity
of the petitioner to meaningfully participate and cooperate with counsel during trial.” Moody v.
Johnson, 139 F.3d 477, 481 (5th Cir. 1998) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).
At the close of voir dire, Hazlip’s defense counsel advised the trial court that he did not help
during jury selection.45 This did not require a formal competency hearing. When asked on state
habeas corpus review whether she thought that Hazlip was incompetent, defense counsel clarified
that she believed he was competent to stand trial because, based on her observations, “he appeared
to have a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings.”46 The state habeas corpus court
found that counsel’s affidavit was credible.47 Credibility findings are entitled to substantial
deference on federal habeas review and are presumed correct under 28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1) absent
clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. See Coleman v. Quarterman, 456 F.3d 537, 541 (5th
Cir. 2006) (citing Guidry v. Dretke, 397 F.3d 306, 326 (5th Cir. 2005)); Valdez v. Cockrell, 274 F.3d
941, 947 (5th Cir. 2001).
Hazlip disputes whether counsel or the trial court correctly determined that he was
competent,48 but he has presented no evidence to contradict the state court’s credibility
determination and he has not rebutted the state court’s finding that he was competent to stand trial.
45

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 2, Docket Entry No. 19-5, at 111.

46

Affidavit of Andrea Sadler, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 7.

47

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 82.

48

As support for his claim that he was incompetent, Hazlip relies on the district court’s decision in
LaHood v. Stephens, Civil No. 4:13-1874, 2015 WL 925884 (S.D. Tex. March 3, 2015), which granted
habeas relief after finding that the state trial court violated Pate by not holding a competency hearing. See
Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 73; Petitioner’s Traverse, Docket Entry No. 24, at 21; Docket Entry
No. 24-1, at 33. However, the district court’s decision in that case was reversed by the Fifth Circuit. See
LaHood v. Davis, 653 F. App’x 253 (5th Cir. June 21, 2016), cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 1079 (2017).
Accordingly, Hazlip’s reliance on the district court’s decision in LaHood is misplaced.

21

The finding that Hazlip was competent is presumed correct under § 2254(e)(1). See Colburn v.
Cockrell, 37 F. App’x 90, 2002 WL 1021891, *4 (5th Cir. 2002); Carter v. Johnson, 131 F.3d 452,
461 (5th Cir. 1997) (citing Holmes v. King, 709 F.2d 965, 968 (5th Cir. 1983)); Barnard v. Collins,
13 F.3d 871, 876 (5th Cir. 1994) (citing Garrett v. Collins, 951 F.2d 57, 59 (5th Cir. 1992)). “The
presumption [of correctness] is especially strong when the state habeas court and the trial court are
one in the same.” Mays v. Stephens, 757 F.3d 211, 214 (5th Cir. 2014) (quoting Clark v. Johnson,
202 F.3d 760, 764 (5th Cir. 2000)); Boyle v. Johnson, 93 F.3d 180, 186 (5th Cir. 1996) (“The
presumption is particularly strong where, as here, the habeas court was the same court that presided
over the trial.”). The record supports the presumption. Because Hazlip does not show that the state
court’s decision to reject this claim was unreasonable under the facts or contrary to the clearly
established law established by Pate, he is not entitled to relief on this issue. The respondent’s
motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is granted.
C.

The Claim of Trial-Court Bias (Claim 1c)

Hazlip contends that the trial judge displayed bias against him during voir dire by imposing
“an unreasonable 30 minute time restraint” on defense counsel’s questioning and by instructing the
panel of prospective jurors that police officers were “more credible.”49
The Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Clause requires a “fair trial in a fair tribunal, before
a judge with no actual bias against the defendant or interest in the outcome of his particular case.”
Bracy v. Gramley, 520 U.S. 899, 904-05 (1997) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted);
see also Bigby v. Dretke, 402 F.3d 551, 558 (5th Cir. 2005) (“Stated succinctly, the cornerstone of
the American judicial system is the right to a fair and impartial process.”). Actual bias must be

49

Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 60, 61.

22

personal, see Bracy, 520 U.S. at 909, and must stem from an “extrajudicial source.” Liteky v. United
States, 510 U.S. 540, 544 (1994) (quoting United States v. Grinnell Corp., 384 U.S. 563, 583
(1966)). By contrast, judicial rulings and intemperate remarks, even those that criticize or
disapprove of, or are hostile to, counsel and the parties, almost never constitute actual bias unless
they display such a “deep-seated favoritism or antagonism that would make fair judgment
impossible.” Liteky, 510 U.S. at 555.
The state habeas corpus court rejected Hazlip’s claims of improper bias after finding that
both sides were allotted equal time for voir dire and that the judge did not bolster the credibility of
police officers.50 The record shows that the trial court gave each side 30 minutes for voir dire,51 and
gave defense counsel additional time when asked.52 There is no evidence that the trial court
instructed the panel of prospective jurors that police officers were more credible than lay witnesses,
as Hazlip claims. To the contrary, the trial court told the prospective jurors that “just because a
person is a police officer doesn’t mean they are always truthful.”53
Hazlip does not demonstrate that any of the trial court’s comments were improper. This
court’s own review of the trial transcript does not disclose any deep-seated animus against the
defense or evidence of bias.54 Because Hazlip does not show otherwise, he fails to demonstrate that
50

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 85.

51

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 2, Docket Entry No. 19-5, at 36-37.

52

Id. at 69.

53

Id. at 94.

54

To the extent that Hazlip takes issue with numerous other comments and rulings made by the trial
court in his response to the summary judgment motion, those allegations were not properly raised in state
court and are unexhausted for reasons set forth above. See Petitioner’s Traverse, Docket Entry No. 24, at 2340; Docket Entry No. 24-1, at 1-12. Even if these allegations were exhausted, however, they would still fail
(continued...)

23

the state court’s decision to reject his claim was unreasonable. He is not entitled to relief on this
issue. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is granted.
D.

The Claim of Error in Admitting Retrograde-Extrapolation Evidence (Claim

1d)
Forensic scientist Camille Stafford testified for the State that Hazlip had a blood-alcohol
level of 0.26, three times the legal limit, when his blood sample was drawn four hours after he
crashed his vehicle on Gustavo Olvera’s property.55 Over defense counsel’s objection, Stafford
testified further that, using retrograde extrapolation, Hazlip’s actual blood alcohol level could have
been between .06 and .10 higher when he was driving.56 Hazlip contends that the trial court erred
when it admitted the retrograde-extrapolation evidence and that he was prejudiced as a result.57
On direct appeal, the intermediate appellate court agreed that the trial court erred in
admitting the retrograde-extrapolation evidence over Hazlip’s objection. Hazlip, 2012 WL 4466352,
at *4 (the State failed to sufficiently demonstrate that the estimate was “reasonably accurate” as
required by Mata v. State, 46 S.W.3d 902, 916-17 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001)). That court held,
however, that the error was harmless because the State did not emphasize the evidence and ample
other evidence showed that Hazlip was guilty of driving while intoxicated. The court explained:
Because the erroneous admission of retrograde extrapolation testimony is
non-constitutional error, we will reverse only if the error affected Hazlip’s
substantial rights. See Tex. R. App. P. 44.2(b); Bagheri v. State, 119 S.W.3d 755,

54

(...continued)
to state a claim because judicial rulings, standing alone, are not evidence of bias. See Liteky, 510 U.S. at 555.
55

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 142.

56

Id. at 151-52.

57

Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 78-85.

24

763 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); Burns, 298 S.W.3d at 703. In considering
non-constitutional error, we must disregard the error if, after examining the record
as a whole, we have fair assurance that the error did not influence the jury, or had but
a slight effect. Bagheri, 119 S.W.3d at 763 (quoting Solomon v. State, 49 S.W.3d
356, 365 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001)). The important factors that we will consider are
(1) the nature of the evidence supporting the verdict, and (2) the character of the
alleged error and how it might be considered in connection with other evidence in
the case. See id. (quoting Motilla v. State, 78 S.W.3d 352, 355 (Tex. Crim. App.
2002)). We also consider whether (1) the State emphasized the error, (2) the
erroneously admitted evidence was cumulative, and (3) the testimony was elicited
from an expert. See id.
First, we note the jury charge defines the term “intoxicated” as “not having the
normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of the introduction of alcohol,
a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, or a combination of at least two or
more of those substances, or any other substance into the body.” See Tex. Penal Code
Ann. § 49.01(2)(A) (West 2011). The jury charge used in Hazlip’s case did not
include a charge on “per se theory,” as it did not define the term “intoxicated” as
having an “alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.” See id. § 49.01(2)(B) (West
2011). Because the trial court charged the jury solely under an “impairment theory,”
the jury relied upon the impairment definition of intoxicated when it convicted
Hazlip of the offense. Cf. Bagheri, 119 S.W.3d at 762–63.
During the case, the State did not significantly emphasize the objected-to estimate
of Hazlip’s blood-alcohol level while driving. For example, the estimate was not
mentioned by the State during voir dire or in opening statements. During opening
statement, the State explained that its evidence, which included 911 telephone
conversations and multiple witnesses, would prove that Hazlip was intoxicated.
During final argument, the State relied primarily on testimony about Hazlip’s erratic
driving and testimony about how he acted shortly after he encountered the police in
arguing that Hazlip was intoxicated, rather than Stafford’s estimate. While the State
briefly referenced Stafford’s estimate twice during rebuttal, the State did not
emphasize Stafford’s credentials. Additionally, Hazlip did not offer evidence that
undermined the results of the sole blood-alcohol test the trial court admitted before
the jury.
Other evidence admitted during Hazlip’s trial shows that he was guilty of driving
while intoxicated. For example, there was testimony that a SUV like Hazlip’s had
been seen driven erratically shortly before Hazlip’s arrest later that same evening.
There was evidence that Hazlip crashed into some bushes in front of a home shortly
before he was arrested. After the SUV crashed, Hazlip asked a person he saw nearby,
G.O., to help him pull the SUV out of the bushes. When G.O. declined, Hazlip
threatened to kill him. In response, G.O. “called 911.” Shortly after the crash, when
the police responded to G.O.’s call, the investigating officer who encountered Hazlip
25

testified at trial that he thought Hazlip was intoxicated. According to Trooper Martin,
when he first encountered Hazlip, he was belligerent, irate, uncooperative, and
unable to answer questions. Hazlip showed many signs of intoxication, including
slurred speech. Specifically, Trooper Martin testified that he believed Hazlip was
intoxicated because Hazlip was swaying, had a blank stare, had alcohol on his breath,
gave deceptive answers, seemed unsure about what was going on at the scene, and
gave conflicting statements about what happened. Hazlip informed Trooper Martin
that he had taken several prescription medications. Although Hazlip claimed that the
SUV was not his vehicle, Trooper Martin found Hazlip’s personal items inside the
SUV. Trooper Martin also found beer in the SUV. Trooper Martin testified that
based on what he saw, he felt sure that Hazlip was intoxicated. Hazlip refused
Trooper Martin’s request for a blood sample.
The evidence before the jury demonstrates that Hazlip had ingested both alcohol and
prescription medications on the evening he was arrested. Several witnesses saw
Hazlip driving in a manner consistent with intoxication. Hazlip appeared intoxicated
to Trooper Martin, exhibited behavior consistent with intoxication, and Hazlip
attempted to avoid being detected for driving while intoxicated by refusing Trooper
Martin’s request for a blood sample. Having carefully reviewed the record, we
conclude that substantial evidence, unrelated to Stafford’s estimate, allowed the jury
to find Hazlip guilty beyond reasonable doubt. See Burns, 298 S.W.3d at 704–05
(finding that retrograde extrapolation was cumulative of other evidence of
intoxication). We conclude that the erroneous admission of Stafford’s estimate had
but a slight effect on the jury, and we overrule issue two.
Hazlip, 2012 WL 4466352, at *5-6. Because the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals summarily
rejected Hazlip’s petition for discretionary review, the intermediate appellate court’s decision is “the
last reasoned opinion” on this claim for purposes of federal habeas review. See Ylst v. Nunnemaker,
501 U.S. 797, 803–06 (1991).
When, as here, a state court determines that a constitutional violation is harmless, a federal
court may not award habeas relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 unless the harmlessness determination
itself was unreasonable. See Fry, 551 U.S. at 119 (citing Mitchell v. Esparza, 540 U.S. 12 (2003)
(per curiam)). The record confirms that the State referred to the retrograde-extrapolation testimony
only twice during its closing argument, and then only to rebut defense counsel’s contention that the

26

State failed to prove intoxication.58 The record further confirms that there was substantial evidence
besides Stafford’s retrograde-extrapolation estimate to prove Hazlip’s guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt. Hazlip has not shown that the state court’s harmlessness determination was unreasonable.
He is not entitled to relief. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim
is granted.
IV.

The Claim of Prosecutorial Misconduct (Claim 2)
Hazlip contends that the prosecutor engaged in misconduct by making an improper remark

during closing argument. Hazlip contends that the prosecutor improperly injected facts not in
evidence when he referred to testimony attributed to Trooper Martin about whether an unidentified
witness told him that he saw Hazlip driving the vehicle on the night of the offense.59 The state
habeas corpus court rejected this claim, concluding that the prosecutor’s comment “was nonsubstantive and did not affect the outcome of the case.”60
A prosecutor’s allegedly improper comments or closing argument “are not considered in
isolation, but are evaluated in the context of the entire trial as a whole including the prosecutor’s
entire closing argument.” Kirkpatrick v. Blackburn, 777 F.2d 272, 281 (5th Cir. 1985) (citation
omitted). Improper comments in a closing do not violate the Constitution unless they “so infected
the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial of due process.” Darden v.
Wainwright, 477 U.S. 168, 181 (1986) (quoting Donnelly v. DeChristoforo, 416 U.S. 637, 643
(1974)). “There is such unfairness only if the prosecutor’s remarks evince either persistent and

58

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 4, Docket Entry No. 19-7, at 30, 34.

59

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 8-9; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 19.

60

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 85.

27

pronounced misconduct or . . . the evidence was so insubstantial that (in probability) but for the
remarks no conviction would have occurred.” Kirkpatrick, 777 F.2d at 281 (internal quotation
marks and citation omitted); see also Foy v. Donnelly, 959 F.2d 1307, 1317 (5th Cir. 1992) (“A trial
is fundamentally unfair if there is a reasonable probability that the verdict might have been different
had the trial been properly conducted.”).
Hazlip challenges one comment that evidence showed Hazlip to be the driver of the red-andwhite Chevy Blazer that was seen driving erratically and crashed on the night of the offense. The
State did not present testimony from particular witnesses positively identifying Hazlip as the driver.
Olvera admitted that he did not see the driver’s face as the Blazer sped by him or that it was Hazlip
sitting behind the wheel.61 But Olvera testified that he saw Hazlip leaving the vehicle immediately
after it crashed onto his property.62 Olvera also testified that he saw only one man—Hazlip—at the
scene.63 He testified that Hazlip threatened to kill him for refusing to help pull the Blazer out of the
ditch.64 The record also shows that Trooper Martin collected other evidence establishing that Hazlip
was the driver, including documents with his name and address.
During closing argument, the prosecutor stated as follows:
PROSECUTOR:

Now, going back to how we know he operated the vehicle remember
how [Trooper Martin] said, “No, I didn’t just listen to Gustavo
Olvera and I didn’t just listen to the Call Notes. As I was leaving the
scene, somebody came up to me and said “I saw — that guy that you
just arrested, I saw him driving that car.” And he didn’t get his
name, so I wasn’t going to —

61

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 174.

62

Id. at 159-64.

63

Id. at 159.

64

Id. at 164.

28

DEFENSE:

I object, Your Honor. Those are facts not in evidence.

COURT:

I think there was some evidence. Overruled.65

The prosecutor then continued to summarize the evidence Trooper Martin collected during his
investigation that identified Hazlip as the driver, including documents and personal items with
Hazlip’s name and address that were recovered from the driver’s compartment.66
Although Hazlip maintains that the prosecutor’s comment was not supported by any
evidence, the record shows otherwise. Trooper Martin testified that based on everything he learned
on the night of the offense, including speaking to witnesses at the scene, there was “no doubt in [his]
mind that [Hazlip] was the driver.”67 Martin testified that witnesses at the scene placed Hazlip
behind the wheel, but he did not collect their names because he had already established that Hazlip
was driving the vehicle.68 Martin mentioned those witnesses again during his cross-examination:
DEFENSE:

Now, you mentioned that you talked to a witness out there. Did you
personally speak —

MARTIN:

I talked to a couple of witnesses, yes.

DEFENSE:

A couple of witnesses?

MARTIN:

Uh huh.
***

MARTIN:

There was somebody, but it was a — they had drove up to my car
when I was leaving the scene.

65

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 4, Docket Entry No. 19-7, at 35 (emphasis added).

66

Id. at 36-37.

67

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 115-16.

68

Id. at 116-17.

29

DEFENSE:

Okay. So was a name gotten from that person

MARTIN:

I did not get a name from that person.

DEFENSE:

And if someone had information maybe to aid in this proceeding,
don’t you think it would have been important to get that person’s
name?

MARTIN:

I was in the middle of trying to get the accident taken care of, and
they had drove up when I was leaving the scene.69

Although Trooper Martin did not repeat what the unidentified witness told him, it is clear from his
testimony that he viewed the information as even more proof that Hazlip was driving the vehicle that
crashed onto Olvera’s property.
A Texas prosecutor may make an argument that is based on “a reasonable deduction from
the evidence.” Jackson v. State, 17 S.W.3d 664, 674 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). Martin’s comment,
read with the rest of his testimony, easily supports an inference that witnesses approached him at
the scene and identified Hazlip as the driver, but Martin did not take their names because Hazlip’s
identity as the driver was not seriously in question. Based on this record, Hazlip does not show that
the argument was improper. Even assuming that it was, Hazlip does not show that the isolated
remark was such an egregious misstatement that it made his entire trial fundamentally unfair. The
overwhelming evidence showing that he was the driver of the vehicle that night precludes that
finding. See Ortega v. McCotter, 808 F.2d 406, 410 (5th Cir. 1987) (“[A] prosecutor’s improper
argument will, in itself, exceed constitutional limitations in only the most ‘egregious cases.’”)
(citations omitted).

69

Id. at 129-30.

30

Hazlip does not show that the state court’s decision to reject this claim was unreasonable.
He is not entitled to relief on this claim. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing
the claim is granted.
V.

The Claims of Ineffective Assistance by Trial Counsel (Claim 3)
In Claims 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, and 3j, Hazlip contends that he was denied

effective assistance of counsel at his trial. After considering a detailed affidavit from Hazlip’s trial
attorney, Andrea Sadler, the state habeas corpus court rejected Hazlip’s claims because he failed to
establish that his counsel’s performance was deficient or that the outcome would have been
different, absent counsel’s alleged errors.70
A defendant’s ineffective-assistance claim is analyzed under Strickland v. Washington, 466
U.S. 668 (1984). To prevail under Strickland, a defendant must demonstrate both constitutionally
deficient performance by counsel and actual prejudice as a result. See id. at 687. “Unless a
defendant makes both showings, it cannot be said that the conviction . . . resulted from a breakdown
in the adversary process that rendered the result unreliable.” Id. Failing to show either deficient
performance or prejudice is fatal to an ineffective-assistance claim. See id. at 683; Green v.
Johnson, 160 F.3d 1029, 1035 (5th Cir. 1998).
To demonstrate deficient performance, “the defendant must show that counsel’s
representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688.
This is a “highly deferential” inquiry in which “counsel is strongly presumed to have rendered
adequate assistance” and that the challenged conduct was the product of reasoned trial strategy. Id.
at 690. To overcome this presumption, a defendant must identify counsel’s acts or omissions that

70

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 86.

31

did not result from reasonable professional judgment. Id. Counsel’s error, even if professionally
unreasonable, does not warrant setting aside a conviction if the error had no effect on the outcome.
Id. at 691. To establish prejudice, “[t]he defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability
that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.”
Id. at 694.
When, as here, the state habeas court rejected the petitioner’s ineffective-assistance claims,
the central question is not whether the federal habeas corpus court “‘believes the state court’s
determination’ under the Strickland standard ‘was incorrect but whether the determination was
unreasonable — a substantially higher standard.’” Knowles v. Mirzayance, 556 U.S. 111, 123 (2009)
(quoting Schriro v. Landrigan, 550 U.S. 465, 478 (2007)) (emphasis added). “[B]ecause the
Strickland standard is a general standard, a state court has even more latitude to reasonably
determine that a defendant has not satisfied that standard.” Id. The highly deferential standard
found in 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d) makes review of ineffective-assistance claims “doubly deferential”
on federal habeas corpus review. Knowles, 556 U.S. at 123; see also Richter, 562 U.S. at 105 (the
standards created by Strickland and § 2254(d) are both “highly deferential,” and “‘doubly’ so” when
applied in tandem) (citations and quotations omitted); Beatty v Stephens, 759 F.3d 455, 463 (5th
Cir. 2014) (same). The state court’s decision must be upheld on federal habeas review if there is any
“reasonable argument that counsel satisfied Strickland’s deferential standard.” Richter, 562 U.S.
at 105.

32

A.

The Claim of Counsel’s Failure to Investigate or Present an Insanity Defense
(Claim 3a)

Defense counsel explained in her affidavit to the state habeas corpus court that she made a
strategic decision not to present an insanity defense because Hazlip insisted that he was not the
driver of the vehicle that crashed onto Olvera’s property.71 She explained that during her discussions
with Hazlip, he “never indicated that he was insane,” and the evidence did not support that theory.72
Instead, the evidence showed that Hazlip’s actions on the night of the offense were from
intoxication, not insanity.73 Counsel chose the strategy of arguing that there was only scant
evidence showing that Hazlip was the one driving the vehicle.74
The state habeas corpus court found that defense counsel’s explanation was credible and that
the strategic reason she did not present an insanity defense was that she did not believe that it could
succeed.75 The state court found that “[Hazlip’s] behavior at the scene of the crash indicated that
he understood his behavior was illegal.”76 The state court implicitly found that Hazlip did not meet
the legal definition of insanity under Texas law.77 The record supports that finding.

71

Affidavit of Andrea Sadler, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 5.

72

Id.

73

Id.

74

Id. at 5-6.

75

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 82.

76

Id. at 83.

77

Under Texas law, insanity is an affirmative defense that requires a defendant to prove that “at the time
of the conduct charged, the actor, as a result of severe mental disease or defect, did not know that his conduct
was wrong.” Tex. Penal Code § 8.01(a). In the context of an insanity defense, the term “wrong” means
“illegal.” Ruffin v. State, 270 S.W.3d 586, 592 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008).

33

The Fifth Circuit has repeatedly held that a “‘conscious and informed decision on trial tactics
and strategy cannot be the basis for constitutionally ineffective assistance of counsel unless it is so
ill chosen that it permeates the entire trial with obvious unfairness.’” Geiger v. Cain, 540 F.3d 303,
309 (5th Cir. 5008) (citing Johnson v. Dretke, 394 F.3d 332, 337 (5th Cir. 2004) (quoting United
States v. Jones, 287 F.3d 325, 331 (5th Cir.2002)); see also Jones, 287 F.3d at 331 (“‘Informed
strategic decisions of counsel are given a heavy measure of deference and should not be second
guessed.’” (quoting Lamb v. Johnson, 179 F.3d 352, 358 (5th Cir. 1999))); Yohey v. Collins, 985
F.2d 222, 228 (5th Cir. 1993) (“Given the almost infinite variety of possible trial techniques and
tactics available to counsel, this Circuit is careful not to second guess legitimate strategic
choices.”)).
Hazlip does not present or point to any evidence that calls into question the state court’s
decision to credit defense counsel’s affidavit.78 He does not refute any of the other fact findings
made in connection with this claim. Hazlip does not allege what additional investigation would have
shown or how it would have made a difference. See Lincecum v. Collins, 958 F.2d 1271, 1279 (5th
Cir. 1992) (denying habeas relief because the petitioner “offered nothing more than the conclusory
allegations in his pleadings” to support his claim that counsel was ineffective for failing to
investigate and present evidence). Apart from pointing to his own belligerent behavior on the night
of his arrest, Hazlip does not provide any proof that he was insane at the time of the offense or show

78

Hazlip argues that his counsel’s affidavit is not credible regarding this issue because she is not a
psychologist capable of determining whether or not he was insane. See Petitioner’s Traverse, Docket Entry
No. 24-1, at 26-29. Hazlip does not allege facts or present any evidence, however, to contradict defense
counsel’s observations about her client or her assessment about his conduct on the night of the offense.
Hazlip’s bare allegations are not sufficient to overcome the state habeas corpus court’s fact findings or
credibility determinations, which are presumed correct in the absence of “clear and convincing evidence.”
28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1).

34

that insanity was a viable defense. Based on this record, he does not show that his counsel’s
strategic decision was flawed or deficient or that the state court’s decision to reject this claim was
unreasonable. He is not entitled to relief on this issue. The respondent’s motion for summary
judgment dismissing this claim is granted.
B.

The Claim that Counsel Failed to Challenge Competency (Claim 3b)

Hazlip contends that his trial counsel was deficient because she failed to properly challenge
his lack of competence to stand trial or object to the trial court’s finding that he was competent.79
Counsel responded to this allegation in her affidavit to the state habeas court, summarizing her
efforts to challenge Hazlip’s competency:
The Court made an informal inquiry as to competency, which included questioning
Mr. Hazlip and personally contacting the Montgomery County Jail regarding the
administering of Mr. Hazlip’s medications. [RR-2 14–15] The Court questioned Mr.
Hazlip on the record and the Court explained to Mr. Hazlip that the Court contacted
the jail, was informed that Mr. Hazlip was doing very well at the jail, and that he was
respectful, and that Mr. Hazlip had been compliant with regard to taking his
medication. [RR-2 18]. In making a determination as to competency, the Court
considered the fact that Dr. Walter Quijano evaluated Mr. Hazlip and determined that
Mr. Hazlip was competent to stand trial. [RR-2 26] After these findings, the Court
was satisfied that Mr. Hazlip was competent to stand trial. [RR-2 at 4–26].80
Defense counsel also explained why she believed she neither needed to, nor should, object to the
trial court’s finding that Hazlip was competent:
I believed the Court correctly handled the issue of competency in making its informal
inquiry. I therefore did not object to the trial court’s determination of competency.
I recall meeting [with] Mr. Hazlip a few days before trial was to begin, I informed
Mr. Hazlip, that for the first time since this case was indicted, we received a plea
bargain offer under the minimum 25 year sentence. I explained to Mr. Hazlip that the
State offered 15 years aggravated, or in other words, with a deadly weapon finding.
Mr. Hazlip refused the offer and told me to tell the prosecutor that he would accept
79

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 11-12; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 35-44.

80

Affidavit of Andrea Sadler, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 6.

35

the 15 year offer if she “dropped the aggravated”. I went back to the assistant district
attorney with Mr. Hazlip’s counter-offer. The prosecutor refused to drop the
aggravated. I then advised Mr. Hazlip that the prosecutor will not drop the
aggravated and Mr. Hazlip again rejected the plea offer.
As Mr. Hazlip[’s] trial attorney, I believed that he was competent in that he
understood the plea negotiation process and he fully understood the risks he was
undertaking by going to trial. He was confident that the State would have trouble
proving a necessary element of the charge — driving. It was apparent to me that [the
amount of time] he would have to serve in TDCJ would hinge on whether he entered
a plea to an aggravated charge versus a nonaggravated charge. I recommended that
he accept the plea offer, but he did not want to plea to an aggravated charge.
Although my defense expert previously determined Mr. Hazlip to be competent, I
believed I had a duty to bring the issue of competency before the Court due to the
fact that Mr. Hazlip was insisting he wasn’t getting his medication. Mr. Hazlip no
longer wanted me to represent him and he wanted to hire his own attorney [RR-2
21]. I considered that this might have been Mr. Hazlip’s way of trying to postpone
the proceedings to possibly hire an attorney or secure a better plea offer. By all
accounts, after considering the informal inquiry conducted by the Court, and
reflecting on my very own recent discussions with Mr. Hazlip concerning the
rejected plea offer and trial, as well as Mr. Hazlip’s appearance and demeanor in the
courtroom, I believed Mr. Hazlip to be competent and that the ruling was
appropriate. Mr. Hazlip appeared to me to have a rational and factual understanding
of the proceedings.81
In rejecting this claim, the state habeas corpus court credited Sadler’s account. The court found that
her decision not to pursue the competency issue was reasonable “because she believed [Hazlip] was
competent based on his interactions with her; [Hazlip] appeared to understand the legal process and
the charges against him[;] and he even offered a potential negotiation position during plea
negotiations.”82
Hazlip does not present or point to record evidence to refute his defense counsel’s assertions,
which were deemed credible on state habeas review. He fails to identify record evidence rebutting

81

Id. at 7.

82

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 83.

36

the state court’s fact findings. He does not present or point to evidence showing that he was
incompetent to stand trial. He does not allege what else his counsel could have done to challenge
his competency. He does not allege facts showing that his counsel had a specific objection that
could have been made within the limits of professional advocacy and that was likely succeed.
Absent a showing that counsel failed to raise a meritorious objection, Hazlip does not show that
counsel was deficient in not objecting or that making the objection would have changed the
outcome. See Parr v. Quarterman, 472 F.3d 245, 256 (5th Cir. 2006) (counsel was not deficient in
failing to present a meritless argument) (citation omitted); Smith v. Puckett, 907 F.2d 581, 585 n.6
(5th Cir. 1990) (“Counsel is not deficient for, and prejudice does not issue from, failure to raise a
legally meritless claim.”); Lavernia v. Lynaugh, 845 F.2d 493, 499 (5th Cir. 1988) (“Counsel cannot
be faulted for failing to pursue meritless motions.”) (citations omitted); Murray v. Maggio, 736 F.2d
279, 283 (5th Cir. 1984) (“Counsel is not required to engage in the filing of futile motions.”). Hazlip
does not show that the state court’s decision was unreasonable. He is not entitled to relief on this
issue. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is granted.
C.

The Claim of Counsel’s Failure to Object to Evidence of a 911 Call (Claim 3c)

Hazlip contends that his trial counsel was deficient because she failed to object to the
admission of a tape-recorded 911 call in which the caller described a red-and-white Chevy Blazer
being driven recklessly, running a red light, and almost hitting other vehicles.83 Hazlip contends that
he was prejudiced by his counsel’s failure to object because this evidence supported the jury’s
affirmative finding that the vehicle he was driving was a deadly weapon under state law.84 Because

83

Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 45, 47, 49-50.

84

Id.

37

the jury determined that Hazlip used a deadly weapon to commit the offense, he is not eligible for
early release from prison on mandatory supervision and he is not eligible for parole until he serves
a certain portion of his sentence.85
The state habeas corpus court found, and the record confirms, that defense counsel did object
to the introduction of the 911 call.86 The objection cited hearsay and lack of relevance due to the
lapse in time between the call and the crash on Olvera’s property.87 The trial court overruled each
objection.88 Defense counsel explained in her affidavit that she did not object further because she
believed there was sufficient evidence linking the vehicle described in the 911 call to the vehicle that
Hazlip was driving on the night of the offense.89
Hazlip does not propose any other valid objection that his counsel could have raised. He
does not otherwise show that the 911 call was improperly admitted. Because his conclusory
allegations are insufficient to demonstrate deficient performance or actual prejudice, he fails to
present a valid ineffective-assistance claim. See Day v. Quarterman, 566 F.3d 527, 540-41 (5th Cir.
2009). He is not entitled to relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). The respondent’s motion for summary
judgment dismissing this claim is granted.

85

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 8; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 51 (referencing Tex.
Gov’t Code § 508.145).
86

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 83; Court Reporter’s Record,
vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 26-30.
87

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 26-30

88

Id.

89

Affidavit of Andrea Sadler, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 8.

38

D.

The Claim of Counsel’s Failure to Impeach a Witness (Claim 3d)

Hazlip contends that his trial counsel was deficient because she failed to impeach a key
witness, Gustavo Olvera, about testimony the State used to prove that Hazlip’s vehicle was a deadly
weapon.90 Olvera’s testified that he and his four-year-old daughter were walking down the street
on the night in question when they had to quickly move out of the way to avoid being hit by the
Blazer, which passed them at a high rate of speed and crashed in a ditch on Olvera’s property.91
Hazlip contends that his counsel was deficient for failing to call her private investigator to the stand
to testify that Olvera told the investigator that he heard the vehicle crash on his property, but did not
see it happen.92
In the state habeas court, defense counsel explained that her private investigator, Escamilla,
was available to testify, but that she did not call him because Olvera had already admitted on crossexamination that he did not actually see the face of the person driving the vehicle or see the driver
exit the vehicle after it crashed.93 Because Olvera’s trial testimony did not materially deviate from
the statements he had previously made to investigator Escamilla, defense counsel did not believe
it was necessary to call Escamilla as a witness.94 To the contrary, she thought it was inadvisable

90

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 13; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 45-48.

91

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 13; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 46-47.

92

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 13; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 46-47.

93

Affidavit of Andrea Sadler, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 8.

94

Id. at 8-9.

39

trial strategy because the jury had seemed to like Mr. Olvera and she did not want to alienate the jury
by attacking him.95
In rejecting Hazlip’s claim, the state habeas corpus court found that defense counsel
“strategically chose not to impeach Olvera’s testimony because she did not want to alienate the jury;
the jury appeared to like Olvera[;] and Olvera admitted to not fully paying attention to [Hazlip]’s
vehicle as he sped by.”96 The record confirms that Olvera clarified on cross-examination that he did
not see the driver’s face as the vehicle passed him, and that he believed that Hazlip was the only
driver because he saw Hazlip walking away from the vehicle after he heard—not saw—the crash.97
Cross-examination and choices on impeaching witnesses are matters of trial strategy and are
entitled to substantial deference. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690. Hazlip does not show that his
counsel’s trial strategy was unreasonable or deficient; that testimony from the investigator would
have been anything but cumulative; or that he was prejudiced. See Chanthakoummane v. Stephens,
816 F.3d 62, 71 (5th Cir. 2016) (citing Lincecum v. Collins, 958 F.2d 1271, 1280 (5th Cir. 1992) (no
prejudice occurred when the unpresented evidence would have been cumulative of evidence already
presented)), cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 280 (2016). Hazlip does not otherwise show that the state
court’s conclusion was unreasonable. He is not entitled to relief on this claim. The respondent’s
motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is granted.

95

Id. at 9.

96

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 83.

97

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 173-76.

40

E.

The Claim of Counsel’s Failure to Object to the Jury Instructions (Claim 3e)

Hazlip challenges a special issue in the jury instructions at the guilt-or-innocence phase of
the trial. The special issue asked the jury to find whether a deadly weapon was used during the
commission of the offense.98 The following deadly-weapon instruction was given:
“Deadly weapon” means anything that in the manner of its use or intended
use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.
“Serious bodily injury” means injury that creates a substantial risk of death
or that causes death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss of
impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
“Bodily injury” means physical pain, illness or any impairment of physical
condition.
Now if you find beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of
driving while intoxicated, and if you further find beyond a reasonable doubt that the
defendant used or exhibited a deadly weapon during the commission of the offense
or during immediate flight therefrom, you will so state in your verdict, but if you do
not so find or if you have a reasonable doubt thereof, you will state that the defendant
did not use or exhibit a deadly weapon during the commission of the offense or
during immediate flight therefrom.99
Hazlip contends that his trial counsel was deficient because she did not object to the inclusion of the
word “exhibit” or to the trial court’s failure to include an application paragraph to assist the jury.100
In response to this claim, defense counsel explained that she did not object to the deadlyweapon instruction because she believed it was proper.101 The state habeas corpus court agreed,

98

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 13-14; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 45, 50-55.

99

Charge to the Jury, Docket Entry No. 19-2, at 82-83.

100

Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 54-55.

101

Affidavit of Andrea Sadler, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 9.

41

concluding that “[t]he jury charge correctly applied the law to the facts and adequately instructed
the jury on the deadly weapon finding.”102
The record does not reflect that the jury charge was wrong under state law or that the deadlyweapon instruction “so infected the entire trial that the resulting conviction violates due process.”
Estelle v. McGuire, 502 U.S. 62, 72 (1991) (quoting Cupp v. Naughten, 414 U.S. 141, 147 (1973)).
Looking at the challenged instruction in the context of the overall charge, Hazlip does not show that
the jury was likely to misapply the deadly-weapon instruction or that the state court was
unreasonable in finding the jury charge sufficient. See, e.g., Thacker v. Dretke, 396 F.3d 607, 615
(5th Cir. 2005). As a result, he does not show that trial counsel’s failure to object to the charge fell
below “an objectively reasonable standard of professional conduct.” Id. Nor does he show that the
result of his proceeding would have been different if counsel had challenged the wording or moved
for an application instruction. He does not establish deficient performance or actual prejudice and
is not entitled to relief on this claim. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing
this claim is granted.
F.

The Claim of Counsel’s Failure to Object to Numerous Errors by the Trial
Court (Claim 3f)

In his federal habeas petition, Hazlip presents a laundry list of alleged deficiencies for his
counsel’s failure to object to the trial court’s rulings.103 He presents cites to the record, but he
provides no briefing and no facts explaining why the challenged rulings were improper, what
objection his counsel should have made in response, and whether the outcome would have changed

102

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 86.

103

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 15.

42

if she had objected.104 The state habeas corpus court rejected Hazlip’s conclusory allegations,
concluding that he “failed to meet his burden of showing that counsel was ineffective for failing to
object to miscellaneous alleged trial errors.”105 “[C]onclusory allegations of ineffective assistance
of counsel do not raise a constitutional issue in a federal habeas proceeding.” Collier v. Cockrell,
300 F.3d 577, 587 (5th Cir. 2002) (citing Miller v. Johnson, 200 F.3d 274, 282 (5th Cir. 2000); Ross
v. Estelle, 694 F.2d 1008, 1012 (5th Cir. 1983)). Hazlip does not show that the state court’s
conclusion was unreasonable. He does not demonstrate that he is entitled to relief on this claim.
The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is granted.
G.

The Claim of Counsel’s Failure to Object to Bias (Claim 3g)

Hazlip contends that his defense counsel was deficient because she failed to object to
comments that indicated improper bias by the trial court.106 Hazlip appears to refer to the same
comments discussed in connection with the allegations in Claim 1c that the trial court displayed bias
against him during voir dire. Because Hazlip has not demonstrated that his trial was tainted by
unfair bias, his ineffective-assistance claim also fails. He does not establish that his counsel failed
to make a valid objection or that the result of his proceeding would have been different if she had
objected. Hazlip does not establish a viable ineffective-assistance claim or show that he is entitled
to relief on this issue. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is
granted.

104

See id.

105

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 86.

106

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 15.

43

H.

The Claim of Counsel’s Failure to Object to a Violation of “the Rule” (Claim

3h)
Hazlip contends that his trial counsel was deficient because she failed to object to a violation
of “the Rule.” Hazlip alleges that the trial court “[a]llowed ex parte and private communications
between State’s witnesses in violation of [the Rule]” and refused to remove the jury from the
courtroom to address the alleged violation.107
Rule 614 of the Texas Rules of Evidence — “the Rule” — provides that “[a]t the request of
a party the court shall order witnesses excluded so that they cannot hear the testimony of other
witnesses.” Tex. R. Evid. 614.108 Its purpose is “to prevent the testimony of one witness from
influencing the testimony of another.” Webb v. State, 766 S.W.2d 236, 239 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989)
(quoting Cook v. State, 30 Tex. App. 607, 18 S.W.412 (1892)); see also Sponsler v. State, No. 0311-00654-CR, 2013 WL 6002763, *10 (Tex. App. — Austin Nov. 8, 2013, pet. ref’d) (Rule 614
codifies the “witness-sequestration rule,” which is “designed to prevent witnesses from altering their
testimony, consciously or not, based on other witnesses’ testimony”) (citations omitted).
The record reflects that the Rule was invoked at the start of Hazlip’s trial.109 The witnesses
were instructed not to discuss the case with one another while waiting to testify.110 Defense counsel
asked for a bench conference at one point in the trial and expressed concern about “the trooper

107

Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 10, 62-63.

108

There is a corresponding provision found in Rule 615 of the Federal Rules of Evidence.

109

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 9.

110

Id.

44

talking with the State’s witnesses outside in the hallway.”111 The trial court responded by giving the
attorneys for both sides “two minutes to go outside and just make sure that they know they are
under the rule.”112 The attorneys returned and reported that the witnesses were “talking about
Mexico” and were not talking about the case.113
Hazlip presents no evidence that there was any misconduct on the part of the witnesses or
that there was a Rule violation. He does not show that his counsel had a valid objection that she
failed to make. The state court’s rejection of this claim was not unreasonable. Hazlip is not entitled
to relief on this issue. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is
granted.
I.

The Claim of Counsel’s Failure to Interview Witnesses or Know the Applicable
Law (Claim 3i)

Hazlip contends that his trial counsel was deficient because she failed to interview witnesses
or have a firm command of the applicable law.114 Once again, Hazlip recites a list of allegations
with cites to the record, but he provides no briefing and no facts showing how his attorney fell short
in any of these instances.115 Hazlip does not identify any witnesses who should and could have been
interviewed, but were not, or allege what they would have said if they had been interviewed. He
does not articulate facts showing that his attorney had a viable legal argument that she did not know
about or raise or showing that the making some other legal argument would have changed the result.

111

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 150.

112

Id.

113

Id.

114

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 16-17.

115

Id.

45

The state habeas corpus court rejected this conclusory claim after finding that defense
counsel “appeared to have adequate knowledge of all relevant areas of the law, and any lack of
knowledge had no effect on the outcome of [Hazlip’s] case.”116 The state court concluded that
Hazlip “failed to meet his burden of showing that counsel lacked knowledge of the law to the extent
that it had any effect on the outcome of the case.”117 His federal claim is also conclusory. This
court’s review of the record shows that defense counsel retained an expert to evaluate Hazlip’s
competency, filed appropriate motions, raised cogent arguments and objections throughout the trial,
capably cross-examined all of the State’s witnesses, and called several witnesses to testify on
Hazlip’s behalf during the punishment proceeding. Considering the evidence against him, Hazlip
does not show that his attorney’s overall performance was hampered by any lack of knowledge of
the facts or the applicable law. Hazlip does not show that the state court’s decision to reject this
claim was unreasonable. He is not entitled to relief on this claim. The respondent’s motion for
summary judgment dismissing this claim is granted.
J.

The Claim of Counsel’s Failure to File a Motion to Suppress (Claim 3j)

This claim has three parts.118 Hazlip contends that counsel was deficient for failing to file
an adequate motion to suppress: (1) Hazlip’s statements to Trooper Martin on the night of the
offense; (2) evidence seized as the result of Hazlip’s arrest; and (3) the blood-alcohol test results.119
An attorney’s failure to file a motion to suppress may be deficient if the evidence would have been

116

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 84.

117

Id. at 86.

118

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 17-18.

119

Id.

46

suppressed had a motion been filed. See Ward v. Dretke, 420 F.3d 479, 488 (5th Cir. 2005). The
petitioner bears the burden of proving that the evidence would have been suppressed as a result of
an adequate motion or objection. See Kimmelman v. Morrison, 477 U.S. 365, 375 (1986). Hazlip
does not meet that burden for any of the three claims.
1.

Hazlip’s Statements to Trooper Martin (Claim 3j — Part One)

The first issue is the statements Hazlip made to police on the night of the offense.120 Trooper
Martin testified that when he encountered Hazlip at the scene of the crash and asked him for
identification, which Hazlip did not have, Hazlip’s response was hard to understand because his
speech was “very slurred.”121 When asked, Hazlip could not spell his name.122 Martin noted that
Hazlip, who had been detained at the scene by Deputy Ortiz, gave incorrect information about where
he was picked up.123 He denied owning the Chevy Blazer despite evidence to the contrary.124 When
Trooper Martin asked Hazlip other questions about the crash and how it happened, he became
belligerent and began yelling profanity.125 Hazlip smelled of alcohol and appeared intoxicated.126

120

Id.

121

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 65.

122

Id. at 65-66.

123

Id. at 66.

124

Id. at 66-68.

125

Id. at 67-68.

126

Id. at 68-69.

47

Martin asked him to perform some standard field-sobriety tests.127 When Hazlip refused, Trooper
Martin arrested him for driving while intoxicated.128
Hazlip contends that his defense counsel failed to raise a violation of Miranda v. Arizona,
384 U.S. 436 (1966).129 Defense counsel explained in her affidavit filed in the state habeas court that
she filed a motion to suppress and objected to Trooper Martin’s testimony about Hazlip’s statements
before Martin testified to the jury.130 The state habeas corpus court rejected Hazlip’s allegation of
deficient performance.131 The record supports that decision.
The record shows that defense counsel filed a pretrial motion to suppress Hazlip’s statements
to police, and she reurged the motion before Trooper Martin testified.132 The trial court considered
the motion during a hearing outside the jury’s presence.133 During that hearing, Trooper Martin
testified that he spoke to Hazlip while investigating the crash and asked him several general
questions about “what happened.”134 Although Deputy Ortiz had handcuffed Hazlip because he
“was becoming belligerent and irate,”135 Trooper Martin had the handcuffs removed while he asked

127

Id. at 69.

128

Id.

129

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 17-18.

130

Affidavit of Andrea Sadler, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 9.

131

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 84.

132

Motion to Suppress, Docket Entry No. 19-2, at 62-65.

133

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 47-64.

134

Id. at 50-51.

135

Id. at 49.

48

these questions.136 After both counsel argued, the trial court denied the motion to suppress, finding
that Hazlip made the statements while temporarily detained for investigative purposes and not during
custodial interrogation.137
The record confirms that at this hearing, defense counsel cited the relevant legal authority.
She argued that Hazlip’s detention was coercive and that Trooper Martin’s questions were custodial
interrogation because Hazlip was not free to leave.138 Hazlip does not identify any other argument
his counsel could have made or that would have been successful. Based on this record, Hazlip fails
to show that his counsel’s performance was deficient or that he was actually prejudiced as a result.
Because the state court’s decision to reject this claim was not unreasonable, Hazlip is not entitled
to relief on this issue. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is
granted.
2.

Hazlip’s Arrest (Claim 3j — Part Two)

Hazlip contends that his trial counsel was deficient because she failed to adequately litigate
a motion to suppress evidence that the police seized after his arrest.139 The evidence was recovered
from the Blazer by Trooper Martin. The vehicle had to be removed by a tow truck.140 Trooper
Martin inventoried the vehicle’s contents before it was towed. Martin found an assortment of
documents with Hazlip’s name and address, including an application for food stamps, mail, and a

136

Id. at 50-51.

137

Id. at 56-64.

138

Id. at 57-64.

139

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 17-18.

140

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 72.

49

citation from the local constable.141 Martin also found cans of beer and “more stuff” bearing
Hazlip’s name.142
The record shows that defense counsel filed a motion to suppress this evidence, alleging that
it was seized in an illegal arrest.143 The trial court did not rule on the motion. Defense counsel did
not reurge it at trial. Hazlip contends that counsel was deficient because she failed to challenge the
arrest or call Deputy Ortiz as a witness at trial.144 Defense counsel explained that she did not
challenge the legality of Hazlip’s arrest at trial because she did not believe there were “strong legal
grounds” for doing so.145 She did not call Deputy Ortiz as a witness because the evidence showed
that he had handcuffed Hazlip for officer safety due to belligerent behavior, which she did not want
to emphasize.146 Defense counsel also believed that any testimony from Deputy Ortiz would only
have corroborated Trooper Martin’s testimony and would have strengthened the State’s position that
probable cause was amply proved, making the arrest clearly legal.147
In rejecting Hazlip’s claim, the state habeas corpus court found that defense counsel did not
call Deputy Ortiz as a witness because “based on her review of the discovery in this case, Ortiz
would have provided corroborative testimony of Trooper Martin, and [defense counsel] did not want

141

Id. at 72-76.

142

Id. at 76.

143

Motion to Suppress Evidence Derived from Illegal Arrest, Docket Entry No. 19-2, at 66-68.

144

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 17-18.

145

Affidavit of Andrea Sadler, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 10.

146

Id.

147

Id.

50

to bolster either officer’s credibility.”148

Nothing in the record makes this determination

unreasonable.
Hazlip does not provide a statement from Deputy Ortiz or identify what he would have said
if he had been called as a witness for the defense. “Claims of uncalled witnesses are disfavored [on
federal habeas corpus review], especially if the claim is unsupported by evidence indicating the
witnesses’s willingness to testify and the substance of the proposed testimony.” Gregory v. Thaler,
601 F.3d 347, 353 (5th Cir. 2010) (citing Harrison v. Quarterman, 496 F.3d 419, 428 (5th Cir.
2007)); see also Sayre v. Anderson, 238 F.3d 631, 635-36 (5th Cir. 2001) ( “Complaints of uncalled
witnesses are not favored in federal habeas corpus review because allegations of what a witness
would have testified are largely speculative.”) (citations omitted).
To demonstrate the required Strickland prejudice in this context, a petitioner “must show not
only that [the] testimony [of an uncalled witness] would have been favorable, but also that the
witness would have testified at trial.” Evans v. Cockrell, 285 F.3d 370, 377 (5th Cir. 2002). Hazlip
does not make this showing. He does not allege facts or provide authority showing that his defense
counsel had a meritorious basis for challenging his arrest. Hazlip’s allegations do not support an
inference that his defense counsel’s strategy was deficient or that he was actually prejudiced.
Because he does not show that the state court’s decision to reject this claim was unreasonable,
Hazlip is not entitled to relief on this claim. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment
dismissing this claim is granted.

148

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 84.

51

3.

The Claim of Counsel’s Failure to Challenge the Blood-Alcohol Test
(Claim 3j — Part Three)

Trooper Martin arrested Hazlip for DWI and took him to a local hospital, where Hazlip was
required to provide a blood sample because he had at least two prior DWI convictions.149 Camille
Stafford testified that the results of those blood tests placed Hazlip at least three times over the legal
limit for intoxication under Texas law.150 Arguing that the blood test was done without a warrant or
valid consent, Hazlip contends that his trial counsel was deficient because she failed to file an
adequate motion to suppress the test results.151
Taking a blood specimen is a search under the Fourth Amendment. See Schmerber v.
California, 384 U.S. 757, 767 (1966). Searches done without a warrant generally “are per se
unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment,” City of Ontario, Cal. v. Quon, 560 U.S. 746, 760
(2010), unless an exception to the warrant requirement applies. Some exceptions are searches
incidental to a lawful arrest, consented-to searches, or searches done in the face of exigent
circumstances. See, e.g., Arizona v. Gant, 556 U.S. 332, 338 (2009) (citing Weeks v. United States,
232 US. 383, 392 (1914)); Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 219 (1973) (citations omitted);
Kennedy v. King, 563 U.S. 452, 473 (2011) (citing Brigham City v. Stuart, 547 U.S. 398, 403
(2006)).
At the time of Hazlip’s offense in 2010 and his trial in February 2011, the Texas
Transportation Code deemed consent to obtain blood samples without a search warrant from persons
suspected of driving while intoxicated, in certain circumstances. See Tex. Transp. Code § 724.011
149

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 82-84.

150

Id. at 142.

151

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 18.

52

(West 2011). The Code provided that any person arrested for driving while intoxicated was deemed
to have consented to taking one or more specimens of blood or breath to analyze the alcoholconcentration amount or presence of a controlled substance. See id. Despite the consent, a person
retained the right to refuse to give a specimen, subject to automatic suspension of his license. Id.
§ 724.013. If the suspect refused to provide a specimen voluntarily and the arresting officer had
credible information that he had at least two prior DWI convictions, then the “taking of a specimen
of the person’s breath or blood” was mandatory. See id. § 724.012(b)(3)(B). Taking a blood sample
in these circumstances did not violate the Fourth Amendment warrant requirement. See Beeman v.
State, 86 S.W.3d 613, 616 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002) (the implied-consent and mandatory-blood-draw
provisions in the Texas Transportation Code gave “officers an additional weapon in their
investigative arsenal, enabling them to draw blood in certain limited circumstances even without a
search warrant”).
The law that authorized mandatory blood draws in DWI cases changed several years after
Hazlip’s case went to trial. In 2013, the Supreme Court issued Missouri v. McNeely, 133 S. Ct. 1552
(2013), which held that “in drunk-driving investigations, the natural dissipation of alcohol in the
bloodstream does not constitute an exigency in every case sufficient to justify conducting a blood
test without a warrant.” Id. at 1568. A year after McNeely was decided, the Texas Court of Criminal
Appeals held that “a nonconsensual search of a DWI suspect’s blood conducted pursuant to the
mandatory-blood-draw and implied-consent provisions in the Transportation Code, when undertaken
in the absence of a warrant or any applicable exception to the warrant requirement, violates the
Fourth Amendment.” State v. Villareal, 475 S.W.3d 784, 815 (Tex. Crim. App. 2014).

53

Although defense counsel filed a motion to suppress and challenged the admissibility of
Camille Stafford’s testimony at trial, counsel did not argue that the Texas implied-consent and
mandatory-blood-draw provisions of the Texas Transportation Code were unconstitutional as
applied to Hazlip. The state habeas corpus court did not fault defense counsel for failing to make
this argument, noting that “[t]he law regarding the validity of mandatory blood draw statutes was
unsettled at the time of [Hazlip’s] trial, and [defense counsel’s] failure to move to suppress a blood
test result on the basis that such statutes are unconstitutional was not outrageous.”152 The state
habeas corpus court observed that, to the extent that the Texas statute was later called into question
by McNeely and eventually invalidated by Villareal, those decisions were not issued until “years
after [Hazlip’s] case.”153 The state habeas corpus court concluded that Hazlip “failed to meet his
burden to show that [defense counsel’s] failure to move to suppress the blood test results on grounds
that the mandatory blood draw was unconstitutional fell below the objective standard of
reasonableness.”154
A review of Texas case law reflects that motions to suppress warrantless blood samples taken
under Texas Transportation Code § 724.012 were routinely denied when Hazlip was tried in
February 2011. See, e.g., Chidyausiku v. State, 457 S.W.3d 627, 630 (Tex. App. — Fort Worth
2015, pet. ref’d); Comperry v. State, 375 S.W.3d 508 (Tex. App. — Houston [14th Dist.] 2012, no
pet.); Aviles v. State, 385 S.W.3d 110 (Tex. App. — San Antonio 2012, pet. ref’d); McIntyre v.
State, No. 05-10-00213-CR, 2011 WL 2536513 (Tex. App. — Dallas June 28, 2011, pet. ref’d).

152

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 84.

153

Id. at 86 (citing Missouri v. McNeely, 133 S. Ct. 1552 (2013); State v. Villlareal, No. PD-0306-014,
2014 WL 6734178 (Tex. Crim. App. Nov. 26, 2014)).
154

Id. at 86.

54

Because Hazlip’s blood was drawn under a state statute that was presumptively valid at the time of
his trial, Hazlip does not show that his attorney acted unreasonably by failing to pursue what was
then a futile motion. Counsel is not deficient for failing to anticipate subsequent developments in
the law. See Green v. Johnson, 116 F.3d 1115, 1125 (5th Cir. 1997) (“there is no general duty on
the part of defense counsel to anticipate changes in the law . . . and that counsel is not ineffective
for failing to raise a claim that Texas courts have rejected repeatedly”) (citations omitted); accord
United States v. Fields, 565 F.3d 290, 294 (5th Cir. 2009); Lucas v. Johnson, 132 F.3d 1069, 107879 (5th Cir. 1998); see also Smith v. Murray, 477 U.S. 527, 536 (1986) (“It will often be the case
that even the most informed counsel will fail to anticipate a state appellate court’s willingness to
reconsider a prior holding or will underestimate the likelihood that a federal habeas court will
repudiate an established state rule.”). Hazlip does not demonstrate that his counsel failed to make
an argument that would have been successful when his criminal case was pending. He does not
demonstrate deficient performance or actual prejudice. Because Hazlip does not show that the state
court’s decision denying relief was unreasonable, he is not entitled to relief on this claim. The
respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is granted.
VI.

The Claim of Insufficient Evidence (Claim 4)
Hazlip contends that there was no evidence or insufficient evidence to support the jury’s

finding that a deadly weapon was used to commit the offense.155 The state habeas corpus court
rejected this claim, finding that “[t]he evidence was sufficient to support the jury’s affirmative
deadly weapon finding.”156 The state habeas court pointed to the 911 call reporting a red-and-white
155

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 12-14; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 45-56.

156

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 85 (citing Sierra v. State, 280
(continued...)

55

Chevy Blazer being driven recklessly and the testimony from Gustavo Olvera that he and his fouryear-old daughter had to get out of the way to avoid the speeding Blazer.157 Based on this evidence,
the state habeas corpus court concluded that Olvera and his daughter were “endangered by
[Hazlip’s] intoxicated driving.”158 Hazlip contends that this evidence was insufficient.
The state habeas corpus court rejected this claim on the merits. The respondent argues that
it is procedurally barred because Hazlip failed to present this issue on direct appeal, in compliance
with state law, triggering a procedural default159 Alternatively, the respondent argues that the claim
is without merit.160 This court can and does dispose of the claim on the merits without deciding
whether the procedural bar applies.
When the State has offered proof of an element or enhancement, a claim that there was “no
evidence” to support a conviction is properly construed on federal habeas corpus review as a
challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence under Jackson v. Virginia, 403 U.S. 307 (1979).
See Haley v. Cockrell, 306 F.3d 257, 266-67 (5th Cir. 2002), vacated on other grounds by Dretke
v. Haley, 541 U.S. 386 (2004). Under the Jackson standard, evidence is sufficient if, “after viewing
the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found
the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Coleman v. Johnson, 566 U.S. 650,
132 S. Ct. 2062, 2064 (2012) (per curiam) (quoting Jackson, 403 U.S. at 319) (emphasis in original).

156

(...continued)
S.W.3d 250 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009)).

157

Id. at 83.

158

Id.

159

Respondent’s Motion, Docket Entry No. 21, at 15-18.

160

Id. at 18, n.2.

56

In Texas, a “deadly weapon” is defined as “anything that in the manner of its use or intended
use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.” Tex. Penal Code § 1.07(a)(17)(B). Texas
law authorizes a deadly-weapon finding, with its impact on a defendant’s eligibility for community
supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision, in felony DWI cases. Sierra v. State, 280 S.W.3d
250, 254 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009) (citing Mann v State, 58 S.W.3d 132, 132 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001)).
Evidence is sufficient to support a deadly-weapon finding in a felony DWI case if, looking at the
evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, a rational fact-finder was permitted to
conclude that: (1) the defendant was “driving recklessly or dangerously while intoxicated”; and (2)
the motor vehicle he was driving was capable of causing death or serious bodily injury at the time
of the offense. Sierra, 280 S.W.3d at 256. “An automobile can be a deadly weapon if it is driven
so as to endanger lives.” Cates v. State, 102 S.W.3d 735, 738 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003) (citing Tyra
v. State, 897 S.W.2d 796, 798-99 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995)).
The record in this case is more than sufficient for this finding. The record evidence showed
that Hazlip was over three times the legal limit for intoxication under Texas law when his blood was
drawn four hours after he crashed his vehicle onto Gustavo Olvera’s property.161 Olvera testified
that Hazlip was driving“dangerous[ly],” well over the posted speed limit before losing control and
crashing onto his property.162 Trooper Martin testified that Olvera and his daughter were put in
danger by Hazlip’s reckless driving.163 The jury could have rationally concluded that Hazlip was
reckless — driving his Blazer while extremely intoxicated, running a red light and nearly colliding

161

Court Reporter’s Record, vol. 3, Docket Entry No. 19-6, at 142.

162

Id. at 168-69.

163

Id. at 132.

57

with other vehicles, endangering others as reported by the 911 caller. The jury could have rationally
concluded that Hazlip endangered Olvera and his daughter as he sped down the street and crashed
in to Olvera’s ditch, running over a fire hydrant in the process.164 See, e.g., Moore v. State, 520
S.W.3d 906, 912-13 (Tex. Crim. App. 2017) (reinstating a deadly weapon finding in a DWI case in
which the defendant was over three times the legal limit while driving in a potentially dangerous
manner, even though no one was seriously hurt).
Although Hazlip disagrees with the jury’s decision, the Supreme Court has emphasized that
the standard of review is highly deferential: “Jackson leaves juries broad discretion in deciding what
inferences to draw from the evidence presented at trial, requiring only that jurors ‘draw reasonable
inferences from basic facts to ultimate facts.’” Coleman, 132 S. Ct. at 2064 (quoting Jackson, 403
U.S. at 319); see also Parker v. Matthews, 567 U.S. 37, 43 (2012) (per curiam) (reversing the Sixth
Circuit’s grant of habeas relief and repeating that, under Jackson, “it is the responsibility of the jury
— not the court — to decide what conclusions should be drawn from evidence admitted at trial”)
(quoting Cavazos v. Smith, 565 U.S. 1, 132 S. Ct. 2, 4 (2011) (per curiam)). A federal habeas corpus
court may not reweigh evidence or substitute its view for that of the factfinder. See Weeks v. Scott,
55 F.3d 1059, 1062 (5th Cir. 1995). The state court’s determination as to the sufficiency of the
evidence is entitled to “considerable deference” under the AEDPA. Coleman, 132 S. Ct. at 2065;
see also Cavazos, 565 U.S. at 6 (reversing the Ninth Circuit’s decision to grant habeas relief for
failure to adhere to the doubly deferential standard of review required by § 2254(d) and Jackson).
Hazlip does not overcome that doubly deferential standard here. He does not show that the
state habeas corpus court’s conclusion was objectively unreasonable based on the facts available.

164

Id. at 71-72.

58

Hazlip is not entitled to relief on this issue. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment
dismissing this claim for lack of merit is granted.
VII.

The Claim of Ineffective Assistance by Appellate Counsel (Claim 5)
In Claims 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5e, Hazlip contends that he was denied effective assistance of

counsel during his direct appeal.165 With the exception of Claim 5d, which was not raised on state
collateral review, the state habeas corpus court concluded that Hazlip was not entitled to relief after
considering and finding credible an affidavit from Hazlip’s appellate counsel.166
A claim of ineffective assistance on appeal is governed by the test Strickland v. Washington.
See Smith v. Murray, 477 U.S. 527, 535-36 (1986) (applying Strickland to a claim of ineffective
assistance of counsel on appeal). To establish that appellate counsel’s performance was deficient,
the defendant must show that his counsel was objectively unreasonable in failing to raise arguable
nonfrivolous issues. Smith v. Robbins, 528 U.S. 259, 285 (2000). If the defendant succeeds in
showing this, then he must establish actual prejudice by demonstrating a “reasonable probability”
that, but for his counsel’s deficient performance, “he would have prevailed on his appeal.” Id.
Hazlip does not make this showing with respect to any of his ineffective-assistance claims.
A.

The Claim That His Sentence Was Illegal (Claim 5a)

Hazlip repeats his claim that his sentence was illegal because the State did not present
sufficient proof that he had two prior DWI convictions to enhance the misdemeanor offense to a
felony. Hazlip contends that his appellate counsel was deficient for failing to raise this claim on

165

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 8-9, 14, 19-20.

166

See Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 82, 86; see also Affidavit
of Patricia Maginnis, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 2-4.

59

appeal.167 Appellate counsel explained in her affidavit that she did not raise this issue on appeal
because the record contained judgments of Hazlip’s prior DWI convictions that were supported by
Department of Public Safety driving records, which are considered sufficient to support the felony
enhancement.168 Hazlip has not shown that his sentence was illegally enhanced. He cannot show
that his appellate counsel was deficient for not raising this claim, or that the state court’s decision
to deny relief was unreasonable. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this
claim is granted.
B.

The Claim of Prosecutorial Misconduct (Claim 5b)

Hazlip contends that his appellate counsel was deficient for failing to raise on appeal the
prosecutor’s remark during closing argument about Trooper Martin’s conversation with an
unidentified witness who identified Hazlip as the driver.169 As discussed in connection with Claim
2, Hazlip did not show prosecutorial misconduct. Appellate counsel reviewed the trial transcript and
reached the same conclusion, noting that the error, if any, was harmless because “the record had
substantial evidence linking [Hazlip] to the vehicle.”170 Hazlip does not show that his counsel’s
decision to focus on other grounds for relief was deficient or that the result of his appeal would have
been any different if appellate counsel had raised this issue. Hazlip does not demonstrate ineffective
assistance and does not show that the state court’s decision to reject this claim was unreasonable.
The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is granted.

167

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 8; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 11-18.

168

Affidavit of Patricia Maginnis, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 2-3.

169

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 8-10; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 19-26.

170

Affidavit of Patricia Maginnis, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 3-4.

60

C.

The Claim of Insufficient Evidence to Support the Deadly-Weapon Finding
(Claim 5c)

Hazlip contends that his appellate counsel was deficient for failing to challenge the lack of
evidence in support of the jury’s deadly-weapon finding.171 Appellate counsel explained that she
did not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence for this finding because she believed that “the
deadly weapon finding was sufficiently supported.”172 The state habeas corpus court concluded that
there was sufficient evidence to support the finding.173 Hazlip has not shown that this conclusion
was objectively unreasonable. Because Hazlip does not demonstrate that his appellate counsel failed
to raise a meritorious issue on appeal or that the result would have been different if she had, he does
not show that the state court’s decision to reject this claim was unreasonable. He is not entitled to
relief on this claim. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is
granted.

171

Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 55-56.

172

Affidavit of Patricia Maginnis, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 4.

173

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 85 (citing Sierra v. State, 280
S.W.3d 250 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009)).

61

D.

The Claim of Counsel’s Failure to Adequately Brief the Erroneous Admission
of Retrograde-Extrapolation Evidence (Claim 5d)

Hazlip contends that his appellate counsel was deficient for failing to adequately brief the
erroneous admission of the retrograde-extrapolation evidence of his blood-alcohol level.174 The
respondent argues that a procedural default bars this claim because Hazlip did not raise it on state
collateral review.175 Hazlip’s failure to present this claim properly in state court is a procedural
default that bars federal habeas corpus review. See Fearance v. Scott, 56 F.3d 633, 642 (5th Cir.
1995) (the Texas abuse-of-the-writ statute that restricts successive habeas applications is regularly
and strictly applied, constituting an independent and adequate procedural rule that bars federal
review). Because Hazlip does not demonstrate cause for his default or show that any other exception
applies, this claim is procedurally barred. See Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722 (1991).
Alternatively, the claim is without merit. As discussed in more detail in Claim 1d, trial and
appellate counsel challenged the retrograde-extrapolation estimate Camille Stafford made during
trial on Hazlip’s blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash, hours before his blood sample was
drawn. The intermediate court of appeals agreed this testimony was admitted in error. See Hazlip,
2012 WL 4466352, at * 4. The court of appeals held, however, that the error was harmless because
the State did not emphasize the estimate and there was ample other evidence showing that Hazlip
was intoxicated. See id. at * 5-6. Hazlip does not suggest what else his appellate attorney could
have done. He does not demonstrate that his counsel had but failed to make any particular argument
or that it would have been successful. His allegations establish neither deficient performance nor
actual prejudice. Hazlip does not show that he was denied effective assistance of counsel on appeal
174

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 19-20; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 78-85.

175

Respondent’s Motion, Docket Entry No. 21, at 8-10.

62

with respect to this issue. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is
granted.
E.

The Claim that the Jury Instructions were Improper (Claim 5e)

Hazlip contends that his appellate counsel was deficient for failing to argue that the jury
instructions on whether a deadly weapon was used during the offense were defective.176 As
discussed in Claim 3e, Hazlip did not show that the deadly-weapon instructions were erroneous.
He did not demonstrate that his trial or appellate counsel had but failed to make a valid argument
on this issue. Hazlip does not show that his appellate counsel was deficient for failing to challenge
the jury instructions on the use of a deadly weapon. He does not demonstrate that the state court’s
decision to reject this claim was unreasonable.
Hazlip also contends that his appellate counsel was deficient for failing to adequately brief
whether the jury instructions given during the punishment phase were deficient because the jury was
not told that evidence of prior bad acts could be considered only if the conduct was proven to have
occurred beyond a reasonable doubt.177 The record reflects that the intermediate court of appeals
considered this issue at length and, after reviewing the evidence and arguments of counsel,
concluded that Hazlip was not harmed due to the lack of such an instruction. See Hazlip, 2012 WL
4466352, at *6-9. Hazlip does not propose any other argument that his appellate counsel could have
made that would have been successful. Hazlip does not demonstrate that his appellate counsel had
but failed to raise a meritorious argument that would have changed the result on appeal. He does
not demonstrate that his counsel was constitutionally ineffective or that the state court’s decision

176

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 14; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 45-47.

177

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 20.

63

to reject this claim was unreasonable. Hazlip is not entitled to relief on this claim. The respondent’s
motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is granted.
VIII. The Claim of Cumulative Error (Claim 6)
Hazlip finally contends that he is entitled to relief because the cumulative effect of errors
denied him a fair trial.178 His argument fails. Federal habeas corpus relief may be granted for
cumulative errors in the conduct of a state trial when: (1) the individual errors were constitutional
violations, not violations of state law; (2) the errors were not procedurally defaulted for purposes
of habeas corpus review; and (3) the errors “so infected the entire trial that the resulting conviction
violates due process.” Turner v. Quarterman, 481 F.3d 292, 301 (5th Cir. 2007) (citing Derden v.
McNeel, 978 F.2d 1453, 1454 (5th Cir. 1992) (en banc) (quoting Cupp v. Naughten, 414 U.S. 141,
146-49 (1973)); see also Nobles v. Scott, 69 F.3d 1255, 1275 (5th Cir. 1995). When individual
allegations of error are not of constitutional stature or are not errors, there is “nothing to cumulate.”
Turner, 481 F.3d at 301 (citations omitted).
The state habeas court concluded that Hazlip “failed to meet his burden of showing that
cumulative error existed so as to cause him any harm.”179 Hazlip has not shown any error of
constitutional dimension in this case. He has not shown that his trial was so permeated with error
that his conviction or sentence violates due process, or that the state court’s conclusion denying this
claim was objectively unreasonable. Hazlip has not demonstrated that cumulative error warrants
habeas corpus relief. The respondent’s motion for summary judgment dismissing this claim is
granted.

178

Petition, Docket Entry No. 1, at 14-15; Brief in Support, Docket Entry No. 9, at 57-67.

179

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Docket Entry No. 20-22, at 86.

64

IX.

Conclusion and Order
The respondent’s motion for summary judgment, (Docket Entry No. 21), is granted. The

federal habeas corpus petition filed by Rodney Keith Hazlip, (Docket Entry No. 1), is denied. This
case is dismissed with prejudice. An order of final judgment be separately entered.
Rule 11 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases requires a district court to issue or deny
a certificate of appealability when entering a final order adverse to the petitioner. A certificate of
appealability will not issue unless the petitioner makes “a substantial showing of the denial of a
constitutional right.” 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). The petitioner must demonstrate “that reasonable
jurists would find the district court’s assessment of the constitutional claims debatable or wrong.”
Tennard v. Dretke, 542 U.S. 274, 282 (2004) (quoting Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484
(2000)). When the denial of relief is based on procedural grounds, the petitioner must show not only
that “jurists of reason would find it debatable whether the petition states a valid claim of the denial
of a constitutional right,” but also that they “would find it debatable whether the district court was
correct in its procedural ruling.” Slack, 529 U.S. at 484. Hazlip fails to make these showings. A
certificate of appealability will not issue.
SIGNED on September 27, 2017, at Houston, Texas.
______________________________________
Lee H. Rosenthal
Chief United States District Judge

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