State of Louisiana v. El Jerico Jermiah Bartie A/K/A El Jerico Bartie

STATE OF LOUISIANA
COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT

19-497

STATE OF LOUISIANA

VERSUS

EL JERICO JERMIAH BARTIE

**********
APPEAL FROM THE
FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
PARISH OF CALCASIEU, No. 26425-14
HONORABLE RONALD F. WARE, JUDGE

**********

JONATHAN W. PERRY
JUDGE

**********

Court composed of Sylvia R. Cooks, Elizabeth A. Pickett, and Jonathan W. Perry,
Judges.

DEFENDANT’S CONVICTIONS AND SENTENCES VACATED; CASE
REMANDED TO THE TRIAL COURT FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS.

Pickett, J., concurs in the result.

Annette Roach
Louisiana Appellate Project
P. O. Box 1747
Lake Charles, LA 70602-1747
(337) 436-2900
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT:
El Jerico Jermiah Bartie

Honorable John F. DeRosier
District Attorney, 14th Judicial District Court
Parish of Calcasieu
Karen C. McLellan
Assistant District Attorney
Elizabeth B. Hollins
Assistant District Attorney
901 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 800
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 437-3400
COUNSEL FOR:
State of Louisiana

PERRY, Judge.

Defendant, El Jerico Jermiah Bartie, appeals the trial court’s determination

that he knowingly and intelligently waived his right to trial by jury. We vacate

Defendant’s convictions and sentences, and remand to the trial court.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

The basic facts of this case were summarized in our earlier opinion in this

matter, State v. Bartie 18-913 (La.App. 3 Cir. 5/1/19) (unpublished opinion), as

follows:

On July 24, 2014, Defendant, El Jerico Bartie, and his wife were
in a hotel room in Sulphur, Louisiana when, acting on a tip as to
Defendant’s location, SWAT team members of local law enforcement
attempted to serve an arrest warrant on him at the hotel. Testimony
indicated that the warrant was related to an earlier drive-by shooting.
During a standoff, lasting approximately thirty minutes, Defendant
fired multiple times through the door and out the back window of the
room at eight officers. Defendant ultimately surrendered and was
arrested. Upon entering the hotel room, officers discovered Defendant’s
wife in the bathtub of the room with a gunshot to her leg inflicted by
Defendant.

A grand jury indicted Defendant on October 16, 2014, on the
charges of assault by drive-by shooting, a violation of La.R.S. 14:37.1;
attempted second degree murder, a violation of La.R.S. 14:27 and
14:30.1; and attempted first degree murder of seven individuals, a
violation of La.R.S. 14:27 and 14:30. The State filed an amended bill
of information on February 16, 2018, charging Defendant with assault
by drive-by shooting, attempted second degree murder, and eight
counts of attempted first degree murder. The State amended the bill of
information again on February 22, 2018, reiterating the same charges
but alleging that the eight counts of attempted first degree murder were
committed with the specific intent to kill more than one person.[1]

On February 11, 2015, Defendant, through appointed counsel,
filed a motion to waive his right to a jury trial. The trial court granted
that motion on the same day. At the commencement of the resulting
bench trial, the State indicated its intention to initially try eight counts
of attempted first degree murder. It severed the remaining counts.

Following a multi-day trial, the trial court found Defendant guilty
as charged on all eight counts and thereafter sentenced Defendant to the

1
Under the provisions of La.R.S. 14:27 and 14:30, Defendant was entitled to be tried by
a jury.

maximum of fifty years at hard labor on each of the eight counts. The
sentences were ordered to run concurrently and with credit for time
served on each of the eight counts. The State then filed a habitual
offender bill of information at that time seeking to enhance Defendant’s
conviction on the eighth count of attempted first degree murder. At the
resulting hearing, the trial court found Defendant to be “at least a fourth
felony offender” and vacated the previously-imposed sentence of fifty
years on the eighth count of attempted first degree murder. The trial
court then re-sentenced Defendant to the mandatory minimum sentence
of fifty years at hard labor, without benefit of parole, probation, or
suspension of sentence, and with credit for time served on that count.
That sentence was ordered to run concurrently with the previously
imposed sentences on the seven counts of attempted first degree
murder.

....

As indicated in appellate counsel’s Anders brief, Defendant’s
trial counsel filed a Motion and Order to Waive Jury Trial that was
granted by the trial court. Although the motion was signed by
Defendant’s attorney, the motion was not signed by Defendant.
Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 780, however, provides
that a motion for waiver of trial by jury “shall be signed by the
defendant and shall also be signed by defendant’s counsel unless the
defendant has waived his right of counsel.” As observed by appellate
counsel, the written motion includes no indication that Defendant’s
attorney discussed the waiver with Defendant. Neither is there
indication by minute entry that the trial court addressed the waiver with
Defendant in open court. Given those factors, as well as the record’s
silence as a whole as to Defendant’s waiver, we find that a remand for
evidentiary hearing on the jury waiver issue is required. See, e.g., State
v. Cooley, 15-40 (La.App. 3 Cir. 6/3/15), 165 So.3d 1237, appeal after
remand, 15-916 (La.App. 3 Cir. 4/27/16) (unpublished opinion), writ
denied, 16-1024 (La. 9/15/17), 225 So.3d 482.

....

Defendant’s convictions and sentences are conditionally
affirmed. The trial court shall conduct an evidentiary hearing within
thirty days of the date of this opinion to determine whether Defendant
knowingly and intelligently waived his right to trial by jury. The trial
court is further ordered to prepare and lodge an appellate record with
this court that contains the transcript of the above-referenced
evidentiary hearing within ten days of the hearing. Once that record is
lodged with this court, the State and Defendant will be given the
opportunity to file briefs should either party wish to raise any issue
arising from the hearing.

2

Thereafter, on May 30, 2019, the trial court, as directed by this court,

conducted a hearing to determine whether Defendant knowingly and intelligently

waived his right to a trial by jury.

The first witness to testify at the evidentiary hearing was Heath Dorsey (“Mr.

Dorsey”), the attorney who filed the written waiver of a trial by jury. Mr. Dorsey

testified that he worked for the Calcasieu Parish Public Defender’s Office (“PDO”)

from 2011 to 2016, during which time he represented Defendant in this criminal

matter. Although Mr. Dorsey recalled representing Defendant in this matter, he did

not recall whether he was the person who actually represented Defendant at

arraignment.2 Thus, Mr. Dorsey did not recall whether Defendant requested a trial

by jury at arraignment. However, Mr. Dorsey did recall that he filed a motion and

order to waive a trial by jury in this matter. When asked if he recalled discussing

the motion with Defendant before filing it, Mr. Dorsey replied, “I don’t have a

particular recollection of discussing the waiver with [Defendant].” Mr. Dorsey also

testified that he did not recall whether he spoke with Defendant on the day he filed

the motion. According to Mr. Dorsey, he typically speaks to his clients before he

files motions on their behalf. When asked if he would have signed the motion stating

that Defendant wanted to waive a trial by jury without having a basis for doing so,

Mr. Dorsey answered, “I think any motion that a lawyer files, he has to have a good

faith basis to - - to file the motion.” Mr. Dorsey assumed that he was acting in good

faith when he filed the motion to waive a trial by jury in this case. Finally, the

2
The record reflects Defendant was represented by multiple court-appointed lawyers
during the course of this prosecution. Mr. Dorsey represented Defendant from the beginning of
this case in late 2014 until late 2015. Ralph Williams appeared on Defendant’s behalf on July 14,
2016, at a re-fixing of a status conference. On October 5, 2016, Jacob Richard appeared on
Defendant’s behalf and filed a Motion to Appoint Sanity Commission in May 2017. On May 25,
2017, Catherine Stagg was appointed to represent Defendant. Ms. Stagg remained as counsel until
the appointment of the Louisiana Appellate Project for purposes of his appeal. Ms. Stagg was re-
appointed for purposes of the remand hearing ordered by this Court. Defendant is again
represented on this appeal by the Louisiana Appellate Project.
3

following colloquy took place between the State and Mr. Dorsey regarding the

irrevocability of the motion to waive a trial by jury:

Q. Considering the fact that this would be irrevocable, would you
have just filed this willy-nilly without discussing it with your client?
Just by chance?

A. You’re asking me to speculate. I don’t know that I can answer
that question.

Q. As part of your practice would you file something that’s
irrevocable without speaking to your client about it?

A. I don’t believe so.

The following colloquy then took place between Mr. Dorsey and the trial

court:

EXAMINATION BY THE COURT:

Q. Mr. Dorsey, you say that you don’t have a specific or a particular
recollection of speaking to Mr. Bartie about filing this motion to waive
trial by jury. Would you have filed it without discussing it with him,
even though you may not recall the particulars?

A. I don’t believe so, Your Honor.

Q. And, Mr. Dorsey, you realize that - - you agree that the right to
trial by jury is a fundamental right - - is a fundamental right?

A. Your Honor, as far as I am - - my recollection is that it’s
enshrined in the Constitution.

The next witness to testify at the evidentiary hearing was Kiara Mumford (Ms.

Mumford”), a felony investigator for the District Attorney’s Office.3 According to

Ms. Mumford, a record of jail calls shows Defendant made a call to the PDO on

3
According to Ms. Mumford, she listened to jail calls associated with Defendant’s case.
Defendant’s attorney objected to the admissibility of testimony regarding the jail calls and to the
admissibility of the jail calls themselves based on attorney-client privilege. The State informed
the court that it did not intend to discuss the contents of any jail call but intended only to discuss
that a call was made. As for the relevancy of the evidence, the State informed the court that on the
same day the motion to waive the jury trial was filed, there was a jail call between Defendant and
the Public Defender’s Office. The trial court allowed the admission of the evidence because of
the nature of the hearing and because of Defendant’s limited waiver of his attorney-client privilege
for the hearing. As elaborated infra in its oral reasons for judgment, the trial court attributed
“minimal value” to this jail call.
4

February 11, 2015. The motion to waive a trial by jury was filed on February 11,

2015. The call lasted nine minutes and eleven seconds and was made at 4:41 p.m.

On cross-examination, Ms. Mumford and defense counsel had the following

colloquy regarding the “pin numbers” used by prisoners to make phone calls:

Q. Do you know anything about pin numbers that prisoners are
given to make phone calls?

A. I’m aware of the pin numbers, yes, ma’am.

Q. Okay. Are you aware that in order for a prisoner to make a phone
call they have to put their pin number into the - - somehow into the
telephone like they’re making a call?

A. Yes, ma’am.

Q. Okay. Are you aware of the procedure or the practice among
many prisoners to share pin numbers and use other people’s pin
numbers?

A. I’m not. No, ma’am.

Q. You’ve never heard of that?

A. No, ma’am. I’m not - -

When asked if Defendant would have been the only person that had the pin number

used in the call at issue, Ms. Mumford replied, “I assume so, yes, ma’am.” Ms.

Mumford was not aware, however, of any restrictions on the ability of someone else

to use the pin number.

The State introduced numerous exhibits:

• A bill of information filed on January 26, 2010, charging Defendant with
possession of cocaine, and minutes of arraignment showing Defendant waived
the appearance of counsel for purposes of arraignment, pled not guilty and
requested a trial by jury. (S-3 in globo).

• An indictment filed on November 29, 2007, charging Defendant with
possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana, and minutes of
arraignment showing Defendant pled not guilty. (S-3 in globo). Minutes of
arraignment also show that Defendant appeared without counsel and that the
trial court ordered a jury trial. (S-3 in globo). A written Waiver of
Constitutional Rights and Plea of Guilty filed on June 16, 2008, and minutes
dated that same date, show Defendant pled guilty to possession of cocaine
5

after being advised of and waiving his constitutional rights, including the right
to be tried by a jury. (S-5 in globo).

• A bill of information filed on March 12, 2007, charging Defendant with illegal
discharge of a weapon, and minutes of arraignment showing Defendant pled
not guilty and requested a jury trial. (S-3 in globo).

• An indictment filed on October 13, 2011, charging Defendant with possession
with the intent to distribute cocaine (later amended to possession of CDS II),
and minutes of arraignment showing Defendant pled not guilty and requested
a jury trial. (S-3 in globo; S-5 in globo).

• A bill of information filed on October 16, 2012, charging Defendant with two
counts of simple burglary. (S-5 in globo).

• A written Waiver of Constitutional Rights and Plea of Guilty filed on January
2, 2013, and minutes dated that same date, showing Defendant plead guilty to
one count of simple burglary,4 one count of possession of CDS II,5 and one
probation violation. (S-4). The written form and minutes show Defendant
was advised of his right to jury trial and waived that right. (S-4).

• A bill of information filed on June 1, 2009, charging Defendant with one count
of possession of cocaine and one count of simple burglary. (S-5 in globo). A
written Waiver of Constitutional Rights and Plea of Guilty filed on April 5,
2010, showing Defendant pled guilty to possession of cocaine after being
advised of and waiving his constitutional rights, including his right to be tried
by a jury. (S-5 in globo).

• The bill of indictment filed in the present case and the minutes of arraignment
wherein Defendant entered a plea of not guilty and requested a jury trial.

The State acknowledged that some of the charging instruments introduced in S-3 in

globo may not have resulted in convictions. The State asserted that the purpose of

introducing the evidence was to show Defendant’s knowledge of his right to a trial

by jury because Defendant had been arraigned multiple times, opting for a trial by

jury at each arraignment.

As exhibit S-6, the State introduced a copy of the transcript in the current

judge-tried case wherein Defendant testified at trial after being advised of his right

against self-incrimination, after indicating he understood that right, after stating that

4
This is the same simple burglary charged on October 16, 2012.
5
This is the same possession of CDS II charged on October 13, 2011.
6

he had a ninth-grade education, after stating he understood how to read and write,

and after being found competent to testify. Defense counsel objected to S-6, arguing

the transcript was not relevant to the issue of Defendant’s waiver of his right to a

trial by jury. Defense counsel noted that S-6 involved Defendant’s right to testify or

not testify, not Defendant’s right to waive a trial by jury and occurred three years

after the written waiver of a trial by jury was filed. The State responded to the

objection by arguing the transcript was relevant to show Defendant was alert and

testified at trial. The State cited State v. Houston, 94-592 (La.App. 5 Cir. 12/14/94),

648 So.2d 948, a case in which the fifth circuit found Houston knowingly and

intelligently waived her right to a trial by jury. Houston was advised of her right to

a trial by jury at arraignment and was present on the morning of trial when her

attorney told the court that Houston wanted to waive her right to a trial by jury. The

court noted that Houston did not object to her counsel’s statement and noted that

Houston’s later testimony at trial indicated that she was aware and alert. Finally, the

court noted that Houston had prior experience as an accused in a criminal

prosecution.

The trial court in the present case then asked the State about how long before

Houston’s testimony at trial had the waiver of a trial by jury occurred. The State

responded:

It was waived that morning, but the State still believes it’s
relevant to show that the defendant understood at the time of when he
-- when he was advised by the Court that he understood his rights, as
well as in the past. Because he’s been - - if you put everything together,
as I expressed earlier, you look at all the times this gentleman has been
arraigned and before the Court and informed of his rights, all the times
that he waived his constitutional rights was explained [sic], which is
even a higher standard than just a waiver of a jury trial. He pled guilty.
He gave up all his rights. There’s a colloquy. So if you put it all
together in his understanding of his rights at the time of the trial, the
State thinks it’s quite relevant because it paints a picture of a defendant
who’s quite used to and knowledgeable on the criminal system, knew

7

that he had a right to a jury trial multiple times, waived it this time and
did not complain of it.

The trial court admitted S-6, and defense counsel objected for the reasons she had

previously asserted. Defense counsel also noted that three years lapsed between the

written waiver of Defendant’s right to a trial by jury and his trial by a judge.

Additionally, defense counsel noted, there was a sanity hearing between the motion

to waive a trial by jury and Defendant’s waiver of his right against self-incrimination

at trial.

Finally, the State introduced S-7, a transcript of a status hearing held on

February 9, 2018. The transcript shows that a plea bargain was offered but

Defendant rejected it. At that time, it was mentioned that Defendant, who was

present at the hearing, was going to be tried in a bench trial. Defense counsel

objected to the introduction of S-7, arguing that the bench trial was discussed merely

in terms of trial scheduling and not in terms of whether Defendant was voluntarily

and intelligently waiving a jury trial. The State responded:

Your Honor, it too is part of the record. But if you look at the
fact that the defendant, who the State is going to argue knew the right
between a judge and a jury trial the whole time based on his being
before the Court so often. At that time he was told it’s going to be a
bench trial. So if he says, I didn’t know about it in the past, he knew
about it a month before the trial. He did not object to it. And, again,
going back to the transcript offered before, he understood his rights at
that time, when he went to testify at court, he was knowledgeable as far
as that went. So the State thinks it’s quite relevant to say it was
discussed a month prior and he did not object to it at all.

The trial court admitted S-7. The State rested.

At defense counsel’s request, the trial court accepted the following stipulation:

THE COURT:

I’ll accept that stipulation that all of the matters previously shown
or presented to the Court by way of the State’s Exhibits 3, 4 - - and
that’s it. Really, 3 and 4.

8

MS. DEVILLE: [Counsel for the State]

Just so we’re clear too, there may have been two Bills of
Information and minutes from arrangements [sic] that he was arraigned
on - -

THE COURT:

Included - -

MS. DEVILLE:

- - but it resulted in - - did not result in a trial. They may have
been subsequently dismissed, but . . .

THE COURT:

Right. All of the convictions had, and all of these matters, by - -
was by way of a guilty plea, other than the case that we’re here on today.

MS. DEVILLE:

Yes, Your Honor.

THE COURT:

That’s the stipulation that - - right, Ms. Stagg?

MS. STAGG: [Defense Counsel]

Correct.

THE COURT:

Stipulation is admitted into evidence.

Defendant called one witness, Andrew Casanave (“Mr. Casanave”), a

supervising attorney for the PDO. Mr. Casanave testified that he had no personal

knowledge of Defendant’s case. According to Mr. Casanave, it is rare for a trial by

jury to be waived at a felony arraignment. Mr. Casanave testified that the standard

procedure at arraignment is to waive formal reading of the bill, enter a plea of not

guilty, and request a trial by jury. When asked if the standard procedure at the PDO

was to always request a trial by jury, Mr. Casanave replied, “Until further notice,

9

absolutely.” Mr. Casanave further stated, “You don’t waive a - - you don’t waive a

constitutional right cavalierly.”

As for phone calls received by the PDO, Mr. Casanave testified that the phone

rings “constantly” and that there are multiple lines. There are times, Mr. Casanave

testified, that a person calling the PDO has to wait a significant time on hold.

According to Mr. Casanave, prisoners have a time limit to their phone conversations.

When asked if phone calls go through the secretaries and investigators just as much

as they go through an attorney, Mr. Casanave replied, “Yeah.” Mr. Casanave

testified that he frequently receives calls from clients who hand the phone to another

inmate during the phone call, and he has had clients use other prisoner’s pin

numbers.

On cross-examination, Mr. Casanave testified that he has never filed a motion

to waive a trial by jury without speaking to his client about the waiver. Mr. Casanave

testified that his employment overlapped with Mr. Dorsey’s employment at the

PDO, and Mr. Dorsey seemed to know his cases. Mr. Casanave also testified that to

some extent, he supervised Mr. Dorsey.

Defendant chose not to testify at the hearing. Thus, both parties rested and

then submitted argument.6

The State began its argument by noting jurisprudence that recognizes a jury

trial waiver need not be accompanied by the same colloquy as a guilty plea and that

states the validity of each waiver depends on the unique circumstances of each case.

6
We note that prior to resting, Defendant’s attorney, Ms. Stagg, notified the trial court that
she was prepared to give brief testimony and that Defendant had waived any attorney-client
privilege as to the issue about which she would testify. The trial court expressed concern over Ms.
Stagg testifying, and Ms. Stagg informed the court that the purpose of her testimony would be to
say that she and Defendant never discussed “the issue.” The trial court responded, “Well, I don’t
want to get ahead of everybody and all of us, but there’s been no testimony that you did discuss it
with your client.” Ms. Stagg responded, “Well in that case I’ll just rest. I have nothing further to
add.”
10

The State also cited State v. Bazile, 12-2243 (La. 5/7/13), 144 So.3d 719, for the

proposition that for a defendant’s waiver of a trial by jury to be knowing and

intelligent, the defendant need only understand “that the choice confronting him is

on one hand to be judged by a group of his people from his community, and on the

other hand to have his guilt or innocence determined by the judge.” Referring to

Defendant’s numerous prior arraignments – April 2, 2007; January 14, 2008; March

29, 2010; October 28, 2011; and October 27, 2014 – the State asserted that “it would

be hard for us to believe that he did not know that he had that fundamental right.”

The State also referenced that Defendant pled guilty on three different occasions,

thereby waiving his right to a trial by jury on each occasion. Significantly, the State

argued, Mr. Dorsey represented Defendant in his most prior recent guilty plea in

2013:

And Mr. Heath Dorsey, according to the minutes, indicated that he had
gone through his rights with his client and his client was pleading
guilty. In addition to that, Mr. Dorsey signed that waiver, along with
his client. So obviously they had had conversations before about the
defendant’s right to a trial by jury, and that one was before Your Honor.
You were the judge in that matter.

Although Mr. Dorsey did not remember discussing the motion to waive jury

trial with Defendant, the State noted that Mr. Dorsey testified that the right to a jury

trial is a fundamental right “enshrined into the Constitution.” Thus, the State argued

that it was logical to assume Mr. Dorsey talked with Defendant before filing the

motion, especially since Mr. Dorsey represented to the trial court that Defendant was

waiving a trial by jury. Additionally, the State noted that on the same day the motion

to waive trial by jury was filed, a nine-minute phone call using Defendant’s pin

number was received by the PDO.

The State concluded its argument as follows:

When we get closer to the trial that actually occurred, a month
prior to that, as introduced in State’s Exhibit 7, is a status hearing, I

11

guess, for lack of a better word, and there’s a transcript. And on that
day the defendant rejects any plea offer the State is giving him. But if
you look at page 16 on to 17, the District Attorney’s Office indicates
that there’s a double petit that on the week of February-whatever she
would be having jury trial cases and the following week it would be a
bench trial. And Your Honor chimed in, “As a bench trial, correct.”
And the defendant went on to say that he was waiving his right to - -
the guilty plea or the plea bargain, and he was ready for trial. The State
contends, if he didn’t want a judge trial, that would have been a very
good time to say, that’s not what I wanted. He didn’t do that. And then
we have his testimony a month later where he is also coherent and
intelligently waives his rights and testifies at trial. If you put all of these
things together, the fact that this defendant had such a history and
knowledge of the criminal justice system, we know that at least at the
five arraignments and the three guilty pleas, there’s a mention of a right
to a jury trial.

So here we are some three years later and he’s getting tried as a
judge trial. The State find sit [sic] hard to believe that the defendant
did not want the judge trial, did not understand or did not know that he
had his options to do - - to have a jury trial instead.

And the case that I initially stated, which was the Houston case,
is - - what I stated earlier, it’s very similar to the facts here. We look to
everything, including the criminal history. And I think that’s what it is
most importantly. His prior experiences in the criminal prosecution
indicated that he had knowledge and he was making a knowing and
intelligent waiver of that right. And, again, I just go back to the fact
that the year before this same attorney represented him, the same
attorney discussed his rights with him, he waived his right to a jury trial
at that time. He knew that it existed. So for this attorney to have filed
this motion to waive the jury trial, which is a fundamental right
ingrained - - or instilled in the Constitution, without having talked to
the defendant or having him waive that right, the State just - - that just
cannot be. The State feels that it’s met its burden of showing that this
defendant in fact did knowingly and intelligently waive his right to a
trial by jury.

In response, defense counsel argued as follows:

There’s been no evidence whatsoever as to the defendant’s
mental state in 2014 up to February of 2015 when this motion was filed.
We don’t know what his mental capacity was or what he did or did not
understand. I’ll point out that there was a sanity hearing sometime
thereafter. I was not counsel at that time, so I can’t even say what
caused that, but there was evidently some concern by the Court and by
the counsel that there was some mental issue to be reviewed before the
case could go forward at that time.

The only really [sic] evidence, true evidence, that we have about
what happened on or before February 11, 2015 is the motion on its face

12

as well as Mr. Dorsey’s testimony. And his testimony was he has no
recollection particularly of this case. He also stated, and we would all
agree, that he - - I’m sure he was in good faith when he filed his motion
in accordance with the rules where your signature affirms that you’re
submitting it in good faith. But, you know, the motion simply says the
defendant desires to waive trial by jury and does not - - and does request
a trial by judge. That’s not the issue here. The issue here is whether he
knew what he was doing and understood the implications and
understood the choices and understood the advice Mr. Dorsey may or
may not have given him. That’s not reflected in the motion and,
therefore, it’s not something that Mr. Dorsey could have even testified
to. He may have been in good faith to file a motion that states this on
its face, but it doesn’t have the magic language that all of this was
discussed and that the waiver was knowingly made.

Now, the DA has tried to throw a lot of stuff at the wall to see
what sticks, for example, the issue of all of the arraignments. Mr.
Casanave testified, and I think it’s common knowledge among
attorneys who do criminal practice, virtually nobody ever waives a jury
trial at arraignment for many, many reasons. One is you may not have
ever even spoken to your client. Number two, you may not know
anything about the case. Number three, you don’t have any discovery
information. It’s simply a way to preserve rights until it’s determined
whether rights should be waived. So, no matter how many
arraignments he’s gone through, that doesn’t mean that he understood
the implication between the judge and a jury trial, in any case in general
or in this case in particular. By the same token, his - - his waiver of his
rights and not incriminating himself that came during the 2018 trial is
a totally different concept for him to understand. It’s not the same
concept as bench versus jury and the different issues that could arise
therefore. So I don’t think it would be appropriate to say, because he
understood in 2018 one particular legal issue, that it reflected and
confirmed that he understood or knew what was happening in 2015 on
a totally different issue. Also, for the point - - as I said, the sanity issue
that had arisen in the interim.

The thing about the phone calls from the jail is just really so
farfetched. This call was made at 4:41 p.m. on the day this motion was
filed with the Court. That would have - - the DA is trying to make it
sound like Mr. Bartie knew that on that exact day someone from the
Public Defender’s Office was going to go and file something and he
was calling to check on it and that he spoke with someone and that’s
what they spoke about. And there’s no - - first of all, we don’t even
know that Mr. Bartie made this call. We’ve had testimony, undisputed,
that prisoners trade off their pin numbers for one reason or another. We
don’t know whether he was put on hold, we don’t know who he spoke
to, if he spoke to the attorney. We don’t know what the conversation
was about. We don’t know how many conversations were from the
time - - of all the phone calls that went from the time he was arrested
until February 11th. Maybe he talked to them about it, maybe he didn’t.

13

But we have no knowledge of that. We have no evidence of that. This
phone call is irrelevant.

Likewise, on the Boykin forms, the DA has stipulated that every
other conviction that Mr. Bartie had was done by a plea, not by trial.
The Boykin forms indicate that he’s waiving his right to a trial by jury.
But the issue of waving [sic] the right to trial so that you can enter a
plea, once again, is a totally different issue as to whether - - if you’re
going to trial, whether you’re going to choose to have a bench or a jury
trial. Totally different issue. So, once again, a waiver of one right
doesn’t necessarily mean he knew what he was doing in another
context.

I would simply submit that the State has not carried its burden.

The State briefly responded to defense counsel’s argument as follows:

Just so it might be noted that, although there was a sanity
commission and panel, the defendant was found competent to stand
trial, and so it proceeded forward to trial. I think it’s very important for
the amendment - - I mean the minutes of the arraignment as well as the
guilty pleas. This defendant - - it shows this defendant knew that he
had a right to a trial by jury. So if he did not want a judge trial he should
have said so. It goes to the whole thing that he’s got a knowledge of
the criminal system as being prosecuted before multiple times. It’s very
important.

And, again, when we look at the Houston case they use the
transcript at the trial to show that he was competent. He had an
understanding. So even that day he could have objected to the trial by
judge. So when you look at everything together it is all very relevant.

The trial court then issued the following oral ruling, finding Defendant’s jury

trial waiver was knowing and intelligent:

Okay. Well, with respect to the phone call, I think it has minimal
probative value. The length of the call, we don’t know if it was dead
time on the phone waiting for somebody to respond, or even after
responding, I guess maybe the response of the other side, someone at
the Public Defender’s Office answered the phone, but was there a
period of time that passed where Mr. Bartie was unable to speak to
whoever he spoke to because they had to go and get him, and things of
that sort. And we’re all - - we’re familiar with that. Often times when
you call someone you don’t get to speak to them immediately. So I
don’t know how much time passed when there was no conversation at
all between Mr. Bartie and anybody. And then we don’t know who the
conversation was with and we don’t know what the conversation was
about. I found that it was admissible, but I give very, very, very little
weight to the phone call. It would have involved a massive amount of

14

speculation to conclude that they discussed the motion, the waiver of
jury trial motion. And I’m not going that far with that.

I am looking at the totality of the evidence, direct and
circumstantial. I think there is something - - there’s some value in the
sanity hearing that was conducted, even though it was sometime after
the motion had been filed. And I know that the Third Circuit considered
that and had its own - - and made some comments of its own about that,
but the sanity commission doctors concluded that Mr. Bartie did not
suffer from - - that he was able to understand what was going on in
terms of his current competency at that time. I haven’t heard anything
to suggest Mr. Bartie had some mental health issues prior to the sanity
commission reporting back or the doctors reporting back after having
been appointed to the sanity commission. And I think it is very
significant that Mr. Bartie has a substantial criminal history. He’s got
an extensive - - he’s had extensive contact and involvement with the
criminal justice system, he’s familiar with the process, he’s even
waived counsel at an arraignment, and did that on his own. That was
long before this trial came about or this case came up. He’s been in the
system for quite a while and he’s made appearances in court waiving
right to counsel, waiving - - on several instances waiving a right to trial
by jury by entering guilty pleas. He’s not a novice. He’s not someone
who’s totally clueless about how this system works. And, you know,
his decision to testify at trial was knowingly - - I was convinced that it
was knowingly and intelligently made and I think that it does have some
bearing on the issues concerning the waiver of the jury trial. Now, he
may have regret, making that decision to waive his right to remain silent
and not incriminate himself and not testify, but that’s what he did and
it was found to be knowingly and intelligently made by this Court and
the Third Circuit. Decision to waive jury trial, he may now regret that,
but I am - - he’s knowledgeable enough to know and understand what’s
at stake and what his rights are in this case.

Mr. Dorsey, an experienced criminal defense attorney, did say
that he had no specific recollection - - I think he used the word specific
recollection speaking to Mr. Bartie, then I think he used the term, didn’t
have a particular recollection of speaking to Mr. Bartie about the filing
of the motion - - excuse me, about filing the motion to waive trial by
jury. But he did recognize that it is a fundamental right, trial by jury,
and he did, though hesitantly, after I asked him he did - - my
appreciation of the testimony, that he did indicate that he did at least
talk to Mr. Bartie about this matter. But not having any specific or
particular recollection, I think the circumstances indicate that he did at
least speak to him about that. And knowing his dedication to his clients
and his experience as a criminal defense attorney, it would be shocking
to believe that he did not talk to Mr. Bartie about waiving his right to
jury trial.

Mr. Bartie is a knowledgeable person. He’s been through the
system with and without counsel on various occasions. He has
participated in the process on numerous occasions in very serious

15

matters. Mr. Bartie knows what’s going on. I’m convinced that the
record supports that conclusion, and that the waiver was knowingly and
intelligently made. Sometimes we make knowing and intelligent
decisions that we regret later on, but they were made and you are bound
by those decisions. Mr. Bartie is bound by this waiver of jury trial.
After considering the totality of the evidence it’s significant that the
Court and Mr. Dorsey went over the Boykin forms on the one instance
where Mr. Bartie pled guilty with Mr. Dorsey. I think it’s also
significant that - - it seems that this is on February 9, 2018 before the
trial commenced, that this conversation about entering a guilty plea or
negotiating a plea and not going to trial has some bearing and
significance in this matter and Ms. Brittany Chavis, the prosecutor who
was assigned the case and actually tried the case, had discussions with
defense counsel and the Court on the record about the negotiations
failing and falling through, and the offer was not accepted and that we
were going to trial soon and it was made very plain and clear that it was
going to be a bench trial. Mr. Bartie was called upon at that time to
make a decision to accept a negotiated plea or not and he chose not to
and was advised that the trial would be shortly forthcoming as a bench
trial, so he knew that. At no time can I find that he indicated that he
had some confusion or misunderstanding about that. Never an
objection to - - never a question to the Court about that. It was known
and understood for a long time that the case would be tried by judge
alone.

I’m satisfied the evidence is sufficient to support the finding that
Mr. Bartie knowingly and intelligently waived his right to trial by jury.

This appeal followed.

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

Defendant now contends that the trial court erred when it: (1) found Defendant

knowingly and intelligently waived his right to trial by jury, and the error was not

harmless; and (2) denied defense counsel’s objections to the introduction of various

evidence at the hearing on remand.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NUMBER ONE

In this assignment of error, Defendant urges us to find that the trial court erred

when it concluded that he knowingly and intelligently waived his right to trial by

jury. Defendant argues that he did not sign defense counsel’s written waiver of a

trial by jury, the motion did not contain any verbiage to indicate that Defendant

participated in the waiver, and the record does not contain any entry showing a verbal

16

colloquy between the trial court and Defendant regarding the waiver. Defendant

further contends the lack of a proper written waiver is not harmless since no evidence

was admitted at the evidentiary hearing to show that defense counsel discussed the

waiver with him. Accordingly, he argues that the jurisprudence is firmly established

that the waiver of a fundamental constitutional right to a trial by jury may not be

based upon presumptions and speculation.

In response, the State contends the trial court correctly determined Defendant

knowingly and intelligently waived his right to a trial by jury. The State argues the

evidence presented at the evidentiary hearing, when taken in relation to the entire

transcript and Defendant’s prior criminal record, showed that Defendant knowingly

and intelligently waived his right to a trial by jury through his attorney.

Both the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and La.Const.

art. 1, § 17(A) guarantee an accused the right to a trial by jury in felony and certain

misdemeanor cases. Except in capital cases, a defendant may knowingly and

intelligently waive his right to trial by jury and elect to be tried by the judge.

La.Const. art. 1, § 17; La.Code Crim.P. art. 780(A); La.Code Crim.P. art. 782(B).

Waiver of the right to a trial by jury is never presumed. State v. McCarroll, 337

So.2d 475 (La.1976); State v. Brundy, 16-0263 (La.App. 4 Cir. 8/24/16), 198 So.3d

1247; State v. Young, 16-358 (La.App. 4 Cir. 10/5/16), 203 So.3d 351. To be valid,

a defendant’s waiver of his right to a trial by jury must be knowing and intelligent.

Adams v. U.S. ex rel. McCann, 317 U.S. 269, 63 S.Ct. 236 (1942). “[W]hether or

not there is an intelligent, competent, self-protecting waiver of jury trial by an

accused must depend on the unique circumstances of each case.” Id., 317 U.S. at

278. The abuse of discretion standard is used to review a trial court’s finding with

regard to the waiver of a trial by jury. State v. A.D.L., 11-1142 (La.App. 3 Cir.

5/2/12), 92 So.3d 989.

17

Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Article 7807 (emphasis added) states

as follows:

A. A defendant charged with an offense other than one
punishable by death may knowingly and intelligently waive a trial by
jury and elect to be tried by the judge.

B. The defendant shall exercise his right to waive trial by jury in
accordance with Article I, Section 17 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
The waiver shall be by written motion filed in the district court not later
than forty-five days prior to the date the case is set for trial. The motion
shall be signed by the defendant and shall also be signed by defendant's
counsel unless the defendant has waived his right to counsel.

C. With the consent of the district attorney the defendant may
waive trial by jury within forty-five days prior to the commencement
of trial.

D. A waiver of trial by jury is irrevocable and cannot be
withdrawn by the defendant.

As provided in La.Code Crim.P. art. 5, “[t]he word ‘shall’ is mandatory, and the

word ‘may’ is permissive.”

A criminal defendant’s jury waiver is deemed knowing and intelligent when

he understands “that the choice confronting him is, on the one hand, to be judged by

a group of people from the community, and on the other hand to have his guilt or

innocence determined by a judge.” Bazile, 144 So.3d at 733, quoting United States

ex rel. Williams v. DeRobertis, 715 F.2d 1174, 1180 (7th Cir.1983), cert. denied, 464

U.S. 1072, 104 S.Ct. (1984). “That is all the defendant needs to know and

understand.” Id. at 733. “Greater proof of knowing and intelligent waiver has been

neither constitutionally nor jurisprudentially required.” Id., quoting State v.

Johnson, 389 So.2d 1302, 1305 (La.1980). Thus, the type of information the

7
The current version of La.Code Crim.P. art. 780 providing for a written waiver of the
right to trial by jury became effective on July 17, 2013. Prior thereto, the article required only that
a defendant knowingly and intelligently waive a trial by jury and elect to be tried by the judge, at
the time of arraignment, and that the court inform the defendant of his right to waive trial by jury.
Prior to the enactment of the current version of La.Code Crim.P. art. 780, there was no absolute
method required for a waiver of a defendant's right to a jury trial.
18

defendant must possess to make a knowing and intelligent waiver of the right to a

trial by jury relates not to matters of strategy, but rather to his knowledge of his

constitutional rights. Bazile, 144 So.3d 719.

There have been numerous Louisiana appellate cases that have addressed

various errors in the waiver of trial by jury since the 2013 amendment and enactment

of La.Code Crim.P. art. 780. These errors may be grouped in two categories: first,

those that involve no written waiver;8 second, those that involve a written waiver

signed by defense counsel but not by the defendant.9 Common to both categories of

error is the mode of appellate review, namely, review for harmless error. As noted

in State v. Holder, 50,171, p. 29 (La.App. 2 Cir. 12/9/15), 181 So.3d 918, 934, “Any

error with respect to defendant’s jury trial waiver is merely a waivable trial error and

not a non-waivable structural defect.” Accordingly, we will first examine the

“harmless error” standard of appellate review.

In State v. Langley, 06-1041, pp. 11-13 (La. 5/22/07), 958 So.2d 1160, 1167-

68, our supreme court, relying on Arizona v. Fulminante, 499 U.S. 279, 111 S.Ct.

1246 (1991), addressed “harmless error” and explained it by contrasting “structural

error” and “trial error,” stating:

[T]he Supreme Court has recognized structural error in a very limited
class of cases. These include (1) the total deprivation of the right to
counsel, Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335, 83 S.Ct. 792, 9 L.Ed.2d

8
See e.g.: State v. Loyd, 18-968 (La.App. 3 Cir. 6/5/19), 274 So.3d 112; State v. White,
52,530 (La.App. 2 Cir. 5/8/19), 269 So.3d 1182; State v. Dubroc, 18-142 (La.App. 3 Cir.
11/21/18), 261 So.3d 813; State v. Louis, 18-228 (La.App. 3 Cir. 11/7/18), 259 So.3d 1133; State
v. Brignac, 17-455 (La.App. 5 Cir. 3/14/18), 241 So.3d 528; State v. Mahogany, 17-377 (La.App.
4 Cir. 7/26/17), 225 So.3d 489; State v. Young, 16-358 (La.App. 4 Cir. 10/5/16), 203 So.3d 351;
State v. McKnight, 16-310 (La.App. 1 Cir. 9/16/16) (unpublished opinion), writ denied, 16-1769
(La. 6/16/17), 219 So.3d 340; State v. Arceneaux, 15-514 (La.App. 3 Cir. 11/4/15) (unpublished
opinion); State v. Bardwell, 14-1072 (La.App. 3 Cir. 3/4/15) (unpublished opinion); State v. Jones,
14-172 (La.App. 3 Cir. 10/1/14) (unpublished opinion); and State v. Bell, 13-1443 (La.App. 3 Cir.
6/4/14), 140 So.3d 830.
9
See e.g.: State v. Duhon, 18-593 (La.App. 1 Cir. 12/28/18), 270 So.3d 597; State v.
McElroy, 17-826 (La.App. 3 Cir. 3/7/18), 241 So.3d 424; State v. Cooley, 15-916 (La.App. 3 Cir.
4/27/16) (unpublished opinion), writ denied, 16-1024 (La. 9/15/17), 255 So.3d 482; and State v.
Charles, 15-518 (La.App. 3 Cir. 11/25/15), 178 So.3d 1157.
19

799 (1963); (2) a biased trial judge, Tumey v. Ohio, 273 U.S. 510, 47
S.Ct. 437, 71 L.Ed. 749 (1927); (3) unlawful exclusion of grand jurors
of defendant’s race, Vasquez v. Hillery, 474 U.S. 254, 106 S.Ct. 617,
88 L.Ed.2d 598 (1986); (4) denial of self-representation at trial,
McKaskle v. Wiggins, 465 U.S. 168, 104 S.Ct. 944, 79 L.Ed.2d 122
(1984); (5) denial of a public trial; Waller v. Georgia, 467 U.S. 39, 104
S.Ct. 2210, 81 L.Ed.2d 31 (1984); and (6) a defective reasonable doubt
instruction, Sullivan v. Louisiana, 508 U.S. 275, 113 S.Ct. 2078, 124
L.Ed.2d 182 (1993). See [State v.] Ruiz, 2006-1755, 955 So.2d at 85-
86.

Other than in these six restricted classes of cases, the Supreme
Court has failed to find structural error in the wide range of errors
presented to it. When the Supreme Court speaks of a structural defect,
it means that “the entire conduct of the trial from beginning to end is
obviously affected by the [error].” Fulminante, 499 U.S. at 309-110,
111 S.Ct. at 1265. The two examples used in Fulminante to illustrate
this point were the total deprivation of the right to counsel, for which a
defendant would be affected by the absence of counsel from the
beginning to the end of the trial, or a biased trial judge, who would be
presiding over the entire trial. From these examples, it is clear that when
the Supreme Court speaks of structural error, the Court is referring to
something which affects the entire framework of the trial and not
something which may have differing degrees of impact, depending on
other trial factors.

....

Clearly, the court of appeal meant something very different from
the Supreme Court’s interpretation when it described “structural error.”
The court of appeal was looking to the effect of the error. In doing so,
the court of appeal erred. An analysis of the “egregiousness of the
conduct” or “degrees of damage” is, in reality, the type of harmless
error review that a court would use to analyze a trial error. Conversely,
a structural error, by its very nature, impacts the entire framework of
the trial from beginning to end, without reference to any other trial
consideration.

As explained in Fulminante, most errors which occur are trial
errors, even though they may impact a defendant’s constitutional rights.
However, “constitutional error does not automatically require reversal
of a conviction,” and indeed, “most constitutional errors can be
harmless,” or reviewed for harmless error. Id., 499 U.S. at 306, 111
S.Ct. at 1263.

....

Trial error occurs during the presentation of the case to the trier
of fact and may be quantitatively assessed in the context of the other
evidence presented in order to determine whether [the error] was

20

harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Fulminante, 499 U.S. at 307-308,
111 S.Ct. at 1264; Ruiz, 2006-1755, 955 So.2d at 86.

Although just stated, it bears emphasizing that when a court reviews trial error,

it requires a court to determine not only that the trial error was harmless but that the

trial error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Langley, 958 So.2d 1160. In

re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 363-4, 90 S. Ct. 1068, 1072, (1970), the court elaborated

upon the concept of reasonable doubt and stated:

The requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt has this
vital role in our criminal procedure for cogent reasons. The accused
during a criminal prosecution has at stake interest of immense
importance, both because of the possibility that he may lose his liberty
upon conviction and because of the certainty that he would be
stigmatized by the conviction. . . . As we said in Speiser v. Randall,
supra, 357 U.S., at 525-526, 78 S.Ct., at 1342: ‘There is always in
litigation a margin of error, representing error in factfinding, which
both parties must take into account. Where one party has at stake an
interest of transcending value—as a criminal defendant his liberty—
this margin of error is reduced as to him by the process of placing on
the other party the burden of . . . persuading the factfinder at the
conclusion of the trial of his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Due
process commands that no man shall lose his liberty unless the
Government has borne the burden of . . . convincing the factfinder of
his guilt.’ To this end, the reasonable-doubt standard is indispensable,
for it ‘impresses on the trier of fact the necessity of reaching a
subjective state of certitude of the facts in issue.’ Dorsen & Rezneck,
In Re Gault and the Future of Juvenile Law, 1 Family Law Quarterly,
No. 4, pp. 1, 26 (1967).

As this court noted in Defendant’s original appeal, the record contains no

minute entry or transcript wherein Defendant informed the trial court that he wanted

a judge trial over a trial by jury. The record is equally clear that Defendant did not

sign the written waiver of a jury trial his trial counsel filed. Thus, the record is

devoid of a personal wavier by Defendant. Notwithstanding, in State v. Spurlock,

15-1173, pp. 1-2 (La. 9/25/15), 175 So.3d 955, 955-56, the supreme court found a

personal waiver was not necessary as long as the defendant’s decision was

knowingly and intelligently made:

21

It is preferred but not statutorily required for the defendant to
waive his right to a jury trial personally. State v. Pierre, 2002–2665
(La.3/28/03), 842 So.2d 321. Defense counsel may waive the right on
his client’s behalf, provided that the defendant’s decision to do so was
made knowingly and intelligently. Id. . . . The defendant’s prior
criminal history may be considered in determining whether the
defendant knowingly and intelligently waived his right to a jury trial.
See State v. Phillips, 365 So.2d 1304, 1309 (La.1978).

In these proceedings, the defendant was aware prior to the instant
criminal charges of his due process entitlements as they related to a
choice to have his guilt or innocence determined by a judge or a jury of
his peers. Among other criminal matters, the defendant has past
experience as an accused in the trial of a criminal prosecution where he
was found guilty by a jury. See State v. Spurlock, 539 So.2d 977
(La.App. 4th Cir.1989). In the instant case, the trial record and defense
counsel’s hearing testimony, which was not found to lack credibility,
reflect defense counsel, after consulting with the defendant, waived the
defendant's right to a jury trial in open court in the presence of the
defendant. Weeks later, the defendant proceeded to a bench trial
without raising an objection to the absence of a jury. Under the given
facts, the defendant’ waiver of a jury trial was knowing and intelligent.

When an appellate court conducts a harmless error analysis where there is no

written waiver of a trial by jury in conformity with the 2013 amendment to La.Code

Crim.P. art. 780, it is proper to review the jurisprudence regarding the validity of

waivers of trial by jury before the 2013 amendment; in so doing, where the record

shows a defendant knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to a jury trial, the lack

of a properly written jury trial waiver constitutes harmless error. See State v.

Mahogany, 17-377 (La.App. 4 Cir. 7/26/17), 225 So.3d 489; State v. Brignac, 17-

455 (La.App. 5 Cir. 3/14/18), 241 So.3d 528.

In finding Defendant knowingly and intelligently waived his right to jury trial,

the trial court relied upon the following: (1) its disbelief that an experienced and

conscientious attorney such as Defendant’s defense attorney would waive an

important constitutional right without first discussing it with Defendant; (2)

Defendant’s prior experience with criminal proceedings; (3) the report of a sanity

commission doctor who opined that Defendant was competent and understood what

22

he was doing; (4) a transcript of Defendant’s waiver of his right against self-

incrimination at his trial, indicating Defendant was alert and aware during trial and

indicating Defendant’s ability to waive an important constitutional right; (5) a

transcript of a pre-trial status hearing wherein Defendant’s upcoming trial was

referred to as a “bench trial”; and (6) Defendant’s failure to object when his case

proceeded with a bench trial. For the following reasons, we find the trial court

abused its discretion and reverse its determination that Defendant knowingly and

intelligently waived his right to a trial by jury.

Evidence about the Defense Attorney

Defendant argues that the trial court’s conclusion that Mr. Dorsey must have

spoken with Defendant about the waiver of jury trial is not supported by the record.

We agree. Although Mr. Dorsey recognized that trial by jury is a fundamental right

and that he believed he would not have filed the waiver motion without having

discussed it with Defendant, Mr. Dorsey repeatedly asserted he did not recall having

discussed the issue with Defendant. In light of the record, it is clear that the trial

court had to rely on presumption to reach the conclusion it did. Such a presumption

cannot form the basis for a valid waiver of a jury trial and is not one that was

knowingly and intelligently made. See McCarroll, 337 So.2d 475.

Under these particular facts, absent an in-court discussion or an

acknowledgment from counsel that the issue was discussed and the client consented

to the waiver, or a knowing waiver is shown by other means, such as the inclusion

of a statement to that effect in the body of the motion to waive jury trial, it cannot

be said that Defendant knowingly and intelligently consented to the waiver of his

constitutional right to a trial by jury. Compare, State v. Duhon, 18-593 (La.App. 1

Cir. 12/28/18), 270 So.3d 597 (where the written waiver of trial by jury included

language that the defendant understood his right to a jury and knowingly waived that

23

right); State v. Bell, 13-1443 (La.App. 3 Cir. 6/14/14), 140 So.3d 830; State v.

Charles, 15-518 (La.App. 3 Cir. 11/25/15), 178 So.3d 1157; and State v. McElroy,

17-826 (La.App. 3 Cir. 3/7/18), 241 So.3d 424 (all acknowledging a valid waiver of

a trial by jury when the trial court personally addressed the defendants about their

right to waive a trial by jury even though none of them had signed a waiver

document).

Defendant’s prior experience with criminal proceedings

Although Defendant acknowledges that a defendant’s familiarity with the

criminal justice system is a legitimate factor to consider in determining whether his

jury trial waiver was knowingly and intelligently made, he contends that in most

cases, the defendant previously went to trial. However, our review of the record

highlights that Defendant had never previously proceeded to trial. Rather, the record

reveals that Defendant’s previous criminal cases resulted in guilty pleas. Even

though Defendant may have waived his right to a trial by jury in each of his previous

guilty pleas, there never was a discussion at those pleas regarding the distinction

between a judge trial and a trial by jury. As for the State’s assertion that in one of

Defendant’s previous arraignments, he requested a trial by jury on his own, without

being represented by counsel, our review of the court minutes actually indicates that

the trial court, acting on Defendant’s behalf, waived the reading of the bill, entered

a plea of not guilty, and ordered a trial by jury. There is no indication that Defendant,

on his own, requested a trial by jury.

Evidence from the Sanity Commission

In our earlier opinion in this case, we stated:

Alternatively, the State contends that the record shows
Defendant knowingly and intelligently waived his right to jury trial. It
references the sanity commission report of one of the examining
doctors and argues that it shows Defendant knew he had the right to
choose between a judge or a jury and understood the function of each.

24

Importantly, however, the sanity evaluation occurred on July 5, 2017,
whereas defense counsel’s written motion to waive jury trial was filed
more than two years earlier, on February 11, 2015.

Additionally, the sanity commission report passage relied upon
by the State does not show Defendant knowingly and intelligently
waived his right to jury trial. In State v. Bazile, 12-2243, p. 19 (La.
5/7/13), 144 So.3d 719, 734, the supreme court explained that: “[A]
criminal defendant’s waiver of his right to trial by jury is knowing and
intelligent when he demonstrates his understanding that he will proceed
to trial before a judge upon that waiver.” In this regard, a passage in
the sanity commission report referenced by the State indicates that,
when asked if he knew he had the right to choose between a judge trial
and a jury trial, Defendant initially responded, “I didn’t know that.”
Again, that response occurred two years after the written waiver was
filed. Moreover, as appellate counsel notes by reply brief, the notations
made by the examining doctor suggest that Defendant believed a jury
trial would be more favorable for someone facing a “major” case, and
Defendant had previously described the charges against him as major.

Bartie, at 4-5.

Our review of the record on remand to the trial court shows that no one at the

evidentiary hearing addressed the impact of the sanity commission report discussed

by this court in Defendant’s original appeal. To the contrary, nothing in the

evidentiary hearing causes us to conclude any differently than we did in our initial

opinion about the impact of the sanity commission report.

Defendant’s appreciation of his right to testify

It cannot be gainsaid that Defendant appreciated his constitutional right not to

testify at trial. The trial transcript bears out his understanding of that right and his

knowing and intelligent waiver of that right. Notwithstanding, although the

transcript of Defendant’s waiver of his right against self-incrimination shows

Defendant is capable of knowingly and intelligently waiving a constitutional right,

the transcript does not show Defendant actually waived the specific constitutional

right at issue, namely his right to a trial by jury.

It is likewise disingenuous to state that Defendant proceeded to a judge trial

without objection and, thus, independent of trial counsel’s failure to have Defendant

25

sign the required waiver form required by La.Code Crim.P. art. 780, this evidences

the waiver of his constitutionally recognized right to a trial by jury. Once again, to

reach that conclusion requires us to presume such a waiver. This, we cannot do.

McCarroll, 337 So.2d 475; compare, State v. Loyd, 18-968 (La.App. 3 Cir. 6/5/19),

274 So.3d 112 (where, at the actual trial, the defendant acknowledged before the

trial judge in open court that he and counsel discussed, prior to the arraignment, his

right to jury trial and the reasons for the decision to waive that right); State v. Young,

16-358 (La.App. 4 Cir. 10/5/16), 203 So.3d 351 (holding that when a defendant fails

to object when his counsel informed the court, while the defendant was present in

court, that a bench trial had been chosen is construed against the defendant in

determining the validity of the waiver made).

Defendant’s pre-trial status hearing

The transcript of the status hearing held on February 9, 2018, a month before

the trial, was admitted into evidence. It shows that when the parties were selecting

a trial date, it was mentioned that it would be a bench trial. We observe that during

this hearing, contrary to the State’s contention that the second week would be the

judge trial of defendant, the terms “judge trial” or “trial by judge” were not

mentioned. Instead, while scheduling the trial date, the following was stated:

Ms. Chavis [ADA]: . . . We currently have a petit trial date set February
the 26th of 2018. I advised Ms. Stagg that it is a double week, so if a
jury trial is fixed for February 26th and we anticipate trying it the
second week, March the 5th of 2018, the –

The Court: As a bench trial.

Ms. Chavis: - - as a bench trial, correct. . . .

As further shown in the record, Defendant, later in the discussion, simply stated he

wanted a trial, and he was ready for trial. It is abundantly clear that: (1) there was

no discussion that this would be either a trial before the judge or a trial by jury; (2)

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no discussion was had concerning a waiver of a trial by jury; and (3) “bench trial”

was mentioned merely for scheduling purposes. Moreover, there was no evidence

presented at the hearing or in the record that Defendant understood what the term

“bench trial” meant,10 and this reference does not rise to the level of the right to a

trial by jury being waived in Defendant’s presence.

After carefully reviewing the record, we find the record does not support the

trial court’s ruling that Defendant knowingly and intelligently waived his right to

jury trial. We find the trial court abused its discretion in finding otherwise. The only

direct evidence of the waiver is a written motion filed by Defendant’s counsel but

not signed by Defendant. There is no other indication in the record of the waiver

and no colloquy in open court discussing the waiver in Defendant’s presence.

Although the attorney who filed the motion on Defendant’s behalf gave some

indication that he would not waive such an important right without speaking with

his client, the attorney had no recollection of speaking with Defendant about the

waiver. Thus, there is no evidence that the waiver was discussed either with

Defendant or in Defendant’s presence. Accordingly, under the particular facts of this

case, Defendant’s failure to sign the motion waiving his constitutional right to a trial

by jury was not a harmless error beyond a reasonable doubt.

The present case is distinguishable from cases in which a valid waiver of right

to a trial by jury has been found. As discussed in Defendant’s original appeal, the

first circuit’s decision in Duhon, 270 So.3d 597, is distinguishable from the present

case. The written waiver in Duhon contained language that specifically stated that

Duhon and his attorney had consulted about the waiver, stated that Duhon

10
Compare Brignac, 241 So.3d at 534, where the trial court advised the defendant on the
record of his right to either a jury or bench trial, noting, “[a] trial, if you choose to go Judge Trial,
would be me. But if you choose to go Jury would be twelve other prospective jurors who would
hear all of this to make a determination.”
27

understood his right to a trial by jury, and stated that Duhon knowingly, voluntarily,

and intelligently waived that right. The record in Duhon also contained a minute

entry which indicated the trial court and defense attorney concurred that “the matter”

had been taken care of. Finally, Duhon did not contest statements made by the

prosecutor and the trial court at a motion for new trial hearing that Duhon knowingly

and intelligently waived his right to jury trial. None of these evidentiary benchmarks

exist in the present case.

In Cooley, 15-916 (La.App. 3 Cir. 4/27/16) (unpublished opinion), writ

denied, 16-1024 (La. 9/15/17), 225 So.3d 482, this court found a valid waiver of a

trial by jury after the matter had been remanded for an evidentiary hearing. Like the

present case, the record contained a written motion to elect judge trial signed by

Cooley’s attorney but not by Cooley. Upon remand for an evidentiary hearing,

Cooley, like the Defendant in the present case, refused to testify. The evidence

introduced at the evidentiary hearing showed Cooley was advised of his right to a

jury trial at arraignment and at his no contest plea. Although there was no minute

entry or transcript wherein Cooley informed the trial court that he wanted a judge

trial over a trial by jury and no evidence that Cooley had a prior criminal history,

this court found there was direct evidence that Cooley had been consulted about the

written waiver before it was filed. There was also direct evidence that Cooley told

one of his attorneys that he wanted a judge trial. That attorney testified at the

evidentiary hearing that she believed Defendant knew he had a right to a trial by jury

and knew the difference between a jury trial and a judge trial. No such testimony

was presented at the evidentiary hearing in the present case.

Also, this court in A.D.L., 92 So.3d 989, remanded the matter to the trial court

for an evidentiary hearing to determine whether A.D.L. validly waived his right to a

trial by jury. A.D.L. did not testify at the evidentiary hearing. A.D.L.’s attorney,

28

Edward Lopez, testified at the evidentiary hearing that he made the decision that

A.D.L. would be better off being tried by a judge. Mr. Lopez recalled that he

discussed the matter with A.D.L., whom he believed was intelligent and able to

comprehend the general nature of the matter he was facing. Mr. Lopez believed

A.D.L. had made a knowing and intelligent decision to follow his advice to elect a

judge trial. This court noted that although A.D.L. was not in the room when Mr.

Lopez advised the trial judge of the waiver, A.D.L. was in the courthouse at that

time. Upholding the trial court’s determination that A.D.L. entered a knowing and

intelligent waiver, this court stated:

At the evidentiary hearing, there was nothing before the hearing
judge to refute Defendant’s trial counsel’s testimony that Defendant
knowingly and intelligently waived a jury trial. The hearing judge had
Attorney Lopez’s testimony to consider, and, as pointed out by the
State, Defendant made no objection during trial, nor raised the issue on
appeal. The trier of fact can accept or reject, in whole or in part, the
testimony of any witness. Furthermore, it is not the function of the
appellate court to second-guess the credibility of a witness as
determined by the trier of fact or to reweigh evidence absent
impingement on the fundamental due process of law. Finally, whereas
the issue of whether Defendant waived the right to a jury trial was an
issue of fact and not law, we cannot say that the hearing judge abused
his considerable discretion.

Id. at 1001 (citation omitted). In stark contrast to the present case, there was

direct testimony from A.D.L.’s trial counsel that the defendant knowingly and

intelligently waived his right to trial by jury. In the present case, Mr. Dorsey

could not make such a statement.

The fifth circuit in State v. Singleton, 07-321 (La.App. 5 Cir. 10/30/07), 971

So.2d 396, writ denied, 09-2021 (La. 8/18/10), 42 So.3d 391, has also addressed the

situation where there is no personal waiver of a trial by jury. As in the present case,

Singleton’s attorney filed a written motion to waive a trial by jury but failed to have

Singleton sign the motion. Unlike the motion filed in the present case, in the motion

filed in Singleton, defense counsel asserted that he consulted with Singleton and that

29

Singleton fully understood and wanted to waive a trial by jury. Additionally, unlike

the present case, Singleton testified at the evidentiary hearing. Although Singleton

admitted that his attorney told him a bench trial would be best, Singleton denied

telling his attorney to file the written waiver. Despite Singleton’s lack of signature

on the written motion and despite Singleton’s testimony at the evidentiary hearing,

the fifth circuit found the testimonies elicited at the evidentiary hearing showed a

valid waiver:

At the evidentiary hearing, defendant acknowledged at least one
telephone conversation with defense counsel where his counsel
explained the benefit of a bench trial rather than a jury trial. Defendant
said that when his defense counsel told him this, defendant responded
that he was the lawyer and knew what he was talking about. At the
evidentiary hearing, however, defendant explained to the judge he
found out after trial that it was better to have a jury trial because ten out
of twelve people render a verdict instead of the one judge. . . .

Mr. Folse [Singleton’s attorney] testified at the hearing that they
had discussed in depth his choice between a bench trial and a jury trial
on several occasions. Although Mr. Folse could not explain why
defendant failed to sign the motion, he testified that defendant was fully
aware that he would file a Motion to Waive a Jury Trial and was in
agreement. Mr. Folse also recalled defendant deciding to waive his
right to a jury trial after the trial court expressed what it thought might
be in defendant’s best interest.

In addition, although not on the record, the trial court recalled
defendant specifically telling defense counsel that he wanted a bench
trial.

The evidence produced at the evidentiary hearing makes the
present case distinguishable from other cases in which this Court has
reversed convictions based on insufficient evidence of a valid jury trial
waiver.

Id. at 399 (citation omitted) (footnote omitted).

In stark contrast to Cooley, A.D.L, and Singleton, we find the present case is

more akin to cases where no valid waiver was found. In State v. James, 99-1047

(La.App. 5 Cir. 1/25/00), 751 So.2d 419, the fifth circuit found no valid waiver when

the only evidence of a waiver was the arraignment transcript, which showed the trial

30

court advised James of his right to a jury trial but showed no response by either

James or James’s attorney. Further, there was no written waiver prior to trial.

Finally, James’s former defense counsel testified at the evidentiary hearing that he

presumed James waived a trial by jury since no jury trial was held. Although there

was a written waiver in the present case, Defendant’s attorney did not specifically

remember discussing the motion with Defendant.

In State v. Lokey, 04-616 (La.App. 5 Cir. 11/30/04), 889 So.2d 1151, writ

denied, 04-3195 (La. 5/6/05), 901 So.2d 1093, the fifth circuit found no valid waiver

despite the testimony of Lokey’s attorney at the evidentiary hearing that Lokey chose

a bench trial after they discussed the issue. There was no documentary evidence in

Lokey of a waiver either personally or through Lokey’s attorney. Moreover, the

appellate court found trial counsel’s testimony was inadequate because he never

sufficiently explained Lokey’s rights regarding a jury trial, thus insuring a knowing

and intelligent waiver.

Likewise, in State v. Onstead, 05-410 (La.App. 5 Cir. 1/17/06), 922 So.2d

622, the fifth circuit found no valid waiver when the only two witnesses to testify at

the evidentiary hearing were Onstead himself and the assistant district attorney.

Onstead testified that he did not recall discussing the matter with his attorney, who

did not testify at the evidentiary hearing. Additionally, the fifth circuit noted that

the assistant district attorney who testified at the hearing was not in a position to

know how much Onstead’s attorney explained to Onstead in advance of trial.

Finally, in State v. Dorsey, 00-114 (La.App. 3 Cir. 6/7/00), 768 So.2d 109,

this court found no valid waiver when Dorsey’s attorney filed a written motion to

waive a trial by jury that was not signed by Dorsey, and the only witness to testify

at the evidentiary hearing was Dorsey. Dorsey testified he had never seen the written

motion to waive a trial by jury, and he did not remember his attorney discussing with

31

him his right to a jury or judge trial. Although the present Defendant’s attorney

testified at the evidentiary hearing, Defendant’s attorney did not remember

discussing the waiver with Defendant.

Considering the above, we find the record in the present case does not support

a finding that Defendant knowingly and intelligently waived his right to a trial by

jury.11

DISPOSITION

For the foregoing reasons, we find that the trial court abused its discretion

when it determined that Defendant knowingly and intelligently waived his right to a

jury trial. Therefore, we vacate Defendant’s convictions and sentences and remand

this case to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this court’s opinion.

DEFENDANT’S CONVICTIONS AND SENTENCES VACATED; CASE
REMANDED TO THE TRIAL COURT FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS.

11
Because we find Defendant did not knowingly and intelligently waive his right to jury
trial, we pretermit discussion of Defendant’s second assignment of error.
32