Hooks v. State
Hooks v. State
Concurring Opinion
Concur in Results.
1 1 I concur, based on stare decises, in the discussion dealing with ineffective assistance of counsel. See Walker v. State, 933 P.2d 327, 341-344 (Okl.Cr. 1997)(Lumpkin, J.: Concur in Results).
12 I have reviewed Petitioner's application, together with the argument and authority provided. In accordance with the criteria set out in Braun v. State, 937 P.2d 505, 511-514 (Okl.Cr. 1997), I concur with the Court's decision that counsel's performance was not deficient and join in the Court's analysis of the substantive claims sought to be raised by petitioner.
Opinion of the Court
T1 Danny Keith Hooks was tried by jury and convicted of five counts of Murder in the 'First Degree in violation of 21 0.98.1991, § 701.7, in the District Court of Oklahoma County, Case No. CF-97-657. The jury found two aggravating circumstances for each count: (1) that Hooks had been previously convicted of a felony involving the use or threat of violence to the person; and (2) that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel. In accordance with the jury's recommendation the Honorable Daniel L. Owens sentenced Hooks to death on each count. Hooks appealed his judgments and sentences to this Court, and we affirmed.
T2 On December 15, 2000, Hooks filed an Application for Post-Conviction Relief. The only issues appropriately raised under Oklahoma's post-conviction statutes are those which: "(1) [wlere not or could not have been raised in a direct appeal; and (2)[slupport a conclusion either that the outcome of the trial would have been different but for the errors or that the defendant is factually innocent."
€3 In Proposition I Hooks attacks Oklahoma's capital clemency scheme, alleging that as currently applied it denies capital petitioners due process. Hooks admits that this "free-standing federal constitutional claim" cannot be properly addressed under the Oklahoma post-conviction statute. We have repeatedly held that Oklahoma's clem
14 Hooks also claims appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise "material facts in this case, including the nature and scope of the problems with the structure of Oklahoma's current clemency scheme." Hooks appears to include in this claim a larger allegation that appellate counsel failed to reasonably investigate the case or make reasonable decisions regarding investigative issues. This Court uses a three-prong test for ineffective assistance of appellate counsel: (1) did appellate counsel actually commit the act giving rise to the claim of ineffective assistance; if so, (2) was such performance deficient; (3) if we determine counsel's performance was deficient we will consider the substantive claim allegedly mishandled by appellate counsel if that claim is otherwise appropriate for post-conviction review.
T5 In Proposition II Hooks claims the death penalty constitutes cruel and/or unusual punishment. This issue could have been raised on direct appeal and has been waived.
16 On December 15, 2000, Hooks filed an application for a writ of mandamus or prohibition to summarily vacate his Judgment and Sentence and death warrant. Hooks argues his Judgment and Sentence and death warrant are void because they order him to be confined and executed at a place of incarceration designated by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and by the Warden of that place (or his successor). Hooks claims that Oklahoma law requires these documents to affirmatively designate his place of execution.
T7 We have carefully reviewed Hooks's application for post-conviction relief and an evidentiary hearing and find that he is not entitled to relief. The Application for Post-Conviction Relief and Application for the Exercise of Original Jurisdiction are DENIED.
. Hooks v. State, 2001 OK CR 1, 19 P.3d 294.
. 22 O.S.Supp.1995, § 1089(C).
. 22 O.S.Supp.1995, § 1089(D)(4)(a).
. Hooper v. State, 1998 OK CR 22, 957 P.2d 120, 122, cert. denied, 524 U.S. 943, 118 S.Ct. 2353, 141 L.Ed.2d 722.
. 22 O.S.Supp.1995, § 1089(C); Le v. State, 1998 OK CR 1, 953 P.2d 52, 54, cert. denied, 524 U.S. 930, 118 S.Ct. 2329, 141 L.Ed.2d 702.
. See, e.g., Patton v. State, 1999 OK CR 25, 989 P.2d 983, 989; Sellers v. State, 1999 OK CR 6, 973 P.2d 894, 895; Cummings v. State, 1998 OK CR 60, 970 P.2d 188, 192; Darks v. State, 1998 OK CR 21, 954 P.2d 169, 173; Douglas v. State, 1998 OK CR 12, 953 P.2d 349, 353-54; Gilbert v. State, 1998 OK CR 17, 955 P.2d 727, 733; 22 O.S.Supp.1995, § 1089(C). In Sellers we reached the issue of clemency in a subsequent post-conviction petition because Sellers claimed he had not received due process at a clemency hearing which had already been held. Hooks is several appellate steps from receiving a clemency hearing, and this issue is prospective only.
. Hooper, 957 P.2d at 124.
. Martinez v. State, 1999 OK CR 47, 992 P.2d 426, 432 (issue was premature as clemency proceedings had not commenced).
. Cummings, 970 P.2d at 192; 22 O.S.Supp. 1995, § 1089(C).
. Rule 9.7(D)(5), Rules of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, Title 22, Ch.18, App. (2000).
. 22 0.8.1991,§ 1015(A), (B). Section 1015(A) requires executions to take place at the McAles-ter penitentiary. Section 1015(B) provides that the warden must be present at any execution.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Danny Keith HOOKS, Appellant, v. STATE of Oklahoma, Appellee
- Cited By
- 5 cases
- Status
- Published