Tyree
Filing
10
MEMORANDUM OF DECISION. Signed by Judge R David Proctor on 9/21/2012. (AVC)
FILED
2012 Sep-21 AM 10:46
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
TOMMIE SANDS TYREE,
Movant,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Respondent.
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
Case No.: 2:09-cv-8025-RDP-JEO
2:06-CR-0135-RDP-JEO
MEMORANDUM OF DECISION
On July 10, 2009, Movant, Tommie Sands Tyree, filed a Motion to Vacate, Set Aside or
Correct Sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 in order to challenge his conviction for distributing
"crack" cocaine. Movant has alleged five grounds to either vacate his conviction or reduce his
sentence: (1) actual innocence; (2) that the difference in sentencing schemes in 21 U.S.C. § 851 and
U.S.S.G. 4B1.1 violates equal protection; (3) that the principles articulated in Apprendi v. New
Jersey apply to his prior convictions because Almendarez-Torres v. U.S. is no longer good law; (4)
that the trial court committed procedural error by failing to notify him, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. §
851(b) that challenges to a prior conviction not made before sentence may not be raised afterwards
to attack the sentence; and (5) ineffective assistance of counsel. For the following reasons, the court
finds that the § 2255 Motion is due to be denied and the action will be dismissed.
I.
Procedural History
On March 29, 2006, the Grand Jury issued an indictment against Tyree, charging him with
two counts of distributing fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a
detectable amount of cocaine base ("crack" cocaine) in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and
(b)(1)(A). (Indictment, United States v. Tyree, No. 2:06-cr-135 (N. D. Ala. Mar. 30 2006), ECF No.
1).1 The court appointed Mr. Glennon Threatt, Jr. to represent Tyree on April 7, 2006. (CR Doc.
#5 at 1).
On April 10, 2006, the United States filed an Information notifying Tyree that, if he were
convicted, the Government would seek an enhanced penalty pursuant to 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(b)(1)(A)
and 851. (CR Doc. #4 at 1). In that pleading, the Government identified two previous felony
convictions for cocaine possession that would serve as a basis for enhancing Tyree's sentence. (Id.)
On April 12, 2006, the court conducted a detention hearing, at which Mr. Threatt represented
Tyree. At the conclusion of that hearing, the court ordered that Tyree be detained without bond
pending trial. (CR Doc. #9 at 2). Mr. Threatt filed eleven motions for disclosure over the course
of the next two months.2 The Government and Tyree were unable to reach a plea agreement, and
the case proceeded to trial on August 7, 2006. (CR Doc. #17). During trial, the Government orally
moved to dismiss Count 2 of the Indictment, and the court granted that motion.
On August 9, 2006, a jury found Tyree guilty as to Count 1 of the Indictment, distributing
fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base
("crack" cocaine) in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A). (CR Doc. #33).
The United States Probation Office prepared a Presentence Investigation Report, which
mentioned the two previous convictions that were the subject of the Information filed by the
Government. (CR Doc. #40 (sealed)). Mr. Threatt filed a sentencing memorandum that, among
other things, admitted that the "[Movant] cannot deny the existence of these convictions," (CR Doc.
1
There are two dockets referenced in this memorandum: (1) the underlying criminal trial that gave rise to
Movant's conviction (United States v. Tyree, Case No. 2:06-cr-135); and (2) the instant civil action brought under 28
U.S.C. § 2255 (Tyree v. United States, Case No. 2:09-cv-8025). To avoid confusion, documents from the former criminal
docket are marked with "CR Doc." and documents from the § 2255 civil docket are marked with "CV Doc."
2
CR Doc. #7, CR Doc. #10, CR Doc. #11, CR Doc. #12, CR Doc. #13, CR Doc. #14, CR Doc. #18, CR Doc.
#19, CR Doc. #20. CR Doc. #21, & CR Doc. #22.
2
#36 at 8) and challenged the constitutionality of the prior conviction exception to the rule announced
in Apprendi v. New Jersey. (CR Doc. #36 at 5-6). The Government responded in opposition to
Movant's memorandum and argued for the imposition of the mandatory minimum sentence of life
in prison under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(a). (CR Doc. #37 at 5-6).
On February 7, 2007, the court held a sentencing hearing. During the hearing, Mr. Threatt
argued Movant's challenge to the prior-conviction exception to the Apprendi rule, which the court
specifically considered and rejected. (CR Doc. #53 at 3). Given that 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(a)3
imposes a statutory minimum sentence of life in prison, the court sentenced Movant to life in prison.
(CR Doc. #53 at 7).
Mr. Threatt timely filed a notice of appeal on Movant's behalf (CR Doc. #43) and, at
Movant's request, continued to represent Movant on appeal. (CV Doc. #5-15 at 13-14). On appeal,
Mr. Threatt argued a hearsay objection, a constitutional claim regarding the penalties in 21 U.S.C.
§ 841(b)(1)(A), and a challenge regarding the court's interpretation of Federal Rule of Evidence
609(b). (CV Doc. #5-12 at 10). On April 11, 2008, the Eleventh Circuit affirmed Movant's
conviction and sentence. (CV. Doc. #5-14 at 9). Movant did not petition the Supreme Court for a
writ of certiorari.
On June 22, 2009, Ms. Susan G. James filed her notice of appearance to represent Movant.
(CR Doc. #58). On July 10, 2009, Ms. James, on behalf of Movant as his current attorney, filed the
Motion to Vacate, Set Aside or Correct Sentence that is the subject of this proceeding.
3
Section 841(b)(1)(a) states in relevant part that "[i]f any person commits a violation of [§ 841(b)(1)(a)] . . .
after two or more prior convictions for a felony drug offense have become final, such person shall be sentenced to a
mandatory term of life imprisonment without release."
3
Movant was in custody when he filed the 2255 motion. The motion was filed within the
relevant statute of limitations.4 As far as the court is aware, this is not a successive motion.
Therefore, the court has jurisdiction to hear this case.
II.
Movant's § 2255 Arguments
The court must first address one procedural issue with regard to Movant's submissions.
Movant's current attorney, Ms. Susan James, has attached to her brief what appears to be a pro se
brief drafted by Movant, whose arguments she incorporates by reference into her brief. (CV Doc.
#2 at 1, 10). The pro se brief, however, is unsigned; so its authorship is uncertain and it cannot
qualify as an affidavit by Movant. Nonetheless, the court will consider the merits of all arguments
alleged in that filing.
Movant has asserted five principle claims: (1) actual innocence; (2) an equal protection
violation; (3) that the principles articulated in Apprendi v. New Jersey apply to his prior convictions;
(4) that the trial court failed to follow procedure required by 21 U.S.C. § 851(b); and (5) ineffective
assistance of counsel. With respect to his last claim, Movant specifically alleges that his trial
counsel rendered ineffective assistance by: (1) failing to argue that his prior drug convictions should
not be used as the basis for a § 851 enhancement because doing so would result in an equal
protection violation; (2) failing to raise an Apprendi argument on direct appeal; (3) failing to argue
that neither of Movant's previous convictions were valid for purposes of § 851 because each resulted
from a guilty plea that was not knowingly and voluntarily entered; (4) failing to file relevant pretrial
4
As a general rule, to be timely, a § 2255 motion must be filed within one year of the date on which the
judgment of the conviction becomes final. 28 U.S.C. § 2255(f)(1). The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Movant's conviction
and sentence on April 11, 2008. (CR Doc. #57). From that point, Movant had 90 days to seek review in the United
States Supreme Court. SUP. CT. R. 13(1). Movant did not seek certiorari, so his conviction became final for purposes
of 28 U.S.C. § 2255 on August 27, 2008. See Clay v. United States, 537, U.S. 522, 532 (2003). Therefore, Movant had
until August 27, 2009 to file his motion, and timely filed this action. (CV Doc. #1).
4
motions and meet with Movant during trial; (5) failing to prepare for trial by identifying,
interviewing, and subpoenaing witnesses; and (6) failing to seek a "voice exemplar" of Movant for
use in trial. The court will address each of Movant's arguments.
III.
Standard of Review
A motion to set aside, vacate or correct a sentence of a person in federal custody pursuant
to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 entitles a prisoner to relief "[i]f the court finds that ... there has been such a
denial or infringement of the constitutional rights of the prisoner as to render the judgment
vulnerable to collateral attack." 28 U.S.C. § 2255(b). The movant must specify all grounds for
relief and specifically plead all facts supporting each claim for relief. RULES GOVERNING SECTION
2255 PROCEEDINGS FOR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTS 2(b).
The threshold question the court must consider is whether the movant has stated a claim
cognizable under § 2255. See Lynn v. U.S., 365 F.3d 1225, 1233 (11th Cir. 2004); Burke v. United
States, 152 F.3d 1329, 1331-32 (11th Cir. 1998) (stating that "[t]he threshold inquiry is whether
Burke's claim that his sentence is contrary to a subsequently enacted clarifying amendment is
cognizable under § 2255."). Only constitutional claims, jurisdictional claims, and claims of error
so fundamental as to have resulted in a complete miscarriage of justice are cognizable on collateral
attack. See United States v. Addonizio, 442 U.S. 178, 184–86 (1979); Hill v. United States, 368 U.S.
424, 428 (1962); Richards v. United States, 837 F.2d 965, 966 (11th Cir.1988) (noting that defendant
may not make a statutory non-constitutional claim in a § 2255 motion); Kett v. United States, 722
F.2d 687, 690 (11th Cir. 1984) ("[A]s the district court correctly noted, claims of excessive bail are
not cognizable in a section 2255 action."). Consequently, the Eleventh Circuit has consistently held
that "[r]elief under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 is reserved for transgressions of constitutional rights and for
that narrow compass of other injury that could not have been raised in direct appeal and would, if
5
condoned, result in a complete miscarriage of justice." Richards v. United States, 837 F.2d at 966
(internal citations omitted). In order to fall under the "fundamental miscarriage of justice"
exception, the movant must show that the alleged constitutional violation "has probably resulted in
the conviction of one who is actually innocent[ .]" Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 496 (1986).
In addition to pleading a cognizable claim, a motion for § 2255 relief must also satisfy the
procedural default rule. Courts have consistently held that a collateral challenge, such as a § 2255
motion, may not serve as a substitute for a direct appeal. See e.g., United States v. Frady, 456 U.S.
152, 165 (1982) ("[W]e have long and consistently affirmed that a collateral challenge may not do
service for an appeal."); Lynn v. United States, 365 F.3d 1225, 1232 (11th Cir. 2004) ("Courts have
long and consistently affirmed that a collateral challenge, such as a § 2255 motion, may not be a
surrogate for a direct appeal."). Therefore, under the procedural default rule, a defendant must assert
all available claims to challenge his conviction or sentence on direct appeal or else be barred from
presenting that claim in a § 2255 proceeding. Id. at 1234; Mills v. United States, 36 F.3d 1052, 1055
(11th Cir.1994). A claim not raised on direct appeal is procedurally defaulted unless the petitioner
can establish cause and prejudice for his failure to assert his claims on direct appeal. McCoy v.
United States, 266 F. 3d 1245, 1258 (11th Cir. 2001) (citing United States v. Frady, 456 US 152,
167-68 (1982)). The standard for obtaining an exception to the procedural default rule is
conjunctive: "a convicted defendant must show both (1) 'cause' excusing his double procedural
default; and (2) 'actual prejudice' resulting from the errors of which he complains.” United States
v. Frady, 456 US at 168 (emphasis added). This rule applies to all claims, including constitutional
claims. See Reed v. Farley, 512 U.S. 339, 354 (1994); Wainwright v. Sykes, 433 U.S. 72, 84 (1977);
Lynn v. U.S., 365 F.3d at 1234; Thornton v. United States, 368 F. 2d 822, 825-26 (D.C. Cir. 1966).
6
IV.
Discussion
A.
Actual Innocence
In an attempt to escape the application of the procedural default rule, Movant makes a claim
of actual innocence. (CV Doc. #2 at 27). To show that he is "actually innocent," a movant "must
show that it is more likely than not that no reasonable juror would have found [the movant] guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt." Schlup v. Delo, 513 U.S. 298, 327 (1995). Actual innocence may also
be found where a court determined that the movant's conduct was actually not criminal. See Bousley
v. United States, 523 U.S. 614 (1998).
Movant argues that, had he been able to call witnesses favorable to his defense, "he would
have been found not guilty by the jury." (CV Doc. #2 at 27). He states that a petitioner asserting
actual innocence "to avoid a procedural bar must show that his conviction 'probably resulted' from
'a constitutional violation," citing Schlup v. Delo, 513 U.S. at 327. (CV Doc. #2 at 27). In
articulating this standard for actual innocence, Movant misses the mark. The quote that Movant
lifted from Schup came from the Court's recitation of the standard articulated in an earlier case,
Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478 (1986), which goes on to specify that the constitutional violation
probably "resulted in the conviction of one who is actually innocent." Schlup v. Delo, 513 U.S. at
327 (quoting Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. at 496) (emphasis added). In fact, the Court in Schlup
clarified that "[t]he Carrier standard is intended to focus the inquiry on actual innocence." In a later
case, the Supreme Court further stated that "[i]t is important to note in this regard that "actual
innocence" means factual innocence, not mere legal insufficiency. Bousley v. United States, 523
U.S. at 623.
Here, Movant does not allege that he is actually innocent, but rather that the jury would not
have found him guilty had he been able to call favorable witnesses. (CV Doc. #2 at 27). As Movant
7
has failed to produce facts to show that he is actually innocent, his argument of actual innocence is
without merit. See Lynn v. US, 365 F. 3d 1225, 1235 (11th Cr. 2004); Johnson v. Alabama, 256 F.
3d 1156, 1171 (11th Cr. 2001).
B.
Equal Protection
Movant rests his equal protection argument "on the authority set forth in United States v.
Baker, 16 F.3d 854 (8th Cir. 1994) and United States v. Price, 990 F.2d 1367 (D.C. Cir. 1993)."
(CV Doc. #2 at 17). After noting that these cases are similar to the instant case because they both
involve drugs, Movant argues that "[t]he same logic [of Baker and Price] should apply in the instant
case[,] particularly since the defendant's involvement with drugs was the subject of at least one state
court conviction involving possession and[,] arguably[,] personal use." (CV Doc. #2 at 18).
The court is not persuaded by the authority cited by Movant for three reasons. First, these
cases are inapposite to an equal protection claim as neither of them was decided on equal protection
grounds. Second, these cases are not binding authority because they are not decisions of the
Eleventh Circuit. Third, these cases are no longer good authority; both Baker and Price concerned
the scope of U.S.S.G. § 4B1.1 before the Sentencing Commission amended it in 1995. As the D.C.
Circuit noted, when it reexamined Price in United States v. Powell, 161 F.3d 738, 739 (D.C. Cir.
1998), the Sentencing Commission amended U.S.S.G. § 4B1.1 to cover the holes created by cases
like Price. Thus, the interpretation of U.S.S.G. § 4B1.1 in Price has been superseded.5
C.
Apprendi
Based on the organization of Movant's brief, there is some ambiguity as to the nature of Movant's
claim based upon Apprendi. The section that explains Movant's Apprendi argument is nestled
5
In any case, the court notes that Movant raised a similar argument on direct appeal. (CR Doc. #57 at 8). That
argument failed and Movant cannot now use § 2255 to take another bite at the apple.
8
underneath a heading alleging ineffective assistance by his trial lawyer. (CV. Doc. #2 at 17). Yet
the text of the brief appears to be a reproduction of the argument Mr. Threatt presented to the
sentencing court in his sentencing memorandum ((CR Doc. #36) (arguing that the principles of
Apprendi v. New Jersey were violated because the defendant's previous convictions were not
charged in the indictment and proven to the jury beyond a reasonable doubt). (CV Doc. #2 at 2027)).
With regard to the substantive argument that Apprendi should have applied to the underlying
criminal trial, such an argument was not raised on appeal and is therefore barred here under the
procedural default rule. Whether the argument should have been raised on direct appeal is a
question concerning the effectiveness of Movant's trial counsel, and the court will address that issue
later in this memorandum opinion.
D.
Section 851(b)
Movant argues that the trial court committed reversible error by failing to notify him,
pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 851(b), that challenges to a prior conviction not made before sentence may
not be raised afterwards to attack the sentence. Movant has submitted that this is a jurisdictional
defect, citing United States v. Cevallos, 538 F.2d 1122 (5th Cir. 1976), for the proposition that "[t]he
procedural requirements of 21 U.S.C. § 851 are jurisdictional in nature." (CV Doc. #2 at 49).
This argument simply does not hold water. Movant cites United States v. Cevallos, 538 F.2d
at 1126, and asserts that the sentencing court committed error in implementing the sentencing
procedures of § 851(b) and that such an error deprives the court of jurisdiction to sentence Movant.
But the jurisdictional error alleged in Cevallos concerned § 851(a)(1)'s requirement that the
Government serve information of the previous conviction. Even then, the assumption that an error
by the Government in complying with the procedural requirements of § 851(a)(1) would deprive the
9
district court of jurisdiction was made arguendo. When discussing the jurisdictional ramifications
of an error in following § 851(a)(1), the court in Cevallos actually said this:
Assuming that a failure by the Government strictly to comply with §
851(a)(1)'s requirement of service of the information of previous
conviction does deprive the District Court of jurisdiction to impose
an enhanced sentence, cf. United States v. Noland, [517 U.S. 535,
116 S.Ct. 1524 (U.S. Ohio, 1996)] the uncontroverted evidence more
than supports the District Judge's implied finding that petitioner's
counsel was in fact served with a copy of the information of previous
conviction prior to the guilty plea proceeding and petitioner was so
advised by his counsel.
Id. at 1125-26.
With regard to the jurisdictional implications that may result from a court's failure to fully
comply with the procedures required by § 851(b), the Cevallos court went on to specifically state
that "the failure of the District Court to comply with § 851(b), though resulting in an illegal
sentence, does not deprive the District Court of jurisdiction to impose an enhanced sentence . . ."
Id. at 1128.
Even if the court were to assume, arguendo, that Movant's recitation of the law is correct and
that a jurisdictional issue has been alleged, that would only get Movant over the first hurdle of
determining whether Movant has a § 2255 cause of action. The argument would still be subject to
the procedural default rule. In this case, Movant could have raised this argument on direct appeal
(like the defendant in Cevallos). Because the opportunity to raise this § 851 argument on direct
appeal was available, Movant is barred from raising it now on collateral attack without showing
cause and actual prejudice.
Moreover, Movant's § 851(b) claim is due to be dismissed on the merits.
As the
Government's brief correctly notes, there is no dispute about the convictions here. (CV Doc. #5 at
10
pp. 20-25). At the sentencing hearing, counsel for Movant acknowledged in Movant's presence that
the convictions existed, and Movant acquiesced to that admission when he was asked to make any
comments he wished to at the hearing but did not refute the existence of the convictions. Under preBonner6 binding Fifth Circuit precedent, this is sufficient to show substantial compliance with §
851(b). Ruiz v. United States, 494 F.2d 1, 2 n. 2 (5th Cir. 1974).7
E.
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claims
In order to establish a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a petitioner is required to
show: (1) that his attorney's representation fell below "an objective standard of reasonableness"; and
(2) that a reasonable probability exists that but for counsel's unprofessional conduct, the result of
the proceeding would have been different. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 (1984).
"The petitioner bears the burden of proof on the 'performance' prong as well as the 'prejudice' prong
of a Strickland claim, and both prongs must be proved to prevail." Johnson v. Alabama, 256 F.3d
1156, 1176 (11th Cir. 2001) (cert. denied).
To succeed in proving the first prong, "the defendant must show that counsel's performance
was deficient. This requires showing that counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not
functioning as the 'counsel' guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment." Strickland, 466 U.S.
at 687. When faced with ineffective-assistance claims, "reviewing courts must indulge a strong
6
In Bonner v. City of Prichard, 661 F.2d 1206, 1209 (11th Cir. 1981) (en banc), our circuit court adopted as
binding precedent all decisions of the former Fifth Circuit handed down prior to October 1, 1981.
7
In dicta, two panels of the Fifth Circuit, in United States v. Garcia, 526 F.2d 958, 961 (5th Cir. 1976) and
United States v. Cevallos, 538 F.2d 1122, 1128 (5th Cir. 1976) stated that substantial compliance with § 851(b) may not
be sufficient. However, the Fifth Circuit's prior holding in Ruiz had already foreclosed that view. And as the Eleventh
Circuit and the Fifth Circuit have recently made clear, the statements in Garcia and Cevallos are no more than dicta and
substantial compliance with § 851(b) is sufficient where § 851(a) is complied with and a defendant is properly apprised
of the underlying convictions. See United States v. James, 642 F.3d 1333, 1340 (11th Cir. 2011)l United States v.
Garcia, 954 F.2d 273, 276-277 (5th Cir. 1992).
11
presumption that counsel's conduct fell within the wide range of reasonably professional assistance."
Smith v. Singletary, 170 F.3d 1051, 1053 (11th Cir. 1999) (internal citations omitted). Our circuit
reviews a lawyer's conduct under the "performance" prong with considerable deference, giving
lawyers the benefit of the doubt for "heat of the battle" tactical decisions. Johnson v. Alabama, 256
F.3d at 1176; see also Waters v. Thomas, 46 F.3d 1506, 1518 (11th Cir.1995) ("The test for
ineffectiveness is not whether counsel could have done more; perfection is not required. Nor is the
test whether the best criminal defense attorneys might have done more. Instead the test is . . .
whether what they did was within the 'wide range of reasonable professional assistance.'") (internal
citations omitted).
The Eleventh Circuit, sitting en banc in Chandler v. United States, 218 F.3d 1305 (11th Cir.
2000), expounded upon the standard for reviewing the performance of counsel:
The standard for counsel's performance is reasonableness under
prevailing professional norms. The purpose of ineffectiveness review
is not to grade counsel's performance.... To state the obvious: the trial
lawyers, in every case, could have done something more or
something different. So, omissions are inevitable. But, the issue is not
what is possible or what is prudent or appropriate, but only what is
constitutionally compelled.... The petitioner must establish that
particular and identified acts or omissions of counsel were outside the
wide range of professionally competent assistance.
Courts must indulge [the] strong presumption that counsel's
performance was reasonable and that counsel made all significant
decisions in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment. Thus,
counsel cannot be adjudged incompetent for performing in a
particular way in a case, as long as the approach taken might be
considered sound trial strategy. Given the strong presumption in
favor of competence, the petitioner's burden of persuasion – though
the presumption is not insurmountable – is a heavy one … [B]ecause
counsel's conduct is presumed reasonable, for a petitioner to show
that the conduct was unreasonable, a petitioner must establish that no
competent counsel would have taken the action that his counsel did
take....
12
218 F.3d at 1313-1316 (citations and internal quotation marks omitted).
Likewise, the "prejudice" prong is difficult to meet. To establish prejudice, a petitioner must
show "there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the
proceeding would have been different." Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694. A "reasonable probability is
a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome." Id. As the Eleventh Circuit has
explained,
…habeas petitioners must affirmatively prove prejudice because
"[a]ttorney errors come in an infinite variety and are as likely to be
utterly harmless in a particular case as they are to be prejudicial."
"[T]hat the error had some conceivable effect on the outcome of the
proceeding" is insufficient to show prejudice.
Gilreath v. Head, 234 F.3d 547, 551 (11th Cir. 2000) (quoting Strickland).
When applying the Strickland standard, it is clear that courts "are free to dispose of
ineffectiveness claims on either of its two grounds." Oats v. Singletary, 141 F.3d 1018, 1023 (11th
Cir. 1998) (internal citations omitted) (cert. denied); see also Butcher v. United States, 368 F.3d
1290, 1293 (11th Cir. 2004) ("[O]nce a court decides that one of the requisite showings has not been
made it need not decide whether the other one has been.").
Movant alleges six arguments for finding his trial counsel ineffective:
(1) he failed to argue that Movant's prior drug convictions should
not be used as the basis for a § 851 enhancement because doing so
would result in an equal protection violation (CV Doc. #2 at 1718);
(2) he failed to raise an Apprendi argument on direct appeal (CV
Doc. #2 at 20-27);
(3) he failed to argue that neither of Movant's previous convictions
were valid for purposes of § 851 because each resulted from a
13
guilty plea that was not knowingly and voluntarily entered (CV
Doc. #2 at18-20);
(4) he failed to file relevant pretrial motions and meet with Movant
during trial (CV Doc. #2 at10, 43);
(5) he failed to prepare for trial by identifying, interviewing, and
subpoenaing witnesses (CV Doc. #2 at10, 45); and
(6) he failed to seek a "voice exemplar" of Movant for use in trial.
(CV Doc. #2 at10, 47).
The court will now address each argument in turn.
1.
Failure to Raise Equal Protection Argument
As Supreme Court and Eleventh Circuit case law have made clear, the role of this court is
not to grade the trial counsel's performance or hold him ineffective for failing to raise a frivolous
legal argument. See Smith v. Robbins, 528 U.S. 259, 286 (2000) (The movant must show "that
counsel unreasonably failed to discover nonfrivolous issues.") (emphasis added).
Movant has failed to make any colorable argument that his rights under the equal protection
clause have been violated; he has also has failed to show how his trial lawyer acted unprofessionally
in deciding not to advance a meritless argument (much less that such a failure prejudiced him).
Therefore, the court concludes this claim fails.
2.
Failure to Raise Apprendi Argument
Movant next argues that his counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to argue that
Apprendi applies to the instant case despite case law that clearly indicates otherwise. Again, Movant
has failed to demonstrate that his trial lawyer behaved unprofessionally in declining to raise a losing
legal argument. Movant's trial lawyer, Mr. Threatt, in his sentencing memorandum, raised the
argument that Movant's sentence should not be enhanced under § 851 because the prior conviction
14
exception established under Almendarez-Torres was overturned in Apprendi. (CR Doc. #36 at 5-6).
The sentencing court considered the argument and rejected it. (CR Doc. #53 at 3). Mr. Threatt did
not raise the issue again on appeal. A decision by an appellate lawyer not to pursue what he
reasonably believes to be a losing argument is a tactical decision and does not amount to ineffective
assistance.
In Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 226-27 (1998), the Supreme Court held
that the government need not allege in its indictment and need not prove beyond a reasonable doubt
that a defendant had prior convictions for a district court to use those convictions for purposes of
enhancing a sentence. Two years later, the Court in Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 476
(2000), found that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires that a factual
determination authorizing an increase in the maximum prison sentence for an offense from 10 to 20
years be made by a jury on the basis of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. In reaching its decision,
the Supreme Court noted that Apprendi could arguably be interpreted to overturn AlmendarezTorres, but explicitly stated that Almendarez-Torres is to be treated as a narrow exception to
Apprendi, not as being overturned by Apprendi:
Even though it is arguable that Almendarez-Torres was incorrectly
decided, and that a logical application of our reasoning today should
apply if the recidivist issue were contested, Apprendi does not contest
the decision's validity and we need not revisit it for purposes of our
decision today to treat the case as a narrow exception to the general
rule we recalled at the outset.
530 U.S. at 489-90. Accordingly, the Eleventh Circuit has held that Almendarez-Torres remains
good law. See United States v. Villalobos, 156 F. App'x 248, 250 (11th Cir. 2005) ("After the
Supreme Court's decisions in Apprendi and Blakely, we held that Almendarez-Torres remains good
15
law.") (citing United States v. Marseille, 377 F.3d 1249, 1257-58 n.14. (11th Cir. 2004)).
Furthermore, even in the absence of Almendarez-Torres, Apprendi is inapplicable to the
underlying case because Apprendi applies to statutes that increase the maximum sentence, but not
the minimum sentence (as the instant case involves). Fourteen years before Apprendi, the Supreme
Court in McMillan v. Pennsylvania, 477 U.S. 79, 106 (1986), sustained a statute that increased the
minimum penalty for a crime when the sentencing judge found by a preponderance of the evidence
that the defendant had possessed a firearm. The continued vitality of McMillan after Apprendi was
addressed by the Court in Harris v. United States, 536 U.S. 545 (2002). There, the Court found that
McMillan does survive, and announced the rule that McMillan creates an exception to Apprendi for
statutes that elevate the minimum sentence. Id. at 568.
Because the weight of authority preponderates against the argument that Apprendi bars
applying § 851 to raise the minimum sentence, the decision not to raise such an argument appears
to the court to be a reasonable one. As such, the court does not find ineffective assistance as to this
claim.
3.
Failure to Challenge Prior Guilty Pleas
Movant alleges that his guilty pleas in his prior convictions were not entered knowingly and
voluntarily because he was not informed that his sentence could be elevated on a later, separate drug
conviction based on his prior convictions. Movant then alleges that his lawyer's failure to challenge
Movant's prior guilty pleas amounts to ineffective assistance.
Here again, Mr. Threatt's decision not to pursue this argument is wholly reasonable given
the lack of support for Movant's premise. The Eleventh Circuit has made clear that a defendant does
not need to be advised of the indirect consequences of a guilty plea for that plea to be knowingly and
16
voluntarily entered. See e.g., United States v. Morse, 36 F.3d 1070, 1072 (11th Cir. 1994) (federal
benefits suspended after guilty plea); Holmes v. United States, 876 F.2d 1545, 1548-49 (11th Cir.
1989) (parole-eligibility affected by guilty plea); United States v. Campbell, 778 F.2d 764, 767 (11th
Cir. 1985) (deportation due to guilty plea). Therefore, the court cannot find ineffective assistance
as to this claim.
4.
Failure to File Relevant Pretrial Motions, Meet with Movant
Plaintiff's next allegation is belied by the record. Mr. Threatt filed pretrial motions
zealously8 and Movant has failed to identify any motions that should have been filed but were not.
Undisputed evidence in the record further demonstrates that Mr. Threatt met frequently and
communicated extensively with Movant concerning Movant's case. (CV Doc. #5-15 at 16-70). This
allegation is without merit.
5.
Failure to Locate and Subpoena Witnesses
Movant argues that Mr. Threatt provided ineffective assistance when he was unable to locate
and subpoena witnesses, whom Movant identified as "Pat," "Tookie," and "white girl." (CV Doc.#2
at 45). From a review of Movant's allegations and Mr. Threatt's affidavit, the court is persuaded that
Mr. Threatt not only acted reasonably, but proceeded with diligence and patience in going as far as
he could with what his client provided him. (CV Doc. #5-15 at 7-8). Therefore, the court cannot
find his assistance ineffective in this respect.
6.
Failure to Seek Voice Exemplar
Finally, Movant claims that his trial attorney rendered ineffective assistance by failing to
8
See e.g. CR Doc. #7, CR Doc. #10, CR Doc. #11, CR Doc. #12, CR Doc. #13, CR Doc. #14, CR Doc. #18,
CR Doc. #19, CR Doc. #20. CR Doc. #21, & CR Doc. #22.
17
"seek a voice exemplar" of Tyree and failing to "investigate possibilities of distinguishing exemplar
of [Movant's] voice from voice on the recordings" played for the jury. (CV Doc. #2 at 10). Movant,
however, does not explain how this prejudiced the case against him. In fact, Mr. Threatt discussed
with Movant the fact that the voice on the tape sounded like Movant's voice, which Movant did not
deny. (CV Doc. #5-15 at 11-13). This suggests that the reason why counsel declined to present an
exemplar of Movant's voice to the jury is because he feared (1) he would lose credibility with the
jury, or, worse, (2) it would confirm that the voice on the tape belonged to Movant. Because Movant
fails to establish prejudice and his attorney's actions appear reasonable, this argument is without
merit.
V.
Conclusion
For the reasons stated above, the court concludes that Movant's § 2255 Motion to Vacate,
Set Aside or Correct Sentence states only procedurally defaulted claims and meritless claims
ineffective assistance of counsel that are contradicted by the record. A hearing "is not required on
patently frivolous claims or those which are based upon unsupported generalizations. Nor is a
hearing required where the petitioner's allegations are affirmatively contradicted by the record."
Holmes v. United States, 876 F.2d 1545, 1553 (11th Cir. 1989). Therefore, the court finds that
Movant's motion is due to be denied and his case dismissed without hearing. A separate order in
accordance with this memorandum of decision will be entered.
DONE and ORDERED this
21st
day of September, 2012.
___________________________________
R. DAVID PROCTOR
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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