Pinkney v. Secretary, DOC et al
Filing
87
OPINION AND ORDER the Florida Attorney General is dismissed as a named Respondent. The Clerk of Court shall docket Petitioner's reply. The re: 38 Amended petition for writ of habeas corpus is denied. Grounds One, Two, and Four are denied with prejudice. Ground Three and all sub-claims related thereto are dismissed as procedurally defaulted. Ground Five is dismissed as time-barred. The Clerk of Court shall terminate any pending motions, enter judgment accordingly, and close this case. Petitioner is not entitled to a certificate of appealability and not entitled to appeal in forma pauperis. Signed by Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on 9/12/2014. (SLU) Modified on 9/12/2014 to edit docket text (SLU).
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
FORT MYERS DIVISION
EMERSON PINKNEY,
Petitioner,
v.
Case No: 2:10-cv-744-FtM-38DNF
SECRETARY, DOC and FLORIDA
ATTORNEY GENERAL,
Respondents.
/
OPINION AND ORDER1
Petitioner Emerson Pinkney (hereinafter “Petitioner” or “Pinkney”) initiated this
action proceeding pro se by filing a petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 2254 on December 13, 2010, challenging his April 23, 2004 judgment of conviction in
case number 03-cf-3136 entered in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in Lee County, Florida
(Doc. #1).2 Petitioner is proceeding on his amended petition raising 25 grounds for relief
(Doc. #38 and Doc. #38-2, Amended Petition).3 After receiving enlargements of time,
1
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2A
jury found Petitioner guilty of manslaughter with a firearm, aggravated assault
with a firearm, burglary with an assault or battery while armed, and possession of a
firearm by a convicted felon. Petition at 1; Response at 1.
3Due
to the length of the petition, the Court’s electronic filing system required that
the amended petition be filed in two parts. Doc. #38 contains the first grounds for relief.
Respondent 4 filed an amended response (Doc. #62, Response) opposing the relief
requested in the amended petition and attached supporting exhibits consisting of
pertinent trial transcripts and postconviction records.5 This matter is ripe for review.
I. Applicable § 2254 Law
A. Deferential Review Required By AEDPA
Petitioner filed his petition after the effective date of the Antiterrorism and Effective
Death Penalty Act of 1996 (“AEDPA”), Pub. L. No. 104-132, 110 Stat. 1214 (1996). See
Abdul-Kabir v. Quarterman, 550 U.S. 233, 246 (2007); Penry v. Johnson, 532 U.S. 782,
792 (2001). Consequently, post-AEDPA law governs this action. Abdul-Kabir, 550 U.S.
Doc. #38-2 contains the remaining grounds for relief, starting with Petitioner’s ineffective
assistance of appellate counsel claims.
4Rule
2(a) of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases in the United States District
Courts (hereinafter the “Rules”) provides that applicants in “present custody” seeking
habeas relief should name “the state officer having custody of the applicant as
respondent.” The Supreme Court has made clear that there “is generally only one proper
respondent to a given prisoner’s habeas Petition.” Rumsfield v. Padilla, 542 U.S. 426,
435 (2004). This is “the person with the ability to produce the prisoner’s body before the
habeas court.’” Id. at 435-36. When the Petition is incarcerated and challenges his
present physical confinement “the proper respondent is the warden of the facility where
the prisoner is being held, not the attorney general or some other remote supervisory
official.” Id. at 436 (citations omitted). Alternatively, the chief officer in charge of the
state penal institution is also recognized as the proper named respondent. Rule 2(a),
Sanders v. Bennet, 148 F.2d 19 (D.C. Cir. 1945). In Florida, the proper respondent in
this action is the Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections. Therefore, the
Florida Attorney General will be dismissed from this action.
5Petitioner
was provided additional time to file a reply, but his motion for leave to
file excess pages in the reply (approximately 58 pages in the reply with exhibits consisting
of over 200 pages) was denied as unnecessarily excessive. See Doc. #73, #74.
Petitioner moved for reconsideration (Doc. #76), but was denied (Doc. #83). Upon
review, the Court amends its December 26, 2013 order. The Court will accept the reply
for docketing and finds the reply is necessary to adequately address the grounds for relief,
including whether Ground Three is procedurally defaulted. The Clerk is directed to
docket only the reply, but not the attachments to the reply.
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at 246; Penry, 532 U.S. at 792; Davis v. Jones, 506 F.3d 1325, 1331 n.9 (11th Cir. 2007).
Pursuant to the AEDPA, federal habeas relief may not be granted with respect to a claim
adjudicated on the merits in state court unless the adjudication of the claim:
(1)
resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved
an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal
law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United
States; or
(2)
resulted in a decision that was based on an
unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the
evidence presented in the State court proceeding.
28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). This standard is both mandatory and difficult to meet. White v.
Woodall, 134 S. Ct. 1697, 1702 (2014). A state court’s summary rejection of a claim,
even without explanation, qualifies as an adjudication on the merits which warrants
deference. Ferguson v. Culliver, 527 F.3d 1144, 1146 (11th Cir. 2008).
“Clearly established federal law” consists of the governing legal principles, rather
than the dicta, set forth in the decisions of the United States Supreme Court at the time
the state court issues its decision. White, 134 S. Ct. at 1702; Carey v. Musladin, 549
U.S. 70, 74 (2006) (citing Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 412 (2000)). A decision is
“contrary to” clearly established federal law if the state court either: (1) applied a rule that
contradicts the governing law set forth by Supreme Court case law; or (2) reached a
different result from the Supreme Court when faced with materially indistinguishable facts.
Mitchell v. Esparza, 540 U.S. 12, 16 (2003); Ward v. Hall, 592 F.3d 1144, 1155 (11th Cir.
2010).
A state court decision involves an “unreasonable application” of the Supreme
Court’s precedents if the state court correctly identifies the governing legal principle, but
applies it to the facts of the Petitioner’s case in an objectively unreasonable manner,
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Brown v. Payton, 544 U.S. 133, 134 (2005); Bottoson v. Moore, 234 F.3d 526, 531 (11th
Cir. 2000), or “if the state court either unreasonably extends a legal principle from
[Supreme Court] precedent to a new context where it should not apply or unreasonably
refuses to extend that principle to a new context where it should apply.” Bottoson, 234
F.3d at 531 (quoting Williams, 529 U.S. at 406). The unreasonable application inquiry
“requires the state court decision to be more than incorrect or erroneous,” rather, it must
be “objectively unreasonable.” Lockyer v. Andrade, 538 U.S. 63, 75-77 (2003) (citation
omitted); Mitchell, 540 U.S. at 17-18; Ward, 592 F.3d at 1155. Petitioner must show that
the state court's ruling was “so lacking in justification that there was an error well
understood and comprehended in existing law beyond any possibility for fairminded
disagreement.” White, 134 S. Ct. at 1702 (quoting Harrington v. Richter, 131 S. Ct. 770,
786–87 (2011)).
Finally, the Supreme Court has stated that “a decision adjudicated on the merits in
a state court and based on a factual determination will not be overturned on factual
grounds unless objectively unreasonable in light of the evidence presented in the statecourt proceeding[.]” Miller–El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 340 (2003) (dictum). When
reviewing a claim under § 2254(d), a federal court must bear in mind that any
“determination of a factual issue made by a State court shall be presumed to be correct,”
and the Petitioner bears “the burden of rebutting the presumption of correctness by clear
and convincing evidence.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1); see, e.g., Burt v. Titlow, 134 S. Ct. 10,
15-16 (2013); Miller–El, 537 U.S. at 340 (explaining that a federal court can disagree with
a state court’s factual finding and, when guided by AEDPA, “conclude the decision was
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unreasonable or that the factual premise was incorrect by clear and convincing
evidence”).
B. Federal Claim Must Be Exhausted in State Court
Ordinarily, a state prisoner seeking federal habeas relief must first “‘exhaus[t] the
remedies available in the courts of the State,’ 28 U.S.C. § 2254(b)(1)(A), thereby affording
those courts ‘the first opportunity to address and correct alleged violations of [the]
prisoner’s federal rights.’” Walker v. Martin, 131 S. Ct. 1120, 1127 (2011) (quoting
Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 731 (1991)). This imposes a “total exhaustion”
requirement in which all of the federal issues must have first been presented to the state
courts. Rhines v. Weber, 544 U.S. 269, 274 (2005).
Exhaustion requires that state prisoners must give the state courts one full
opportunity to resolve any constitutional issues by invoking one complete
round of the State's established appellate review process. That is, to
properly exhaust a claim, the Petitioner must fairly present every issue
raised in his federal Petition to the state's highest court, either on direct
appeal or on collateral review.
Mason v. Allen, 605 F.3d 1114, 1119 (11th Cir. 2010) (citing O’Sullivan v. Boerckel, 526
U.S. 838, 845 (1999) and Castile v. Peoples, 489 U.S. 346, 351 (1989)).
To fairly present a claim, a Petitioner must present the same federal claim to the
state court that he urges the federal court to consider. A mere citation to the federal
constitution in a state court proceeding is insufficient for purposes of exhaustion.
Anderson v. Harless, 459 U.S. 4, 7 (1983). A state law claim that “is merely similar to
the federal habeas claim is insufficient to satisfy the fairly presented requirement.”
Duncan v. Henry, 513 U.S. 364, 366 (1995) (per curiam). “‘[T]he exhaustion doctrine
requires a habeas applicant to do more than scatter some makeshift needles in the
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haystack of the state court record.’” Kelley v. Sec’y for the Dep’t of Corr., 377 F.3d 1317,
1343-44 (11th Cir. 2004) (quoting Martens v. Shannon, 836 F.2d 715, 717 (1st Cir. 1988)).
“The teeth of the exhaustion requirement comes from its handmaiden, the
procedural default doctrine.” Smith v. Jones, 256 F.3d 1135, 1138 (11th Cir. 2001), cert.
denied, 534 U.S. 1136 (2002). Under the procedural default doctrine, “[i]f the Petitioner
has failed to exhaust state remedies that are no longer available, that failure is a
procedural default which will bar federal habeas relief . . . .” Smith, 256 F.3d at 1138. A
procedural default for failing to exhaust state court remedies will only be excused in two
narrow circumstances.
First, a Petitioner may obtain federal habeas review of a
procedurally defaulted claim if he shows both “cause” for the default and actual “prejudice”
resulting from the asserted error. House v. Bell, 547 U.S. 518, 536-37 (2006); Mize v.
Hall, 532 F.3d 1184, 1190 (11th Cir. 2008). In Martinez v. Ryan, 132 S. Ct. 1309, 1318
(2012), the Supreme Court held that if “a State requires a prisoner to raise an ineffectiveassistance-of-trial-counsel claim in a collateral proceeding, a prisoner may establish
cause for a default of an ineffective-assistance claim ...” when (1) “the state courts did not
appoint counsel in the initial-review collateral proceeding” or (2) “appointed counsel in the
initial-review collateral proceeding, where the claim should have been raised, was
ineffective” pursuant to Strickland.
Id.
In such instances, the prisoner “must also
demonstrate that the underlying ineffective-assistance-of-trial-counsel claim is a
substantial one, which is to say that the prisoner must demonstrate that the claim has
some merit.” Id. Second, under exceptional circumstances, a Petitioner may obtain
federal habeas review of a procedurally defaulted claim, even without a showing of cause
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and prejudice, if such a review is necessary to correct a fundamental miscarriage of
justice. House, 547 U.S. at 536; Edwards v. Carpenter, 529 U.S. 446, 451 (2000).
C. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Ineffective assistance of counsel claims are reviewed under the standards
established by 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). Newland v. Hall, 527 F.3d 1162, 1183 (11th Cir.
2008). Post-AEDPA, the standard set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668
(1984), remains applicable to the claims of ineffective assistance of counsel raised in this
case. Newland, 527 F.3d at 1184. In Strickland, the Supreme Court established a twopart test to determine whether a convicted person is entitled to habeas relief on the
grounds that his or her counsel rendered ineffective assistance: (1) whether counsel’s
representation was deficient, i.e., “fell below an objective standard of reasonableness”
“under prevailing professional norms,” which requires a showing that “counsel made
errors so serious that counsel was not functioning as the ‘counsel’ guaranteed the
defendant by the Sixth Amendment”; and (2) whether the deficient performance
prejudiced the defendant, i.e., there was a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s
unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different, which
“requires showing that counsel’s errors were so serious as to deprive the defendant of a
fair trial, a trial whose result is reliable.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688; see also Bobby v.
Van Hook, 558 U.S. 4, 8 (2009); Cullen v. Pinholster, 131 S. Ct. at 1403 (2011).
States may “impose whatever specific rules . . . to ensure that criminal defendants
are well represented,” but “the Federal Constitution imposes one general requirement:
that counsel make objectively reasonable choices.” Bobby Van Hook, 558 U.S. at 9
(internal quotations and citations omitted). It is Petitioner who bears the heavy burden
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to “prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that counsel’s performance was
unreasonable.” Jones v. Campbell, 436 F.3d 1285, 1293 (11th Cir. 2006). A court must
“judge the reasonableness of counsel’s conduct on the facts of the particular case, viewed
as of the time of counsel’s conduct,” Roe v. Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. 470, 477 (2000)
(quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690), applying a “highly deferential” level of judicial
scrutiny. Id. A court must adhere to a strong presumption that “counsel’s conduct falls
within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at
689. “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.’”
Chandler v. United States, 218 F.3d 1305, 1313 (11th Cir. 2000) (quoting Burger v. Kemp,
483 U.S. 776, 794 (1987)).
“Establishing that a state court’s application of Strickland was unreasonable under
§ 2254(d) is all the more difficult.” Mendoza v. Sec’y, Fla. Dep’t of Corr., --- F.3d ----,
2014 WL 3747685 (11th Cir. July 31, 2014) (quoting Richter, 131 S. Ct. at 788). “Where
the highly deferential standards mandated by Strickland and AEDPA both apply, they
combine to produce a doubly deferential form of review that asks only whether there is
any reasonable argument that counsel satisfied Strickland’s deferential standard.” Id.
(quoting Downs v. Sec’y, Fla. Dep’t of Corr., 738 F.3d 240, 258 (11th Cir. 2013)). “The
question is not whether a federal court believes the state court’s determination under the
Strickland standard was incorrect but whether that determination was unreasonable—a
substantially higher threshold.” Id. (citing Knowles, 556 U.S. at 123). If there is “any
reasonable argument that counsel satisfied Strickland’s deferential standard,” then a
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federal court may not disturb a state court decision denying the claim. Id. (citing Richter,
131 S. Ct. at 788). Finally, it is well established that the Strickland standard applies to
ineffective assistance of counsel claims in the plea bargaining context. Gissendaner v.
Seaboldt, 735 F.3d 1311, 1317 (11th Cir. 2013) (citations omitted).
II. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
This Court has carefully reviewed the record and, for the reasons set forth below,
concludes no evidentiary proceedings are required in this Court. Schriro v. Landrigan,
550 U.S. 465, 127 S. Ct. 1933, 1939-40 (2007). Petitioner does not proffer any evidence
that would require an evidentiary hearing, Chandler v. McDonough, 471 F.3d 1360 (11th
Cir. 2006), and the Court finds that the pertinent facts of the case are fully developed in
the record before the Court. Schriro, 550 U.S. at 474; Turner v. Crosby, 339 F.3d 1247,
1275 (11th Cir. 2003), cert. denied, 541 U.S. 1034 (2004).
A. Trial Court’s Evidentiary Rulings
Grounds One and Two both raise a claim of trial court error stemming from either
the court’s admission or exclusion of evidence. In Ground One, Petitioner argues that
his right to due process and a fair trial under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments was violated
when the trial court admitted into evidence a former gun possession charge. Amended
Petition at 6. Petitioner argues that introduction of such evidence constituted Williams6
rule evidence, but the trial judge did not give the jury the Williams instruction. Id. In
Ground Two, Petitioner argues that the trial court erred by not allowing evidence
concerning a restraining order lodged against the victim by his girlfriend at the time of the
6Williams
rule evidence refers to similar fact evidence of other crimes. Fla. Stat.
90.402(2)(a).
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incident (Fran Nicole Stewart Pinkney (hereinafter “Fran Pinkney”)). Id. at 8. Petitioner
asserts that the fact that the victim had a restraining order issued against him stemming
from his aggressive behavior supported that the victim was in fact the aggressor in the
shooting incident. Id.
In Response, Respondent opposes relief on Grounds One and Two, asserting:
federal relief does not lie for this issue involving only state law; the claim is not exhausted
and now procedurally defaulted and Petitioner does not show cause and prejudice, or a
fundamental miscarriage of justice to overcome the procedural default; and, the state
courts’ decision was neither contrary to nor an unreasonable application of Supreme
Court precedent. Response at 27-45.
1. Exhaustion and Procedural Default
The Court finds Petitioner exhausted Grounds One and Two. Petitioner, through
counsel, in his first ground for relief on direct appeal argued that the trial court committed
reversible error when it permitted the prosecution to introduce evidence that Petitioner
had been in possession of a different firearm prior to the date of the incident. Exh. 2.
Petitioner argued that the admission of the “unrelated collateral evidence violated the Fifth
and Sixth Amendments of the United States Constitution in that Mr. Pinkney’s right to due
process and his right to fair trial were destroyed by admission of the evidence.” Id. at 10.
Additionally, the direct appeal brief contained a claim that failure to allow evidence
concerning an injunction imposed against the victim amounted to a violation of Petitioner’s
Sixth Amendment right because it deprived Petitioner of his right to mount a defense and
deprived him of a fair trial. Id. at 12. Based on the foregoing, the Court finds Petitioner
sufficiently apprised the state courts of the federal dimension of these claims to the state
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court. Considering these claims were sufficiently exhausted, the Court will proceed to
address the merits.
2. Merits
“In habeas corpus proceedings, federal courts generally do not review a state
court’s admission of evidence.” Sims v. Singletary, 155 F.3d 1297, 1312 (11th Cir. 1998)
(citations omitted).
“We will not grant federal habeas corpus relief based on an
evidentiary ruling unless the ruling affects the fundamental fairness of the trial.”
Id.
(citations omitted). “Additionally, such trial court errors are subject to the harmless error
analysis and will not be the basis of federal habeas relief unless the error ‘had substantial
and injurious effect or influence in determining the jury’s verdict.’” Id. (citations omitted).
Petitioner first challenges the trial court’s evidentiary ruling concerning testimony
that revealed he possessed a gun shortly before the offense occurred.
Amended
Petition at 6. At issue was testimony from Fran Pinkney,7 who testified that she saw
Petitioner with a revolver less than two weeks before the death of the victim. Id. at 6-7.
Her testimony revealed that this particular revolver was kept under Petitioner’s pillow.
Exh. 1, Vol. II at 337-44, 369. Petitioner had hoped the jury would believe he had only
one weapon, which was confiscated by police well before the shooting incident took place.
See Exh. 2 at 8.
Consequently, the testimony from Fran Pinkney established that
Petitioner had access to another revolver at the time of the incident. In deciding to admit
Fran Pinkney’s testimony, the trial court found the evidence was not subject to the
Williams rule and explained in pertinent part:
7Fran
Pinkney was the mother of the victim’s three children, was dating Petitioner
at the time the shooting took place, and later married Petitioner. See Exh. 1, Vol. II at
346-48.
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Except for the fact that [Petitioner] is a convicted felon and
cannot possess a firearm, it would not be a prior bad act for
the crime of manslaughter. So I am not going to instruct them
on the Williams rule in this matter. I will instruct them that
they cannot consider it for the possession of a firearm by a
convicted felon. That’s not what it’s being shown for. But it
is to show the—whatever it shows as far as him having the
ability to have a revolver for the manslaughter. I know he
disagrees with that, and the testimony is going to be different
and in conflict about that, but I don’t think it’s William’s rule
testimony.
The trial court later instructed the jury that it could not consider this testimony for the felon
in possession of a firearm charge. Exh. 1, Vol. II at 366-67. On direct appeal, the
appellate court per curiam affirmed the trial court’s decision. Exh. 7.
Under Florida law, similar fact evidence of other crimes, referred to as Williams
rule evidence, “is admissible when relevant to prove a material fact in issue” such as
motive, intent, preparation, or plan. Fla. Stat. § 90.402(a). If the state intends to rely on
Williams rule evidence, it must give written notice to the defendant’s counsel “no fewer
than 10 days before trial,” unless the evidence is to be “used for impeachment or on
rebuttal.” Fla. Stat. § 404(2)(c)(1). However, the failure to provide such notice is subject
to harmless error analysis and is not reversible error unless the defendant establishes
actual prejudice or unfair surprise. Barbee v. State, 630 So.2d 655, 655-56 (Fla. 5th
DCA 1994).
Evidence of other crimes that are “inextricably intertwined” with the charged
offense is admissible as “relevant and inseparable part of the act” that is necessary “to
adequately describe the deed.” Griffin v. State, 630 So. 2d 966, 968 (Fla. 1994). This
evidence is not considered Williams rule evidence and is not subject to the ten-day notice
requirement.
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Although couched in constitutional terms, Grounds One and Two challenge the
trial court’s specific evidentiary rulings. These grounds are not subject to review for the
reasons set forth above and because the Court may not inquire into the validity of the trial
court’s application of its state law. Carrizales v. Wainwright, 699 F.2d 1053, 1055 (11th
Cir. 1983); Cabberiza v. Moore, 217 F.3d 1239 at 1333; Branan v. Booth, 861 F.2d 1507,
1508 (11th Cir. 1988). The Court does not find that the trial court’s rulings rendered
Petitioner’s entire trial fundamentally unfair so as to result in a violation of Petitioner’s due
process rights. Sims, 155 F.3d at 1312. Fran Pinkney’s testimony was not the only
testimony that placed Petitioner with a weapon. Eyewitness testimony from Ms. Jones
established that Pinkney (also known as “Buggy”) was armed when he entered the
apartment, and the victim tried to get the gun away, but fell and a struggle between
Petitioner and the victim ensued.
Exh. 1, Vol. III at 493-94.
Jones testimony
established that after Pinkney got up from the ground, he shot the victim in the head. Id.
In light of Jones’ testimony, the gun testimony from Mrs. Pinkney did not have a
substantial and injurious effect or influence on the jury’s verdict. Accordingly, Petitioner
is denied relief on Ground One.
Likewise, Petitioner is denied relief on Ground Two. The trial court’s decision
refusing to allow testimony about the injunction Fran Pinkney had against the victim did
not have a substantial and injurious effect or influence on the jury’s verdict.
The
appellate court per curiam affirmed the trial court’s decision. Exh. 7. Petitioner wanted
to introduce this testimony from one witness to show the character of the victim and to
support his theory of defense. Exh. 1, Vol. I at 382. Petitioner was still able to present
evidence concerning the character of the victim and evidence supporting his self-defense
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theory, without introducing evidence concerning the restraining order Mrs. Pinkney had
against the victim. See, e.g., Exh. 1, Vol. II at 382-83 (testimony from Fran Pinkney that
Petitioner wanted out of relationship with her because he did not want “any trouble” from
the victim); Exh. 1, Vol. III at 477 (Courtney Williams testifying among other things that
her father (the victim) and Petitioner did not like each other and her father wanted to kill
Petitioner); Exh, 1, Vol. III at 544-56 (Ulysses Scurry testifying that the victim and
Petitioner didn’t get along and testifying about an incident where he shot in the air to scare
the victim away because he did not want any incident happening between the victim and
Petitioner); Exh. I, Vol. III at 564, 581 (Petitioner testifying about threatening phone calls
from the victim, being followed by the victim); Exh. I, Vol. IV at 606-14 (Petitioner testifying
that the victim put a gun to his head when he walked through the door to Barbara Ann’s
house and a fight ensued). Accordingly, Petitioner is denied relief on Ground Two.
B. Defense Counsel Rendered Ineffective Assistance Claims
Petitioner raises seventeen different claims of ineffective assistance of trial
counsel. See Amended Petition at 8-25, Doc. #38-1 at 1-11. Respondent argues these
claims are procedurally-barred because Petitioner’s appeal from the denial of his Rule
3.850 motion was dismissed as untimely. Response at 45-46. Respondent further
asserts that Petitioner does not show cause for his default or any reason why equitable
tolling should apply. Id. at 46. Respondent points out that the appellate court ordered
Petitioner to show cause why his appeal should not be dismissed as untimely and
Petitioner never responded. Id. at 47. Additionally, Respondent argues Petitioner does
not show prejudice or a fundamental miscarriage of justice to overcome the procedural
default of these claims. Id.
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The Court agrees with Respondent that these claims were not properly exhausted
and would now be procedurally defaulted under Florida law because the appellate court
dismissed Petitioner’s appeal as untimely.
In Florida, to properly exhaust a
postconviction claim, a defendant must timely appeal the denial of postconviction relief.
See Leonard v. Wainwright, 601 F.2d 807, 808 (5th Cir. 1979) (Florida prisoner must
appeal denial of Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.850 motion to exhaust remedies); LeCroy v. Sec’y, Fla.
Dep’t of Corr., 421 F.3d 1237, 1261 (11th Cir. 2005), cert. denied, 546 U.S. 1219 (2006)
(Florida prisoner failed to properly exhaust claim on direct appeal of Rule 3,850, so it was
procedurally barred).
Due to Petitioner’s failure to take a proper appeal from the denial
of postconviction relief, there is no longer a remedy available in state court. The claims
are, therefore, procedurally defaulted from federal review. Bailey v. Nagle, 172 F.3d
1299, 1302-33 (11th Cir. 1999).
Petitioner raised these claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel in a motion
for postconviction relief filed pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850. The
postconviction court denied all, but three of the claims, in orders issued February 29, and
April 23, 2008. An evidentiary hearing was held on March 16, 2008, after which the trial
court denied relief by order issued March 23, 2010. Exh. 38.
The record shows Petitioner did not timely appeal the denial of his Rule 3.850
motion.
Exh. 39 (order denying Petitioner’s motion for rehearing).
Petitioner was
ordered to show cause why his appeal should not be dismissed as untimely. Exh. 42.
After considering Petitioner’s response, Exh. 43, the appellate court dismissed the appeal
as untimely on June 23, 2010. Exh. 44.
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Prior to the appellate court issuing an order on Petitioner’s motion for
reconsideration of the dismissal as untimely, Petitioner filed a Petition for writ of
mandamus in the Florida Supreme Court seeking reinstatement of his appeal. Exh. 49.
The Florida Supreme Court ultimately denied Petitioner’s writ of mandamus stating in
relevant part:
Because Petitioner has failed to show a clear legal right to
reinstatement of the appeal in Case No. 2D102359, he is not
entitled to mandamus relief. Accordingly the Petition for writ
of mandamus is hereby denied. See Huffman v. State, 813
So. 2d 10, 11 (Fla. 2000).
Exh. 52. A procedural default for failing to exhaust state court remedies will only be
excused in two narrow circumstances.
First, Petitioner may obtain review of a
procedurally defaulted claim if he shows both “cause” for the default and actual “prejudice”
resulting from the asserted error. House, 547 U.S. 518, 536-37 (2006); Mize, 532 F.3d
at 1190. Second, Petitioner would have to show a fundamental miscarriage of justice.
Petitioner attempts to show “cause” asserting that he did not receive notice from
the state court regarding the denial of his Rule 3.850 motion because the clerk had the
wrong address. Petition at 10; Reply at 16. Petitioner raised this same claim that his
filing was tardy due to the clerk mailing the order to the wrong address and the state
courts rejected his argument by order issued April 29, 2010. In rejecting the claim, the
state court noted that Petitioner conceded receiving notice of the March 23, 2010 order
on April 6, 2010. Exh. 40 at 1. Thus, Petitioner still had sufficient time to file a timely
motion for rehearing based on when he received notice, but failed to do so. Id. Further,
the court noted that the clerk’s office mailed a copy of the order to last address of record
and it remained Petitioner’s responsibility to file a notice of change of address.
Petitioner filed a notice of appeal on May 12, 2010.
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Exh. 41.
Id.
In response to the
appellate court’s order to show cause why the appeal should not be dismissed as
untimely, Exh. 42, Petitioner again faulted the clerk’s office for mailing the order to the
wrong address. Exh. 43. The appellate court dismissed the appeal as untimely. Exh.
44. Consequently, the Court finds Petitioner has not shown cause.
Assuming arguendo that Petitioner’s delayed receipt of the copy of the
postconviction court’s order denying him relief on his Rule 3.850 motion could constitute
“cause,” Petitioner has not shown prejudice. Actual prejudice requires a showing that
the errors at trial worked to Petitioner’s actual and substantial disadvantage, infecting the
entire trial with error of constitutional dimensions. Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 493
(1986). Petitioner must show a reasonable probability that the result of the trial would
have been different absent the errors at issue. Hartford v. Culliver, 459 F.3d 1193, 1200
(11th Cir. 2006). In other words, Petitioner must show that he was denied fundamental
fairness. In reviewing the postconviction court’s orders denying Petitioner relief on his
ineffective assistance of trial counsel claims, the Court finds Petitioner cannot show
prejudice. See Exh. 23, 33. Nor can Petitioner show a fundamental miscarriage of
justice to overcome the procedural default of these claims. The issue in the case boiled
down to whose story the jury found more credible. Apparently, the jury did not believe
that Petitioner acted in self-defense in this case. Ground Three and the sub-claims
related thereto are dismissed as procedurally-barred.
C. Ineffective Assistance of Appellate Counsel Claims.
Petitioner raises six claims of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel based on
arguments that Petitioner believes appellate counsel should have raised on direct appeal.
See generally Amended Petition; Doc. #38-2. In Response, Respondent concedes that
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the grounds are exhausted to the extent Petitioner raised them in his Rule 9.1418 petition
in the state court. Response at 48.
Similar to claims alleging ineffective assistance of trial counsel, the Strickland
standard applies to ineffective assistance of appellate counsel claims. Eagle v. Linahan,
279 F.3d 926, 938 (11th Cir. 2001) (citing Matire v. Wainwright, 811 F.2d 1430, 1435
(11th Cir. 1987)).
When evaluating the prejudice prong of Strickland in relation to
ineffective assistance of appellate counsel, the Court “must decide whether the
arguments the [Petitioner] alleges his counsel failed to raise were significant enough to
have affected the outcome of his appeal.” United States v. Nyhuis, 211 F.2d 1340, 1344
(11th Cir. 2000) (citing Miller v. Dugger, 858 F.2d 1536, 1538 (11th Cir. 1988), cert.
denied, 531 U.S. 1131 (2001)). “If [a court] conclude[s] that the omitted claim would have
had a reasonable probability of success, then counsel’s performance was necessarily
prejudicial because it affected the outcome of the appeal.” Eagle, 279 F.3d at 943 (citing
Cross v. United States, 893 F.2d 1287, 1290 (11th Cir. 1990)). The Court will now turn
to addresses each claim in turn.
1. Failing to raise fundamental error in jury instructions
Petitioner argues that his appellate counsel rendered ineffective assistance for not
raising, for the first time, the argument that the trial court committed reversible error in the
jury instructions in count one manslaughter with a firearm, on self-defense or justifiable
use of deadly force.
Amended Petition at 13 (citing transcript p. 761, lines 11-13).
Petitioner argues that these instructions had an effect on the entire trial, especially in
8Florida
Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.141 requires that an ineffective assistance
of appellate counsel claim be raised in a Petition filed in the appellate court.
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count three concerning the burglary with assault charge.
Petition at 13-14.
In
Response, Respondent points out that when the postconviction court addressed this
claim in the context of an ineffective assistance of trial counsel claim, the court reasonably
interpreted the claim as raising an issue concerning only state law, and its finding of no
fundamental error is entitled to deference. See Response at 50-51 (citing Will v. Sec’y
Dept’ of Corr., 278 F. App’x 902, 908 (11th Cir. 2008) (arguing when ineffective assistance
of counsel claim is a federal constitutional claim, when the validity of the claim that
counsel failed to assert is clearly a question of state law, the Court defers to the state’s
construction of its own law)); see also Exh. 23 (post-conviction court addressing this
particular jury instruction in context of ineffective assistance of trial counsel claim).
Petitioner raised this claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel in a
petition for writ of habeas corpus (as ground (a) in the brief) filed in the appellate court.
Exh. 11. After briefing from the state, Exh. 13, the appellate court summarily denied the
Petition without further elaboration, Exh. 15.
The Court finds the state court’s order denying Petitioner relief on his ineffective
assistance of appellate counsel claim is neither contrary to nor an unreasonable
application of Strickland.
The instruction given to the jury included the following
language:
However, the use of force likely to cause death or great bodily
harm is not justifiable if you find:
1.
Emerson Pinkney was attempting to commit, or
committing or escaping after the commission of manslaughter
with a firearm:
2. Emerson Pinkney initially provoked if [sic] use of force
against himself, unless:
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(a) The force asserted toward the defendant was so great
that he reasonably believed that he was in imminent danger
of death or great bodily harm and had exhausted every
reasonable means to escape danger, other than using force
likely to cause death or great bodily harm to Roy Williams.
Exh. 1, Vol. V at 761. Significantly, both trial counsel and appellate counsel found no
error in this jury instruction. As noted by the postconviction court, the instruction mirrors
the standard jury instruction included in the Florida Statutory Jury Instruction (Crim.) 3.6(f)
Justifiable Use of Deadly Force. This Court also finds the instruction constitutionally
acceptable. Appellate counsel’s failure to raise the instant claim does not amount to
ineffective assistance of counsel because he cannot be faulted for raising a meritless
issue. Diaz v. Sec’y Dep’t of Corr., 402 F.3d 1136, 1144-45 (11th Cir. 2005). Therefore,
Ground Four sub-claim (a) is denied.
2. Failing to raise fundamental error regarding reasonable doubt
instruction
Petitioner argues that the reasonable doubt instruction were not complete or
accurate because the court erroneously omitted the word “not.” Amended Petition at 14.
Petitioner faults appellate counsel for not raising this claim on direct appeal because it
constitutes fundamental error. Id. In Response, Respondent notes that Petitioner relies
only upon the court reporter’s transcription of the instructions given to the jury; and, points
out that Petitioner does not allege that the written instruction also contained the same
error.
Response at 52.
Respondent, nevertheless, maintains that the instruction
adequately conveyed to the jury that it must find Petitioner not guilty if the jurors had
reasonable doubt when reviewing the instructions in context and in its entirety. Id. at 53.
Petitioner raised this claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel in a
petition for writ of habeas corpus (as ground (b) in the brief) filed in the appellate court.
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Exh. 11. After briefing from the state, Exh. 13, the appellate court summarily denied the
Petition without further elaboration, Exh. 15.
The Court finds the state court’s order denying Petitioner relief on his ineffective
assistance of appellate counsel claim is neither contrary to nor an unreasonable
application of Strickland. The transcript does reflect one sentence where the word “not”
was inadvertently omitted. Whether the error was merely a court reporting transcription
error, or whether the judge inadvertently skipped the “not” when reading the instruction,
is irrelevant because the context of the instruction clearly relayed to the jury that if they
had a reasonable doubt, they needed to find Petitioner not guilty. See Exh. 1, Vol. V at
778 (“If you have no reasonable doubt, you should find the defendant guilty.”) (emphasis
added). Additionally, defense counsel during closing argument discussed reasonable
doubt. Id. at 785-86. Accordingly, Petitioner is denied relief on Ground Four sub-claim
(b).
3. Failing to raise claim concerning lack of cautionary instruction at
close of evidence
Petitioner argues that appellate counsel rendered ineffective assistance for not
raising on appeal the issue that the trial court forgot to give a “cautionary instruction” at
the close of Fran Pinkney’s testimony. Doc. #38-2 at 2. Respondent opposes this
ground for relief, noting that the trial court did give a cautionary instruction that Fran
Pinkney’s testimony concerning the revolver could not be considered for purposes of the
charge of felon in possession of a firearm. Response at 54. Respondent points out that
Petitioner apparently faults the timing of the cautionary instruction, not whether the
instruction was provided. Id. Respondent argues that trial counsel did not preserve this
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claim at trial for appellate counsel to raise on direct appeal. Id. at 54-55. Respondent
further argues appellate counsel’s performance satisfied Strickland.
Petitioner raised this claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel in a
petition for writ of habeas corpus (as ground c in the brief) filed in the appellate court.
Exh. 11. After a response from the state, Exh. 13, the appellate court summarily denied
the Petition without further elaboration, Exh. 15.
The Court finds the state court’s order denying Petitioner relief on his ineffective
assistance of appellate counsel claim is neither contrary to nor an unreasonable
application of Strickland. As discussed supra in Ground One, Fran Pinkney testified that
Petitioner had a revolver that he kept under his pillow.
The state had hoped her
testimony would place Petitioner with the weapon used during the incident considering
another weapon of Petitioner’s was confiscated. Defense counsel maintained that the
weapon Fran Pinkney was referencing was the same weapon that was confiscated. The
concern over the testimony was that the jury would consider the statement to find
Petitioner guilty of the felon in possession of a firearm charge. Fran Pinkney’s testimony
did not go as the State thought it would go based on her deposition testimony. The state
ended up withdrawing the question. See Exh. 1, Vol. II at 366-71. Nevertheless, the
trial judge did caution the jury as follows prior to the start of the questioning:
All right, I need to explain something to you all. This is in
regard to this next testimony. There is going to be some
testimony about a revolver. I don’t know exactly what it’s
going to be. One of the charges in this case is . . . Possession
of a Firearm By Convicted Felon. That’s on a specific date.
This information is not about that, and so you will not—this is
used for whatever purpose you decide to use it for, but you
can’t use this information as the basis for a conviction for
Possession of a Firearm By Convicted Felon because that’s
not what he was charged with in this instance. This is just
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some background information. So you have to make that
distinction in your mind and not use that for this—use it only
for purposes of fitting into what he wants you to fit it into, if you
decide to do that. Not for a conviction for that because it’s
not being offered for evidence to prove that he was a
convicted felon and had a firearm.
Id. at 367.
During sidebar the judge explained he thought it was best to give the
cautionary instruction before the questioning began so the jury would remember it clearly.
Id. at 342. Defense counsel requested that the instruction be given before and after the
testimony, but the judge said “we’ll consider that at that time.” Id. Apparently when the
state withdrew the question, defense counsel found no need for another cautionary
instruction at the conclusion of Fran Pinkney’s testimony.
Nevertheless, the record
refutes Petitioner’s claim that the trial court “forgot” to give the cautionary instruction at
the end of Fran Pinkney’s testimony. Accordingly, Petitioner is denied relief on Ground
Four sub-claim (c).
4. Failing to raise issue with jury instruction on burglary
Petitioner faults appellate counsel for not raising a claim concerning the language
in the jury instruction on burglary. Doc. #38-2 at 3. Specifically, Petitioner believes the
language “remaining in” should have been omitted. Id. Petitioner asserts that there was
evidence that showed that he did not “unlawfully enter” the residence. Id. Petitioner
believes that the “remaining in” language confused the jury and lead them to believe that
they could find him guilty even if he did not enter with a criminal intent. Id. at 3-4. In
response, Respondent asserts that Petitioner’s underlying issue—the language in the jury
instruction—involves only a matter of state law; and, the state court’s silent denial of this
claim answers what the state would have done had appellate counsel raised the claim.
Response at 56-57.
Moreover, Respondent argues that Petitioner’s assertions of
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“implied consent” to enter were refuted by the state’s evidence showing that Petitioner
entered the residence with a weapon. This evidence revealed that Petitioner had formed
the requisite intent by the time he entered the residence. Thus, it is unlikely appellate
counsel would have been successful if counsel had challenged the “remaining in”
language on appeal. Id. at 57.
Petitioner raised this claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel in a
petition for writ of habeas corpus (as ground (e) in the brief) filed in the appellate court.
Exh. 11. After briefing from the state, Exh. 13, the appellate court summarily denied the
Petition without further elaboration, Exh. 15.
The Court finds the state court’s order denying Petitioner relief on his ineffective
assistance of appellate counsel claim is neither contrary to nor an unreasonable
application of Strickland. The postconviction court noted that the trial court used the
standard jury instruction for burglary.
Exh. 23 at 10.
Moreover, the “remaining in”
language was surplusage based on the facts in this case. Evidence introduced during
trial revealed that Petitioner entered the residence with a gun drawn, threatened those
inside the residence, and then scuffled with the victim before ultimately shooting him.
See generally Exh. 1, Vol. I-IV. Accordingly, Petitioner is denied relief on Ground Four
sub-claim (d).
5. Failing to raise insufficient evidence to sustain a burglary
conviction claim
Petitioner argues that appellate counsel rendered ineffective assistance by not
raising the claim that there was insufficient evidence to support a burglary conviction.
Doc. #38-2 at 5. Petitioner asserts that a conviction that stands on insufficient evidence
constitutes a fundamental error, which can be raised on direct appeal without having been
- 24 -
preserved by trial counsel.
Id.
In Response, Respondent, inter alia, points to the
evidence introduced from the state that showed Petitioner did not have consent to enter
the residence, and that he entered the residence while armed. Response at 59. Thus,
Respondent argues that the state court’s decision was reasonable. Id.
Petitioner raised this claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel in a
petition for writ of habeas corpus (as ground (f) in the brief) filed in the appellate court.
Exh. 11. After briefing from the state, Exh. 13, the appellate court summarily denied the
Petition without further elaboration, Exh. 15.
The Court finds the state court’s order denying Petitioner relief on his ineffective
assistance of appellate counsel claim is neither contrary to nor an unreasonable
application of Strickland. Petitioner maintained at trial that he entered the residence with
implied consent.
Evidence introduced by the state showed otherwise.
The jury
weighed the credibility of the witnesses and found Petitioner guilty as charged. Appellate
counsel cannot be faulted for failing to raise a meritless issue. Accordingly, Petitioner is
denied relief on Ground Four sub-claim (e).
6. Failing to raise a Brady violation and tampering with evidence
Petitioner claims that he notified appellate counsel that he believed evidence was
tampered with, but appellate counsel took no action. Doc. #38-2 at 7. Petitioner asserts
that the prosecutor did not comply with his demands for discovery. Id. In Response,
Respondent notes that Petitioner argued in his Rule 9.141 state Petition that he had
discovered that there was an envelope that contained the victim’s fingernail clippings and
an envelope containing the victim’s hair from his head, which had been submitted to
FDLE. Response at 60. Alleging that the victim’s hair was shaved around the entry
- 25 -
wound to test for soot, Petitioner asserted that FDLE in its report made no mention of nail
clippings or the victim’s hair. Id. (citing Exh. 11 at 7-8). Respondent asserts that the
state court’s denial of this claim was not unreasonable because Petitioner never set forth
a basis for concluding that the state suppressed the nail clippings or hair taken from the
victim.
Id.
Petitioner does not deny that he was not aware of the evidence.
Id.
Further, Petitioner does not explain how this evidence was favorable. Id. at 61.
Petitioner raised this claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel in a
petition for writ of habeas corpus (as ground (g) in the brief) filed in the appellate court.
Exh. 11. After briefing from the state, Exh. 13, the appellate court summarily denied the
Petition without further elaboration, Exh. 15.
The Court finds the state court’s order denying Petitioner relief on his ineffective
assistance of appellate counsel claim is neither contrary to nor an unreasonable
application of Strickland. Appellate counsel’s performance cannot be deemed deficient
because there was no Brady violation. To establish a Brady violation, the defendant
must prove that: (1) the government possessed evidence favorable to him; (2) the
defendant did not possess the evidence and could not have obtained it with reasonable
diligence; (3) the government suppressed the favorable evidence; and (4) the evidence
was material.” LeCroy v. Sec’y Fla. Dep’t of Corr., 421 F.3d 1237, 1268 (11th Cir.
2005)(citations omitted). Evidence is material so as to establish prejudice only “if there
is a reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed to the defense, the
result of the proceeding would have been different.
A ‘reasonable probability’ is a
probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Gary v. Hall, 558 F.3d
1229, 1255 (11th Cir. 2009).
The miscellaneous reports and evidence Petitioner
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references do not support an ineffective assistance of appellate counsel claim. In this
case, there were eyewitnesses to the shooting. Petitioner presented his self-defense
theory to the jury and they found him guilty. Accordingly, Petitioner is denied relief on
Ground Four sub-claim (f).
(7) Failing to raise constructive amendment to information on first degree
felony murder
Petitioner argues that appellate counsel rendered deficient performance by not
raising the claim that the information was constructively amended. Doc. #38-2 at 9.
Petitioner states that he was charged by information with manslaughter with a firearm and
aggravated assault with a firearm.
Id.
Thereafter, a second information was filed
charging manslaughter with a firearm as an underlying offense of burglary. Id. at 9-10.
Petitioner claims that the second information permitted his prosecution under the theory
of felony murder, which he argues was improper. Id. at 10. In Response, Respondent
asserts that Petitioner did not preserve these arguments for review. Response at 62.
Respondent believes that Petitioner mistakenly bases his argument on federal law that
addresses expansion of a federal indictment based on the jury instructions given. Id. at
62-63. Respondent explains that the requirements for a federal grand jury indictment
are different from Petitioner’s state prosecution. Id. at 63. Instead, under Florida law,
the state is not precluded from amending the charging document, even during trial, to
conform with the evidence, absent a showing of prejudice to the substantial rights of the
defendant. Id.
Petitioner raised this claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel in a
petition for writ of habeas corpus (as ground (i) in the brief) filed in the appellate court.
- 27 -
Exh. 11. After briefing from the state, Exh. 13, the appellate court summarily denied the
Petition without further elaboration, Exh. 15.
The Court finds the state court’s order denying Petitioner relief on his ineffective
assistance of appellate counsel claim is neither contrary to nor an unreasonable
application of Strickland.
The Fifth Amendment protection given to grand jury
indictments when they are constructively amended is inapplicable to Petitioner’s state
prosecution. Moreover, the record in this case reveals that Petitioner was properly tried
on the amended information and the jury was properly instructed. The jury instruction
on burglary reads as follows:
at the time of entering or remaining in the dwelling
Emerson Pinkney had the fully formed, conscious intent to commit the offense of
manslaughter and/or assault and/or battery. Accordingly, Petitioner is denied relief on
Ground Four sub-claim (g).
(8) Failing to raise “legally adequate theory”
Petitioner, using conclusory language, asserts that appellate counsel rendered in
effective assistance by failing “to raise legally adequate theory.”
Doc. #38-2 at 11.
Immediately underneath the sub-claim, Petitioner “requests that Grounds (I) and (J) be
consolidated.” 9 To the extent sub-claim (h) is related to Petitioner’s constructive
amendment of the charging document claim set forth in sub-claim (g), the Court has
denied relief on this claim. Petitioner’s reply does not clarify the instant sub-claim. See
Reply at 55. In Response, Respondent notes that this ground does not comply with Rule
2(c)-(d) of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases, which requires fact pleading as
9Due
to Petitioner abandoning certain sub-claims, the sub-claims were re-lettered.
As re-lettered, Petitioner requests that the Court consolidate sub-claim (h) herein with
sub-claim (g).
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opposed to notice pleading. Response at 65. Consequently, Respondent argues that
the Court should dismiss this this sub-claim. Id. at 65-66. Additionally, Respondent
argues that the state court reasonably rejected Petitioner’s claim. Id. at 66.
The Court agrees with Respondent that sub-claim (h) does not comply with Rule
2 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases because it is conclusory and does not
contain sufficient facts.
To the extent Petitioner faults appellate counsel’s strategy,
appellate counsel is permitted to winnow out weaker arguments from an appellate brief.
Smith v. Robbins, 528 U.S. 259, 765 (2000); Smith v. Murray, 477 U.S. 527 (1986); Jones
v. Barnes, 463 U.S. 745, 751-52 (1983). On direct appeal, appellate counsel raised the
following three arguments: (1) trial court committed reversible error when it permitted the
prosecution to introduce evidence that that the appellant had been in possession of a
different firearm prior to the date of this incident; (2) trial court committed reversible error
when it denied appellant the right to introduce evidence that when Ms. Stewart [–Pinkney]
broke up with Mr. Williams [the victim], that she had to obtain a restraining order against
Mr. Williams because of Mr. Williams’ violent conduct towards her; and (3) in light of
prior evidentiary errors and the close nature of the evidence against appellant, the
prosecutor’s improper closing arguments amounted to reversible error.
See Exh. 2.
Although Petitioner wishes that appellate counsel raised the additional six arguments
discussed above, the Court has determined that the state court’s decision to deny
Petitioner relief on these claims was not contrary to or an unreasonable application of
Strickland. Consequently, Petitioner is denied relief on Ground Four sub-claim (h).
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C. Prosecutorial Misconduct Claim
In Ground Five, Petitioner argues that the prosecutor’s misconduct related to a
discovery request violated his Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Doc. #382 at 13-14. Petitioner argues that the prosecutor violated his duty to disclose evidence
under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.220(J) by not responding to his motion
demanding additional discovery dated February 14, 2010.
Id. at 13.
Respondent
concedes that the petition was timely filed, but submits that Petitioner’s fifth ground for
relief raised in the amended petition is untimely. Response at 2-3. Respondent also
argues that Ground Five does not raise a claim subject to review in a federal habeas
proceeding and that the claim is unexhausted and procedurally defaulted. Id. at 66-68.
The Court agrees with Respondent that Ground Five is time-barred. The statute
of limitations that governs the filing of Petitioner’s petition and amended petition is set
forth at 28 U.S.C. § 2244(d), which provides in relevant part as follows:
(1) A 1-year period of limitation shall apply to an application
for a writ of habeas corpus by a person in custody pursuant to
the judgment of a State court. The limitation period shall run
from the latest of (A) the date on which the judgment became final by the
conclusion of direct review or the expiration of the time for
seeking such review; . . .
28 U.S.C. § 2244(d).
Here, on December 9, 2010, when Petitioner filed the initial
petition, the federal limitations period had run for 340 days.
See Doc. #37 at 4-5.
However, it was not until August 4, 2011, that Petitioner’s “Fifth Ground” for relief was first
raised in his amended petition. This was well after the federal limitations period expired,
and the ground is untimely, since the filing of Petitioner’s initial petition does not toll the
one-year limitation period. Duncan v. Walker, 533 U.S. 167, 172 (2001).
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Ground Five can only be deemed timely if it relates back to the claims raised in the
initial Petition.10 Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(c). Respondent submits that this new ground for
relief does not relate back to the other grounds for relief identified in the petition.
Response at 2-3. Petitioner previously maintained that Ground Five relates back to subclaim S of Ground Three in his initial Petition, Doc. #37, but does not address
Respondent’s argument in his reply.
In pertinent part, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(c)(2) provides that “[a]n
amendment to a pleading relates back to the date of the original pleading when . . . the
amendment asserts a claim . . . that arose out of the conduct, transaction, or occurrence
set out-or attempted to be set out-in the original pleading.”
The terms conduct,
transaction, or occurrence are not synonymous with trial, conviction, or sentence. See
Mayle v. Felix, 545 U.S. 644 (2005). In other words, the fact that a claim relates back to
a Petitioner’s trial, conviction, or sentence is not determinative of whether the relation
back doctrine is satisfied. Davenport v. United States, 217 F.3d 1341, 1344 (11th Cir.
2000). Rather, the test for determining whether a new claim relates back to an original
claim is whether the claim is “tied to a common core of operative facts.” Mayle, 544 U.S.
at 644. This is consistent with the factual specificity requirement set forth in Habeas
Corpus Rule 2(c), which apprises Petitioners that “[t]he Petition must . . . specify all the
grounds for relief . . . [and] state the facts supporting each ground.” Mayle, 544 U.S. at
661. Thus, relation back is only appropriate “when the claims added by amendment
10Habeas
Corpus Rule 11 permits application of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to
habeas proceedings “to the extent that are not inconsistent with any statutory provisions
or [the habeas] rules.” See also Fed. R. Civ. P. 81(a)(4). Habeas petitions “may be
amended or supplemented as provided in the rules of procedure applicable to civil
actions.” 28 U.S.C. § 2242.
- 31 -
arise from the same core facts as the timely filed claims, and not when the new claims
depend upon events separate in ‘both time and type’ from the originally raised episodes.”
Id. at 658 (quoting United States v. Craycraft, 167 F.3d 451, 457 (8th Cir. 1999); accord
Davenport v. United States, 217 F.3d at 1344 (rejecting a generalized application of the
relation back doctrine and expressly adopting the factually specific test set forth in
Craycraft, Id.)). Rule 15(c)(2) is “to be used for a relatively narrow purpose” and is not
intended “to be so broad to allow an amended pleading to add an entirely new claim
based on a different set of facts.” Farris v. United States, 333 F.3d 1211, 1215 (11th Cir.
2003).
Petitioner’s newly raised claim concerning prosecutorial misconduct is wholly
unrelated to the other claims raised in the initial Petition. It is removed in time, and
unquestionably raises a different type of claim than those advanced in the initial petition.
Thus, the Court dismisses Ground Five as time-barred. Even if Ground Five was not
time-barred, the claim is procedurally defaulted because Petitioner raised this claim in a
successive Rule 3.850, which the post-conviction court dismissed as successive and
untimely.
Accordingly, the Court dismisses Ground Five as time-barred, or in the
alternative as procedurally defaulted.
ACCORDINGLY, it is hereby
ORDERED:
1. The Florida Attorney General is DISMISSED as a named Respondent.
2. The Clerk of Court shall docket Petitioner’s reply. See supra at n.5.
3. The Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (Doc. #38) is DENIED. Grounds One,
Two, and Four are DENIED with prejudice. Ground Three and all sub-claims related
- 32 -
thereto are DISMISSED as procedurally defaulted. Ground Five is DISMISSED as timebarred.
4.
The Clerk of Court shall terminate any pending motions, enter judgment
accordingly, and close this case.
CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY AND
LEAVE TO APPEAL IN FORMA PAUPERIS DENIED
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Petitioner is not entitled to a certificate of
appealability on either Petition. A prisoner seeking to appeal a district court's final order
denying his Petition for writ of habeas corpus has no absolute entitlement to appeal but
must obtain a certificate of appealability (“COA”). 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(1); Harbison v.
Bell, 556 U.S. 180, 184 (2009). “A [COA] may issue . . . only if the applicant has made
a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.” 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). To
make such a showing, Petitioner “must demonstrate that reasonable jurists would find the
district court’s assessment of the constitutional claims debatable or wrong,” Tennard v.
Dretke, 542 U.S. 274, 282 (2004) or, that “the issues presented were adequate to deserve
encouragement to proceed further,” Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 335-36
(2003)(citations and internal quotation marks omitted).
Petitioner has not made the
requisite showing in these circumstances. Finally, because Petitioner is not entitled to a
certificate of appealability, he is not entitled to appeal in forma pauperis.
DONE and ORDERED in Fort Myers, Florida on this 12th day of September, 2014.
SA: alr
Copies: All Parties of Record
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