Sotomayor v. Secretary, Department of Corrections et al
Filing
14
OPINION AND ORDER. 1. Sotomayor's petition 1 is DENIED. The Clerk is directed to enter judgment against Sotomayor and to close this case. 2. Sotomayor is not entitled to a certificate of appealability and he is not entitled to appeal in forma pauperis. Signed by Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell on 9/27/2017. (BGS)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TAMPA DIVISION
ALEXFEL SOTOMAYOR,
Petitioner,
v.
Case No. 8:14-cv-2078-T-36TGW
SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT
OF CORRECTIONS,
Respondent.
_____________________________/
ORDER
Alexfel Sotomayor, a Florida inmate, filed a pro se petition for writ of habeas corpus
under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 challenging his Manatee County conviction. (Dkt. 1.) In the
response (Dkt. 10), Respondent does not contest the petition’s timeliness. Sotomayor filed
a reply. (Dkt. 13.) Upon consideration, Sotomayor’s petition will be denied.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Sotomayor was convicted after a jury trial of second degree murder with a firearm.
(Dkt. 12, Ex. 1, pp. 41-42.) The trial court sentenced him to life in prison. (Id., p. 51.) The
state appellate court per curiam affirmed. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 5.) Sotomayor filed a motion for
postconviction relief under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 7.) The
state postconviction court summarily denied relief, and the state appellate court per curiam
affirmed. (Dkt. 12, Exs. 8, 12.)
FACTS1
1
This factual summary is derived from the trial transcript and the appellate briefs.
Page 1 of 27
Courtney “C.C.” Walker and Justus Walker had a “rocky” marriage. C.C. was
romantically involved with Sotomayor and had signed a lease for an apartment where
Sotomayor began living. Justus knew of the affair but was willing to take C.C. back, and
he told her to choose someone. C.C. and Justus spent the evening of March 7, 2009,
together. Later that night, however, C.C. Walker went to Tequila Beach, the bar where she
worked. There, she and Sotomayor were observed saying, “I love you.” But they were also
seen arguing, and Sotomayor twice physically pulled her back when she tried to leave.
Walker made plans for her co-workers Kristie Zelina, Brittany Cowan, and Rachel
Conville to pick her up at the apartment that night because she was arguing with
Sotomayor. On the way to the apartment, Zelina received a phone call from Walker.
Zelina heard Walker screaming hysterically and screaming the name “Alex,” and heard a
“ch-ch” sound that she believed to be a gun cocking. The phone went silent. Moments after
pulling into the apartment complex, Zelina and Cowan observed Sotomayor exiting the
complex in his car and heard him screaming through the open car window. No one
answered the apartment door.
Zelina, Cowan, and Conville made telephone contact with Sotomayor a short time
later. He was hysterical and said that he and Walker had been robbed and that Walker was
dead in the closet. Cowan could overhear Sotomayor tell Conville on the phone2 that they
had been robbed by two men.
Later that night, Sotomayor called an acquaintance, Gissel Dipierro, and told her that
he had killed Walker. When Dipierro asked why he did not call 911 for an ambulance,
2
The State could not locate Rachel Conville to testify at trial. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. V, pp. 701-02.)
Page 2 of 27
Sotomayor responded, “You don’t understand, I blew her brains out.” He called Dipierro
back to ask her to a do him a favor once “they” inevitably contacted her based on his cell
phone record, and to say that he was robbed.
Sotomayor arrived at the home of another acquaintance, Matthew Collins, in the
early morning hours of March 8, 2009. He told Collins that he had shot Walker in the head
with an assault rifle and killed her. Sotomayor stated that he threw the rifle in a gutter. He
left two other firearms at Collins’ house. Sotomayor took a shower and borrowed some of
Collins’ clothes before leaving. Police later recovered a .40 caliber handgun and a 12
gauge shotgun from Collins’ backyard.
In the meantime, police found Walker dead inside a bedroom closet in the
apartment. She had been shot in the head. A fired 7.62 x 39 caliber cartridge case
recovered from the bedroom was analyzed and found to have been fired from an AK style
assualt rifle. Collins knew Sotomayor to own an assault rifle and had seen him with one
before. Police also recovered 7.62 x 39 rifle cartridges from Sotomayor’s car.
Sotomayor spoke to police later on the night of Walker’s death. He said that when
he opened the apartment door, three men carrying assault rifles rushed inside. Sotomayor
stated that he ran away and returned later to find Walker inside, after which he locked the
door, called 911, and drove to the police station. He admitted, however, that he had been
arguing with Walker about her husband. When asked whether he shot Walker, Sotomayor
responded that he did not have firearms. After police told Sotomayor that they would
perform gunshot residue testing on him and left the interview room, he was observed
wiping his hands off on his clothes.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Page 3 of 27
The Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (“AEDPA”) governs this
proceeding. Wilcox v. Florida Dep’t of Corr., 158 F.3d 1209, 1210 (11th Cir. 1998). Habeas
relief can only be granted if a petitioner is in custody “in violation of the Constitution or laws
or treaties of the United States.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a). Section 2254(d), which sets forth
a highly deferential standard for federal court review of a state court adjudication, states:
An application for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a person in custody
pursuant to the judgment of a State court shall not be granted with respect
to any claim that was adjudicated on the merits in State court proceedings
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.
In Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 412-13 (2000), the Supreme Court interpreted this
deferential standard:
Under the “contrary to” clause, a federal habeas court may grant the writ if
the state court arrives at a conclusion opposite to that reached by this Court
on a question of law or if the state court decides a case differently than this
Court has on a set of materially indistinguishable facts. Under the
“unreasonable application” clause, a federal habeas court may grant the writ
if the state court identifies the correct governing legal principle from this
Court’s decisions but unreasonably applies that principle to the facts of the
prisoner’s case.
“The focus . . . is on whether the state court’s application of clearly established
federal law is objectively unreasonable . . . an unreasonable application is different from
an incorrect one.” Bell v. Cone, 535 U.S. 685, 694 (2002). “As a condition for obtaining
habeas corpus from a federal court, a state prisoner must show that the state court's ruling
on the claim being presented in federal court was so lacking in justification that there was
Page 4 of 27
an error well understood and comprehended in existing law beyond any possibility for
fairminded disagreement.” Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 103 (2011).
The state appellate court affirmed Sotomayor’s conviction and sentence and
affirmed the denial of postconviction relief without discussion. The court’s decisions
warrant deference under § 2254(d)(1) because “the summary nature of a state court's
decision does not lessen the deference that it is due.” Wright v. Moore, 278 F.3d 1245,
1254 (11th Cir. 2002). See also Richter, 562 U.S. at 99 (“When a federal claim has been
presented to a state court and the state court has denied relief, it may be presumed that
the state court adjudicated the claim on the merits in the absence of any indication or statelaw procedural principles to the contrary.”).
INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is analyzed under the test set forth in
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984). Strickland requires a showing of deficient
performance by counsel and resulting prejudice.
Id. at 687.
To show deficient
performance, a petitioner must demonstrate that “counsel’s representation fell below an
objective standard of reasonableness.” Id. at 687-88. However, “counsel is strongly
presumed to have rendered adequate assistance and made all significant decisions in the
exercise of reasonable professional judgment.” Id. Additionally, “a court deciding an actual
ineffectiveness claim must judge the reasonableness of counsel’s challenged conduct on
the facts of the particular case, viewed as of the time of counsel’s conduct.” Id.
Sotomayor must demonstrate that counsel’s alleged error prejudiced the defense
because “[a]n error by counsel, even if professionally unreasonable, does not warrant
setting aside the judgment of a criminal proceeding if the error had no effect on the
Page 5 of 27
judgment.” Id. at 691-92. To show prejudice, Sotomayor must demonstrate “a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would
have been different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine
confidence in the outcome.” Id. at 694.
Sustaining a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel on federal habeas review is
difficult because review is “doubly” deferential to counsel’s performance and the state
court’s ruling. Richter, 562 U.S. at 105. See also Cullen v. Pinholster, 563 U.S. 170, 202
(2011) (a petitioner must overcome the “‘doubly deferential’ standard of Strickland and
AEDPA.”). If a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel can be resolved through one of
the Strickland test’s two prongs, the other prong need not be considered. 466 U.S. at 697
(“[T]here is no reason for a court deciding an ineffective assistance claim . . . to address
both components of the inquiry if the defendant makes an insufficient showing on one.”).
DISCUSSION
Grounds One(A)(1) and One(A)(2)3
In Ground One(A)(1), Sotomayor asserts that the trial court erred in failing to
conduct an adequate Nelson4 hearing when he sought to have his trial counsel removed
due to counsel’s lack of preparation. In Ground One(A)(2), Sotomayor alleges that the trial
court erred in allowing the admission of “irrelevant and highly prejudicial” evidence
3
Sotomayor raises numerous claims of trial court error and ineffective assistance of trial counsel in
Ground One but does not specifically enumerate the claims. The Court has therefore labeled his three
allegations of trial court error as Grounds One(A)(1)-(3) and his five claims of ineffective assistance of trial
counsel as Grounds One(B)(1)-(5).
4
See Nelson v. State, 274 So.2d 256 (Fla. 4th DCA 1973) (under Florida law, when a defendant asks
that counsel be discharged due to incompetence, the trial court must determine whether adequate grounds
exist to do so).
Page 6 of 27
concerning firearms that were not used during the offense. Sotomayor alleges violations
of his federal rights to due process and a fair trial.
Sotomayor’s claims are not cognizable in this proceeding. Federal habeas relief is
only available if a petitioner’s custody violates the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the
United States. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a). Whether the state trial court complied with Florida’s
procedures under Nelson for addressing a motion to discharge counsel is a state law
question. Similarly, whether the state trial court correctly determined that firearms evidence
was relevant and thus admissible under Florida’s evidentiary rules is a matter of state law.
Accordingly, Sotomayor’s claims are not cognizable on federal habeas review.
See
Branan v. Booth, 861 F.2d 1507, 1508 (11th Cir. 1988) (“[A] habeas petition grounded on
issues of state law provides no basis for habeas relief.”). This is so even though Sotomayor
characterizes the claims as involving his federal rights. See id. (“This limitation on federal
habeas review is of equal force when a petition, which actually involves state law issues,
is ‘couched in terms of equal protection and due process.’” ) (quoting Willeford v. Estelle,
538 F.2d 1194, 1198 (5th Cir. 1976)).
Alternatively, even if Sotomayor’s arguments are interpreted as presenting federal
claims, they are procedurally barred. A federal habeas petitioner must exhaust his claims
for relief by raising them in state court before presenting them in his petition. 28 U.S.C.
§ 2254(b)(1)(A); O’Sullivan v. Boerckel, 526 U.S. 838, 842 (1999) (“[T]he state prisoner
must give the state courts an opportunity to act on his claims before he presents those
claims to a federal court in a habeas petition.”). The requirement of exhausting state
remedies as a prerequisite to federal review is satisfied if the petitioner “fairly presents” his
claim in each appropriate state court and alerts that court to the federal nature of the claim.
Page 7 of 27
28 U.S.C. § 2254(b)(1); Picard v. Connor, 404 U.S. 270, 275-76 (1971). Sotomayor failed
to satisfy the exhaustion requirement because, on appeal, he presented the claims as
involving issues of state law only. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 3, pp. 13-23, 28-32.)5
State procedural rules do not allow for successive direct appeals. See Fla. R. App.
P. 9.140(b)(3) (a defendant must appeal a final judgment within 30 days following rendition
of a written order imposing sentence). Accordingly, Sotomayor’s claims are procedurally
defaulted. See Smith v. Jones, 256 F.3d 1135, 1138 (11th Cir. 2001) (“If 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, unless either the cause and prejudice or the
fundamental miscarriage of justice exception is established.”). Sotomayor has not argued
or established that either the cause and prejudice or fundamental miscarriage of justice
exception applies to overcome the default. As a result, Grounds One(A)(1) and One(A)(2)
are barred from federal habeas review.
Ground One(A)(3)
I.
Sotomayor asserts that the trial court violated his federal right to present a defense
when it prohibited witness Mickey Maguire from giving exculpatory testimony. At trial, the
defense proffered Maguire’s testimony. He testified that on approximately March 9 or 10,
2009, a man named Dante arrived at his home. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. V, pp. 704-05, 707.)
Maguire testified that Dante said that Dante and two other men went into an apartment; that
5
While Sotomayor addressed his Sixth Amendment right to effective counsel in presenting his Nelson
claim (Dkt. 12, Ex. 3, p. 18), he failed to specifically assert that the trial court’s alleged error in conducting a
Nelson hearing resulted in a violation of his federal rights to due process and a fair trial. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 3, pp.
13-23.)
Page 8 of 27
“the guy” who was there ran out; that Dante and his associates “got what they wanted to
get” but did not want to pay the woman who was there, C.C.; and that one of the men with
Dante shot C.C. (Id., pp. 705-07.) The trial court ruled that Maguire could not present this
testimony to the jury because it did not meet the hearsay exception for statements against
interest under § 90.804, Fla. Stat. (Id., pp. 773-76.)6
Sotomayor claims that the state court’s ruling violated his federal rights,7 because
it left him with “no way to corroborate his theory of defense.” (Dkt. 1, p. 7.) See Chambers
v. Mississippi, 410 U.S. 284, 294 (1973) (“The right of an accused in a criminal trial to due
process is, in essence, the right to a fair opportunity to defend against the State’s
accusations. The rights to confront and cross-examine witnesses and to call witnesses in
one’s own behalf have long been recognized as essential to due process.”); Washington
v. Texas, 388 U.S. 14, 19 (1967) (The right to offer the testimony of witnesses, and to
compel their attendance, if necessary, is in plain terms the right to present a defense . . .
This right is a fundamental element of due process of law.”).
But the right to present a defense is not without limitations. Chambers recognized
that, “[i]n the exercise of [the right to present witnesses], the accused, as is required of the
State, must comply with established rules of procedure and evidence designed to assure
both fairness and reliability in the ascertainment of guilt and innocence.” 410 U.S. at 302.
See also Taylor v. Illinois, 484 U.S. 400, 410 (1988) (the accused “does not have an
6
Maguire explained that, shortly before trial, he was housed in a pod with Sotomayor in the Manatee
County Jail and agreed to testify to what he knew. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. V, p. 712.)
7
Whether the court properly excluded Maguire’s testimony under Florida’s evidentiary rules presents
a question of state law that does not state a sufficient claim for federal habeas relief. See McCullough v.
Singletary, 967 F.2d 530, 535 (11th Cir. 1992) (“A state’s interpretation of its own laws or rules provides no
basis for federal habeas corpus relief, since no question of a constitutional nature is involved.”).
Page 9 of 27
unfettered right to offer testimony that is incompetent, privileged, or otherwise inadmissible
under standard rules of evidence.”); Crane v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 683, 690 (1986) (the
Supreme Court has never “questioned the power of the States to exclude evidence through
the application of evidentiary rules that themselves serve the interests of fairness and
reliability–even if the defendant would prefer to see that evidence admitted.”) (citing
Chambers, 410 U.S. at 302). With respect to the hearsay rule in particular, Chambers
recognized that “[o]ut-of-court statements are traditionally excluded because they lack the
conventional indicia of reliability.” 410 U.S. at 302.
Sotomayor has not shown any constitutional error in the exclusion of Maguire’s
proffered testimony regarding Dante. And even assuming that he had made such a
showing, Sotomayor fails to demonstrate entitlement to relief. Any constitutional error by
the trial court in excluding this evidence is subject to the harmless-error test set out in
Brecht v. Abrahamson, 507 U.S. 619 (1993):
In § 2254 proceedings, federal courts must evaluate constitutional errors
under the harmless-error standard articulated in Brecht v. Abrahamson, 507
U.S. 619, 113 S.Ct. 1710, 123 L.Ed.2d 353 (1993). As Brecht explained,
“[federal] habeas petitioners may obtain plenary review of their constitutional
claims, but they are not entitled to habeas relief based on trial error unless
they can establish that it resulted in ‘actual prejudice.’” Id. at 637, 113 S.Ct.
at 1722. To find “actual prejudice,” a federal habeas court must conclude
that the error “had substantial and injurious effect or influence in determining
the jury’s verdict.” Id. (quoting Kotteakos v. United States, 328 U.S. 750,
776, 66 S.Ct. 1239, 1253, 90 L.Ed. 1557 (1946)).
Hittson v. GDCP Warden, 759 F.3d 1210, 1233-34 (11th Cir. 2014) (footnote omitted).
Sotomayor has not established that the omission of Maguire’s proposed testimony
had a substantial and injurious effect or influence on the verdict. The jury was aware of
Sotomayor’s robbery theory through his statements to acquaintances and police on the
Page 10 of 27
night of Walker’s death. Moreover, the State presented overwhelming evidence of his guilt.
To prove that Sotomayor was guilty of second degree murder with a firearm, the State had
to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that (1) Walker was dead; (2) the death was caused
by the criminal act of Sotomayor; (3) there was an unlawful killing of Walker by an act
imminently dangerous to another and demonstrating a depraved mind without regard for
human life; and (4) Sotomayor carried, displayed, used, threatened to use, or attempted
to use a firearm. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. VI, pp. 896-97.) An act is imminently dangerous to
another and demonstrating a depraved mind if it is an act that (1) a person of ordinary
judgment would know is reasonably certain to kill or do serious bodily injury to another; (2)
is done from ill will, hatred, spite, or an evil intent; and (3) is of such a nature that the act
itself indicates an indifference to human life. (Id., p. 897.)
The State presented significant evidence that Walker’s death was caused by
Sotomayor’s criminal act and that he used a firearm. Sotomayor was observed leaving the
apartment complex where Walker was found shot to death only minutes after Zelina
received a phone call in which she heard Walker screaming the name “Alex” and a “ch-ch”
noise she thought was a gun cocking.8 (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. III, pp. 372-73, 376-79; Vol.
IV, p. 447.) That same night, Sotomayor confessed to Collins that he shot Walker in the
head and disposed of the assault rifle that he used to commit the murder. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2,
Vol. III, pp. 407, 416-17.) Sotomayor also confessed to Dipierro, explicitly telling her that
he blew Walker’s brains out. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. IV, p. 466.) It was not until a later
conversation that Sotomayor asked Dipierro to do him a favor and say he was robbed if she
8
Detective Price testified that an AK47 assault rifle would make a “racking” or “ch-ch” sound when
a round was loaded in the chamber. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. V, pp. 667-68.)
Page 11 of 27
was asked. (Id., pp. 468, 473.)9 Furthermore, evidence indicated that Sotomayor owned
a rifle that used the type of fired cartridge case found in the apartment. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol.
III, pp. 416-17; Vol. IV, p. 582, Vol. V, pp. 639-42.) The same type of ammunition was
found in his car. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. IV, pp. 586-91.)
The State also presented evidence from which the jury could find that the act was
imminently dangerous to another and demonstrated a depraved mind without regard for
human life. The jury could conclude that a reasonable person would know that shooting
at another person’s head with an assault rifle would be likely to cause death or serious
bodily injury and would indicate an indifference to human life. See, e.g., Keltner v. State,
650 So.2d 1066, 1067 (Fla. 2d DCA 1995) (“[W]e find that the act of pointing a loaded
firearm in someone’s direction and then firing it is imminently dangerous to another and
evinces a depraved mind.”).
The State also presented evidence from which the jury could find that Sotomayor
acted from ill will, hatred, spite, or an evil intent. Walker spent the evening with her
husband, who told her to choose someone, and she planned to be picked up at the
apartment because she had been arguing with Sotomayor. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. III, pp. 290-
9
Dipierro testified that she received a total of four calls from Sotomayor. With regard to the robbery
scenario he told her about during the last phone call, she testified:
Q.
Okay. Now, is it possible he was reporting to you what had happened?
A.
No.
Q.
Okay.
A.
It’s not possible only because it was the last phone call, and it was a phone call
asking me to say something that he hadn’t told me previously in the other phone
calls.
(Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. IV, p. 473.)
Page 12 of 27
94, 367-68, 426.) Additionally, Sotomayor admitted to police that he and Walker argued
about her husband, and when they were seen arguing on the night of the murder,
Sotomayor twice physically pulled Walker back to him. (Id., pp. 320-21, 327; Vol. V, p.
676.) See, e.g., Chaffin v. State, 121 So.3d 608, 613 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013) (evidence
supported a second degree murder conviction when it “established that Chaffin and [the
victim] had a complicated relationship which was fraught with conflict” and that the
relationship “may have sparked ill will in Chaffin’s mind.”).
Additionally, the jury did hear a limited version of the prohibited testimony. The
defense called Maguire to testify about another matter. During his testimony, he informed
the jury that the people actually responsible for Walker’s murder came to his house and told
him what happened:
A
[ ] But after that happened that night, somebody came to my house - -
Q
Okay, all right.
A
And told me the truth of what happened.
Q
Okay.
A
That he did not shoot nobody.
(Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. VI, p. 823.)
Maguire also testified:
Q
Okay. And are you telling the truth about what - -
A
I’m telling nothing but the truth, why I’m here, the, I’m not here, sir, to
get nobody - - I’m here because I know the truth. That man over there
did not murder that girl, I know that for a fact, because the people that
did murder her come to my house afterward. I know the truth.
THE COURT:
Mr. Maguire, stop speaking.
Page 13 of 27
A
You want the truth - THE COURT:
A
Stop speaking.
- - I’m giving you the truth.
(Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. VI, pp. 830-31.)10
In light of the proceeding as a whole, Sotomayor fails to show that the exclusion of
Maguire’s testimony about Dante had a substantial and injurious effect or influence on the
verdict so as to result in actual prejudice.
Accordingly, he does not demonstrate
entitlement to relief.
II.
During his closing argument, the prosecutor noted that the only information
corroborating the robbery theory came from Sotomayor’s statements:
And [the defense] want[s] to tell you that based on that story that he
presented that there’s reasonable doubt in this case that he’s the one who
committed the crime.
So where do we get the evidence from that there were three robbers that
entered his house and committed this crime? Where’s the only evidence of
that come from? His mouth. There’s no other evidence presented by the
State or in the detective’s investigation or crime scene investigation that led
them to believe there was anything other than a single perpetrator, this
defendant. So if you take what we have without the other evidence the State
presented, and you look at the fact that there’s a murder, and you look at the
statement the defendant gave, there’s no reasonable doubt in that as to what
happened.
(Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. VI, p. 872.)
To the extent Sotomayor intends to raise a claim of prosecutorial misconduct, and
10
The jury was taken out of the courtroom after these statements. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. VI, p. 831.)
Upon their return, Maguire was no longer present and the jury was simply informed that the defense had no
other questions for Maguire and was resting its case. (Id., p. 833, 837.)
Page 14 of 27
assuming that this claim is exhausted, Sotomayor is not entitled to relief. Closing argument
is designed to “assist the jury in analyzing, evaluating and applying the evidence.” United
States v. Pearson, 746 F.2d 787, 796 (11th Cir. 1984). The prosecutor may comment on
the evidence and express the conclusions he contends the jury should draw from the
evidence. United States v. Johns, 734 F.2d 657, 663 (11th Cir. 1984). See also McArthur
v. State, 801 So.2d 1037, 1040 (Fla. 5th DCA 2001) (“The courts generally allow wide
latitude in closing arguments by permitting counsel to advance all legitimate arguments and
draw logical inferences from the evidence.”).
Furthermore, to obtain relief, Sotomayor must show that an improper comment
prejudiced his substantial rights. Sexton v. Howard, 55 F.3d 1557, 1559 (11th Cir. 1995).
“A defendant’s substantial rights are prejudicially affected when a reasonable probability
arises that, but for the remarks, the outcome [of the trial] would be different.” United States
v. Hall, 47 F.3d 1091, 1098 (11th Cir. 1995) (citing Kennedy v. Dugger, 933 F.2d 905, 914
(11th Cir. 1991)).
See Darden v. Wainwright, 477 U.S. 168, 181 (1986) (on habeas
review, “[t]he relevant question is whether the prosecutor’s comments ‘so infected the trial
with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial of due process.’”) (quoting
Donnelly v. DeChristoforo, 416 U.S. 637 (1974)); Tucker v. Kemp, 802 F.2d 1293, 1296
(11th Cir. 1986) (en banc) (“If a reviewing court is confident that, absent the improper
remarks, the jury’s decision would have been no different, the proceeding cannot be said
to have been fundamentally unfair.”).
Sotomayor has not shown that the prosecutor’s comment was improper. “While a
prosecutor may ‘not ridicule or otherwise improperly attack the defense’s theory of the
case,’ a prosecutor is permitted to suggest to the jury that ‘based on the evidence of the
Page 15 of 27
case, they should question the plausibility of the defense’s theory.’” Davis v. State, 136 So.
3d 1169, 1203 (Fla. 2014) (quoting Valentine v. State, 98 So.3d 44, 55-56 (Fla. 2012)).
Sotomayor cites no clearly established federal law11 providing that the prosecutor could not
comment on the reliability or credibility of Sotomayor’s theory of defense following the
exclusion of evidence that would have supported it.
And contrary to Sotomayor’s
argument, the prosecutor did not say that Sotomayor presented “no other evidence,” thus
misrepresenting or shifting the burden of proof to Sotomayor.12 Rather, the prosecutor said
no other evidence as developed and presented by the State led the investigators to believe
that Walker’s death was caused by anyone other than Sotomayor, acting alone.
Finally, even assuming the prosecutor’s statement was improper, Sotomayor still
would not be entitled to relief. As addressed above, the State presented overwhelming
evidence of Sotomayor’s guilt, including his two separate confessions to Collins and
Dipierro. Furthermore, the trial court instructed the jury that the burden of proof was the
State’s and that Sotomayor was not required to present evidence or prove his innocence.
(Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. VI, pp. 901, 903.) “[J]urors are presumed to follow the court’s
instructions.” Brown v. Jones, 255 F.3d 1273, 1280 (11th Cir. 2001). Considering the
prosecutor’s comments in the context of the trial as a whole, Sotomayor fails to show that
the comments so infected the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a
denial of due process. See Darden, 477 U.S. at 181.
11
The phrase “clearly established Federal law” encompasses only the holdings of the United States
Supreme Court “as of the time of the relevant state-court decision.” Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. at 412.
12
A prosecutor “must refrain from making burden-shifting arguments which suggest that the defendant
has an obligation to produce any evidence or to prove innocence.” United States v. Simon, 964 F.2d 1082,
1086 (11th Cir. 1992).
Page 16 of 27
Accordingly, Sotomayor has not shown that the state court’s rejection of his
prosecutorial misconduct claim was contrary to or an unreasonable application of clearly
established federal law, or was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts.
Sotomayor is not entitled to relief on Ground One(A)(3).
Ground Five
Sotomayor argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the
prosecutorial comment addressed above.
He argues that the State improperly
“benefit[ted]” from its objection to Maguire’s testimony by arguing that the defense theory
was uncorroborated because Sotomayor presented “no other evidence” in support of it.
(Dkt. 1, pp. 16-17.) The state court rejected Sotomayor’s claim that counsel was ineffective
for failing to object to this statement, finding that “[t]here is nothing in this case that makes
the benefit enjoyed by the State in winning its motion somehow ‘unfair’” and finding nothing
objectionable in the State’s comments:
The State did not comment on what was not presented at trial, but merely
confirmed that nothing that was presented corroborated Defendant’s version
of events. Cf Ruiz v. State, 743 So. 2d 1, 4 (Fla. 1999) (“The role of the
attorney in closing argument is to assist the jury in analyzing, evaluating and
applying the evidence. . . . he may not suggest that evidence which was not
presented at trial provides additional grounds for finding defendant guilty.”
(Dkt. 12, Ex. 8, pp. 6-7) (footnote omitted) (emphasis in original).
As the state court found, and as discussed above, Sotomayor has not demonstrated
that the State made any improper comment to which counsel should have objected.
Furthermore, even assuming the prosecutor’s comment was improper, in the context of the
entire trial, Sotomayor’s substantial rights were not prejudiced. Thus, he has not shown
that, even if counsel performed deficiently, he suffered resulting prejudice to satisfy the
Page 17 of 27
second prong of Strickland.
The state court did not unreasonably apply Strickland or unreasonably determine
the facts in rejecting Sotomayor’s claim. He is not entitled to relief on Ground Five.
Ground One(B)(4)
Sotomayor contends that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to interview Mickey
Maguire until the night before jury selection. It appears that counsel first spoke to Maguire
on the Sunday night before jury selection and that Maguire provided information that could
be used to impeach state witness Matthew Collins. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. V, p. 704.) Then,
during a break in the trial, Maguire was deposed and for the first time relayed Dante’s
statements. (Id., pp. 700, 704-08, 711.) Sotomayor contends that counsel could have
uncovered Dante’s statements to Maguire sooner. In support, he notes that when counsel
proffered Maguire’s testimony and asked whether Maguire mentioned Dante when he first
spoke to counsel, Maguire stated, “No, we never got that far. But I wanted to talk to you
about it.” (Id., p. 704.)
Sotomayor raised this claim of ineffective assistance of counsel on direct appeal.13
The state appellate court rejected it when it per curiam affirmed Sotomayor’s judgment and
sentence. The record supports the denial of this claim. Even assuming that counsel
performed deficiently in not eliciting Maguire’s statements about Dante sooner, Sotomayor
has not shown prejudice. The trial court excluded Maguire’s testimony not because of its
late disclosure but because it contained inadmissible hearsay. (Id., pp. 773-76.)
13
In Florida,“[a]s a general rule, claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are not ordinarily
cognizable on direct appeal. The exception is when the error is apparent on the face of the record, which is
rarely the case.” Desire v. State, 928 So.2d 1256, 1257 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006). On direct appeal, Sotomayor
alleged that counsel’s alleged ineffectiveness was apparent from the face of the record. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 3, pp.
27-28 .)
Page 18 of 27
Accordingly, this testimony would have been excluded from the jury’s consideration even
if counsel uncovered it earlier.
Sotomayor therefore fails to demonstrate that the state court’s rejection of his claim
was contrary to or an unreasonable application of clearly established federal law or was
based on an unreasonable determination of the facts. Sotomayor is not entitled to relief
on Ground One(B)(5).
Ground Two
Sotomayor argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object when the trial
court “improperly influenc[ed] the jury not to request to have portions of the trial testimony
reread during deliberations.” (Dkt. 1, p. 9.) The state court denied Sotomayor’s claim:
In Defendant’s first ground, he alleges that his counsel was ineffective for
failing to object to the Court’s implication that the jury could not ask for a
read-back of the trial testimony. Specifically, Defendant contends that his
counsel should have objected to the following statement:
For purposes of your deliberations later it will be your
responsibility to accurately recall the testimony. Occasionally
jurors are of the mistaken belief that it is a simple process to
request that the jury be able to have portions of the testimony
reread to assist in deliberations. That is not a simple process
at all. Depending upon exactly what is requested it can take up
to hours for the pertinent portion of the court reporter’s notes
to be located, properly transcribed and prepared.
An objection to this statement would have been meritless. Although
Defendant is correct in his assertion that “a trial court should not use any
language that would mislead a jury into believing read-backs are prohibited,”
there is nothing that prevents a court from informing the jury about the
difficulties of a read-back. See Francis v. State, 808 So.2d 110, 130 (Fla.
2001). In this case, the Court informed the jurors that it was not “a simple
process” to conduct a read-back; however, the Court also made it abundantly
clear that such a process was, in fact, available. Therefore, there was no
error in the Court’s instruction.
For this reason, any objection to the instruction by defense counsel would
Page 19 of 27
have lacked merit, and counsel cannot be deemed ineffective for failing to
make a meritless objection. See Valentine v. State, 98 So.3d 44, 57-58 (Fla.
2012). Accordingly, Ground One of Defendant’s motion is denied.
(Dkt. 12, Ex. 8, pp. 2-3) (footnotes omitted) (emphasis in original).
The court’s remark was made during preliminary instructions informing the jurors of
their responsibility to listen carefully to the evidence. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. III, pp. 268-69.)
As the state court found, the instruction did not suggest that a read-back was prohibited.
This Court must defer to the state court’s determination that such an instruction was
permissible under Florida law. See Will v. Sec’y, Dep’t of Corr., 278 Fed. App’x 902, 908
(11th Cir. 2008) (“Although an ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim is a federal
constitutional claim, which we consider in light of the clearly established rules of Strickland,
when ‘the validity of the claim that [counsel] failed to assert is clearly a question of state
law, . . . we must defer to the state’s construction of its own law.’”) (quoting Alvord v.
Wainwright, 725 F.2d 1282, 1291 (11th Cir. 1984)); Herring v. Sec’y, Dep’t of Corr., 397
F.3d 1338, 1354-55 (11th Cir. 2005) (“The Florida Supreme Court already has told us how
the issues would have been resolved under Florida state law had [petitioner’s counsel]
done what [petitioner] argues he should have done . . . It is a ‘fundamental principle that
state courts are the final arbiters of state law, and federal habeas courts should not secondguess them on such matters.”) (quoting Agan v. Vaughn, 119 F.3d 1538, 1549 (11th Cir.
1997)).
As the state court correctly found, counsel did not perform deficiently in failing to
raise a meritless objection. See Brownlee v. Haley, 306 F.3d 1043, 1066 (11th Cir. 2002)
(“Counsel was not ineffective for failing to raise these issues because they clearly lack
merit.”).
In addition, Sotomayor fails to show prejudice as a result of counsel’s
Page 20 of 27
performance. His claim implies that, if not for this instruction, the jury would have asked
for a read-back of testimony and would have rendered a different verdict. This suggestion
is too speculative to warrant relief. See Tejada v. Dugger, 941 F.2d 1551, 1559 (11th Cir.
1991) (vague, conclusory, or unsupported allegations cannot support an ineffective
assistance of counsel claim).14
Therefore, as Sotomayor does not show that the state court unreasonably applied
Strickland or unreasonably determined the facts in denying his claim, he is not entitled to
relief on Ground Two.
Grounds One(B)(2) and Three
Sotomayor alleges that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion in
limine to exclude evidence of firearms and ammunition that “were irrelevant to the crime
charged and very prejudicial to the defense.” (Dkt. 1, p. 11.) The State alleged that Walker
was killed with an assault rifle that was not recovered. However, the State introduced two
other firearms, ammunition, and a box for one of the firearms. Sotomayor raised this claim
in his postconviction motion and on direct appeal.
The state court rejected Sotomayor’s postconviction claim:
Defendant alleges that his counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion
in limine regarding the admission of certain “irrelevant” firearm and
ammunition evidence. Specifically, Defendant alleges that counsel should
have filed a motion in limine regarding the following items:
14
Sotomayor contends for the first time in the reply that counsel should have objected because “the
court failed to correctly advise the jury that the digital reporting was possible and a recording was possible on
the spot.” (Dkt. 13, p. 7.) Sotomayor cannot bring a new claim in his reply. Herring, 397 F.3d at 1342. And
this particular allegation of ineffective assistance of trial counsel is unexhausted because it was not presented
to the state court. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 7, pp. 2-5.) The claim is procedurally defaulted because Sotomayor cannot
return to state court to file an untimely, successive postconviction motion. See Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.850(b), (h).
Notwithstanding, Sotomayor’s claim remains too speculative to warrant relief because he has not shown a
reasonable probability that the jury would have reached a different verdict as a result of having any particular
testimony read back to them.
Page 21 of 27
1. Ammunition for a 12-gauge shot gun and a .40-caliber handgun that were
not used to commit the crime;
2. A 12-gauge shot gun and a .40 caliber handgun that were not used to
commit the crime; and
3. A receipt for the 12-gauge shotgun and a box for the .40-caliber handgun.
Although it is true that defense counsel did not file a motion in limine as to
any of these items, he did object to their admission. However, counsel was
overruled, because the Court concluded that the items were relevant.
Therefore, given the fact that the Court overruled counsel’s objections, it is
clear that the Court also would have denied a similar motion in limine. For
this reason, it cannot be said that Defendant was prejudiced by his counsel’s
failure to file such a motion. Accordingly, Ground Three of Defendant’s
motion is denied.
(Dkt. 12, Ex. 8, pp. 5-6) (footnotes omitted) (emphasis in original).
The record supports the state court’s finding that counsel objected to the identified
items as irrelevant and prejudicial, but that the court overruled counsel’s objections. (Dkt.
12, Ex. 2, Vol. III, pp. 413-15; Vol. IV, pp. 550-55, 574-79, 598-602.) Given the court’s
finding that the items were relevant and therefore admissible, Sotomayor has not shown
a reasonable probability that the court would have made a different ruling based upon a
motion in limine to exclude these same items. The record therefore supports the state
court’s conclusion that Sotomayor failed to meet Strickland’s prejudice prong. Accordingly,
Sotomayor does not establish that the state court unreasonably applied Strickland or
unreasonably determined the facts in rejecting his claim on direct appeal or on collateral
review.15 Consequently, Sotomayor is not entitled to relief on Grounds One(B)(2) and
15
In his reply, Sotomayor now asserts that counsel was ineffective because he would have been able
to present more thorough argument and the court would have conducted a hearing had he filed a motion in
limine. He also claims that the state appellate court “would have been required to consider was there an
abuse of discretion which is the standard of review of a trial court’s ruling on a motion in limine.” (Dkt. 13, p.
13.) Again, Sotomayor cannot raise a new claim in his reply, Herring, 397 F.3d at 1342, and this specific
allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel is unexhausted and now procedurally defaulted due to his failure
Page 22 of 27
Three.
Grounds One(B)(5) and Four
Sotomayor claims that trial counsel was ineffective in presenting a closing argument
that was inconsistent with Sotomayor’s defense and not guilty plea. He claims counsel
“simply never asserted that Petitioner did not kill Courtney Walker. Additionally, counsel
failed to tie his argument into even a suggestion of a reasonable doubt defense.” (Dkt. 1,
p. 14.) Sotomayor raised this claim in his postconviction motion and on direct appeal. The
state court denied the postconviction claim:
Defendant asserts that his counsel was ineffective for failing to argue in his
closing argument that Defendant was innocent or that the State had failed to
prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This assertion is refuted by the
record.
Although counsel never explicitly said that Defendant “is innocent,” he did
argue to the jury that Defendant did not commit the crime. Specifically,
counsel made the following arguments:
We ask you to consider the circumstances, we ask you to
consider the fact that Mr. Sotomayor that [sic] was clearly in a
frantic, frenzied state, by all accounts. Even if you believe Ms.
Zelina, that she saw him in a white Pontiac with the window
halfway down speeding out of the complex, he was screaming.
And I suggest to you that that is consistent with the conduct of
someone who has seen somebody else do something, or of
someone who has committed an act that was accidental or
intentional [sic] or without any intent or design, and not an act
of someone who has evidenced evil, ill will, malice, or any of
those things that must be proven to you beyond a reasonable
doubt in order to convict a person of murder in the second
degree.
to raise it in state court. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 3, p. 24; Ex. 7, pp. 8-10.) Notwithstanding the default, Sotomayor does
not show entitlement to relief. He fails to explain what additional argument counsel could have made at a
motion in limine hearing. Nor does he demonstrate a reasonable probability that such argument would have
led to the exclusion of the weapons evidence. Finally, he has not shown a reasonable probability that the
state appellate court would have found an abuse of discretion had the issue been raised in a motion in limine
and rejected.
Page 23 of 27
....
And I suggest to you that no evidence has been offered to you
which would be consistent with anything but that Mr.
Sotomayor loved Ms. Walker and cared for her, and cared for
her deeply.
....
[I]t would be reasonable for you to conclude that under any set
of facts, murder in the second degree has simply not been
proven.
And I suggest to you that there has not been any evidence put
before you that is consistent with anything other than Mr.
Sotomayor’s love and passion for her . . . .
....
I ask you to consider that if it is your determination that Mr.
Sotomayor did have something to do with pulling a trigger of an
assault rifle, that you must consider whether it was an act done
from ill will, hatred, spite, or an evil intent, or whether it was
motivated by some other state of mind.
Likewise, counsel argued on numerous occasions that the State was required
to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and that it had not done so.
Moreover, upon review of defense counsel’s closing argument, the Court
finds that the argument was sufficient. Furthermore, there is no reasonable
probability that additional mention of “innocence” or “reasonable doubt” would
have changed the outcome of this case, and the Court’s confidence in these
proceedings has not been undermined by the alleged deficiencies in
counsel’s closing arguments. Therefore, Ground Two of Defendant’s motion
is denied.
(Dkt. 12, Ex. 8, pp. 3-5) (footnotes omitted).
The record supports the state court’s ruling. Counsel argued that the evidence was
insufficient to prove that Sotomayor committed second degree murder and that the State
had not met its burden of proof. (Dkt. 12, Ex. 2, Vol. VI, pp. 858-69.) Sotomayor has not
established a reasonable probability that the outcome of trial would have been different had
counsel rephrased his argument to more explicitly assert Sotomayor’s innocence.
Page 24 of 27
Accordingly, Sotomayor does not establish that the state court unreasonably applied
Strickland or unreasonably determined the facts in rejecting his claim on either direct or
collateral appeal. He is not entitled to relief on Grounds One(B)(5) and Four.
Ground One(B)(1)
Sotomayor argues that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to depose the lead
detective and lead crime scene technician. The state appellate court denied this claim
without comment when it per curiam affirmed Sotomayor’s conviction and sentence.
Sotomayor has not asserted what information counsel would have uncovered by deposing
these witnesses or how such information would have affected the outcome of the trial.
Sotomayor’s vague assertion is insufficient to establish either prong of Strickland. See
Tejada, 941 F.2d at 1559. Accordingly, the state appellate court’s ruling was not contrary
to or an unreasonable determination of clearly established federal law. Sotomayor is not
entitled to relief on this Ground One(B)(1).
Ground One(B)(3)
Sotomayor alleges that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to provide a plausible
defense in his opening statement. In support of this allegation, he argues that his attorney
“did not [sic] an alternative version of events and he did not ask the jury to even consider
the possibility that Petitioner was not guilty.” (Dkt. 1, p. 6.)
The state appellate court denied this claim when it per curiam affirmed Sotomayor’s
conviction and sentence on direct appeal. Sotomayor has not established that he was
prejudiced as a result of any such omission during the opening statement, when, as
addressed, counsel asserted in his closing argument that the State failed to prove beyond
a reasonable doubt that Sotomayor was responsible for Walker’s death. Accordingly, his
Page 25 of 27
assertion that counsel was ineffective is too vague and conclusory to provide relief. See
Tejada, 941 F.2d at 1559. He does not show that the state appellate court’s decision
rejecting his claim on direct appeal was contrary to or an unreasonable application of
clearly established federal law, or was based on an unreasonable determination of the
facts. Sotomayor is not entitled to relief on Ground One(B)(3).
Cumulative Error Claim
Within Ground One, Sotomayor argues that “a combination” of trial court error and
ineffective assistance of his trial counsel resulted in violations of his federal rights to due
process and a fair trial. To the extent he asserts that the cumulative effect of the alleged
errors resulted in a federal constitutional violation, and assuming this claim was exhausted
on direct appeal, he is not entitled to relief. Because he has not established any error for
the reasons alleged in Ground One, his cumulative error claim must fail. See United States
v. Barshov, 733 F.2d 842, 852 (11th Cir. 1984) (“Without harmful errors, there can be no
cumulative effect compelling reversal.”). The state court’s denial of his claim was not
contrary to or an unreasonable application of clearly established law and was not based
on an unreasonable determination of the facts.
Any claims not specifically addressed in this Order have been determined to be
without merit.
It is ORDERED that:
1. Sotomayor’s petition (Dkt. 1) is DENIED. The Clerk is directed to enter judgment
against Sotomayor and to close this case.
2. Sotomayor is not entitled to a certificate of appealability (COA). A petitioner does
Page 26 of 27
not have absolute entitlement to appeal a district court’s denial of his habeas petition. 28
U.S.C. § 2253(c)(1). A district court must first issue a COA. Id. “A [COA] may issue ...
only if the applicant has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.”
Id. at § 2253(c)(2).
To make such a showing, Sotomayor “must demonstrate that
reasonable jurists would find the district court’s assessment of the constitutional claims
debatable or wrong,” Tennard v. Dretke, 542 U.S. 274, 282 (2004) (quoting Slack v.
McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000)), or that “the issues presented were ‘adequate to
deserve encouragement to proceed further.’” Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 335-36
(2003) (quoting Barefoot v. Estelle, 463 U.S. 880, 893 n.4 (1983)). Sotomayor has not
made this showing. Finally, because Sotomayor is not entitled to a COA, he is not entitled
to appeal in forma pauperis.
ORDERED in Tampa, Florida, on September 27, 2017.
Copies to:
Alexfel Sotomayor
Counsel of Record
Page 27 of 27
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?