Campbell v. Secretary, Department of Corrections et al
Filing
38
ORDER denying 1 Petition for writ of habeas corpus filed by Roderick W. Campbell and directing the Clerk to enter judgment and close case in accord with the attached order. A certificate of appealability and in forma pauperis status are denied. Signed by Judge William F. Jung on 6/30/2020. (SNS)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TAMPA DIVISION
RODERICK W. CAMPBELL
Petitioner,
v.
Case No. 8:16-cv-2189-T-02CPT
SECRETARY, Department of Corrections,
Respondent.
______________________________________/
ORDER DENYING PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
On July 27, 2016, Petitioner Roderick W. Campbell filed his petition for the
writ of habeas corpus by a person in state custody under 28 U.S.C. § 2254, Dkt. 1.
He seeks relief from February 5, 2008, state convictions for carrying a concealed
firearm and for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, for which convictions
Mr. Campbell serves thirty years imprisonment. Respondent filed a response. Dkt.
12. Mr. Campbell filed a reply. Dkt. 16. The Court finds that a hearing is
unnecessary and denies the Petition.
I. Background1
Melvin Burnham, a confidential informant working for the Tampa Police
Department, purchased from Mr. Campbell $20 worth of crack cocaine in a “buy
1
This factual summary derives from Mr. Campbell’s brief on direct appeal and the record. Dkts.
13-3, 13-9, 13-10.
bust” operation. After Burnham alerted the police of the purchase, Mr. Campbell
was arrested. Officer Daniel Evers discovered a firearm in Mr. Campbell’s
waistband. Mr. Campbell was charged in case number 07-CF-14574 with carrying
a concealed firearm, possession of cocaine, and delivery of cocaine, and he was
charged separately in case number 07-CF-16460 with possession of a firearm by a
convicted felon. Mr. Campbell successfully moved to consolidate the cases for
trial. A jury convicted Mr. Campbell of the two firearm charges and acquitted him
of the two drug charges. Mr. Campbell was sentenced as a violent career criminal
to thirty years imprisonment for the firearm possession conviction and to a
concurrent term of five years imprisonment for carrying a concealed firearm. The
Respondent admits the petition’s timeliness. Dkt. 12 at 3.
II. Exhaustion and Procedural Default
The Respondent correctly argues that Grounds One, Two, Three, Four, Five,
Fifteen, and Sixteen are procedurally barred from habeas review. 2
2
In Ground Three, Mr. Campbell contends that the police lacked probable cause to arrest him
and that “the search and seizure that followed w[ere] unlawful and violated the Defendant’s 4th
Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures.” Dkt. 1 at 11. In Ground Four, Mr.
Campbell contends that the evidence was insufficient to establish that he actually possessed a
firearm. Id. at 14–15. The Respondent correctly argues that both Ground Three and Ground Four
are procedurally barred. Dkt. 12 at 13–14. Mr. Campbell does not oppose the Respondent’s
assertion of the procedural bar. In his reply, Mr. Campbell states as to both Ground Three and
Ground Four that he “will concede and not reply to this ground.” Dkt. 16 at 7. Accordingly, Mr.
Campbell is not entitled to relief on either ground.
2
In order for a federal court to review a habeas claim it must be “fairly
presented” to the state court. Baldwin v. Reese, 541 U.S. 27, 29 (2004). A claim is
not fairly presented if the state court “must read beyond a petition ... that does not
alert it to the presence of a federal claim.” Id. at 32. Requiring courts to follow a
“daisy chain” to divine the federal constitutional claim is an insufficient
presentation of the federal claim. See Howell v. Mississippi, 543 U.S. 440, 443–44
(2005) (holding federal claim was not properly presented where case relied on by
petitioner cited a case, which cited another case, which cited the relevant case).
The Supreme Court has provided the lower courts with guidance for
determining whether a habeas petitioner has met the “fair presentation”
requirement. In Picard v. Connor, the Court held that, for purposes of exhausting
state remedies, a claim for relief in habeas corpus must include reference to a
specific federal constitutional guarantee, as well as a statement of the facts which
entitle the petitioner to relief. 404 U.S. 270, 277 (1971). In announcing that “the
substance of a federal habeas corpus claim must first be presented to the state
courts,” the Court rejected the contention that the petitioner satisfied the
exhaustion requirement by presenting the state courts only with the facts necessary
to state a claim for relief. Id. at 278.
An issue that was not properly presented to the state court and which can no
longer be litigated under state procedural rules is considered procedurally
3
defaulted, that is, procedurally barred from federal review. See O’Sullivan v.
Boerckel, 526 U.S. 838, 839–40, 848 (1999); Bailey v. Nagle, 172 F.3d 1299,
1302–03 (11th Cir. 1999). This Court will also consider a claim procedurally
defaulted if it was presented in state court and rejected on the independent and
adequate state ground of procedural bar or default. See Coleman v. Thompson, 501
U.S. 722, 734–35 & n.1 (1991); Caniff v. Moore, 269 F.3d 1245, 1247 (11th Cir.
2001) (“[C]laims that have been held to be procedurally defaulted under state law
cannot be addressed by federal courts.”); Chambers v. Thompson, 150 F.3d 1324,
1326–27 (11th Cir. 1998) (applicable state procedural bar should be enforced by
federal court even as to a claim which has never been presented to a state court);
accord Tower v. Phillips, 7 F.3d 206, 210 (11th Cir. 1993); Parker v. Dugger, 876
F.2d 1470 (11th Cir. 1990), rev’d on other grounds, 498 U.S. 308 (1991).
In Ground One, Mr. Campbell contends that the prosecutor failed to prove
that the weapon used in the crimes is a “firearm” under Florida law because no
expert witness testified that the “alleged firearm” was tested to determine whether
the weapon could expel a projectile. Dkt. 1 at 7. In Ground Two, Mr. Campbell
contends that the trial court erred by allowing the prosecutor to make allegedly
improper remarks during closing argument. Id. at 8–9. In Ground Five, Mr.
Campbell contends that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to either issue the
4
information or to try the case based on a violation of Florida Rule of Criminal
Procedure 3.140(g). Id. at 17.
Mr. Campbell asserts no federal constitutional violation in either Grounds
One, Two, or Five. When he presented each of these grounds to the state court on
direct appeal, Mr. Campbell asserted only a violation of state law. 3 Dkt. 13-9 at 7–
10; Dkt. 13-10 at 8–17. Affording the petition a generous interpretation, see
Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519 (1972), to the extent that Mr. Campbell asserts a
federal due process violation based on the allegations presented in either Grounds
One, Two, or Five of the federal petition, he cannot obtain relief because a federal
due process claim is unexhausted.
In Ground Fifteen, Mr. Campbell contends that he was denied his right to a
fair trial “because the Assistant State Attorney committed fraud upon the court to
invoke jurisdiction without the alleged sworn statement from the true State’s
material witness.” Dkt. 1 at 28. Mr. Campbell claims that the prosecutor “did not
receive sworn testimony from Officer Daniel Evers, the material witness in this
case, before signing the information as constitutionally required by Rule
3.140(G).” Id. at 29. Mr. Campbell alleges in his reply that “[t]his failure is
3
Mr. Campbell alleges in his reply to Ground Five that he “federalized” this ground in his direct
appeal brief by citing Gerstein v. Pugh, 420 U.S. 103 (1975). Dkt. 16 at 8. Gerstein holds “that
the Fourth Amendment requires a judicial determination of probable cause as a prerequisite to
extended restraint of liberty following arrest.” 420 U.S. at 114. Citing Gerstein does not
“federalize” a due process claim based on either a lack of subject matter jurisdiction or an
alleged violation of a state procedural rule.
5
clearly a violation of the Petitioner’s constitutional right to effective counsel, a fair
impartial trial and substantial [sic] and procedural due process of law.” Dkt. 16 at
19.
Mr. Campbell presented this ground to the state post-conviction court in his
amended Rule 3.850 motion. Dkt. 13-15 at 44–47. The state post-conviction court
denied this ground finding that “[c]laims of prosecutorial misconduct could and
should have been raised on direct appeal and are therefore procedurally barred
from consideration in a postconviction motion. Spencer v. State, 842 So. 2d 52
(Fla. 2003).” Dkt. 13-16 at 8. The state post-conviction court’s denial of Mr.
Campbell’s ground is based on a state procedural rule that is not intertwined with
an interpretation of federal law. Accordingly, Mr. Campbell’s prosecutorial
misconduct claim is procedurally defaulted.
In Ground Sixteen, Mr. Campbell contends that he “is being held in the
Department of Corrections unlawfully where the trial court violated the separation
of powers doctrine which in turn violated the Petitioner’s due process rights under
Article (I) section[s] 9 and 16 of the Florida Constitution and the Fifth and
Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution.” 4 Dkt. 1 at 29. Mr.
4
To the extent that Campbell asserts a violation of the Florida Constitution, he cannot obtain
federal relief because such a claim is not cognizable on federal review. Federal habeas relief for
a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a state court is available only on the ground that
the custody violates the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a);
Jones v. Goodwin, 982 F.2d 464, 471 (11th Cir. 1993). A state’s interpretation of its own laws
provides no basis for federal habeas relief because no federal constitutional question is presented.
6
Campbell alleges that “the trial court committed a fundamental error which led to a
grave miscarriage of justice and a right to due process violation that ultimately
created a manifest injustice when the trial judge, William Fuente, decided to play
the role of ‘executive branch’ of the government (state attorney) and white out a
portion of the information in case number 07-CF-016460, altering it from its
original text once the laches of jeopardy had been attached by the selecting and
swearing in of the jury to hear evidence, thus rendering the information defective.”
Dkt. 1 at 29. Mr. Campbell argues in his reply that “the error was harmful to the
Petitioner because the trial judge stepped outside of his impartial role and
committed a fundamental error.” Dkt. 16 at 20. He further argues that “this plain
error is clearly a violation of the Petitioner’s constitutional right to effective
counsel, a fair and impartial trial, and substantial [sic] and procedural due process
of law.”5 Id.
Mr. Campbell presented this Ground to the state appellate court in his state
habeas petition, which petition the court denied without elaboration. Dkt. 13-33;
Dkt. 13-34. As the Respondent correctly argues, Mr. Campbell could have raised
this ground at trial and on direct appeal. Dkt. 12 at 34. Mr. Campbell did not
28 U.S.C. § 2254(a); Estelle v. McGuire, 502 U.S. 62, 67–68 (1991) (“[I]t is not the province of
a federal habeas court to re-examine state-court determinations on state law questions.”).
5
Campbell did not present to the state appellate court in his state habeas petition a federal fair
trial claim or a claim of ineffective assistance of either trial or appellate counsel. To the extent
that Campbell asserts these claims as independent bases for relief, he cannot prevail because he
did not exhaust the claims in the state court.
7
properly present this ground to the state court pursuant to the firmly established
state procedural rule that habeas corpus cannot be used to litigate an issue that
could have been raised on direct appeal. See Breedlove v. Singletary, 595 So. 2d 8,
10 (Fla. 1992) (“Habeas corpus is not a second appeal and cannot be used to
litigate or relitigate issues which could have been, should have been, or were raised
on direct appeal.”). Accordingly, Mr. Campbell’s federal due process claim, based
on an alleged violation of the separation of powers doctrine, is unexhausted. See
Alderman v. Zant, 22 F.3d 1541, 1549 (11th Cir. 1994) (noting that a state habeas
petitioner who “attempts to raise [a claim] in a manner not permitted by state
procedural rules is barred from pursuing the same claim in federal court absent a
showing of cause for and actual prejudice from the default”).
To overcome a procedural default such that the federal habeas court may
consider the merits of a claim, the petitioner must show cause and prejudice or a
fundamental miscarriage of justice. Tower, 7 F.3d at 210; Parker, 876 F.2d 1470.
“For cause to exist, an external impediment, whether it be governmental
interference or the reasonable unavailability of the factual basis for the claim, must
have prevented petitioner from raising the claim.” McCleskey v. Zant, 499 U.S.
467, 497 (1991) (quoting Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 488, (1986)). Lack of
counsel or ignorance of available procedures is not enough to establish cause.
Tower, 7 F.3d at 210.
8
Mr. Campbell has not established cause and prejudice or a fundamental
miscarriage of justice and cannot overcome the procedural default for any of these
Grounds. Grounds One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Fifteen, and Sixteen are not
exhausted and procedurally barred. The remaining grounds in the petition are
exhausted and entitled to review on the merits.
III. Standard of Review
The Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (“AEDPA”)
governs Mr. Campbell’s petition. Wilcox v. Florida Dep’t of Corr., 158 F.3d 1209,
1210 (11th Cir. 1998). Section 2254(d), which creates a highly deferential
standard for federal court review of a state court adjudication, states in pertinent
part:
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:
9
In sum, § 2254(d)(1) places a new constraint on the power of a federal
habeas court to grant a state prisoner’s application for a writ of habeas
corpus with respect to claims adjudicated on the merits in state court.
Under § 2254(d)(1), the writ may issue only if one of the following two
conditions is satisfied—the state-court adjudication resulted in a
decision that (1) “was contrary to . . . clearly established Federal Law,
as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States” or (2)
“involved an unreasonable application of . . . clearly established Federal
law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States.” 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, 693 (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 an error well understood and comprehended in
existing law beyond any possibility for fairminded disagreement.” Harrington v.
Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 103 (2011); see White v. Woodall, 572 U.S. 415, 427 (2014)
(“The critical point is that relief is available under § 2254(d)(1)’s unreasonableapplication clause if, and only if, it is so obvious that a clearly established rule
applies to a given set of facts that there could be no ‘fairminded disagreement’ on
10
the question . . . .”) (quoting Richter); Woods v. Donald, 575 U.S. 312, 316 (2015)
(“And an ‘unreasonable application of’ those holdings must be objectively
unreasonable, not merely wrong; even clear error will not suffice.”) (quoting
Woodall, 572 U.S. at 419); accord Brown v. Head, 272 F.3d 1308, 1313 (11th Cir.
2001) (“It is the objective reasonableness, not the correctness per se, of the state
court decision that we are to decide.”). 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, 529 U.S. at 412.
The purpose of federal review is not to re-try the state case. “The [AEDPA]
modified a federal habeas court’s role in reviewing state prisoner applications in
order to prevent federal habeas ‘retrials’ and to ensure that state-court convictions
are given effect to the extent possible under law.” Bell, 535 U.S. at 694. A federal
court must afford due deference to a state court’s decision. “AEDPA prevents
defendants—and federal courts—from using federal habeas corpus review as a
vehicle to second guess the reasonable decisions of state courts.” Renico v. Lett,
559 U.S. 766, 779 (2010); see also Cullen v. Pinholster, 563 U.S. 170, 181 (2011)
(“This is a ‘difficult to meet,’ . . . and ‘highly deferential standard for evaluating
state court rulings, which demands that state court decisions be given the benefit of
the doubt’ . . . .”) (citations omitted). When the last state court to decide a federal
claim explains its decision in a reasoned opinion, a federal habeas court reviews
11
the specific reasons as stated in the opinion and defers to those reasons if they are
reasonable. Wilson v. Sellers, 138 S. Ct. 1188, 1192 (2018) (“[A] federal habeas
court simply reviews the specific reasons given by the state court and defers to
those reasons if they are reasonable.”). When the relevant state-court decision is
not accompanied with reasons for the decision, the federal court “should ‘look
through’ the unexplained decision to the last related state court decision that does
provide a relevant rationale [and] presume that the unexplained decision adopted
the same reasoning.” Id. “[T]he State may rebut the presumption by showing that
the unexplained affirmance relied or most likely did rely on different grounds than
the lower state court’s decision . . . .” Id.
In a per curiam decision without a written opinion, the state appellate court
on direct appeal affirmed Mr. Campbell’s convictions and sentences. Dkt. 13-13.
In another per curiam decision without a written opinion, the state appellate court
affirmed the denial of Mr. Campbell’s subsequent Rule 3.850 motion for postconviction relief. Dkt. 13-31. The state appellate court’s per curiam affirmances
warrant deference under Section 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.), reh’g and reh’g en banc denied, 278 F.3d
1245 (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
12
that the state court adjudicated the claim on the merits in the absence of any
indication or state law procedural principles to the contrary.”); Bishop v. Warden,
726 F. 3d 1243, 1255–56 (11th Cir. 2013) (describing the difference between an
“opinion” or “analysis” and a “decision” or “ruling” and explaining that deference
is accorded the state court’s “decision” or “ruling” even absent an “opinion” or
“analysis”).
As Pinholster explains, review of the state court decision is limited to the
record that was before the state court:
We now hold that review under § 2254(d)(1) is limited to the record
that was before the state court that adjudicated the claim on the merits.
Section 2254(d)(1) refers, in the past tense, to a state court adjudication
that “resulted in” a decision that was contrary to, or “involved” an
unreasonable application of, established law. This backward-looking
language requires an examination of the state court decision at the time
it was made. It follows that the record under review is limited to the
record in existence at that same time i.e., the record before the state
court.
563 U.S. at 181–82. Mr. Campbell bears the burden of overcoming by clear and
convincing evidence a state court factual determination. “[A] determination of a
factual issue made by a State court shall be presumed to be correct. The applicant
shall have the burden of rebutting the presumption of correctness by clear and
convincing evidence.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1). This presumption of correctness
applies to a finding of fact but not to a mixed determination of law and fact.
Parker v. Head, 244 F.3d 831, 836 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 534 U.S. 1046 (2001).
13
The state court’s rejection of Mr. Campbell’s post-conviction claims warrants
deference in this case.
IV. Merits
Mr. Campbell claims ineffective assistance of counsel, a difficult claim to
sustain. “[T]he cases in which habeas petitioners can properly prevail on the
ground of ineffective assistance of counsel are few and far between.” Waters v.
Thomas, 46 F.3d 1506, 1511 (11th Cir. 1995) (en banc) (quoting Rogers v. Zant,
13 F.3d 384, 386 (11th Cir. 1994)). Counsel is constitutional ineffective if “(1)
counsel’s performance was deficient; and (2) the deficient performance prejudiced
the defense such that petitioner was deprived of a fair trial.” Dill v. Allen, 488 F.3d
1344, 1354 (11th Cir. 2007) (citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687
(1984)). But beyond that, in the habeas context, “[t]he 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.” Knowles v. Mirzayance, 556 U.S. 111, 123 (2009) (citation and
internal quotation marks omitted). “If there is ‘any reasonable argument that
counsel satisfied Strickland’s deferential standard,’ then a federal court may not
disturb a state-court decision denying the claim.” Hittson v. GDCP Warden, 759
F.3d 1210, 1248 (11th Cir. 2014) (citation omitted).
14
Strickland cautions that “strategic choices made after thorough investigation
of law and facts relevant to plausible options are virtually unchallengeable; and
strategic choices made after less than complete investigation are reasonable
precisely to the extent that reasonable professional judgments support the
limitations on investigation.” 466 U.S. at 690–91. Mr. Campbell cannot meet his
burden merely by showing that the avenue chosen by counsel proved unsuccessful.
The test has nothing to do with what the best lawyers would have done.
Nor is the test even what most good lawyers would have done. We ask
only whether some reasonable lawyer at the trial could have acted, in
the circumstances, as defense counsel acted at trial. . . . We are not
interested in grading lawyers’ performances; we are interested in
whether the adversarial process at trial, in fact, worked adequately.
White v. Singletary, 972 F.2d 1218, 1220–21 (11th Cir. 1992). And, while “no
absolute duty exists to investigate particular facts or a certain line of defense.”
Chandler, 218 F.3d at 1317. “[C]ounsel has a duty to make reasonable
investigations or make a reasonable decision that makes particular investigations
unnecessary.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691 (emphasis added). The Court will
address each of Mr. Campbell’s ineffective assistance Grounds in turn.
Ground Six
Mr. Campbell contends that Officer Gary Garboski issued a perjured arrest
affidavit and the State presented perjured testimony at trial. Mr. Campbell further
alleges that the State “rehearsed” its witnesses’ testimony but “forgot to instruct
[the] witnesses not to mention the rehearsal.” Dkt. 1 at 19. Mr. Campbell argues
15
that “[t]his prosecutorial misconduct constitutes a major due process violation and
call[s] for a reversal” of his convictions. Id.
The Respondent correctly asserts that this ground is “conclusory and
insufficient” because “[Mr.] Campbell does not identify any specific statements in
the arrest affidavit or testimony at trial that he believes constituted perjury.” Dkt.
12 at 16. In his reply, Mr. Campbell states he “will concede and not reply to this
ground.” Dkt. 16 at 9. Given Mr. Campbell’s failure to present facts to support
this ground, along with his concession in the reply, Ground Six warrants no federal
habeas relief.
Ground Seven
Mr. Campbell presents two separate claims for relief in Ground Seven: (1)
the prosecutor improperly met with all of the State’s witnesses at the same time to
review their testimony and (2) the trial court improperly allowed the jury to
become aware that Mr. Campbell’s prior conviction involved a firearm. Dkt. 1 at
20. Mr. Campbell alleges that these errors violated his rights to due process and a
fair trial. The state district court of appeal rejected both of these claims in Mr.
Campbell’s direct appeal in a per curiam decision without a written opinion.6 Dkt.
13-13.
6
The Respondent argues that both claims in Ground Seven are procedurally barred from federal
review because Campbell did not preserve the claims in the trial court. Dkt. 12 at 17–18. When
Campbell raised these claims in his direct appeal brief, the State failed to acknowledge or
16
Prosecutorial Misconduct
Mr. Campbell alleges that “the State met with all of its witnesses in one
room and went over the evidence together.” Dkt. 1 at 20. He relies on the
following excerpt of confidential informant Melvin Burnham’s trial testimony on
cross examination to support his claim:
Q: And you had to meet with [the prosecutor] this morning, correct?
A: Correct.
Q: And let him know what you were saying on [the audio recording of
the drug exchange between Burnham and Campbell], correct?
A: No. He just wanted to make sure we all had an understanding. We
heard the tape and make sure it refreshes my memory of everything[,]
that’s what it was, not talking about what he couldn’t hear or
understand.
Q: I’m sorry, you said that you all met so he could refresh your memory
and everyone could understand what was going on?
A: Correct.
Q: Who is we all?
A: Me, Gary Garboski, Ben,[7] and him.
Q: So all of you this morning in one room went over today’s evidence
together?
A: Yes.
address in its appellate brief the prosecutorial misconduct claim and responded on the merits to
the jury instruction claim without asserting a lack of preservation bar. Dkt. 13-11 at 8. Because
the appellate court issued no written opinion, the record contains no “‘plain statement’ that [the
state court’s] decision rests upon adequate and independent state grounds.” Harris, 489 U.S. at
261 (quoting Michigan v. Long, 463 U.S. 1032, 1042 (1983)); cf., Bennett v. Fortner, 863 F.2d
804, 807 (11th Cir. 1989) (“This circuit to a point has presumed that when a procedural default
is asserted on appeal and the state appellate court has not clearly indicated that in affirming it is
reaching the merits, the state court’s opinion is based on the procedural default.”). Accordingly,
because it is not clear that the state appellate court rejected these claims based on a state
procedural bar, the claims are reviewed on the merits. See, e.g., Moore v. Sec’y, Fla. Dep’t of
Corr., 762 F. App’x 610, 621 (11th Cir. 2019) (noting that the Bennett presumption “only
properly applies ‘in the absence of any evidence to the contrary’” that the state court resolved a
claim on the merits) (quoting Bennett, 863 F.2d at 807).
7
Officer Benjamin Brown collected evidence after Campbell’s arrest and testified at trial about
his participation in the case. Dkt. 13-3 Vol. III at 264–88.
17
Q: Okay. And that’s with [the prosecutor,] Mr. Gale?
A: Which — is that Mr. Gale?
Q: Was [the prosecutor’s co-counsel] Ms. Matot present as well?
A: Yes.
Dkt. 13-3 Vol. III at 176–77. Mr. Campbell argues that “[t]his was apparent
prosecutorial misconduct and a violation [his] Due Process [r]ights.” Dkt. 1 at 20.
He further argues that the trial judge’s instructions to the jury—(1) “it is entirely
proper for a lawyer to talk to a witness about what testimony the witness would
give if called to the courtroom” and (2) the “witness should not be discredited by
talking to a lawyer about his or her testimony”—improperly bolstered the State’s
witnesses, “especially since the judge failed to point out the difference between a
witness talking to a lawyer and all of the witnesses meeting with the lawyer at the
same time to coordinate their testimony.” Id. This particular instruction was taken
directly from Florida’s Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases.
Upon review, the Court finds that Mr. Campbell is unable to demonstrate the
requisite prejudice under Strickland. See United States ex rel. Clark v. Fike, 538
F.2d 750, 758 (7th Cir. 1976) (“The rule that the prosecution cannot bring all its
witnesses together prior to trial to discuss their testimony is one to ensure the
credibility of the witnesses. That the witnesses in this case did meet together, and
did discuss some aspects of their testimony was a proper subject for impeachment
on cross-examination and for comment during closing argument. However, the
violation here is not so extreme as to render the witnesses’ testimony incredible as
18
a matter of law, nor is it so extreme as to deny the petitioner fundamental fairness
in his trial.”). Consequently, no relief is warranted upon this ground.
Prior conviction
Before the trial began, the parties agreed to stipulate that Mr. Campbell is a
convicted felon. Dkt. 13-3 Vol. II at 3–4. The trial judge read to the jury the
stipulation: “The defendant Roderick Campbell is a convicted felon.” Dkt. 13-3
Vol. III at 311. The jury was provided a redacted copy of the information that
omitted a description of Mr. Campbell’s prior conviction
RODERICK W. CAMPBELL, on the 15th day of July, 2007 in the
county of Hillsborough and state of Florida, did unlawfully and
feloniously own or have in his care, custody, possession, or control, a
firearm, the said RODERICK W. CAMPBELL having previously been
convicted of a felony in Hillsborough County Circuit Court [. . . ] and
during the commission of the offense, the said RODERICK W.
CAMPBELL actually possessed a firearm.[8]
8
The trial judge instructed the jury on the felon in possession of a firearm charge as follows,
Dkt. 13-3 Vol. IV at 364–65:
To prove the crime of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, the State must prove the
following two elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
1. Roderick Campbell has been convicted of a felony.
2. After the conviction, Roderick Campbell knowingly owned or had in
his care, custody, possession or control a firearm.
The term “convicted” means that a judgment has been entered in a criminal
proceeding by a court pronouncing Roderick Campbell guilty.
19
Dkt. 13-35.9 Mr. Campbell argues that the highlighted phrase—“possessed a
firearm”10—refers to his prior felony. He alleges that this phrase “placed illegally
in the jur[y’s] mind[] the thought that the Defendant had previously demonstrated a
propensity to carry a firearm and created prejudice against the Defendant.” Dkt. 1
at 20.
Taken in context, the phrase “possessed a firearm” refers to the charge for
which Mr. Campbell was tried and not to the prior offense. The state appellate
court, by affirming Mr. Campbell’s convictions and sentences, neither
unreasonably applied controlling Supreme Court precedent nor unreasonably
determined the facts. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d)(1), (d)(2). As a result, Ground Seven
warrants no relief.
9
Count one of the original information charges the following, Dkt. 13-2:
RODERICK W. CAMPBELL, on the 15th day of July, 2007 in the County of
Hillsborough and State of Florida, did unlawfully and feloniously own or have in
his care, custody, possession, or control, a firearm, the said RODERICK W.
CAMPBELL having previously been convicted of a felony in Hillsborough County
Circuit Court for the crime of Attempted First Degree Murder on April 10,
1987, and during the commission of the offense, the said RODERICK W.
CAMPBELL actually possessed a firearm.
The highlighted language was omitted from the copy of the information provided to the jury,
Dkt. 13-35.
10
In his petition and in his direct appeal brief, Campbell cites the challenged phrase as “with a
firearm.” Dkt. 1 at 20; Dkt. 13-10 at 20. He attached to his direct appeal brief a copy of the
redacted information and specifically highlighted the words “possessed a firearm” as the basis
for his claim of error. Dkt. 13-10 Ex. A. Campbell’s citation to the words “with a firearm”
appears to be his own interpretation of the charging document.
20
Ground Eight
Mr. Campbell contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance
by misadvising Mr. Campbell to consolidate his two criminal cases. He argues that
trial counsel’s “advice that the jury would find out about his prior convictions
anyway and that by consolidating the offenses for one trial, [counsel] would be
able to use testimony from the drug offenses in defense of the firearm possession
charge and that consolidating the trials could have no negative [e]ffect on a motion
to suppress the firearm was erroneous advice which caused [him] to waive his
constitutional rights associated with, and to a bifurcated (separate) trial on, the
felon in possession of a firearm charge.” Dkt. 1 at 22. In his reply Mr. Campbell
alleges that the consolidation was “highly prejudicial” because, if he had had
separate trials, he “could have proceeded to file his motion to suppress the firearm
based on probable cause to detain and arrest after acquittal on the drug charges.”
Dkt. 16 at 11. Mr. Campbell argues that “[t]rial counsel’s misadvice to consolidate
the two cases is clearly a violation of the Petitioner’s constitutional right to
effective counsel, a fair and impartial trial and substantial [sic] and procedural due
process of law.” Id. at 12.
The state post-conviction court denied this ground of ineffective assistance
of counsel as follows:
[T]he Defendant alleges counsel was ineffective for recommending a
consolidation of his two cases for trial and for advising him to stipulate
21
to being a convicted felon. The Defendant alleges counsel stated the
jury would be advised of his prior record regardless of whether he chose
to testify and she would use testimony relating to the drug charges to
discredit law enforcement officers’ testimony on the felon in possession
of a firearm offense. The Defendant asserts that if the cases had not
been consolidated, the jury would not have been advised of his prior
felony conviction.
A review of the record indicates that prior to trial, counsel for
Defendant advised the Court that Defendant was requesting a
consolidation of his two cases. The trial judge stated that counsel had
informed the Court that at Defendant’s request she had moved to
consolidate the cases for trial. The judge asked if that was what he
wanted and Defendant replied, “Yes, sir.” The judge advised the
Defendant that he had a right to two trials, and if he chose to consolidate
his cases, the State would be permitted to introduce evidence that
Defendant had previously been convicted of a felony. It appears from
the record that the cases were consolidated at the Defendant’s request
and the Court made a sufficient inquiry. As such, the Defendant is not
entitled to relief . . . .
Dkt. 13-19 at 2 (court’s record citations omitted). Upon review, the Court finds the
reasoning of the post-conviction court to be correct, and that the cases were
consolidated upon Defendant’s own request. As such, Mr. Campbell fails to meet
his burden of proving that the state court unreasonably applied Strickland or
unreasonably determined the facts by rejecting this ground. 28 U.S.C. §
2254(d)(1), (d)(2).
Ground Nine
Mr. Campbell contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance
and violated his rights to due process and a fair trial by not moving to suppress the
firearm based on a lack of probable cause. Mr. Campbell alleges that “[t]he police
22
gave inconsistent testimony in regards to who made reports on the firearm” and
that “[t]here was no fingerprint or DNA on the gun connecting the gun to the
Petitioner.” Dkt. 16 at 12–13.
The state post-conviction court denied this ground of ineffective assistance
of counsel as follows:
[T]he Defendant alleges counsel was ineffective for failing to file a
motion to suppress. The Defendant alleges law enforcement lacked
probable cause to arrest the Defendant because the officers did not
witness a transaction and the audio tape does not reflect a transaction
occurred. As noted above, “[p]robable cause is not the same standard
as beyond a reasonable doubt and the ‘facts constituting probable cause
need not meet the standard of conclusiveness and probability required
of the circumstantial facts upon which a conviction must be based.’”
Catt, 839 So. 2d at 759.
At trial, Melvin Burnham, a confidential informant for the Tampa
Police Department, testified that, at the direction of Officer Garboski,
he purchased three pieces of crack cocaine from the Defendant during
a “buy bust.” Mr. Burnham then said, “Deal is done. Move in. Move
in,” the signal he was to give when the transaction was completed.
Officer Garboski testified that he was watching from a distance as Mr.
Burnham and the Defendant made an exchange. Although he was
unable to see what had been exchanged due to his distance, he saw Mr.
Burnham walk away and give the signal that the deal was done. The
Court finds that based on the testimony at trial, officers had probable
cause to arrest the Defendant and, therefore, he has failed to
demonstrate counsel performed deficiently by failing to file a motion
to suppress on that ground. Consequently, the Court will deny this
claim.
Dkt. 13-16 at 4 (court’s record citations omitted).
Upon review, the Court finds that the trial court correctly denied the claim.
The record supports that counsel was not ineffective for failing to move to suppress
23
the firearm because there was probable cause to arrest Mr. Campbell.
Consequently, Mr. Campbell fails to meet his burden of proving that the state court
unreasonably applied Strickland or unreasonably determined the facts by rejecting
this ground. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d)(1), (d)(2).
Ground Ten
Mr. Campbell contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance
by not objecting to the jury receiving a copy of the information which allegedly
included a reference to the use of a firearm in a prior offense. Dkt. 1 at 23–25. The
state post-conviction court denied this ground of ineffective assistance of counsel
as follows:
[T]he Defendant alleges counsel was ineffective for failing to request
that the phrase “and during the commission of the offense, the said
Roderick W. Campbell actually possessed a firearm” be redacted from
the copy of the charging document provided to the jury. The Defendant
alleges that the phrase informed the jury that his prior conviction
involved the possession of a firearm. However, the Court finds the
phrase “and during the commission of the offense, the said Roderick
W. Campbell actually possessed a firearm” refers to the instant Felon
in Possession of a Firearm charge. After the jury found the Defendant
guilty of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, they were required to
determine whether he actually or constructively possessed the firearm.
Therefore, the Defendant has failed to demonstrate counsel performed
deficiently and he is not entitled to relief on this ground.
Dkt. 13-16 at 5 (court’s record citations omitted). Upon review, the Court finds
that the trial court correctly found that trial counsel was not ineffective because the
phrase “and during the commission of the offense, the said Roderick W. Campbell
24
actually possessed a firearm” referred to the instant felon in possession of a firearm
charge rather than his prior conviction. As a result, Mr. Campbell fails to meet his
burden of proving that the state court either unreasonably applied Strickland or
unreasonably determined the facts by rejecting this ground. 28 U.S.C. §
2254(d)(1), (d)(2).
Ground Eleven
Mr. Campbell contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance
by not investigating or discovering two witnesses who could have provided
testimony favorable to the defense. Dkt. 1 at 25. Mr. Campbell alleges that his trial
counsel deposed both Officer Garboski and Officer Evers who each disclosed in
their testimony that they were accompanied by their police partners. Mr. Campbell
claims that after he read the depositions and discovered the names of each partner
(Sessler Pickett and Matthew Dalynski, 11 respectively), he asked trial counsel to
depose both partners “because he felt the State was intentionally trying to withhold
these witnesses’ names because their testimony would not help the State’s case.”
Id. More specifically, Mr. Campbell argues that he told trial counsel that (1)
“Officer Pickett’s testimony would demonstrate that he did not see any crime
11
Throughout the record the spelling of the second officer’s name varies from Matthew Dalynski
and Matthew Dolitsky. Despite this inconsistency it is clear the Parties were aware it referred to
the same officer. Thus, the Court will refer to him as Matthew Dalynski, in keeping with the state
circuit court order.
25
committed by the defendant on July 15, 2007,” and (2) “that Officer D[alynski]’s
testimony would demonstrate that he did not see any firearm retrieved from the
Defendant by Officer Evers.” Id. According to Mr. Campbell, testimony from
Officers Pickett and Dalynski would have discredited the testimony of both Officer
Garboski and Officer Evers.
The state post-conviction court denied this ground of ineffective assistance
of counsel after an evidentiary hearing as follows:
Defendant alleges counsel was ineffective for failing to depose and call
Officer Pickett to testify at trial. Defendant asserts that Officer Pickett
would have testified that he did not see Defendant commit a crime.
At the evidentiary hearing, Corporal Selser Pickett testified that he
witnessed the Defendant conduct a hand to hand exchange with the
informant but he could not see the items that were exchanged. Corporal
Pickett also testified that he did not see a firearm during the transaction
but he arrived at the location after Defendant was placed in handcuffs.
He testified that he was informed that other officers on the scene
removed a firearm from the small of Defendant’s back.
[Trial counsel] testified that Defendant had admitted to her prior to trial
that he conducted the transaction and that he had possession of a firearm
at the time. [Trial counsel] stated that she knew Corporal Pickett was
watching the transaction through binoculars. She testified that the audio
recording of the transaction was very poor and their defense focused
heavily on inconsistencies in the officers’ testimony. She stated she did
not depose Corporal Pickett because she was afraid his testimony would
substantiate the State’s case and undermine her defense strategy. The
Court finds [trial counsel]’s testimony credible. After considering the
motion, testimony presented at the evidentiary hearing, and the record,
the Court finds counsel’s decision not to depose and call Corporal
Pickett was reasonable trial strategy, and Defendant is not entitled to
relief on this claim.
26
The Defendant also alleges . . . that counsel was ineffective for failing
to depose and call Officer Dalynski to testify at trial. The Defendant
alleges Officer Dalynski would have testified that no firearm was ever
recovered from Defendant.
At the evidentiary hearing, [trial counsel] testified that Officer Dalynski
was not mentioned in the police reports or in any deposition and he was
never listed in the State’s discovery. She stated she first learned of
Officer Dalynski’s presence during trial. [Trial counsel] further
testified that even if she had known about Officer Dolitsky prior to trial,
she could not say for sure that she would have deposed him. The
Defendant had admitted to her that he conducted the transaction and
had possession of a firearm and [trial counsel] did not want another
officer testifying to these facts. Officer Dalynski did not testify at the
evidentiary hearing. After considering the motion, the testimony
presented at the hearing, and the record, the Court finds Defendant has
failed to meet his burden regarding this claim. As such, he is not entitled
to relief.
Dkt. 13-27 at 2–3.
The AEDPA “erects a formidable barrier to federal habeas relief for
prisoners whose claims have been adjudicated in state court.” Daniel v. Comm’r,
Ala. Dep’t of Corr., 822 F.3d 1248, 1260 (11th Cir. 2016). “[Q]uestions about the
credibility and demeanor of a witness is a question of fact. See Consalvo v. Sec’y
for Dep’t of Corr., 664 F.3d 842, 845 (11th Cir. 2011) (citing Freund v.
Butterworth, 165 F.3d 839, 862 (11th Cir. 1999) (en banc)). Under Section
2254(e)(1), “[f]ederal habeas courts generally defer to the factual findings of state
courts, presuming the facts to be correct unless they are rebutted by clear and
convincing evidence.” Jones v. Walker, 540 F.3d 1277, 1288 n.5 (11th Cir. 2008)
(en banc) “Determining the credibility of witnesses is the province and function of
27
state courts, not a federal court engaging in habeas review. Federal habeas courts
have ‘no license to redetermine credibility of witnesses whose demeanor was
observed by the state court, but not by them.’” Consalvo, 664 F.3d at 845 (quoting
Marshall v. Lonberger, 459 U.S. 422, 434 (1983)). The state court’s credibility
determination is presumed correct. See Rice v. Collins, 546 U.S. 333, 341–42
(2006) (“Reasonable minds reviewing the record might disagree about the
[witness]’s credibility, but on habeas review that does not suffice to supersede the
trial court’s credibility determination.”).
As to Officer Pickett, the state post-conviction court’s credibility
determination regarding trial counsel’s decision to not depose him is entitled to
deference by this Court. As to Officer Dalynski, the state post-conviction court
accepted trial counsel’s assessment that she was not sure if she would have
deposed the officer because “she did not want another officer testifying[.]” Dkt.
13-27 at 3. This assessment is bolstered by counsel’s testimony regarding Corporal
Pickett and counsel’s concern about having another officer “substantiate the State’s
case and undermine her defense strategy.” Id. The state court’s credibility
determinations bind this Court. As a result, the Court finds that counsel was not
deficient for failing to call these witnesses. Mr. Campbell fails to meet his burden
of proving that the state court unreasonably applied Strickland or unreasonably
determined the facts by rejecting this ground. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d)(1), (d)(2).
28
Ground Twelve
Mr. Campbell contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance
by not objecting when the trial judge allegedly failed to read in its entirety the jury
instruction on carrying a concealed firearm. Specifically, Mr. Campbell alleges
that during the charge conference both the State and defense counsel agreed to
eliminate from the instruction the definition of a “concealed firearm.” Mr.
Campbell argues that “[t]he Florida Standard Jury Instruction on carrying a
concealed firearm directs that the definition of ‘concealed firearm’ be defined to
the jury from section 790.001, FS.” Dkt. 1 at 26. Mr. Campbell claims that trial
counsel’s failure to object to the omission of this definition from the jury
instruction in his case deprived him of the effective assistance of counsel.
The state post-conviction court denied this ground of ineffective assistance
of counsel as follows:
[T]he Defendant alleges counsel was ineffective for agreeing to
eliminate the definition of concealed firearm from the jury instructions.
At trial, the judge asked both the prosecutor and defense counsel if they
would object to omitting the definition of concealed firearm from the
jury instructions, reasoning the definition is already included in the
elements of the offense. To be found guilty of Carrying a Concealed
Firearm, the State was required to prove that the Defendant knowingly
carried on or about his person a firearm, and the firearm was concealed
from the ordinary sight of another person. Section 79.001 of the Florida
Statutes defines a concealed firearm as “any firearm . . . which is carried
on or about a person in such a manner as to conceal the firearm from
the ordinary sight of another person.” The Court finds that the
Defendant has failed to demonstrate how he was prejudiced by the
removal of the definition of a concealed firearm when it was included
29
in the elements of the offense. As such, the Defendant is not entitled to
relief on this claim.
Dkt. 13-16 at 6 (court’s record citations omitted).
Upon review, the Court finds that the record supports the post-conviction
court’s rejection of this ground. In his reply Mr. Campbell states, he “will concede
and not reply to this ground.” Dkt. 16 at 16. Accordingly, Ground Twelve
warrants no federal habeas relief.
Ground Thirteen
Mr. Campbell contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance
by not objecting to the prosecutor “committing perjury and fraud upon the court”
by swearing under oath that testimony taken from a material witness, Officer
Evers, had itself been taken under oath when, in fact, it had not. In his reply Mr.
Campbell alleges that “had trial counsel filed a motion to dismiss based on the fact
that the officer writing the probable cause affidavit was not a material witness[,]
the charges would have been dismissed.” Dkt. 16 at 17. Mr. Campbell claims that
trial counsel’s failure to both object and file a pretrial motion to dismiss resulted in
“a violation of the Petitioner’s constitutional right to effective counsel, a fair and
impartial trial[,] and substantial [sic] and procedural due process of law.” Id.
The state post-conviction court denied this ground of ineffective assistance
of counsel as follows:
30
[T]he Defendant alleges counsel was ineffective for failing to object or
move to dismiss the information in cases 07-CF-14574 and 07-CF16460 when the State failed to obtain sworn testimony from a material
witness as required by Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.140(g).
The Court dismissed this claim without prejudice for the Defendant to
file a facially sufficient claim. The Defendant filed his Amended
Motion for Postconviction Relief on June 6, 2012. The Defendant
alleges Officer Evers, the arresting officer and only material witness to
his firearm possession charges, was required to provide the testimony.
The Defendant asserts that Officer Evers admitted he never wrote a
report or signed the criminal report affidavit. However, the Assistant
State Attorney certified in the information that he received sworn
testimony from a material witness. Additionally, Officer Garboski, who
was present and witnessed the buy bust operation and Defendant’s
arrest, swore to the facts alleged in the criminal report affidavit.[ 12]
Defendant has failed to demonstrate how counsel should have known
to file in good faith a motion to dismiss the information on the grounds
that no sworn testimony was received by a material witness. As such,
[this] ground . . . is denied.
Dkt. 13-19 at 3 (court’s record citations omitted).
Upon review, the Court finds that the post-conviction court correctly found
that counsel was not ineffective where the Assistant State Attorney certified in the
information that he received sworn testimony from a material witness, and Officer
Garboski—who was present and witnessed the offense and arrest—swore to the
facts alleged in the criminal report affidavit. Consequently, Mr. Campbell fails to
meet his burden of proving that the state court unreasonably applied Strickland or
12
Attached to the state post-conviction court’s order denying this ground of ineffective
assistance of counsel is a copy of Officer Garboski’s criminal report affidavit in which he swears
to the facts included in the probable cause statement. Dkt. 13-19.
31
unreasonably determined the facts by rejecting this ground. 28 U.S.C.
§ 2254(d)(1), (d)(2).
Ground Fourteen
Mr. Campbell contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance
by not objecting to the prosecutor “fraudulently invoking” the state court’s subject
matter jurisdiction. In his reply Mr. Campbell alleges that trial counsel “should
have discovered that the charging informations in this case were fatally defective”
because “no reports were made by the arresting officer [Officer Evers] and the
officer that filed the probable cause affidavit [Officer Garboski] was not involved
in the arrest or a material witness to the firearm offense.” Dkt. 16 at 17. Mr.
Campbell asserts that trial counsel’s alleged error resulted in a violation of his right
to due process.
The state post-conviction court denied this ground of ineffective assistance
of counsel as follows:
[T]he Defendant alleges counsel was ineffective for failing to object to
the Court’s lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The Defendant alleges
the State failed to receive a sworn statement from a material witness as
required by rule 3.140(g). The Defendant alleges Officer Evers, the
only material witness, was required to either draft the criminal report
affidavit or provide a written or transcribed statement to be affixed to
the criminal report affidavit or arrest report. Rule 3.140(g) requires that
the prosecutor receive testimony under oath from a material witness
prior to filing the information. This rule neither requires this testimony
to be written or affixed to the criminal report affidavit or arrest report.
Further, because a claim that the prosecutor failed to receive sworn
testimony from a material witness is waived if not raised before the
32
defendant enters a plea to the merits of the charge, the Court finds that
failure to receive such testimony would not affect the Court’s subject
matter jurisdiction. See Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.140(g); Logan v. State, 1 So.
3d 1253, 1255 (Fla. 4th DCA 2009); Carbajal v. State, 75 So. 3d 258,
263 (Fla. 2011) (finding it illogical to conclude that an unauthorized
signature on an information strips the circuit court of subject matter
jurisdiction when a complete lack of signature may be waived by the
defendant). Therefore, the Defendant is not entitled to relief on this
claim.
Dkt. 13-16 at 7 (court’s record citations omitted).
A circuit court in Florida has subject matter jurisdiction over a felony case.
Fla. Stat. § 26.012(2)(d); see also Carbajal, 75 So. 3d at 262. Rule 3.140(g),
Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, requires that the state attorney or a
designated assistant state attorney sign a felony information under oath affirming
good faith in instituting the prosecution and certifying the receipt of testimony
under oath from the material witness or witnesses to the offense. Before the filing
of the informations in Mr. Campbell’s case, a criminal report affidavit was filed
describing the factual basis for Mr. Campbell’s arrest. 13 Officer Garboski, who
operated the recording device worn by the confidential informant and personally
13
The criminal report affidavit includes the following factual basis to establish probable cause
for Campbell’s arrest, Dkt. 13-19 (attachment to state post-conviction court’s order denying in
part Campbell’s Rule 3.850 motion):
Def[endant] sold a TPD CI (3) crack rocks for twenty dollars. . . . Once the deal
was done we moved in and arrested the Def[endant]. He had the buy money in his
right front pocket. The Def[endant] had (2) additional rocks in his cigarette pack.
The Def[endant] had a fully loaded Jennings 9mm. The substance that was sold
field tested positive by Ofc. Brown. The Def[endant] is a convicted felon and been
in prison for various felonies including homicide. . . . The firearm was concealed
in the Def[endant’s] waistband.
33
observed Mr. Campbell’s arrest by Officer Evers, signed the criminal report
affidavit upon being sworn by another officer. 14 Officer Garboski verified, “I
swear the above statements are correct to the best of my knowledge.” Dkt. 13-19.
“The fellow officer rule provides a mechanism by which officers can rely on their
collective knowledge to act in the field. Under this rule, the collective knowledge
of officers investigating a crime is imputed to each officer and one officer may rely
on the knowledge and information possessed by another officer to establish
probable cause.” State v. Bowers, 87 So. 3d 704, 707 (Fla. 2012).
Mr. Campbell fails to show that a statement from Officer Evers was required
in order to confer subject matter jurisdiction upon the trial court. Consequently,
counsel had no basis to object to the trial court’s subject matter jurisdiction. See
Jones v. Barnes, 463 U.S. 745, 751 (1983) (stating that trial counsel has no duty to
raise a frivolous claim). Mr. Campbell fails to meet his burden of proving that the
state court either unreasonably applied Strickland or unreasonably determined the
facts by denying this ground of ineffective assistance of counsel. 28 U.S.C. §
2254(d)(1), (d)(2).
14
Florida law provides that a law enforcement officer is authorized to administer an oath when
engaged in the performance of official duties. See Fla. Stat. § 117.10. The affidavit shows that
Officer Garboski’s statements were “sworn and subscribed” to Officer S. Pickett, an officer
authorized to administer an oath.
34
CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY
“The district court must issue or deny a certificate of appealability when it
enters a final order adverse to the applicant,” and if a certificate is issued, “the
court must state the specific issue or issues that satisfy the showing required by 28
U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2).” Rule 11(a), Rules Governing Section 2254 Proceedings for
the United States District Courts; see Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 336
(2003). To merit a COA, Mr. Campbell must show that reasonable jurists would
find debatable both the merits of the underlying claims and the procedural issues
he seeks to raise. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2); Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473,
484 (2000); Eagle v. Linahan, 279 F.3d 926, 935 (11th Cir. 2001). Because he fails
to show that reasonable jurists would debate either the merits of the claims or the
procedural issues, Mr. Campbell is not entitled to either a COA or leave to appeal
in forma pauperis.
Accordingly, a certificate of appealability is denied. Leave to appeal in
forma pauperis is denied. Mr. Campbell must obtain permission from the circuit
court to appeal in forma pauperis.
CONCLUSION
The Court denies Mr. Campbell’s Petition with prejudice. Dkt. 1. The Clerk
is directed to enter judgment accordingly, terminate any pending motions, and
close the file.
35
DONE AND ORDERED at Tampa, Florida, on June 30, 2020.
/s/ William F. Jung
WILLIAM F. JUNG
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
COPIES FURNISHED TO:
Counsel of Record
Petitioner, pro se
36
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