Wilson v. Berghuis

Filing 16

OPINION and ORDER Denying Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus and Declining to Issue Certificate of Appealability or Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis on Appeal. Signed by District Judge Thomas L. Ludington. (SGam)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
NORTHERN DIVISION

GERALD WILSON,
Petitioner,

Case No. 09-14787
Honorable Thomas L. Ludington

v.
MARY BERGHUIS,
Respondent.
/
OPINION AND ORDER DENYING PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS,
DECLINING TO ISSUE CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY, AND DENYING
LEAVE TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS ON APPEAL
Petitioner Gerald Wilson, presently confined at the Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility
in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, seeks the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 2254. In his pro se application, petitioner challenges his conviction for first-degree
criminal sexual conduct in violation of Mich. Comp. Laws 750.520b(1)(f). For the reasons
stated below, the application for a writ of habeas corpus will be denied.
I
Petitioner was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct following a jury trial in the
Oakland County Circuit Court. He was sentenced as a second habitual offender to twenty to
forty years’ imprisonment.
At Petitioner’s trial, the victim, Sandra Bradford, testified that in February 2005 she was
living in an efficiency apartment in Pontiac with Petitioner. At that time, they had lived there for
about two months and had been dating for about eight. On February 7, 2005, Bradford was away

from the apartment visiting her mother, her daughter, and her new granddaughter. She spoke
with Petitioner on the phone and told him that she would be home later that night.
When Bradford returned home, Petitioner was away, so she ate, bathed, and went to bed.
Petitioner arrived at some point during the night, and he woke Bradford at about 4:00 a.m. He
began to argue with her about money. Bradford was on the bed with her back to Petitioner, but
he suddenly jumped on her, choked her, bit her lip, and punched her in the face. Petitioner then
got up, exited the apartment into the hallway, and began to dance and gloat. Bradford tried to
escape, but Petitioner caught her and choked her; she said she tried to scream but he covered her
mouth. Bradford believed Petitioner was under the influence of marijuana, because “that’s what
he did,” but she did not believe he had been drinking.
Bradford testified that at that moment she blacked out. She awoke in the bathroom to find
Petitioner running water over her. He then ripped her clothes off, pushed her into bed, and
forced sexual intercourse. Bradford described several injuries she alleged were caused while she
attempted to resist. After Petitioner stopped intercourse, he held Bradford in a leg-hold on the
bed, and she could not get up. Finally, Petitioner released Bradford around 7:30 a.m. because
her mother was due to take her grocery shopping. Petitioner was worried about what Bradford
would tell her mother, because Bradford’s face was splotchy and swollen and her lip was cut.
Bradford’s mother arrived but remained in her vehicle blaring the horn. Bradford left the
apartment, telling Petitioner he had twenty-five minutes to get out of her house. Petitioner told
her he was not going anywhere. Bradford then got into her mother’s car and told her mother that
Petitioner had attacked her, but she did not reveal that she had been sexually assaulted. Bradford
then called her brother and the police. She wanted her brother to come and get Petitioner out of
the house.

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Bradford’s brother was in the parking lot of the apartment when Bradford and her mother
got back from the store. Bradford did not tell her brother that she had been sexually assaulted
because she was afraid if she did he would kill Petitioner. Nevertheless, he saw Bradford, he
became very upset, went into the house, and demanded the keys to the apartment from Petitioner.
But Petitioner refused to give them up and said the house was his. A fight ensued, Bradford’s
brother punched Petitioner in the face, and then forced him out of the apartment.
Bradford’s brother then left just before the police arrived. Bradford told Officer Darnell
Reed that she had been jumped on by Petitioner. She agreed to go to the hospital because the
injuries on her neck were bad. On the way to the hospital, Bradford told the officer that she had
also been sexually assaulted. Bradford was first taken to Pontiac hospital, but there was no rape
kit there so Officer Reed took her to the rape center at Royal Oak Hospital. Bradford had an
examination at the hospital, and then went to the police station for more pictures. Photographs
taken of Bradford by the police were admitted into evidence during Petitioner’s trial.
Bradford testified Petitioner called her at her mother’s house five times on Valentine’s
Day. A recording of these calls was played for the jury, and a transcript was provided to assist
them in following along but was not admitted into evidence. Bradford identified the voices on
the first tape as herself and Petitioner, and Petitioner stipulated that the remaining tapes were the
following four calls.
Pontiac Police Officer Darnell Reed testified that he arrived at 101 Mechanic, Apartment
110 on February 8 at about 9:40 in the morning and encountered Bradford and her mother.
According to Officer Reed, Bradford was very upset, had a swollen lip with blood around it,
obvious scratches, and bruises on her neck. Reed spent approximately twenty minutes at the
apartment talking with Bradford. According to Reed, at the apartment Bradford told him that she

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had been assaulted by her boyfriend, but did not indicate that she had been raped. He testified
that during the three minute drive to the hospital, Bradford then told him she had been raped.
Reed returned to the apartment to look for evidence to verify the allegations, and then took
Bradford to the START Program in Royal Oak. The START Program is where police take
possible rape victims for forensic examinations and in-depth interviews. At some point during
his investigation, Reed spoke to three of Bradford’s neighbors, at least one of which refused to
identify herself, and got information regarding whether they were aware of any disturbance the
night before. Reed was unable to find any torn underwear in the apartment.
Bonnie Barton, the program director at the START Program, a forensic nurse examiner,
testified that she examined Bradford. According to Barton, Bradford was distraught and crying.
She had a curved abrasion on her upper lip, an abrasion on her left inner arm, three “ligaturetype” marks on her neck, bruising across both breasts, an abrasion on her right inner thigh,
abrasions on each shoulder blade, and a round, red abrasion on the center of her back. Barton
took photographs of these injuries, which were admitted into evidence. There were no marks on
Bradford’s face consistent with being struck by a fist. The pelvic examination revealed no
evidence of injury, which Barton testified was typical of an adult female victim of sexual assault.
Barton testified that Bradford answered “yes” when asked whether she had consensual sex
within the previous 96 hours.
Pontiac Detective Doug MacQuarrie testified that he interviewed Petitioner on February 8,
2005. MacQuarrie said Petitioner initially denied that there had been a fight with Bradford, but
then admitted there had been an argument, and informed the detective that Bradford had been
injured only as he attempted to keep her at bay. Petitioner denied hitting, slapping, or choking

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Bradford. Petitioner told MacQuarrie that he and Bradford argued, but then had consensual
“make up” sex. Petitioner did not testify and was convicted as charged.
Petitioner filed a direct appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals, raising the following
claims: A) his Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment rights to a fair trial and due process of law were
denied through prosecutorial misconduct — improper argument to the jury — and B) ineffective
assistance of counsel because of counsel’s failure to object during the trial.
Petitioner’s conviction was affirmed on appeal in an unpublished, per curiam opinion. See
People v. Wilson, No. 265455, 2007 WL 521248 (Mich. Ct. App. Feb. 20, 2007). Petitioner did
not seek leave to appeal from the Michigan Supreme Court. (See Affidavit of Michigan Supreme
Court Clerk Corbin R. Davis).
On March 17, 2007, Petitioner returned to the trial court and filed a motion for relief from
judgment, raising the same issues he now raises in his habeas petition. The trial court denied
Petitioner’s motion on August 20, 2007. Petitioner then filed an application for leave to appeal
with the Michigan Court of Appeals, which was denied on December 9, 2008. His application
for leave to appeal filed with the Michigan Supreme Court was denied on September 11, 2009.
Petitioner now seeks habeas corpus relief in this Court on the following grounds:
I.

The prosecution failed to prove the venue of the offense was in Oakland
County.

II.

Denial of public trial.

III.

Prosecution’s refusal to provide defense with requested photos resulted in
a denial of due process.

IV.

The prosecution calling a surprise witnesses, without endorsing the witnesses
or asking leave to endorse the witnesses, deprived Petitioner of a fair trial.

V.

The trial court denied Petitioner due process by admitting insufficiently
authenticated and inaudible tape recordings.

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VI.

Prosecution’s failure to list res gestae witnesses denied Petitioner due process.

VII.

Prosecution’s questions regarding Petitioner’s illegal drug use denied
Petitioner a fair trial and coerced him to waive his right to testify at trial.

VIII.

Denial of right to counsel due to late appointment of counsel and
counsel’s ineffectiveness at trial.

IX.

Cumulative errors.

X.

Ineffective assistance of appellate counsel.

Respondent Mary Berghuis contends that all of Petitioner’s habeas claims are procedurally
defaulted and also lack merit. Upon review of the entire record, the Court finds that Petitioner
has not demonstrated a right to habeas relief. His petition will be denied.
II
28 U.S.C. §2254(d) imposes the following standard of review for habeas cases:
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.
A decision of a state court is “contrary to” clearly established federal law if the state court arrives
at a conclusion opposite that reached by the Supreme Court, or if the state court decides a case
differently than the Supreme Court has on a set of materially indistinguishable facts. Williams v.
Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 405–06 (2000). An “unreasonable application” occurs when “a state court
decision unreasonably applies the law of [the Supreme Court] to the facts of a prisoner’s case.”
Id. at 409.

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III
Respondent argues that Petitioner’s habeas claims are all procedurally defaulted because
Petitioner failed to raise those claims on direct appeal, and has not established either cause to
excuse the default or actual prejudice. Petitioner responds that his appellate attorney’s failure to
raise his habeas claims on direct appeal was constitutionally ineffective assistance of counsel,
and that this should excuse any procedural default.
When the state courts clearly and expressly rely on a valid state procedural bar, federal
habeas review is barred unless petitioner can demonstrate “cause” for the default and actual
prejudice from the alleged constitutional violation, or can demonstrate that failure to consider the
claim will result in a “fundamental miscarriage of justice.” Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722,
750 (1991). If petitioner fails to show cause for his procedural default, it is unnecessary for the
court to reach the prejudice issue. Smith v. Murray, 477 U.S. 527, 533 (1986). However, in an
extraordinary case, where a constitutional error has probably resulted in the conviction of one
who is actually innocent, a federal court may consider the constitutional claims presented even in
the absence of a showing of cause for procedural default. Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 495–
96 (1986).

Such a claim of innocence requires a petitioner to support the allegations of

constitutional error with new reliable evidence that was not presented at trial. Schlup v. Delo, 513
U.S. 298, 324 (1995).
Petitioner asserts that his appellate attorney was ineffective for failing to raise his habeas
claims on direct appeal, and that this constitutes cause to excuse his procedural default. Attorney
error can constitute cause to excuse a procedural default only if it rises to the level of
constitutionally ineffective assistance of counsel under the standard set forth by the United States
Supreme Court in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984).

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Analyzing whether an

attorney’s failure to raise or preserve claims constitutes ineffective assistance requires an
analysis of the merits of the claims a petitioner asserts should have been, but were not, raised or
preserved. While the procedural default doctrine precludes habeas relief on a defaulted claim, it
is not jurisdictional. Trest v. Cain, 522 U.S. 87, 89 (1997). Judicial economy sometimes
counsels reaching the merits of a claim or claims if the merits are “easily resolvable against the
habeas petitioner, whereas the procedural-bar issues involve complicated issues of state law.”
Lambrix v. Singletary, 520 U.S. 518, 525 (1997).
Accordingly, the Court will proceed directly to the consideration of the merits of
Petitioner’s various habeas claims. See Arias v. Hudson, 589 F.3d 315, 316 (6th Cir. 2009)
(Lambrix permits courts to skip procedural default issues and reject claims on the merits where
the merits present more straightforward grounds for decision).
A
Petitioner first contends that reversal is required because the prosecution failed to establish
that the underlying offense occurred in Oakland County. During the trial, the victim testified
that the crime occurred at her apartment in Pontiac; however, there was no testimony
establishing that Pontiac was within Oakland County, Michigan. Petitioner argues that he is
entitled to habeas relief because the prosecution did not establish venue beyond a reasonable
doubt. Respondent argues that this claim is solely a claim of Michigan law, and therefore noncognizable on habeas review, and is without merit even as a matter of state law.
Respondent is correct that the claim is non-cognizable. Williams v. United States, 582 F.2d
1039, 1041 (6th Cir.1978) (claim of improper venue not cognizable on habeas). While the
“vicinage” clause of the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right
to be tried by a jury of the district in which the crime has been committed, this right only applies

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to federal criminal trials and the Fourteenth Amendment did not extend the vicinage clause to
state criminal trials. Caudill v. Scott, 857 F.2d 344, 345–46 (6th Cir. 1988); accord Stevenson v.
Lewis, 384 F.3d 1069, 1071 (9th Cir. 2004). Even in a federal criminal trial, failure to establish
venue is not grounds for federal habeas relief, because, “in the absence of any allegation of bad
faith on the part of the Government or prejudice to the defendant, improper venue will not
ordinarily result in a ‘miscarriage of justice,’ and presents no extraordinary need for postconviction relief.” Williams, 582 F.2d at 1042.
To the extent that Petitioner is arguing that Michigan law creates an obligation on the part
of the prosecutor to establish venue, such a claim is also non-cognizable in this habeas
proceeding. A federal court may review a state prisoner’s habeas petition only on the ground
that the challenged confinement violates the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States.
28 U.S.C. § 2254(a). It is well established that the federal court cannot issue a writ of habeas
corpus “on the basis of a perceived error of state law.” Pulley v. Harris, 465 U.S. 37, 41 (1984).
Petitioner has not established that his federal constitutional rights were violated by any failure to
establish venue, and therefore Petitioner’s first claim for habeas relief lacks merit.
B
Petitioner contends that he was denied his right to a public trial because testimony was
taken during the first day of the trial which concluded at 5:41 p.m. Petitioner contends that the
Oakland County Circuit Courthouse closes 5:00 p.m. every business day, and that the doors are
locked to the public. Petitioner asserts that he was thereby denied his right to a public trial as
guaranteed by the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.
Petitioner’s claim lacks merit because he presents no evidence, aside from his assertion,
that the courthouse was actually closed to the public after 5:00 p.m. on the first day of his trial.

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There is nothing in the transcript that suggests the courthouse was closed to the public during
Petitioner’s trial. Furthermore, the trial court found otherwise. The trial court addressed this
factual issue in its Opinion and Order denying Petitioner’s motion for relief from judgment:
The court takes judicial notice of the fact that the courthouse doors are not locked
until 6:00 p.m. After hours, there is a security guard who admits people for weekend
and evening proceedings. Merely because a witness was on the stand after 5:00 p.m.
does not mean that the public was not allowed in the courtroom. Accordingly,
Defendant has failed to demonstrate that the court excluded persons from the
courtroom, and he is not entitled to relief on this ground.
August 20, 2007 Op. and Order 3.
In a federal habeas corpus action, a determination of a factual issue by a state court is
presumed correct, unless rebutted by the petitioner with clear and convincing evidence. 28
U.S.C. § 2254 (e)(1). Petitioner offers no evidence, aside from his assertion, that the trial court’s
finding was incorrect. Petitioner has therefore failed to carry his burden of proof on his second
habeas claim.
C
For his third claim for habeas relief, Petitioner asserts that the prosecution refused to
provide him with certain photographs of the victim prior to trial, and that this deprived him of his
right to due process and a fair trial. Petitioner argues this refusal was a violation of his rights as
established by Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963).
Following the assault, Bradford’s injuries were photographed.

Prior to trial, the

prosecution delivered to the defense 29 pages of photographs of the injuries, but did not send
three photographs taken by Barton and one photograph taken by the Pontiac police. In the letter
accompanying the discovery material, the prosecution stated that the four photographs were not
included because they were “revealing,” but that the photographs were available for viewing at
any time.
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In Brady, the Supreme Court held that “the suppression by the prosecution of evidence
favorable to an accused upon request violates due process where the evidence is material either
to guilt or to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution.” Brady,
373 U.S. at 87. To establish a violation under Brady, a petitioner must show (1) the prosecution
suppressed evidence; (2) that the suppressed evidence was favorable to him, either because it
was exculpatory or because it was impeaching; and (3) that the petitioner was prejudiced by the
non-disclosure. Strickler v. Greene, 527 U.S. 263, 281–82 (1999).
Petitioner has not demonstrated a right to habeas relief with this claim because he has failed
to establish any of the Brady elements. First, the record shows that the photographs at issue were
not suppressed.

The prosecutor’s letter made the defense aware of the existence of the

photographs and offered the opportunity to view them at any time. Second, there is no evidence
that the photographs were either exculpatory or impeaching.

The record shows that the

photographs were of abrasions to Bradford’s upper thigh and bruising to her breasts, which
confirm her account.

Finally, there is no evidence that Petitioner was prejudiced by the

prosecution’s failure to make copies of the photographs and give them to Petitioner prior to trial.
Petitioner’s third habeas claim lacks merit.
D
Petitioner’s fourth habeas claim is that the prosecution called two surprise witnesses —
Bradford and Nurse Bonnie Barton — without endorsing them prior to trial. He contends that he
was denied a fair trial as a result. Petitioner claims that he was unaware that Bradford would be
testifying and that, if he had known she would testify, he would have accepted a plea bargain that
had been offered by the prosecution. Petitioner also alleges that had he known the prosecution
would call Bonnie Barton as an expert witness, he would have retained his own expert to testify

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that non-consensual sex would have injured Bradford’s vaginal area. Petitioner asserts that the
prosecution violated its duty under Michigan law to send the defendant, no less than thirty days
prior to trial, a list of witnesses the prosecution intended to produce at trial. See Mich. Comp.
Laws 767.40a(3). Petitioner, however, does not cite any federal law that requires a prosecutor to
endorse witnesses prior to trial or that holds the failure to do so is a violation of due process.
To the extent that Petitioner is arguing that Michigan law creates an obligation on the part
of the prosecutor to endorse witnesses prior to trial, such a claim is non-cognizable in this habeas
proceeding. A federal court may review a state prisoner’s habeas petition only on the ground
that the challenged confinement violates the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States.
28 U.S.C. § 2254(a). A federal court cannot issue a writ of habeas corpus on the basis of “a
perceived error of state law.” Pulley, 465 U.S. at 41.
There is no support for Petitioner’s contention that the witnesses were a surprise to him or
his attorney, aside from his unsupported statement in his petition. The general information and
witness list, dated March 18, 2005, listed Bradford as a witness that might be called at trial. The
first-amended general information and witness list, dated April 29, 2005, listed Bradford as a
witness that might be called at trial, as well as “any and all Haven Start personnel for the
treatment of Sandra Renee Bradford on or about 2-8-05.”
Further, Barton’s report was produced to the defense during discovery. The prosecution
told the court during voir dire that it would be calling Barton and Bradford to testify, and
Petitioner’s trial counsel did not object on the grounds of surprise. Finally, Petitioner’s trial
counsel extensively cross-examined both witnesses, suggesting that he was prepared to have
them testify. Petitioner has not established facts supporting his claim that he was surprised by
the witnesses, and his fourth habeas claim therefore lacks merit.

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E
Petitioner’s fifth habeas claim asserts that his due process rights were violated because the
trial court admitted into evidence inaudible and insufficiently authenticated audiotapes of
conversations he had with the victim while in prison.
Petitioner again relies exclusively on Michigan law to support his argument. Noted above,
habeas relief is not available for perceived errors of state law.

Pulley, 465 U.S. at 41.

Furthermore, “[h]abeas review does not encompass state court rulings on the admission of
evidence unless there is a [federal] constitutional violation.” Clemmons v. Souders, 34 F3d 352,
357 (6th Cir. 1994).

The finding of the trial court that the audiotapes were sufficiently

authenticated and admissible as a matter of Michigan law is binding on this Court.

See

Bradshaw v. Richey, 546 U.S. 74, 76 (2005) (“a state court’s interpretation of state law,
including one announced on direct appeal of the challenged conviction, binds a federal court
sitting in habeas corpus”).
Petitioner’s assertion that the tapes were inaudible is also not supported by the record.
Neither Petitioner’s counsel nor the jury challenged the audio quality of the tapes when the judge
inquired whether the tape could be heard. Petitioner offers no evidence, beyond his assertion in
his petition, that the tapes were inaudible or of poor quality. Without factual support in the
record, such an assertion does not meet Petitioner’s burden of showing a violation of his
constitutional rights. This claim is also meritless.
F
Petitioner’s sixth habeas claim is that his due process rights were violated because the
prosecution failed to list all known res gestae witnesses, as required by Mich. Comp. Laws
767.40a. Specifically, Petitioner argues that Officer Reed testified that he interviewed three of

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Bradford’s neighbors, but did not list them as res gestae witnesses. Petitioner asserts that if the
prosecution had listed these neighbors as res gestae witnesses, as required by the Michigan
statute, the witnesses could have been called by the defense and would have undercut Bradford’s
testimony because they did not see Petitioner do a dance in the hall and did not hear Bradford
scream for help.
Again, this claim is not cognizable on habeas review. Federal law does not require the
production of res gestae witnesses. Johnson v. Hofbauer, 159 F. Supp. 2d 582, 601 (E.D. Mich.
2001). Furthermore, as a factual matter, Petitioner lived in the apartment in which the assault
took place; he had the ability to find out the names of the neighbors outside of discovery, and
therefore cannot show that he was prejudiced by any failure of the prosecution to list the
neighbors’ names as res gestae witnesses. Petitioner’s sixth habeas claim is meritless.
G
Petitioner’s seventh claim for habeas relief asserts that he was denied due process, his right
to a fair trial, and was ultimately coerced into waiving his right to testify by questions posed by
the prosecutor concerning his use of illegal drugs.
During Bradford’s direct examination, the following exchange took place between the
prosecutor and Bradford:
Q: Did you think he had been under the influence of anything
A: Yeah.
Q: What?
A: Marijuana.
Q: Did you think he had been drinking?
A: No.

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Q: What made you think he was – had been smoking?
A: Because that’s what he did.
July 21, 2005 Trial Tr. 74–75.
Petitioner asserts that the admission of this testimony violated Michigan Rule of Evidence
404(b), which provides that evidence of other crimes, wrongs and acts is not admissible to prove
the character of a person in order to show that he acted in conformity with such character.
Petitioner also asserts that the admission of this evidence damaged his credibility and coerced
him to waive his right to testify.
Petitioner’s claim based on the violation of the Michigan Rules of Evidence is not
cognizable. Pulley, 465 U.S. at 41 (habeas relief not available on the basis of “a perceived error
of state law”). Furthermore, the question was proper as a matter of Michigan law because it did
not seek to ask about Petitioner’s general character but sought evidence concerning Petitioner’s
demeanor and state of mind during the crime. Petitioner has not established a right to habeas
relief on this claim.
H
Petitioner’s eighth claim for habeas relief asserts that he was denied the right to counsel
because of the late appointment of his trial counsel and because his trial counsel was ineffective.
Petitioner argues that he was constructively denied counsel at his preliminary examination
because his trial counsel was appointed only two days before the preliminary examination.
Petitioner cites in support of this proposition United States v. Morris, 470 F.3d 596 (6th Cir.
2006). In Morris, the Sixth Circuit held that a criminal defendant was constructively denied
counsel when he was appointed an attorney the day after his arraignment and met with her for
the first time immediately before a “pre-preliminary examination.” Additionally, during that

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initial meeting, the defendant’s attorney advised him of a state plea offer but incorrectly
estimated his federal guidelines range as 62 to 68 months, when in fact it was 90 to 97 months if
he pled guilty or 101 to 111 months if he did not.

Immediately after this meeting, the

prosecution made a plea offer, and the state judge informed Morris that if he declined he would
be referred to federal court to answer charges that could result in a more severe sentence.
Morris was not able to discuss his options privately with his attorney, who at any rate had no
experience practicing in federal court, had no knowledge of the strength or weakness of the case
against him, and had no opportunity to investigate or interview witnesses. Morris rejected the
state’s plea offer and he was later charged in federal court. The federal court held that, under the
circumstances, Morris was constructively denied counsel at a critical stage of the criminal
proceedings against him. Id. at 602.
The Morris case addressed an unusual set of facts in which the criminal defendant had
access to a lawyer, but where the ability of the lawyer to assist the defendant was severely
limited by the circumstances. Petitioner’s circumstances are materially different than Morris.
The mere fact that an attorney was appointed two days before the preliminary examination has
never been held to constitute a constructive denial of counsel. Cf. Dick v. Scroggy, 882 F.2d 192
(6th Cir. 1989) (defense attorney’s failure to interview defendant until night before trial for only
30–45 minutes did not establish constructive denial of counsel). Generally, a petitioner cannot
sustain a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel unless he shows both that his counsel was
deficient, and that any deficiency prejudiced his defense. Ivory v. Jackson, 509 F.3d 284, 295
(6th Cir. 2007); Mitchell v. Mason, 325 F.3d 732, 742 (6th Cir. 2003). Deficient performance
requires demonstrating that trial counsel “made errors so serious that counsel was not
functioning as the ‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment.” Strickland,

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466 U.S. at 687. Prejudice requires showing a reasonable probability that the result of the
proceeding would have been different had counsel not performed deficiently.

Id. at 694.

Petitioner has not shown that he was prejudiced in any way by the appointment of counsel two
days before the preliminary examination.
Petitioner also asserts that his trial counsel was ineffective because he (1) failed to ensure
that the prosecution disclosed res gestae witnesses, (2) failed to ensure Petitioner received a
public trial, (3) failed to object to the prosecutor’s non-disclosure of the photographs of the
victim, (4) allowed the inaudible and insufficiently authenticated audiotapes of his conversations
with the victim, (5) failed to prevent the prosecutor from eliciting evidence about his illegal drug
use, (6) failed to move for a directed verdict on the grounds of insufficient evidence, (7) failed to
request a jury instruction on the ways to consider the expert testimony of Bonnie Barton, and (8)
failed to object to prosecutorial misconduct.
Petitioner’s first five claims of ineffectiveness merely restate his habeas claims, which as
discussed above, lack merit. His sixth claim of ineffectiveness — that his trial counsel failed to
move for a directed verdict — lacks merit because the victim’s testimony was itself sufficient
evidence to sustain the conviction for first degree criminal sexual conduct. Petitioner’s seventh
claim of ineffectiveness, that trial counsel failed to request an instruction on the use of expert
testimony with regard Bonnie Barton, fails because Barton was a fact witness, not an expert
witness, and testified based on her personal knowledge.

Petitioner’s eighth claim of

ineffectiveness, his trial counsel’s failure to object to prosecutorial misconduct, lacks merit
because the Michigan Court of Appeals found that the prosecutor did not commit misconduct
and therefore the failure of Petitioner’s trial counsel to object was not deficient. See People v.
Wilson, No. 265455, 2007 WL 521248 (Mich. Ct. App. Feb. 20, 2007).

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Petitioner has not established that he was constructively denied counsel or that his trial
counsel made errors serious enough to affect the reliability of the trial. Petitioner has not
established a right to habeas relief on his claim of denial of counsel.
I
For his ninth claim for habeas relief, Petitioner alleges that the cumulative effects of errors
at his trial rendered his trial fundamentally unfair. Claims of cumulative error are not cognizable
on habeas review. Williams v. Anderson, 460 F.3d 789, 816 (6th Cir. 2006).
J
Petitioner’s tenth claim for habeas relief asserts that his appellate counsel was
constitutionally ineffective because he failed to raise Petitioner’s first eight habeas claims on
direct appeal. As discussed above, none of Petitioner’s habeas claims would have merited relief
even if appellate counsel had raised them on direct appeal, and therefore Petitioner’s appellate
counsel was not ineffective.
IV
Because none of Petitioner’s claims for relief have merit, the Court will also deny a
certificate of appealability. In order to obtain a certificate of appealability, a petitioner must
make a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right. 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). To
demonstrate this denial, the applicant is required to show that reasonable jurists could conclude
that the petition should have been resolved in a different manner, or that the issues presented
were adequate enough for encouragement to proceed further. See Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S.
473, 483–84 (2000). When a district court rejects a habeas petitioner’s constitutional claims on
the merits, the petitioner must demonstrate that reasonable jurists would find the district court’s
assessment of the constitutional claims debatable or incorrect. Id. at 484.

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For the reasons stated above, the Court will deny petitioner a certificate of appealability
because reasonable jurists could not find this Court’s assessment of petitioner’s claims debatable
or wrong.
V
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that Petitioner’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus is
DENIED with prejudice.
It is further ORDERED that the Court DECLINES to issue a certificate of appealability.
It is further ODERED that the Court DENIES Petitioner leave to proceed in forma
pauperis on appeal because an appeal cannot be taken in good faith. See Fed. R. App. P. 24(a).
Dated: February 28, 2013

s/Thomas L. Ludington
THOMAS L. LUDINGTON
United States District Judge

PROOF OF SERVICE

The undersigned certifies that a copy of the foregoing
order was served upon each attorney or party of record
herein by electronic means or first class U.S. mail and
upon Gerald Wilson #300327, Earnest C. Brooks
Correctional Facility 2500 S. Sheridan Dr. Muskegon
Heights, MI 49444 by first class U.S. mail on February
28, 2013.
s/Tracy A. Jacobs
TRACY A. JACOBS

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