Smith v. Bergh
Filing
8
OPINION AND ORDER Denying 1 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed by Howard Smith; DENYING a Certificate of Appealability and DENYING Leave to Proceed Informa Pauperis on Appeal. Signed by District Judge Robert H. Cleland. (LWag)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION
HOWARD SMITH, #416157,
Petitioner,
v.
Case No. 2:15-cv-11712
DAVID BERGH,
Respondent.
________________________________
OPINION AND ORDER DENYING PETITION FOR A WRIT OF
HABEAS CORPUS, DENYING CERTIFICATE OF APPEALABILITY,
AND DENYING LEAVE TO PROCEED ON APPEAL IN FORMA PAUPERIS
Petitioner Howard Smith has filed a pro se petition for a writ of habeas corpus
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Following a bench trial in the Wayne County Circuit
Court, Petitioner was convicted of second-degree murder, Mich. Comp. Laws
§ 750.317, carrying a concealed weapon, Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.227, felon in
possession of a firearm, Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.224f, and possession of a firearm
during the commission of a felony, Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.227b. He was sentenced to
20 to 35 years imprisonment on the murder conviction, concurrent terms of one to five
years imprisonment on the concealed weapon and felon in possession convictions, and
a consecutive term of two years imprisonment on the felony firearm conviction. In his
pleadings, Petitioner raises claims concerning double jeopardy, the sufficiency of the
evidence, the conduct of the prosecutor, the application of state self-defense law, and
the effectiveness of trial and appellate counsel. For the reasons that follow, the court
denies with prejudice the habeas petition. The court also denies a certificate of
appealability and denies leave to proceed in forma pauperis on appeal.
II. Facts and Procedural History
Petitioner’s convictions arise from a firearm death. The relevant facts, as decided
by the Michigan Court of Appeals, are presumed correct. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1);
Wagner v. Smith, 581 F.3d 410, 413 (6th Cir. 2009).
Smith’s convictions arise from the shooting death of Farrod Potter during
the early morning hours of June 27, 2010, outside a lounge in Detroit. At
trial, several witnesses, including Raymond Grant, testified that they had
celebrated a family birthday at the lounge. As Grant was entering the
lounge, he accidentally stepped on Smith’s shoe. Grant apologized to
Smith before they continued on their separate ways. Near the lounge’s
closing time, Smith followed Grant’s aunt across the street to talk. Shortly
thereafter, Grant and a group of friends, including Potter, came across the
street. Grant again apologized to Smith, who declined to acknowledge his
acceptance of the apology. Although Grant became irritated by Smith’s
attitude, the testimony of the several trial witnesses consistently described
that Grant and his acquaintances walked away from Smith back toward
the lounge or their cars. Smith, who was armed with a .25–caliber
handgun, jogged or walked in pursuit of Grant and his acquaintances.
Smith declared that he should shoot someone in the back, after which
Smith drew his handgun. Grant grabbed Smith around his arms to prevent
Smith from shooting, but Smith was able to raise the gun toward Potter
and shoot him once in the chest. No evidence suggested that Grant or his
acquaintances possessed weapons of any kind that morning, or that any
of them ever threatened Smith. Smith raised a self-defense claim at trial.
People v. Smith, No. 301559, 2012 WL 832848, at *1 (Mich. Ct. App. March 13, 2012).
Following his convictions and sentencing, Petitioner filed an appeal of right with
the Michigan Court of Appeals raising the following claims:
I.
Convictions and sentences for both felon in possession of a
firearm and felony firearm violate the Double Jeopardy
Clause. U.S. Const. amend. V.
II.
The conviction for second degree murder, carrying a
concealed weapon, and felony firearm must be reversed
where the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to
disprove self-defense, thus violating his Amends. V and XIV
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rights to be convicted only upon proof beyond a reasonable
doubt.
III.
The evidence was insufficient to support the charge of
second-degree murder. If at all, the conviction can be no
more than involuntary manslaughter.
IV.
The prosecutor committed misconduct by misleading the
court when presenting and offering a stipulation during
closing arguments that was never stipulated to by the
defense and when presenting misleading witness testimony,
which deprived Defendant of a fair trial and violated
Defendant’s right to due process under the Michigan and
United States Constitutions.
V.
Trial counsel’s failure to object to and preserve the
prosecution’s misleading misstatements of witness
testimonies, along with his misrepresentation of stipulations
offered to the court during trial, deprived Defendant of his
state and federal constitutional right to effective assistance
of counsel and a fair trial.
The court denied relief on those claims and affirmed his convictions. Id. at *1–6.
Petitioner then filed an application for leave to appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court,
which was denied in a standard order. People v. Smith, 492 Mich. 867, 819 N.W.2d
873 (2012).
Petitioner subsequently filed a motion for relief from judgment with the state trial
court raising the following claims:
I.
Did the trier of fact apply the incorrect law of self defense
violating the due process rights of the defendant as
guaranteed to him under the U.S. Const. and the Mich.
Const. 1963, Art. 1 §§ 17, 20?
II.
Must Defendant’s second-degree murder conviction be
reversed where the prosecution failed to establish the
necessary elements beyond a reasonable doubt, resulting in
the violation of Defendant’s due process rights under the
U.S. Constitutional Amendment V and XIV, and the Michigan
Constitution 1963, Art 1, §§ 17, 20?
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III.
Did the prosecutor commit misconduct by intentionally
misleading and lying to the trial court, misquoting and
misrepresenting testimony, violating Defendant’s substantial
rights under U.S. Const. Amends. V, VI, XIV, and the Mich.
Const. 1963, Art 1, §§ 17, 20?
IV.
Did the prosecutor commit misconduct and abuse his
authority by overcharging Defendant with second-degree
murder where the facts and evidence only supported
self-defense accidental death, or at most, manslaughter,
denying Defendant his due process rights under the U.S.
Const. Amends. V, VI, XIV, and the Mich. Const. 1963, Art. 1
§§ 17, 20?
V.
Did the prosecutor commit misconduct by arguing facts not
in evidence, violating Defendant’s due process rights under
the U.S. Const. Amends. V, VI, XIV, and the Mich. Const.
1963, Art. 1 §§ 17, 20?
VI.
Was Defendant denied effective assistance of trial counsel,
violating his constitutional rights under [both] state and
federal Constitutions where counsel failed to present
evidence that would have been exculpatory in nature?
VII.
Was Defendant denied his right to the effective assistance of
appellate counsel where counsel failed to raise the herein
issues on direct appeal. U.S. Const. Amends. VI and XIV;
Mich Const 1963, Art. 1, §§ 17, 20?
The court denied relief citing Michigan Court Rule 6.508(D)(2) and (D)(3). The court
also ruled that Petitioner failed to establish that appellate counsel was ineffective.
People v. Smith, No. 10-007618-01-FC (Wayne Co. Cir. Ct. Oct. 25, 2013). Petitioner
then filed an application for leave to appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals, which
was denied “for failure to establish entitlement to relief under MCR 6.508(D).” People v.
Smith, No. 319896 (Mich. Ct. App. June 27, 2014). Petitioner also filed an application
for leave to appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court, which was similarly denied.
People v. Smith, 497 Mich. 1010, 861 N.W.2d 893 (2015).
Petitioner thereafter filed his federal habeas petition. (Dkt. #1.) He raises the 12
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claims that he raised on direct appeal and collateral review of his convictions in the
state courts. Respondent has filed an answer to the petition (Dkt. #5) contending that it
should be denied because the claims lack merit and/or are barred by procedural default.
III. Standard of Review
The provisions of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996
(“AEDPA”), codified at 28 U.S.C. § 2241 et seq., govern this case because Petitioner
filed his habeas petition after the AEDPA’s effective date. Lindh v. Murphy, 521 U.S.
320, 336 (1997). The AEDPA provides:
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.
28 U.S.C. § 2254(d) (1996).
“A state court’s decision is ‘contrary to’ . . . clearly established law if it ‘applies a
rule that contradicts the governing law set forth in [Supreme Court cases]’ or if it
‘confronts a set of facts that are materially indistinguishable from a decision of [the
Supreme] Court and nevertheless arrives at a result different from [that] precedent.’”
Mitchell v. Esparza, 540 U.S. 12, 15–16 (2003) (per curiam) (quoting Williams v.
Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 405–06 (2000)); see also Bell v. Cone, 535 U.S. 685, 694 (2002).
“[T]he ‘unreasonable application’ prong of § 2254(d)(1) permits a federal habeas
court to ‘grant the writ if the state court identifies the correct governing legal principle
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from [the Supreme] Court but unreasonably applies that principle to the facts of
petitioner’s case.” Wiggins v. Smith, 539 U.S. 510, 520 (2003) (quoting Williams, 529
U.S. at 413); see also Bell, 535 U.S. at 694. However, “[i]n order for a federal court
find a state court’s application of [Supreme Court] precedent ‘unreasonable,’ the state
court’s decision must have been more than incorrect or erroneous. The state court’s
application must have been ‘objectively unreasonable.’” Wiggins, 539 U.S. at 520–21
(citations omitted); see also Williams, 529 U.S. at 409. “AEDPA thus imposes a ‘highly
deferential standard for evaluating state-court rulings,’ and ‘demands that state-court
decisions be given the benefit of the doubt.’” Renico v. Lett, 559 U.S. 766, 773 (2010)
(quoting Lindh, 521 U.S. at 333, n. 7; Woodford v. Viscotti, 537 U.S. 19, 24 (2002) (per
curiam)).
A state court's determination that a claim lacks merit “precludes federal habeas
relief so long as ‘fairminded jurists could disagree’ on the correctness of the state
court's decision.” Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 101 (2011) (citing Yarborough v.
Alvarado, 541 U.S. 652, 664 (2004)). The Supreme Court has emphasized “that even
a strong case for relief does not mean the state court's contrary conclusion was
unreasonable.” Id. (citing Lockyer v. Andrade, 538 U.S. 63, 75 (2003)). Pursuant to
§ 2254(d), “a habeas court must determine what arguments or theories supported or
. . . could have supported, the state court's decision; and then it must ask whether it is
possible fairminded jurists could disagree that those arguments or theories are
inconsistent with the holding in a prior decision" of the Supreme Court. Id. Thus, in
order to obtain habeas relief in federal court, a state prisoner must show that the state
court’s rejection of his claim "was so lacking in justification that there was an error well
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understood and comprehended in existing law beyond any possibility for fairminded
disagreement.” Id.; see also White v. Woodall, __ U.S. __, 134 S. Ct. 1697, 1702
(2014). Federal judges “are required to afford state courts due respect by overturning
their decisions only when there could be no reasonable dispute that they were wrong.”
Woods v. Donald, __ U.S. __, 135 S. Ct. 1372, 1376 (2015). A habeas petitioner
cannot prevail as long as it is within the “realm of possibility” that fairminded jurists
could find the state court decision to be reasonable. Woods v. Etherton, __ U.S. __,
136 S. Ct. 1149, 1152 (2016).
Section 2254(d)(1) limits a federal habeas court’s review to a determination of
whether the state court’s decision comports with clearly established federal law as
determined by the Supreme Court at the time the state court renders its decision.
Williams, 529 U.S. at 412; see also Knowles v. Mirzayance, 556 U.S. 111, 122 (2009)
(noting that the Supreme Court “has held on numerous occasions that it is not ‘an
unreasonable application of clearly established Federal law’ for a state court to decline
to apply a specific legal rule that has not been squarely established by this Court”)
(quoting Wright v. Van Patten, 552 U.S. 120, 125–26 (2008) (per curiam)); Lockyer,
538 U.S. at 71–72. Section 2254(d) “does not require a state court to give reasons
before its decision can be deemed to have been ‘adjudicated on the merits.’”
Harrington, 562 U.S. at 100. Furthermore, it “does not require citation of [Supreme
Court] cases—indeed, it does not even require awareness of [Supreme Court] cases,
so long as neither the reasoning nor the result of the state-court decision contradicts
them.” Early v. Packer, 537 U.S. 3, 8 (2002); see also Mitchell, 540 U.S. at 16.
The requirements of clearly established law are to be determined solely by
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Supreme Court precedent. Thus, “circuit precedent does not constitute ‘clearly
established Federal law as determined by the Supreme Court’” and it cannot provide
the basis for federal habeas relief. Parker v. Matthews, 567 U.S. 37, 48–49 (2012) (per
curiam); see also Lopez v. Smith, __ U.S. __, 135 S. Ct. 1, 2 (2014) (per curiam). The
decisions of lower federal courts, however, may be useful in assessing the
reasonableness of the state court’s resolution of an issue. Stewart v. Erwin, 503 F.3d
488, 493 (6th Cir. 2007) (citing Williams v. Bowersox, 340 F.3d 667, 671 (8th Cir.
2003)); Dickens v. Jones, 203 F. Supp. 2d 354, 359 (E.D. Mich. 2002) (Tarnow, J.).
A state court’s factual determinations are presumed correct on federal habeas
review. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1). A petitioner may rebut this presumption with
clear and convincing evidence. Warren v. Smith, 161 F.3d 358, 360–61 (6th Cir.
1998). Lastly, habeas review is “limited to the record that was before the state court.”
Cullen v. Pinholster, 563 U.S. 170, 181 (2011).
IV. Discussion
A. Direct Appeal Claims
1. Double Jeopardy (Habeas Claim I)
Petitioner first asserts that he is entitled to habeas relief because his convictions
for felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission
of a felony violate double jeopardy principles. Respondent contends that this claim
lacks merit.
The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that this claim lacked merit given the
Michigan cases that have previously concluded that multiple punishments for felon in
possession and felony firearm are authorized by the state legislature and do not violate
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double jeopardy principles. Smith, 2012 WL 832848, at *1–2.
The state court’s decision is neither contrary to Supreme Court precedent nor an
unreasonable application of federal law or the facts. The Fifth Amendment to the
United States Constitution commands that no “person be subject for the same offence
to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.” U.S. Const. amend. V. The Double
Jeopardy Clause provides three basic protections: “[It] protects against a second
prosecution for the same offense after acquittal. It protects against a second
prosecution for the same offense after conviction. And it protects against multiple
punishments for the same offense.” North Carolina v. Pearce, 395 U.S. 711, 717
(1969) (footnotes omitted). “These protections stem from the underlying premise that a
defendant should not be twice tried or punished for the same offense.” Shiro v. Farley,
510 U.S. 222, 229 (1994) (citing United States v. Wilson, 420 U.S. 332, 339 (1975)).
In the context of multiple punishments, however, the Double Jeopardy Clause
does not prohibit a state from defining one act of conduct to constitute two separate
criminal offenses. As the Supreme Court has explained, “[b]ecause the substantive
power to prescribe crimes and determine punishments is vested with the legislature
. . ., the question under the Double Jeopardy Clause whether punishments are
‘multiple' is essentially one of legislative intent.” Ohio v. Johnson, 467 U.S. 493, 499
(1984). Thus, “even if the two statutes proscribe the same conduct, the Double
Jeopardy Clause does not prevent the imposition of cumulative punishments if the
state legislature clearly intends to impose them.” Brimmage v. Sumner, 793 F.2d 1014,
1015 (9th Cir. 1986). When “a legislature specifically authorizes cumulative
punishments under two statutes, . . . a court’s task of statutory construction is at an end
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and the prosecutor may seek and the trial court or jury may impose cumulative
punishment under such statutes in a single trial.” Missouri v. Hunter, 459 U.S. 359,
368–69 (1983). In determining whether the Michigan legislature intended to authorize
separate, cumulative punishments under the circumstances presented, the court “must
accept the state court’s interpretation of the legislative intent for the imposition of
multiple punishments.” Brimmage, 793 F.2d at 1015; see also Hunter, 459 U.S. at 368.
Whether punishments imposed are constitutional is essentially a question of
legislative intent, and a state court’s determination that a state legislature intended
multiple punishments is binding on habeas corpus review. Banner v. Davis, 886 F.2d
777, 780 (6th Cir. 1989). Michigan’s felony firearm statute provides:
A person who carries or has in his or her possession a firearm when he
or she commits or attempts to commit a felony, except a violation of
section 223 [unlawful sale of a firearm], section 227 [carrying a concealed
weapon], 227a [unlawful possession of a firearm by a licensee] or 230
[alternation of identifying marks on a firearm], is guilty of a felony, and
shall be imprisoned for 2 years.
Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.227b(1). The Michigan Supreme Court, in light of the
language of this section and the legislative history, has concluded that “the
Legislature’s intent in drafting the felony-firearm statute was to provide for an additional
felony charge and sentence whenever a person possessing a firearm committed a
felony other than those four explicitly enumerated in the felony-firearm statute.” People
v. Mitchell, 575 N.W.2d 283, 285 (Mich. 1998). In People v. Calloway, 671 N.W.2d 733
(Mich. 2003), the Michigan Supreme Court followed Mitchell and specifically ruled that
“[b]ecause the felon in possession charge is not one of the felony exceptions in the
statute, it is clear that defendant could constitutionally be given cumulative
punishments when charged and convicted of both felon in possession, MCL
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§ 750.224f, and felony-firearm, MCL § 750.227b.” Id. at 452.
Given the
foregoing cases, the state court’s denial of relief is neither contrary to Supreme Court
precedent nor an unreasonable application of federal law. Habeas relief is not
warranted on this claim.
2. Sufficiency of the Evidence (Habeas Claims II & III)
Petitioner next asserts that he is entitled to habeas relief because the prosecutor
failed to present sufficient evidence to negate his self-defense claim and to support his
convictions for second-degree murder, carrying a concealed weapon, and felony
firearm.1 Respondent contends that these claims lack merit.
The Due Process Clause “protects the accused against conviction except upon
proof beyond a reasonable doubt of every fact necessary to constitute the crime with
which he is charged.” In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 364 (1970). The question on a
sufficiency of the evidence claim is “whether, after viewing the evidence in the light
most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the
essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jackson v. Virginia, 443
U.S. 307, 319 (1979). The Jackson standard must be applied “with explicit reference
to the substantive elements of the criminal offense as defined by state law.” Brown v.
Palmer, 441 F.3d 347, 351 (6th Cir. 2006) (quoting Jackson, 443 U.S. at 324 n.16).
A federal habeas court views this standard through the framework of 28 U.S.C.
§ 2254(d). Martin v. Mitchell, 280 F.3d 594, 617 (6th Cir. 2002). Thus, under the
AEDPA, challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence “must survive two layers of
1
Petitioner does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support his felon in
possession conviction. At trial, he stipulated that he was a felon not authorized to possess
a weapon and did not dispute that he possessed a firearm at the time of the altercation.
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deference to groups who might view facts differently” than a reviewing court on habeas
review—the factfinder at trial and the state court on appellate review—as long as those
determinations are reasonable. Brown v. Konteh, 567 F.3d 191, 205 (6th Cir. 2009).
“[I]t is the responsibility of the [fact finder]—not the court—to decide what conclusions
should be drawn from the evidence admitted at trial.” Cavazos v. Smith, 565 U.S. 1, 2
(2011) (per curiam). “A reviewing court does not re-weigh the evidence or redetermine the credibility of the witnesses whose demeanor has been observed by the
trial court.” Matthews v. Abramajtys, 319 F.3d 780, 788 (6th Cir. 2003) (citing Marshall
v. Lonberger, 459 U.S. 422, 434 (1983)). Accordingly, the “mere existence of sufficient
evidence to convict . . . defeats a petitioner’s claim.” Matthews, 319 F.3d at 788–89.
Under Michigan law, the elements of second-degree murder are: (1) a death, (2)
caused by an act of the defendant, (3) with malice, and (4) without justification or
excuse. Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.317; People v. Goecke, 579 N.W.2d 868, 878 (Mich.
1998) (citing People v. Bailey, 549 N.W.2d 325, 331 (Mich. 1996)). Malice is defined as
the intent to kill, the intent to cause great bodily harm, or the intent to perform an act in
wanton and willful disregard of the likelihood that the natural tendency of such behavior
is to cause death or great bodily harm. Id.(citing People v. Aaron, 299 N.W.2d 304, 326
(Mich. 1980)). Malice may be inferred from evidence that a defendant intentionally set
in motion a force likely to cause death or great bodily harm. People v. Djordjevic, 584
N.W.2d 610, 612 (Mich. Ct. App. 1998) (citing Aaron). Malice may also be inferred
from the use of a deadly weapon. People v. Carines, 597 N.W.2d 130, 136 (Mich.
1999). Direct or circumstantial evidence and reasonable inferences arising from that
evidence may constitute satisfactory proof of the elements of an offense. People v.
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Jolly, 502 N.W.2d 177, 180 (Mich. 1993).
The elements of carrying a concealed weapon are that the defendant carried a
pistol, or other dangerous weapon, concealed on his person, in a place other than his
dwelling house, place of business, or other land possessed by him, and without a
license to do so. Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.227; People v. Davenport, 282 N.W.2d 179,
181 (Mich. Ct. App. 1979). To “carry” means “to hold, transport, or take from one
location to another.” People v. Terry, 335 N.W.2d 116, 118 (Mich. Ct. App. 1983). The
elements of felony firearm are: (1) the defendant possessed a firearm, (2) during the
commission of, or an attempt to commit, a felony offense. Mich. Comp. Laws
§ 750.227b; People v. Akins, 675 N.W.2d 863, 873 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003) (quoting
People v. Avant, 597 N.W.2d 864, 869 (Mich. Ct. App. 1999)).
The prosecution must prove every element of a charged offense beyond a
reasonable doubt. This burden includes proving that the defendant is the person who
committed the crime. People v. Oliphant, 250 N.W.2d 443, 449 (Mich. 1976); People v.
Kern, 149 N.W.2d 216, 218 (Mich. Ct. App. 1967). Direct or circumstantial evidence
and reasonable inferences arising from that evidence may constitute satisfactory proof
of the elements of an offense, People v. Nowack, 614 N.W.2d 78, 81 (Mich. 2000);
People v. Jolly, 502 N.W.2d 177, 180 (Mich. 1993); see also People v. Johnson, 381
N.W.2d 740, 742 (Mich. Ct. App. 1985), including identity, Kern,149 N.W.2d at 218,
and intent or state of mind, People v. Dumas, 563 N.W.2d 31, 34 (Mich. 1997).
Applying the foregoing standards, the Michigan Court of Appeals denied relief
on these claims, concluding that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to
negate Petitioner’s self-defense claim and to support his convictions. Smith, 2012 WL
13
832848 at *2–3. The court explained in relevant part:
In this case, the evidence presented by the prosecutor showed that (1)
Grant and several others approached Smith as he talked to Grant’s aunt;
(2) Grant and Smith exchanged some brief, contentious discussion about
whether Smith should accept Grant’s apology; (3) shortly thereafter,
Grant and his acquaintances began walking away from Smith; (4) Smith
then decided to pursue Grant and his acquaintances, and announced
moments later that he should shoot someone in the back; and (5) at no
point around the time of the shooting did Grant or any of his
acquaintances have any kind of weapon or threaten Smith in any way.
From these circumstances, a rational trier of fact could find beyond a
reasonable doubt that Smith did not possess an honest and reasonable
belief that he faced an imminent danger of death or great bodily harm.
Furthermore, the testimony of the prosecution witnesses does not
support a finding that Smith necessarily employed deadly force when he
shot Potter. To the contrary, the testimony showed that Smith ignored “an
obvious and safe avenue of retreat” and became the aggressor in the
situation when he decided to pursue and threaten Grant and his
acquaintances as they walked away from Smith. Accordingly, there was
sufficient evidence to disprove Smith’s theory of self-defense beyond a
reasonable doubt.
***
The evidence introduced by the prosecutor supported that the discharge
of Smith’s handgun caused Potter’s death. Concerning the requisite
malice element, the trial court justifiably found that, at a minimum, the
record reflected that Smith intentionally committed “an act in wanton and
wilful disregard of the likelihood that the natural tendency of such
behavior is to cause death or great bodily harm.” Grant’s aunt recalled
seeing Smith holding his handgun minutes before the shooting. The
testimony of Grant and three of his acquaintances who were outside the
lounge established that Smith drew his handgun while pursuing Grant
and his acquaintances, that Smith and Grant wrestled, that Smith
managed to point the handgun toward Potter, and that seconds later
Smith fired a shot into Potter’s chest. This testimony was sufficient to
enable the trial court to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Smith
“inten[ded] to do an act that is in obvious disregard of life-endangering
consequences.” In regard to the final element necessary to show
second-degree murder, with the absence of any justification or excuse for
the killing, as previously discussed above, the trial court reasonably found
that the evidence did not support Smith’s theory of self-defense, and that
there was no other excuse or justification for the shooting. Viewed in the
light most favorable to the prosecution, the evidence at trial belies Smith’s
suggestion that the shooting was accidental, most significantly the
testimony about Smith’s threat to shoot moments before he discharged
his gun, together with the evidence that Grant never touched Smith’s
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handgun while wrestling with Smith, and that Smith successfully raised
the gun toward Potter immediately before the shooting.
Id. (footnote citations omitted).
The state court’s decision is neither contrary to Supreme Court precedent nor an
unreasonable application of federal law or the facts. The prosecution presented ample
evidence, including credible eyewitness testimony, to support Petitioner’s convictions
for second-degree murder, carrying a concealed weapon, and felony firearm. There
was no testimony that Grant or his friends threatened Petitioner or that they possessed
weapons at the time of the altercation. Viewed in a light favorable to the prosecution,
the testimony presented at trial was sufficient for the trial court, sitting as the finder of
fact, to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Petitioner had the requisite intent to
support a second-degree murder conviction, that he did not act in self-defense, that the
shooting was not accidental, and that he committed the related weapons offenses.
Petitioner’s claim that he is entitled to habeas relief based upon the
prosecution’s alleged failure to disprove that he shot the victim in self-defense is not
cognizable on habeas review. As other judges in this district have explained:
Under Michigan law, self-defense is an affirmative defense. See People
v. Dupree, 486 Mich. 693, 704, 712, 788 N.W.2d 399 (2010). “An
affirmative defense, like self-defense, ‘admits the crime but seeks to
excuse or justify its commission. It does not negate specific elements of
the crime.’” People v. Reese, 491 Mich. 127, 155, n. 76, 815 N.W.2d 85
(2012)(quoting Dupree, 486 Mich. at 704, n. 11). Although under
Michigan law the prosecutor is required to disprove a claim of
self-defense or defense of others, See People v. Watts, 61 Mich. App.
309, 311, 232 N.W.2d 396, 398 (1975), “[p]roof of the nonexistence of all
affirmative defenses has never been constitutionally required. . . .” See
Smith v. United States,133 S. Ct. 714, 719 (2013)(quoting Patterson v.
New York, 432 U.S. 197, 210 (1977)). The Supreme Court and the Court
of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit have rejected the argument that the
Constitution requires the prosecution to disprove self-defense beyond a
reasonable doubt. See Gilmore v. Taylor, 508 U.S. 333, 359
15
(1993)(Blackmun, J., dissenting)(“In those States in which self-defense is
an affirmative defense to murder, the Constitution does not require that
the prosecution disprove self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt”);
Martin v. Ohio, 480 U.S. 228, 233-36 (1987); see also Allen v. Redman,
858 F. 2d 1194, 1197 (6th Cir. 1988)(explaining that habeas review of
sufficiency-of-the-evidence claims is limited to elements of the crimes as
defined by state law and citing Engle v. Isaac, 456 U.S. 107 (1982), and
Duffy v. Foltz, 804 F.2d 50 (6th Cir. 1986)). Therefore, “the due process
‘sufficient evidence’ guarantee does not implicate affirmative defenses,
because proof supportive of an affirmative defense cannot detract from
proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused had committed the
requisite elements of the crime.” Caldwell v. Russell, 181 F.3d 731, 740
(6th Cir. 1999). Petitioner's claim that the prosecutor failed to disprove his
affirmative defense is non-cognizable on habeas review. Id.; Allen v.
Redman, 858 F.2d at 1200.
Williams v. Jackson, No. 2:16-CV-12042, 2017 WL 1493012, at *9 (E.D. Mich. April 26,
2017) (Tarnow, J.); see also Christian v. Romanowski, No. 2:15-CV-12846, 2017 WL
588458, at *4 (E.D. Mich. Feb. 14, 2017) (Drain, J.); Glover v. Woods, No. 2:14-CV12630, 2017 WL 491940, at *4 (E.D. Mich. Feb. 7, 2017) (Edmunds, J.); Awraha v.
Harry, No. 2:14-CV-11761, 2014 WL 2005132, at *3 (E.D. Mich. May 16, 2014)
(Battani, J.); Buckner v. Tribley, No. 2:12-CV-12592, 2013 WL 1414438, at *6 (E.D.
Mich. April 8, 2013) (Rosen, J.).
Moreover, even if such a claim were cognizable, Petitioner is not entitled to
habeas relief, as the trial court and the Michigan Court of Appeals reasonably rejected
Petitioner’s self-defense claim. The testimony that Petitioner pursued Raymond Grant,
victim Farrod Potter, and their friends after they spoke outside the lounge; threatened
to shoot someone; and pulled out a gun before anyone touched him supports the
finding that he was the aggressor, that he could have retreated (even if he was not
obligated to do so), and that he did not possess an honest and reasonable belief that
he faced an imminent danger of death or great bodily harm at the time of the incident.
16
The prosecution presented sufficient evidence to disprove Petitioner’s self-defense
claim beyond a reasonable doubt.
Petitioner challenges the trial court’s credibility determinations and the
inferences that the trial court drew from the evidence presented at trial, but it is the job
of the fact-finder at trial, not a federal habeas court, to resolve such evidentiary
conflicts. Jackson, 443 U.S. at 326; Martin v. Mitchell, 280 F.3d 594, 618 (6th Cir.
2002). A federal court reviewing a state court conviction on habeas review that is
“faced with a record of historical facts that supports conflicting inferences must
presume—even if it does not affirmatively appear in the record—that the trier of fact
resolved any such conflicts in favor of the prosecution, and must defer to that
resolution.” Cavazos, 565 U.S. at 7 (quoting Jackson, 443 U.S. at 326); Walker v.
Engle, 703 F.2d 959, 969–70 (6th Cir. 1983) (same). The trial court’s verdict and the
Michigan Court of Appeals’ decision affirming that verdict were reasonable. The
evidence at trial, viewed in a light favorable to the prosecution, established beyond a
reasonable doubt that Petitioner committed the crimes of which he was convicted.
Lastly, to the extent that Petitioner asserts that the trial court erred under state
law in some fashion, he fails to state a claim upon which habeas relief may be granted.
See, e.g., King v. Trippett, 27 F. App’x 506, 510 (6th Cir. 2001) (upholding district
court’s ruling that petitioner failed to state a habeas claim where he alleged that trial
court erred in denying directed verdict motion). State courts are the final arbiters of
state law and federal courts will not intervene in such matters. Lewis v. Jeffers, 497
U.S. 764, 780 (1990); see also Bradshaw v. Richey, 546 U.S. 74, 76 (2005); Sanford v.
Yukins, 288 F.3d 855, 860 (6th Cir. 2002). Habeas relief does not lie for perceived
17
errors of state law. See Estelle v. McGuire, 502 U.S. 62, 67–68 (1991) (“[I]t is not the
province of a federal habeas court to reexamine state-court determinations on
state-law questions.”). Habeas relief is not warranted on these claims.
3. Prosecutorial Misconduct (Habeas Claim IV)
Petitioner also asserts that he is entitled to habeas relief because the prosecutor
engaged in misconduct by misstating the autopsy stipulation when arguing that there
was no evidence of close-range firing, by stating that Raymond Grant testified that
Petitioner had threatened to shoot him in the back, by misrepresenting Grant’s
testimony about observing Petitioner aiming his gun, and by failing to properly question
Darius Rolack about the victim’s actions during the altercation. Respondent contends
that these claims are barred by procedural default and/or that they lack merit.
Federal habeas relief may be denied as to a claim that a petitioner has not
presented to the state courts in accordance with the state’s procedural rules.
Wainwright v. Sykes, 433 U.S. 72, 85–87 (1977); Couch v. Jabe, 951 F.2d 94, 96 (6th
Cir. 1991). The doctrine of procedural default applies when a petitioner fails to comply
with a state procedural rule, the rule is actually relied upon by the state courts, and the
procedural rule is “adequate and independent.” White v. Mitchell, 431 F.3d 517, 524
(6th Cir. 2006); Howard v. Bouchard, 405 F.3d 459, 477 (6th Cir. 2005); Coleman v.
Mitchell, 244 F.3d 533, 539 (6th Cir. 2001). “A procedural default does not bar
consideration of a federal claim on either direct or habeas review unless the last state
court rendering a judgment in the case ‘clearly and expressly' states that its judgment
rests on a state procedural bar.” Harris v. Reed, 489 U.S. 255, 263-64 (1989). The
last explained state court ruling is used to make this determination. Ylst v.
18
Nunnemaker, 501 U.S. 797, 803–05 (1991).
The Michigan Court of Appeals rendered the last reasoned opinion on this claim.
In denying relief, the court relied upon the failure to object at trial. Smith, 2012 WL
832848, at *4. The failure to make a contemporaneous objection is a recognized and
firmly-established independent and adequate state law ground for refusing to review
trial errors. People v. Carines, 597 N.W.2d 130, 138 (Mich. 1999); People v.
Stanaway, 521 N.W.2d 557, 579 (Mich. 1994); see also Coleman v. Thompson, 501
U.S. 722, 750–51 (1991). Moreover, a state court does not waive a procedural default
by looking beyond the default to determine if there are circumstances warranting
review on the merits. Paprocki v. Foltz, 869 F.2d 281, 285 (6th Cir. 1989). Plain error
review does not constitute a waiver of state procedural default rules. Girts v. Yanai,
501 F.3d 743, 755 (6th Cir. 2007); Hinkle v. Randle, 271 F.3d 239, 244 (6th Cir. 2001);
Seymour v. Walker, 224 F.3d 542, 557 (6th Cir. 2000). Nor does a state court fail to
sufficiently rely upon a procedural default by ruling on the merits in the alternative.
McBee v. Abramajtys, 929 F.2d 264, 267 (6th Cir. 1991). The Michigan Court of
Appeals denied relief on these claims based upon a procedural default—the failure to
object at trial.
A state prisoner who fails to comply with a state’s procedural rules waives the
right to federal habeas review absent a showing of cause for noncompliance and actual
prejudice resulting from the alleged constitutional violation, or a showing of a
fundamental miscarriage of justice. Coleman, 501 U.S. at 753; Gravley v. Mills, 87
F.3d 779, 784–85 (6th Cir. 1996). To establish cause, a petitioner must establish that
some external impediment frustrated the ability to comply with the state’s procedural
19
rule. Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 488 (1986). A petitioner must present a
substantial reason to excuse the default. Amadeo v. Zant, 486 U.S. 214, 223 (1988).
Such reasons include interference by officials, attorney error rising to the level of
ineffective assistance of counsel, or a showing that the factual or legal basis for a claim
was not reasonably available. McCleskey v. Zant, 499 U.S. 467, 493–94 (1991).
In this case, Petitioner alleges ineffectiveness of trial counsel as cause to
excuse the failure to object at trial. Petitioner, however, cannot establish that trial
counsel erred or that he was prejudiced by counsel’s conduct so as to establish cause,
nor can he establish prejudice to excuse the default, because the underlying
prosecutorial misconduct claims lack merit.
The United States Supreme Court has stated that prosecutors must “refrain from
improper methods calculated to produce a wrongful conviction.” Berger v. United
States, 295 U.S. 78, 88 (1935). To prevail on a claim of prosecutorial misconduct,
however, a habeas petitioner must demonstrate that the prosecutor’s remarks “so
infected the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial of due
process.” Donnelly v. DeChristoforo, 416 U.S. 637, 643 (1974); Darden v. Wainwright,
477 U.S. 168, 181 (1986) (citing Donnelly); see also Parker v. Matthews, __ U.S. __,
132 S. Ct. 2148, 2153 (2012) (confirming that Donnelly/Darden is the proper standard).
In this case, Petitioner fails to show that the prosecutor’s conduct was improper,
let alone unfair. As explained by the Michigan Court of Appeals on plain error review,
the prosecutor’s remark that there was no evidence of close-range firing was a
reasonable inference from the parties’ autopsy stipulation (although the stipulation did
not explicitly indicate that there was no close-range firing) and was relevant to rebut
20
Petitioner’s claim of self-defense; the prosecutor’s arguments about Petitioner’s threats
to shoot someone in the back were based upon the trial testimony of Raymond Grant,
Kyrie Kirby, and Darius Rolack and the prosecutor did not argue that Petitioner
threatened to shoot Grant specifically; and the prosecutor’s statements about Grant’s
involvement in the struggle with Petitioner were based upon testimony from Grant,
Kirby, Rolack, and Chelsie Hicks. See Smith, 2012 WL 832848, at *4. While
prosecutors may not misstate the evidence, United States v. Carter, 236 F.3d 777, 784
(6th Cir. 2001), or argue facts not in evidence, Abela v. Martin, 380 F.3d 915, 929 (6th
Cir. 2004), they can make arguments based upon the evidence and have “‘leeway to
argue reasonable inferences from the evidence’ during closing arguments.” United
States v. Crosgrove, 637 F.3d 646, 664 (6th Cir. 2011) (quoting Byrd v. Collins, 209
F.3d 486, 535 (6th Cir. 2000)). Such was the case here.
Additionally, as discussed by the Michigan Court of Appeals, the prosecutor’s
questioning and redirect examination of Darius Rolack about the victim’s actions during
the altercation were appropriate. See Smith, 2012 WL 832848, at *5. It is well-settled
that a prosecutor’s good faith effort to admit evidence does not constitute misconduct,
particularly where, as here, the trial court admits the evidence. Cristini v. McKee, 526
F.3d 888, 900 (6th Cir. 2008). Petitioner fails to establish that the prosecutor engaged
in misconduct which rendered his trial fundamentally unfair.
Moreover, even if the prosecutor erred in some fashion, Petitioner cannot
establish that he was prejudiced. The fact that the trial judge was the trier of fact
mitigates any possible prejudice arising from the alleged prosecutorial misconduct. A
judge in a bench trial is presumed to have considered only relevant and admissible
21
evidence in reaching his or her decision. See Harris v. Rivera, 454 U.S. 339, 346
(1981) (per curiam) (“In bench trials, judges routinely hear inadmissible evidence that
they are presumed to ignore when making decisions.”); United States v. Joseph, 781
F.2d 549, 552 (6th Cir.1986) (presumption in federal criminal bench trial is that trial
judge considered only properly admitted evidence); Brown v. Pitcher, 19 F. App’x 154,
157 (6th Cir. 2001) (applying this rule in a habeas case). Petitioner has not rebutted
this presumption. The trial court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law show that the
trial court relied upon properly admitted evidence and appropriate legal standards in
rendering its decision. See 11/9/10 Trial Tr. Dkt. #6-4 Pg. ID 430–78. Petitioner fails to
establish that the prosecutor erred or that any improper conduct rendered his trial
fundamentally unfair.
Petitioner also fails to demonstrate that a fundamental miscarriage of justice
occurred. The miscarriage of justice exception requires a showing that a constitutional
violation probably resulted in the conviction of one who is actually innocent. Murray v.
Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 479–80 (1986). To be credible, such a claim requires a
petitioner to provide new, reliable evidence that was not presented at trial. Schlup v.
Delo, 513 U.S. 298, 324 (1995). Moreover, actual innocence means factual innocence,
not mere legal insufficiency. Bousley v. United States, 523 U.S. 614, 623 (1998).
Petitioner makes no such showing. These claims are thus barred by procedural
default, lack merit, and do not warrant habeas relief.
4. Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel (Habeas Claim V)
Petitioner next asserts that he is entitled to habeas relief because trial counsel
was ineffective for failing to object to the alleged prosecutorial misconduct and for
22
confirming the prosecutor’s version of the autopsy stipulation. Respondent contends
that these claims lack merit.
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees a criminal
defendant the right to the effective assistance of counsel. In Strickland v. Washington,
466 U.S. 668 (1984), the United States Supreme Court set forth a two-prong test for
determining whether a habeas petitioner has received ineffective assistance of
counsel. First, a petitioner must prove that counsel’s performance was deficient. This
requires a showing that counsel made errors so serious that he or she was not
functioning as counsel as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. Strickland, 466 U.S. at
687. Second, the petitioner must establish that counsel’s deficient performance
prejudiced the defense. Counsel’s errors must have been so serious that they
deprived the petitioner of a fair trial or appeal. Id.
To satisfy the performance prong, a petitioner must identify acts that were
“outside the wide range of professionally competent assistance.” Id. at 690. The
reviewing court’s scrutiny of counsel’s performance is highly deferential. Id. at 689.
There is a strong presumption that trial counsel rendered adequate assistance and
made all significant decisions in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment. Id.
at 690. The petitioner bears the burden of overcoming the presumption that the
challenged actions were sound trial strategy.
As to the prejudice prong, a petitioner must show that “there is a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding
would have been different.” Id. at 694. A reasonable probability is one that is sufficient
to undermine confidence in the outcome of the proceeding. Id. “On balance, the
23
benchmark for judging any claim of ineffectiveness must be whether counsel’s conduct
so undermined the proper functioning of the adversarial process that the [proceeding]
cannot be relied on as having produced a just result.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 686.
The Supreme Court has confirmed that a federal court’s consideration of
ineffective assistance of counsel claims arising from state criminal proceedings is quite
limited on habeas review due to the deference accorded trial attorneys and state
appellate courts reviewing their performance. “The standards created by Strickland
and § 2254(d) are both ‘highly deferential,’ and when the two apply in tandem, review is
‘doubly’ so.” Harrington, 562 U.S. at 105 (internal and end citations omitted). “When
§ 2254(d) applies, the question is not whether counsel’s actions were reasonable. The
question is whether there is any reasonable argument that counsel satisfied
Strickland’s deferential standard.” Id.
The Michigan Court of Appeals denied relief on these claims, finding that
Petitioner could not show that counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the alleged
instances prosecutorial misconduct because the underlying claims lacked merit and
that, contrary to Petitioner’s assertions, trial counsel repeatedly argued that the record
did not discount the possibility that Petitioner shot the victim at close range so as to
support his self-defense claim. Smith, 2012 WL 301559, at *6.
The state court’s decision is neither contrary to Supreme Court precedent nor an
unreasonable application of federal law or the facts. First, given the state court’s
determination, as well as this court’s ruling, that the underlying prosecutorial
misconduct claims lack merit, Petitioner cannot establish that trial counsel erred or that
he was prejudiced by counsel’s conduct. Counsel cannot be deemed deficient for
24
failing to make a meritless argument or a futile objection. See Coley v. Bagley, 706
F.3d 741, 752 (6th Cir. 2014) (“Omitting meritless arguments is neither professionally
unreasonable nor prejudicial.”); United States v. Steverson, 230 F.3d 221, 225 (6th Cir.
2000). Second, the record indicates that counsel advocated for Petitioner’s selfdefense claim and argued that the autopsy report did not negate that a close-range
firing occurred consistent with that defense. Petitioner fails to establish that trial
counsel was ineffective under the Strickland standard. Habeas relief is not warranted
on these claims.
B. Collateral Review Claims
1. Procedural Default
Petitioner first raised his sixth through twelfth habeas claims in the state courts
on collateral review, and those courts denied relief pursuant to Michigan Court Rule
6.508(D). This raises the issue of procedural default. The court is aware that
Respondent does not raise the issue of procedural default in his answer. A federal
habeas court, however, may raise the issue sua sponte, particularly where, as here,
Petitioner has acknowledged and argued the issue (Dkt. #1-1 Pg. ID 100, Dkt. #1-2 Pg.
ID 101–02). See Day v. McDonough, 547 U.S. 198, 209 (2006); Mariswamy v.
Warren, 570 F. App’x 461, 462 n.2 (6th Cir. 2014); Lovins v. Parker, 712 F.3d 283, 295
(6th Cir. 2013) (citing Howard v. Bouchard, 405 F.3d 459, 476 (6th Cir. 2005)); Sowell
v. Bradshaw, 372 F.3d 821, 830 (2004).
As noted, federal habeas relief may be precluded on a claim that a petitioner
has not presented to the state courts in accordance with the state’s procedural rules.
Wainwright, 433 U.S. at 85–87. The doctrine of procedural default applies when a
25
petitioner fails to comply with a state procedural rule, the rule is actually relied upon by
the state courts, and the procedural rule is “adequate and independent.” White, 431
F.3d at 524; Howard, 405 F.3d at 477; Coleman, 244 F.3d at 539. “A procedural
default does not bar consideration of a federal claim on either direct or habeas review
unless the last state court rendering a judgment in the case ‘clearly and expressly’
states that its judgment rests on a state procedural bar.” Harris, 489 U.S. at 263–64.
The last-explained state court ruling is used to make this determination. Ylst, 501 U.S.
at 803–05. If the last state judgment is a silent or unexplained denial, it is presumed
that the last reviewing court relied upon the last reasoned opinion. Id.
Petitioner first presented his sixth through twelfth habeas claims to the state
courts in his motion for relief from judgment before the trial court, which denied relief on
the sixth through eleventh claims pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 6.508(D)(2) and
(D)(3) and denied relief on the merits of the twelfth claim (ineffective assistance of
appellate counsel). The Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court
denied relief pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 6.508(D), which provides, in part, that a
court may not grant relief to a defendant if the motion for relief from judgment alleges
grounds for relief that could have been raised on direct appeal, absent a showing of
good cause for the failure to raise such grounds previously and actual prejudice
resulting therefrom. See Mich. Ct. R. 6.508(D)(3). The Sixth Circuit has held that the
form order used by the Michigan Supreme Court to deny leave to appeal in this case is
unexplained because its citation to Michigan Court Rule 6.508(D) is ambiguous as to
whether it refers to a procedural default or a rejection on the merits. Guilmette v.
Howes, 624 F.3d 286, 291–92 (6th Cir. 2010) (en banc). Consequently, under
26
Guilmette, the Court must “look through” the unexplained order of the Michigan
Supreme Court to the state trial court’s decision to determine the basis for the denial of
state post-conviction relief.
In this case, the state trial court denied relief on procedural grounds by ruling
that Petitioner had previously raised due process, prosecutorial misconduct, and
ineffective assistance of trial counsel claims on direct appeal such that the same claims
are barred by Michigan Court Rule 6.508(D)(2). It also ruled that Petitioner had not
shown cause or prejudice under Michigan Court Rule 6.508(D)(3) for his failure to raise
any additional claims on direct appeal. See Smith, Wayne Co. Cir. Ct. No. 10-00761801-FC, at *1–4. The state courts thus relied upon procedural default to deny Petitioner
relief on his sixth through eleventh habeas claims. Accordingly, those claims are
procedurally defaulted.
As noted, a state prisoner who fails to comply with a state’s procedural rules
waives the right to federal habeas review absent a showing of cause for
noncompliance and actual prejudice resulting from the alleged constitutional violation
or a showing of a fundamental miscarriage of justice. Coleman, 501 U.S. at 750–51;
Gravley, 87 F.3d at 784–85. Petitioner asserts ineffective assistance of appellate
counsel as cause to excuse his default. Petitioner, however, cannot establish cause to
excuse his default, or actual prejudice, as his sixth through eleventh habeas claims
lack merit. See discussion infra. Also, as previously explained, Petitioner fails to
demonstrate that a fundamental miscarriage of justice has occurred by showing that he
is actually innocent of the crime. These claims are thus barred by procedural default,
otherwise lack merit, and do not warrant habeas relief.
27
2. Merits
a. Application of Self-Defense Law (Habeas Claim VI)
Petitioner asserts that he is entitled to habeas relief because the trial court
misapplied the law of self-defense in violation of his due process rights. To the extent
that Petitioner challenges the trial court’s application of state law, however, this claim is
not cognizable. It is well-settled that state courts are the final arbiters of state law and
federal courts will not intervene in such matters. Lewis, 497 U.S. at 780 (1990); see
also Bradshaw, 546 U.S. at 76; Sanford, 288 F.3d at 860. Habeas relief does not lie
for perceived errors of state law. Estelle, 502 U.S. at 67–68. Moreover, as discussed
by Respondent, a review of the trial court’s findings fails to support Petitioner’s
assertion that the trial court misunderstood or misapplied state law on self-defense.
See 11/9/10 Trial Tr. Dkt. #6-4 Pg. ID 449–50. Additionally, to the extent that Petitioner
challenges the trial court’s rationale for rejecting his claim of self-defense and its finding
that he acted with the requisite intent to support his second-degree murder conviction,
the court has already ruled that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to
support Petitioner’s convictions. See discussion supra. Petitioner’s additional
arguments are unavailing. Habeas relief is not warranted on this claim.
b. Sufficiency of Evidence (Habeas Claim VII)
Petitioner again asserts that he is entitled to habeas relief because the evidence
was insufficient to support his second-degree murder conviction. Petitioner challenges
the trial court’s factual findings and the prosecution’s arguments. The court, however,
has already concluded that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to support
28
Petitioner’s convictions. The fact that some evidence, or inferences from the evidence,
may have supported his claims of self-defense or accidental shooting does not mean
that the trial court erred in concluding otherwise or that Petitioner is entitled to habeas
relief. To be sure, the trial court was not required to accept Petitioner’s version of the
facts—and this court must view the evidence in a light most favorable to the
prosecution. See, e.g., Williams v. Jones, 231 F. Supp. 2d 586, 595 (E.D. Mich. 2002)
(Lawson, J.). Habeas relief is not warranted on this claim.
c. Prosecutorial Misconduct (Habeas Claim VIII, IX, X)
Petitioner also asserts that he is entitled to habeas relief because the prosecutor
engaged in misconduct by lying to the trial court and misstating/misquoting the trial
testimony, by overcharging him, and by arguing facts not in evidence. As noted, to
prevail on a claim of prosecutorial misconduct, however, a habeas petitioner must
demonstrate that the prosecutor's remarks “so infected the trial with unfairness as to
make the resulting conviction a denial of due process.” Donnelly, 416 U.S. at 643;
Darden, 477 U.S. at 181 (citing Donnelly); see also Parker, 132 S. Ct. at 2153
(confirming that Donnelly/Darden is the proper standard).
Petitioner fails to establish that the prosecutor erred and/or that any such error
deprived him of a fundamentally fair trial. Petitioner asserts that the prosecutor “lied”
during opening statements when he said that Farrod Potter, rather than Raymond
Grant, stepped on Petitioner’s shoe in the lounge. Rather than lying, however, it is
clear that the prosecutor merely misspoke, as the prosecutor never reiterated his
remark. More importantly, Petitioner cannot show that he was prejudiced by the
misstatement given that the trial court found that Grant stepped on Petitioner’s shoe.
29
See 11/9/10 Trial Tr. Dkt. #6-4 Pg. ID 433, 438, 441, 451, 454–55.
Petitioner also asserts that the prosecutor “lied” about whether Potter’s group
surrounded him. The prosecutor’s argument, however, was that the group did not
instigate the confrontation and surround Petitioner in an intimidating fashion so as to
justify the use of deadly force. That argument was consistent with the witness
testimony that Grant grabbed Petitioner and the others came forward to intercede in
the altercation only after Petitioner threatened to shoot someone in the back and pulled
out a gun from his pocket. See 11/8/10 Trial Tr. Dkt. #6-3 Pg. ID 290–91, 293, 295,
317, 364, 381. No misconduct occurred.
Petitioner also asserts that the prosecutor misstated the law of self-defense
during opening statements by saying that Petitioner did not take advantage of his duty
to retreat. The prosecutor, however, did cite the proper self-defense standard when he
argued that Petitioner did not have a reasonable or honest belief that he was in danger
of death or great bodily harm based upon all of the circumstances surrounding the
incident. As part of those remarks, the prosecutor noted that Petitioner could have
retreated but did not do so. See 11/08/10 Trial Tr. Dkt. #6-3 Pg. ID 264–65. Moreover,
even assuming that the prosecutor’s comments were incorrect, Petitioner fails to show
that he was prejudiced or that his trial was fundamentally unfair. The record indicates
that the trial court properly understood the elements of second-degree murder and the
law of self-defense and appropriately applied those legal principles to the facts of the
case. See 11/09/10 Trial Tr. Dkt. #6-4 Pg. ID 448–50, 455–75. Lastly, contrary to
Petitioner’s assertion, the “no duty to retreat” provision of Mich. Comp. Laws § 780.972
does not apply to his situation because he was committing crimes (carrying a
30
concealed weapon and felon in possession) at the time of incident.
Petitioner also asserts that the prosecutor knowingly presented false testimony
because Grant’s direct examination testimony differed from his police statements. The
Supreme Court has made clear that the “deliberate deception of a court and jurors by
the presentation of known and false evidence is incompatible with the rudimentary
demands of justice.” Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150, 153 (1972). It is thus wellsettled that “a conviction obtained by the knowing use of perjured testimony is
fundamentally unfair, and must be set aside if there is any reasonable likelihood that
the false testimony could have affected the judgment of the jury.” United States v.
Agurs, 427 U.S. 97, 103 (1976) (footnote omitted); see also Napue v. Illinois, 360 U.S.
264, 271 (1959); Coe v. Bell, 161 F.3d 320, 343 (6th Cir. 1998). To prevail on a claim
that a conviction was obtained by evidence that the government knew or should have
known to be false, a defendant must show that the statements were actually false, that
the statements were material, and that the prosecutor knew that the statements were
false. Coe, 161 F.3d at 343. A habeas petitioner bears the burden of proving that the
disputed testimony constituted perjury. Napue, 360 U.S. at 270.
Petitioner makes no such showing. Petitioner fails to establish that Grant’s trial
testimony was false, rather than merely inconsistent or a clarification or
supplementation of his prior police statement. The fact that a witness contradicts
himself or changes his story does not establish perjury. United States v. Wolny, 133
F.3d 758, 763 (10th Cir. 1998); United States v. Lebon, 4 F.3d 1, 2 (1st Cir. 1993). In
fact, on cross-examination, Grant acknowledged that he left some things out of his
police statement. See 11/8/10 Trial Tr. Dkt. #6-3 Pg. ID 302–04. “While a prosecutor
31
may not knowingly use perjured testimony, a prosecutor is not required to ensure that
prosecution witnesses’ testimony be free from all confusion, inconsistency, and
uncertainty.” Jackson v. Lafler, No. 06-CV-15676, 2009 WL 1313316, at *12 (E.D.
Mich. May 11, 2009) (Edmunds, J.). Petitioner fails to show that the prosecutor
knowingly presented false information. Moreover, Petitioner cannot establish that he
was prejudiced. Given defense counsel’s cross-examination, the trial court, sitting as
the finder of fact, was well aware of the inconsistencies in Grant’s testimony.
Petitioner also asserts that the prosecutor engaged in misconduct by playing
only part of the DVD of his police interview. Contrary to Petitioner’s assertion, the
prosecutor did not fail to disclose the DVD to the defense. Rather, the prosecution
stopped playing the DVD before the trial court when the police officer left the room and
Petitioner was left alone with defense counsel. Such action was appropriate to protect
the attorney-client privilege, as agreed to by the parties at trial. See 11/9/10 Trial Tr.
Dkt. #6-4 Pg. ID 478–80. No misconduct occurred.
Petitioner next asserts that the prosecutor engaged in misconduct by
overcharging him with second-degree murder. A prosecutor has significant discretion
in determining what charge to file against an accused, provided that probable cause
exists to believe that the accused committed the offense under the charging statute.
Bordenkircher v. Hayes, 434 U.S. 357, 364 (1978); United States v. Davis, 15 F.3d
526, 529 (6th Cir. 1994). A prosecutor, however, may not undertake a prosecution
based upon a vindictive motive, Bordenkircher, 434 U.S. at 363, or based upon race,
religion, or some other arbitrary classification. Oyler v. Boles, 368 US. 448, 456
(1962). In this case, there was probable cause to believe that Petitioner was guilty of
32
the charged offenses based upon the witnesses’ descriptions of the incident. To be
sure, as the Michigan Court of Appeals and this court have found, there was sufficient
evidence to support a second-degree murder conviction. There is no indication that
the prosecutor’s charging decision was vindictive or based upon any impermissible
factors. Petitioner fails to establish that the prosecutor abused his discretion or
violated constitutional principles by charging Petitioner with second-degree murder.
Lastly, Petitioner again asserts that the prosecutor engaged in misconduct by
arguing facts not in evidence. As noted, prosecutors may not misstate the evidence,
Carter, 236 F.3d at 784, or argue facts not in evidence, Abela, 380 F.3d at 929, but
they have “‘leeway to argue reasonable inferences from the evidence’ during closing
arguments.” Crosgrove, 637 F.3d at 664 (quoting Byrd, 209 F.3d at 535). Petitioner
essentially re-asserts his previous assertions of misconduct. The court, however, has
already addressed those issues, and Petitioner’s continued assertions are unavailing.
Moreover, as previously explained, even if the prosecutor somehow erred, Petitioner
cannot establish that he was prejudiced because the bench trial judge is presumed to
have considered only relevant and admissible evidence in reaching a decision. See
Harris, 454 U.S. at 346; Joseph, 781 F.2d at 552; Brown, 19 F. App’x at 157. Petitioner
has not rebutted this presumption. In sum, Petitioner fails to establish that the
prosecutor erred or that any improper conduct rendered his trial fundamentally unfair.
Habeas relief is not warranted on these claims.
d. Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel (Habeas Claim XI)
Petitioner also asserts that he is entitled to habeas relief because trial counsel
was ineffective for not trying to admit evidence of the victim’s and his friends’ alleged
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gang affiliation, for not having the entire DVD of Petitioner’s police statement played
into evidence, for not arguing the correct self-defense standard, and for failing to
successfully argue the self-defense claim. As discussed supra, in order to establish
ineffective assistance of counsel, a habeas petitioner must show that counsel’s
performance was deficient and that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense.
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687.
Petitioner fails to establish that trial counsel erred or that he was prejudiced by
counsel’s conduct. First, Petitioner fails to establish that evidence of gang affiliation
would have been admissible under state law, and it appears that it would not have
been admissible for the purpose of arguing that the men “acted in conformity with the
character traits commonly associated with gang members on a particular occasion.”
People v. Bynum, 852 N.W.2d 570, 581 (Mich. 2014). Counsel cannot be ineffective
for failing to argue a meritless position. Coley, 706 F.3d at 752; Steverson, 230 F.3d at
225. Additionally, such evidence was unlikely to sway the trial court, which specifically
found that Petitioner pursued the victim and the other men—who were unarmed and
had not threatened him—said he should shoot someone in the back, pulled out a gun,
and fired at the victim during the struggle over the gun. In other words, even if the
victim and his friends were gang members, the trial court would still have found that
Petitioner instigated the violence and did not reasonably act in self-defense based
upon the witnesses’ testimony at trial.
Second, as previously discussed, it was appropriate for the parties not to play
the entire DVD of Petitioner’s police statement to protect the attorney-client privilege.
Moreover, while Petitioner’s statements to police were admissible under Michigan Rule
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of Evidence 801(d)(2), his statements to counsel were not admissible under an
exception to the hearsay rule. Again, counsel cannot be deemed ineffective for failing
to argue a meritless position. Coley, 706 F.3d at 752; Steverson, 230 F.3d at 225.
Third, Petitioner fails to show that trial counsel failed to argue the correct selfdefense standard or failed to sufficiently argue the self-defense claim. Rather, the
record indicates that counsel thoroughly questioned witnesses and made reasonable
arguments in support of Petitioner’s self-defense claim. The fact that counsel’s
strategy was ultimately unsuccessful does not mean that counsel was ineffective. See
Moss v. Hofbauer, 286 F.3d 851, 859 (6th Cir. 2002) (an ineffective assistance of
counsel claim “cannot survive so long as the decisions of a defendant’s trial counsel
were reasonable, even if mistaken”). Moreover, as discussed, the record indicates that
the trial court properly considered the elements of the charged offenses, as well as
Petitioner’s claim of self-defense. Petitioner fails to establish that counsel erred or that
he was prejudiced by counsel’s conduct in this regard. In sum, Petitioner fails to
establish that trial counsel was ineffective under the Strickland standard. Habeas relief
is not warranted on these claims.
3. Ineffective Assistance of Appellate Counsel (Habeas Claim XII)
Lastly, Petitioner asserts that he is entitled to habeas relief because appellate
counsel was ineffective for failing to raise arguments on direct appeal. Respondent
contends that this claim lacks merit. Petitioner raised this claim on collateral review in
the state courts. The trial court ruled that Petitioner failed to establish that counsel was
ineffective under the Strickland standard. The court explained that appellate counsel
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was not ineffective for winnowing out weaker arguments, stated that it would not
second-guess counsel’s strategy, and found that Petitioner could not show any
prejudice from counsel’s conduct. Smith, Wayne Co. Cir. Ct. No. 10-007618-01-FC, at
*3–4. The appellate courts denied leave to appeal pursuant to Michigan Court Rule
6.508(D).
The state courts’ decisions are neither contrary to Supreme Court precedent nor
an unreasonable application of federal law or the facts. As discussed supra, in order to
establish ineffective assistance of counsel, a habeas petitioner must show that
counsel’s performance was deficient and that the deficient performance prejudiced the
defense. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687. With regard to appellate counsel, it is
well-established that a criminal defendant does not have a constitutional right to have
appellate counsel raise every non-frivolous issue on appeal. Jones v. Barnes, 463
U.S. 745, 751 (1983). The Supreme Court has explained:
For judges to second-guess reasonable professional judgments and
impose on appointed counsel a duty to raise every “colorable” claim
suggested by a client would disserve the . . . goal of vigorous and
effective advocacy . . . . Nothing in the Constitution or our interpretation of
that document requires such a standard.
Id. at 754. Strategic and tactical choices regarding which issues to pursue on appeal
are “properly left to the sound professional judgment of counsel.” United States v.
Perry, 908 F.2d 56, 59 (6th Cir. 1990). In fact, “the hallmark of effective appellate
advocacy” is the “process of ‘winnowing out weaker arguments on appeal and focusing
on’ those more likely to prevail.” Smith v. Murray, 477 U.S. 527, 536 (1986) (quoting
Barnes, 463 U.S. at 751–52). “Generally, only when ignored issues are clearly
stronger than those presented will the presumption of effective assistance of appellate
36
counsel be overcome.” Monzo v. Edwards, 281 F.3d 568, 579 (6th Cir. 2002).
Appellate counsel may deliver deficient performance and prejudice a defendant by
omitting a significant issue, but such an issue must be “obvious” from the record below.
Shelton v. McQuiggin, 651 F. App’x 311, 314 (6th Cir. 2016).
Petitioner fails to show that appellate counsel’s performance fell outside the
wide range of professionally competent assistance. Appellate counsel raised
substantial claims on direct appeal, including double jeopardy and insufficient evidence
claims (Petitioner raised the prosecutorial misconduct and ineffective assistance of trial
counsel claims in his own brief). None of the other claims raised by Petitioner on his
own behalf were significant and obvious, as evidenced by the Michigan Court of
Appeals’ decision denying relief on those claims, the decisions denying relief on
collateral review, and this court’s determination that the claims lack merit. Nor has
Petitioner shown that appellate counsel failed to subject his case to meaningful
adversarial testing. Furthermore, even if appellate counsel erred in some fashion,
Petitioner cannot show that he was prejudiced by counsel’s conduct given that the
underlying claims lack merit. See discussion supra. Habeas relief is not warranted on
this claim.
V. Conclusion
Petitioner is not entitled to federal habeas relief on the claims contained in his
petition. Accordingly, the court DENIES and DISMISSES WITH PREJUDICE the
petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
Before Petitioner may appeal the court’s decision, a certificate of appealability
must issue. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(1)(a); Fed. R. App. P. 22(b). A certificate of
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appealability may issue only if the petitioner makes “a substantial showing of the denial
of a constitutional right.” 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). When a court denies relief on the
merits, the substantial showing threshold is met if the petitioner demonstrates that
reasonable jurists would find the court’s assessment of the constitutional claim
debatable or wrong. Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484–85 (2000). “A petitioner
satisfies this standard by demonstrating that . . . jurists could conclude the issues
presented are adequate to deserve encouragement to proceed further.” Miller-El v.
Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 327 (2003). When a court denies relief on procedural grounds
without addressing the merits, a certificate of appealability should issue if it is shown
that jurists of reason would find it debatable whether the petitioner states a valid claim
of the denial of a constitutional right and that jurists of reason would find it debatable
whether the court was correct in its procedural ruling. Slack, 529 U.S. at 484–85.
Having considered the matter, the court concludes that Petitioner fails to make a
substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right as to his habeas claims and
that reasonable jurists could not debate the correctness of the court’s procedural
rulings. Accordingly, the court DENIES a certificate of appealability.
Lastly, 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).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Robert H. Cleland
ROBERT H. CLELAND
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Dated: November 21, 2017
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I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was mailed to counsel of record
on this date, November 21, 2017, by electronic and/or ordinary mail.
s/Lisa Wagner
Case Manager and Deputy Clerk
(810) 292-6522
S:\Cleland\JUDGE'S DESK\C1 ORDERS\15-11712.SMITH.deny.2254.ctb.KNP2.wpd
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