Monk v. Bradt

Filing 8

DECISION AND ORDER. Petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 is DENIED, and the petition is DISMISSED. Because Petitioner has failed to make a substantial showing of a denial of a constitutional right, the court declines to issue a certificate of appealability. Signed by Hon. Victor E. Bianchini on 4/22/2011. (Clerk to close case.)(SDW)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
_____________________________________
JOHN HENRY MONK,
Petitioner,

No. 09-CV-0932(VEB)
DECISION AND ORDER

-vsMARK L. BRADT, Superintendent,
Respondent.
_____________________________________
I.

Introduction
Petitioner pro se John Henry Monk (“Monk” or “Petitioner”) seeks a writ of habeas

corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. On December 6, 2006, Monk was indicted for the June
2005 murder of Sandra Hainesworth (“Hainesworth” or “the victim”) in her home. Monk became
a suspect after detectives in the Buffalo Police Department’s “cold case” squad matched DNA
evidence found at the crime scene to a DNA sample that Monk had previously submitted to the
state-wide DNA databank. Following a jury trial in New York State Supreme Court (Erie
County), the jury convicted him of one count of first degree murder (New York Penal Law
(“P.L.”) § 125.27(1)(a)(vii)),1 one count of first degree burglary (P.L. § 140.30(3)), and one count
of third degree criminal possession of a weapon (P.L. § 265.02(1)). In his Section 2254 petition,
Monk contends that his state-custody is unconstitutional as the result of certain constitutional
errors at his trial.
1

Under P.L.§ 125.27, every first degree murder must include an intentional (second degree) murder.
People v. Cahill, 2 N.Y.3d 14, 64 (N.Y. 2003). “An additional aggravating factor–murder “plus”–raises the crime to
murder in the first degree.” Id. Here, Monk was charged with first degree murder based on the allegations that he
committed first degree burglary by breaking into Hainesworth’s house with the intent to commit a felony therein, and
that, in the course and furtherance of the burglary, he killed Hainesworth intentionally. See id. (citing N.Y. P EN AL
L AW § 125.27(1)(a)(vii)).

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II.

Factual Background and Procedural History
A.

The Prosecution’s Case
1.

Kimberly King, the Victim’s Neighbor

On the day of Hainesworth’s death, Kimberly Lynette King (“King”) noticed that her
neighbor had not answered her door or telephone all day. T.382.2 Finally, at around 9:00 P.M.,
King decided to go into Hainesworth’s house to check on her. T.383.
As King approached the house, she noted a blue garbage tote or container outside by a
first-floor window; there was broken glass in the area. T.383. King testified that the blue garbage
tote was “never there by her window” before. Id. When King put her hand up to the window, she
thought “something is not right.” Id. King went and got her husband.
Upon entering the house, they could see that it had been ransacked: “The curtains were a
mess[,]” torn from the wall; there were “papers everywhere”; the “kitchen table was . . . a mess”;
drawers were open in the bedroom; and “things in the bathroom didn’t look right.” T.385. King,
who had regularly been inside Hainesworth’s house two to three times a week, stated that she had
been invited inside the house on June 23rd, the day before the murder, and everything was “clean”
and “in place.” T.387. King testified that the kitchen window had not been broken; Hainesworth
“would never stay there in the house if a window was broken” and “[a]nytime something got
broken like that it would be fixed right then.” T.387. King did not see any blood on the kitchen
floor. T.387. King stated, “When you go to Miss Sandra’s house everything is always in place.”
T.388.
King and her husband found Hainesworth’s body in the bedroom. She was lying sideways
2

Numbers preceded by “T.” refer to pages from the transcript of Monk’s trial.

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across her bed, and her left hand was tied to the bedpost while her legs dangled a little off the
bed. T.384. King said that she saw “a lot of blood.” T.385. King immediately began trying to call
the police.
2.

The Crime Scene Investigation

Buffalo Police Department Detectives Michael Mordino (“Det. Mordino”) and Michael
Acquino (“Det. Acquino”) went to 500 Goodyear Street at 10:10 P.M. in response to King’s 911
call. T.390, 444. Det. Mordino observed the blue garbage tote near the broken window on the
south side of the house. T.392. Several cigarette butts that appeared to have been recently
discarded near the garbage tote, which had footprints on top of it. T.392-93. Det. Mordino
deduced that the window above the garbage tote had been the point-of-entry into Hainesworth’s
house. T.392.
Inside the kitchen, Det. Mordino found some broken glass, as well as a brick that was
similar appearance to a brick he had noticed in the backyard. T.395. He also found a telephone
cord on the table; the cord had a small blood smear on it. T.395, 405. A small droplet of blood
was present on the floor near the kitchen table. T.403. A wrapped envelope containing $875 was
discovered in Hainesworth’s freezer. T.407-08, 484.
In the bathroom, Det. Mordino found Hainesworth’s underwear in the sink and a bottle of
rubbing alcohol sitting on the floor. T.397. He also noticed that there were a couple of pink
washcloths on the floor and there was something (either tissue or a rag) inside the toilet. T.397.
In the bedroom, Det. Mordino found the body of an elderly black female, tied with white
pantyhose or nylons to the bedpost; both arms were tied at the wrists. T.398. The victim was
wearing a nightgown but was nude from the waist down. She had one sneaker on her left foot.
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T.417l. Bloody stab wounds were “all around” her neck area. The victim had an orange kerchief
on her head; wrapped around her face, covering her mouth and eyes, was a pink towel. T.398.
There was a purse, with its contents emptied out, on the bed. T.417.
Det. Acquino performed a canvass of the victim’s neighborhood. A friend of the deceased
named Ruffin told him about a nephew, David Johnson (“Johnson”), who had a crack cocaine
addiction. T.447, 450. Johnson denied anything to do with the crime, stating that he was with a
female companion. T.447. Johnson provided a DNA sample by means of a buccal (interior of the
mouth) swab; the results eliminated him from being at the crime scene. T.447.
A few days later, the police received a lead about Jeffrey Dubose (“DuBose”), whom one
of the victim’s neighbors had seen near the house on the day of the murder. T.448. Dubose,
however, had an alibi which checked out. T.449. In addition, Dubose gave a DNA sample, the
results of which eliminated him from the murder scene. T.449.
Detective James Maroney (“Det. Maroney”) assisted with evidence collection at the crime
scene. T.470 et seq. In particular, Det. Maroney catalogued the “very slight impression of a shoe
or a sneaker in dirt” on top of the blue garbage tote; the cigarette butts lying in the driveway; and
a soda bottle by the side door to the house. T.473. There were no usable latent fingerprints or
DNA on the garbage tote. T.475. The cigarette butts seemed fairly fresh, though they did not
have any ashes attached, so they had been there for a little while. The DNA results from the
cigarette butts indicated they were from an unidentified male and did not match Petitioner’s
DNA profile. T.525. The sneaker print was not able to be individualized; the report just came
back as a saw-tooth shoe print pattern with no real class characteristics. T.477.
Det. Maroney, during his investigation, found some small, copper-colored filaments on
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the bedroom floor, the type of material sometimes used to stuff the inside of a crack pipe. T.485,
512. With regard to the usable latent prints found in the house, the police were unable to connect
them with anyone who had been arrested before. T.500. The blood droplet on the floor in the
kitchen was fairly intact; it had not flaked or cracked. T.507.
As set forth further below in the forensic serologist’s testimony, the telephone cord with
the dry red smear-type stain on it was submitted for testing, and the profile from the stain
matched Petitioner’s DNA profile. T.527.
3.

Petitioner’s Arrest

On April 17, 2006, Detective Charles Aronica (“Det. Aronica”) of the Homicide Cold
Case Bureau received a call from Det. Mordino indicating that they had a DNA match from the
Hainesworth case. T.552. Later that day, Det. Aronica and his partner interviewed Petitioner at
the police department. T.553. Petitioner waived his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with the
detectives. T.555-56. He did not ask why they wanted to talk to him.
When asked where he had been in June 2005, Petitioner stated that he had been living at
17 West Utica, in a veteran’s housing facility. T.559. Petitioner was familiar with Goodyear
Street; his former fiancée, Kathy McIlwain, lived on Goodyear Street near East Ferry with her
daughter. T.560. Petitioner stated that the last time he had been on Goodyear Street was between
2003 and 2004; the latest would have been 2004. T.560. Det. Aronica asked Petitioner this
question different ways at least six times; each time, Petitioner stated that he had not been on
Goodyear Street in 2005; that the latest time he would have been there was 2004; and he stated
the was “positive” about that. T.560, 561. The last time he had been there, he had picked up
Hainesworth and McIlwain to go buy cigarettes in 2004. T.562.
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When asked if he knew Hainesworth, Petitioner said that he did and that he also knew her
late husband, Leo. Petitioner said that he used to go over and visit with Leo; they would watch
basketball games together. T.561. Petitioner said that he had been inside the house “maybe three
times”, and indicated that he had been in the bathroom, the kitchen, and the food pantry. T.563.
Petitioner denied ever having been in a bedroom at Hainesworth’s house. T.564.
When asked about the last time he saw Hainesworth, Petitioner began “volunteering
information about his medical problems”, saying that it had to be no later than 2004 because he
was “quite sick” in 2005. T.562. He specifically denied being at the victim’s house on June 23rd
or June 24th of 2005, explaining that he was not able to get around, that he had to use medical
transportation, that his feet were swollen, and that he had a spinal infection. T.562, 563.
Petitioner explained that he did not work and collected disability insurance–approximately $600
per month.
Det. Aronica asked Petitioner if he had ever been romantically involved with
Hainesworth and he answered, “[N]o way.” T.564. Petitioner told Det. Aronica that Hainesworth
had three or four boyfriends. T.571.
Petitioner flatly denied killing Hainesworth. T.564. Det. Aronica’s last question was:
“[Y]ou tell me how your DNA got into Sandra Hainesworth’s bedroom.” T.565. Petitioner “got
up from his chair, he says, I know where this is going, I need a lawyer. And he walked out of the
room.” T.565. Up until that question, Det. Aronica had not told Petitioner that his DNA had been
found inside the house. T.565.
4.

The Jailhouse Informant

John Avent (“Avent” or “the informant”) gave a statement under oath to Det. Aronica on
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May 20, 2006, regarding a conversation he allegedly had with Petitioner at the holding center the
month beforehand. Det. Aronica testified that the first time he saw Avent was on May 20th and
that he did not tell Avent that the murder appeared to have been part of a burglary. T.568.
At trial, Avent testified that he was forty-years-old and was currently in the Erie County
Holding Center on a parole violation and an arrest warrant for failing to appear at a hearing in
Monk’s case. T.582. Avent pled guilty in 1986 to second degree assault for throwing a baseball
bat a woman’s head after she had thrown a bat at him during an argument with some people over
a baseball game they had all played in. T.584. Avent violated the terms of his probation and had
to serve jail time for that. He was also convicted in 1986 for stealing a car; he was having a few
drinks at the friend’s house and took the keys and drove off with the car. T.585. In 1991, he was
convicted of first degree robbery for robbing a convenience store after having been out drinking
all night. T.586. Avent explained that he put his hand underneath his shirt, pretending it was a
gun. T.586. He did not really have a gun on him at the time. Id. Avent was sentenced to 11 to 22
years for that offense.
After serving the minimum (11 years), he was paroled in 2001 and was currently on
parole in regards to that conviction at the time of Monk’s trial. T.587. During that time, his
parole had been revoked four times for smoking marijuana T.588. Avent admitted that he had
had a drug problem3 throughout his life–marijuana, cocaine, acid, crack, mushrooms,

3

During the week preceding February 25, 2006, Avent had smoked a total of about three ounces of
crack cocaine. W hen he arrived at his fiancee’s house, he got into an argument with her; she said she did not want
anything to do with him anymore because of his drug life, so she took two knives out of the drawer and locked
himself in the bathroom and threatened to kill himself. T.590. The police came; he would not come out right away
and they communicated through the door for about forty-five minutes. T.591. Eventually, after the police promised
to get him help, Avent agreed to throw the knives out the back window and surrendered. Id. He was charged with a
felony and pled down to a class B misdemeanor, time served. T.591. The arrest for possession of the knives was a
parole violation, which resulted in a parole detainer being lodged against him. T.592.

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heroin–“[j]ust about everything.” T.589.
After testifying about his criminal history, Avent testified about his encounter with Monk
in April 2006 at the Erie County Holding Center. T.593-95. They were both housed in “Delta
Long” block although they had separate cells. T.595. Avent had been there for a while before
Monk arrived. One day, during recreation period in the unit, Avent went up to Monk and asked
him what he was doing there–“just normal conversation.” T.596-97. Monk showed him a letter
he had received; Avent assumed it was from a girlfriend because it said “I love you, things like
that.” T.597. The letter was “saying that she shouldn’t be writing a letter, she should not let him
know but that the detectives were questioning her about the homicide pertaining to John Monk.”
T.597. Avent did not know who the letter was from. Id. As of that time–April 2006–Monk had
not been charged or arrested in connection with the Hainesworth homicide. Id.
A couple of days later, Avent had another conversation with Monk in front of Monk’s
cell. Monk said that there were
a few things that was [sic] bothering him that he needed to get off his chest, and
he stated that it was a burglary eventually ended up going bad. He had broke into .
. . the house to burglarize it, to look for a few things, and in the process of going
through certain things a lady came out [of] a room and surprised him that he
thought was sleeping, and he grabbed her by the neck, they were wrestling, he was
choking her, and next thing you know he said that he started stabbing her.
T.598. Monk told Avent that he had been at the victim’s house before the murder. Id. Monk did
not say how he had gotten into the house; nor did he say why he thought Hainesworth had been
sleeping. T.599. Monk did not say where he had gotten the knife or how many times or where he
had stabbed her.
After Monk stabbed the victim, he “found a few things that he had to conceal so he could

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leave” and “took a few things that he had under his jacket” and “went down the street with those
things” to a crack house where he bartered them for some crack. T.599-600.
A few days later, Avent saw a news report about Monk being arrested. T.600. Avent “was
kind of shocked that what he told me was actually was true.” Id.
Monk got transferred to the medical unit within the jail and Avent, as part of his job
duties, had the occasion to go to Monk’s dorm at the medical unit. Avent said, “John, what’s up,
you know, what’s–on being on the news, you know.” T.602. According to Avent, Monk replied,
“I’m not worrying about it, says they don’t have anything on me, I got this beat.” T.602.
Avent testified that he had seen Monk wearing arm braces. However, Monk did not tell
him anything about the braces or his ability to walk. T.602.
On May 15, 2006, three days after Monk’s arrest, Avent wrote to the Erie County District
Attorney’s Office indicating that he had information about the Hainesworth case. T.603. Avent
came to speak to the detectives on May 20th. In July 2006, Avent met with the prosecutor who
promised to make a recommendation that he should receive only a year’s incarceration for his
parole violation if he cooperated in Monk’s prosecution. T.607.
Avent testified at the grand jury but subsequently violated the terms of his parole again
and also failed to appear at a preliminary hearing in Monk’s case. T.608. As a result, the
prosecutor had a warrant issued for his arrest. Id. The prosecutor promised that if Avent testified
at trial, he would recommend to the parole board that Avent some type of alternative to
incarceration in connection with the latest parole violation. T.609.
With regard to his statement, Avent testified that the police never told him any details
about the Hainesworth murder or crime scene. T.609-10.
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On cross-examination, defense counsel pointed out that Avent was handcuffed and
chained around the waist. T.610. Avent claimed that he was testifying because he wanted the
person who was guilty of the murder to be convicted. T.611. Avent admitted that in his letter to
the District Attorney he said that they “needed [him] because all they had was DNA evidence”
but he would not testify unless he got released. T.621.
5.

Testimony Regarding Petitioner’s Physical Condition

Forty-five-year-old Berlincia Marie Easterling (“Easterling”) testified for the prosecution
about Monk’s medical condition and the extent of his physical disabilities. T.629 et seq.
Easterling had known Monk for about six years; they dated for a while in 2005. T.630-31. During
2005, she saw Monk almost every day. He did “[n]ot always” wear his arm braces; he used them,
according to Easterling, ‘[e]very now and then.” T.631. Easterling said that when she saw him, it
was “[m]ostly without” his arm braces. T.632.
During 2005, Easterling saw Monk perform some physical tasks without his arm
braces–he got up on a chair and washed the walls in her house, and helped her landlord cut down
a small tree. T.631-32.
On the day of Hainesworth’s murder, Monk called Easterling on the phone and
mentioned that a friend of his named Sandra had been killed. T.632-33. Monk “said whoever had
did [sic] it must have known because they wasn’t [sic] suspecting that he had – anybody had
broke in the house, that she had allowed them in.” T.633. Monk told her that he had found out
she was murdered that day when was over that way on Goodyear Street with some friends. T.633.
Defense counsel had Easterling confirm that Monk did use his arm braces during 2005
and that “[a]t some times”, he appeared to be in great pain. T.634. Easterling would not answer
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directly whether, when he appeared to be in pain, he was able to get around without the braces;
she stated, “[h]e got around sometimes, sometimes he didn’t.” T.635.
Eighty-year-old Katherine McIlwain (“McIlwain”) testified next for the prosecution. She
had known Hainesworth over 25 years and described her as “just like a sister . . . .” T.637. They
would talk to each other every day. T.637.
McIlwain met Monk in 1991 through her pastor, Reverend Lewis, and they became “real
good friends at church.” T.639. For a short time in the early 2000s, Monk rented a room from her
and they became romantically involved for a bit. T.639. McIlwain observed Monk “a lot of times
without his arm braces” walking around in the apartment. T.640. Occasionally if he would go
out, he “would maybe take one . . . .” T.640.
In February or March 2005, Monk came over to McIlwain’s house and asked to borrow
some money. They conversed through the speaker intercom; Monk did not come inside. T.640.
However, “he kept ringing . . . and kept ringing” the buzzer, asking to borrow money. Id. Finally,
McIlwain asked to please leave or she was going to call the police. She did call the police but
they did not come until two hours later, and by that time he was already gone. Id.
McIlwain testified regarding a letter she had received from Monk on May 18, 2007, while
he was in jail. T.643. She had previously written to him to ask him about the DNA evidence the
police had found at the scene. The pertinent part of the letter from Monk read as follows:
Dear Katherine,
I hope and pray that when this letter become you to read that it will find you to in
the best of health and in the best of God’s spirit too. I will do my best to answer
your letter about the DNA. Well, here go. If you can remember the time the glass
got broken in Sandra[’s] kitchen when you was [sic] having a drink with her, you
was [sic] the cause of the glass to fell [sic] from the table to the floor. It had fell
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[sic] all in and around the phone cord. I came from the living room to clean it up.
Why [sic] I were [sic] cleaning I cut my hand and when I was moving the phone
cord out of the way a drop got on the cord, my blood. And when you was [sic]
going to help Sandra said she would clean the rest up later. This was in April 2005
when we brought the alcohol and take [sic] it to her. I did not do it because if I
had did [sic] it the place would be clean[ed] out if it was me. So believe me when
I say it were [sic] not me because around that time I was too sick, if you
remember, I can not get around, I had to have help because you came over to see
about me. Remember. I put something in this letter so you can see. With that I will
close this letter but not my thought of you.
....
T.645-46 (People’s Exhibit 82).
McIlwain testified that she “never” saw Monk in 2005 at all; they only had conversed
through her intercom. She was not with him at Hainesworth’s house in 2005 at all. In short, there
was nothing truthful in the letter. T.646.
McIlwain stated that Monk never admitted to her in his letters that he had killed
Hainesworth. T.647. McIlwain admitted speaking to an investigator for the defense and telling
him Monk told her that he had back problems and spasms in his legs. T.647-48. McIlwain denied
telling the investigator that Monk used two arm braces the majority of the time. T.648. She
admitted sometimes driving Monk to his doctor’s appointments; sometimes he would take the
bus. T.648. McIlwain denied that she told the investigator that she did not think Monk was
capable of climbing through a window. T.649.
Celia O’Brien (“O’Brien”) was the property manager for the apartment complex where
Monk was living in 2005. T.665-67. According to O’Brien, she saw him wearing his arm braces
a “couple times” in 2005 when he came to talk to her; she opined that it was “generally because
he couldn’t pay rent or there was some circumstance that [she] needed to feel sorry for him . . . .”
T.667. O’Brien testified that she saw, on the property surveillance videotape, an incident in
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which Monk–wearing his arm braces–kicked a door with his left foot hard enough to leave a
crack underneath the door handle. T.669.
5.

The DNA Evidence

Dr. John P. Simich (“Dr. Simich”), the forensic serologist, testified regarding the four
samples of DNA evidence retrieved from the crime scene–the blood droplet on the kitchen floor;
the blood smear on the phone cord; fingernail clippings from the victim’s left hand; and the
stocking with which the victim’s hand was bound to the bed. Dr. Simich testified that there were
only two DNA profiles found on all of the evidence at the victim’s house; one of the profiles was
that of the victim. T.723, 727. The victim was not the source of the DNA in the blood on the
phone cord; there was only one profile in that sample. On the remaining three pieces of evidence,
there were two DNA profiles; as noted above, one was that of the victim. The same male
individual was the source of the other DNA profile on the phone cord, the stocking, and the
fingernail clippings. T.720.
The DNA profiles of the initial two suspects, DuBose and Johnson, were compared to the
evidence found at the victim’s house and they were excluded as the source of the DNA. T.72526.
Dr. Simich compared the unknown DNA profile on the items of evidence to Petitioner’s
DNA sample in the State databank and found that they matched. T.728. To double-check the
match, Dr. Simich then compared the unknown DNA sample to a new DNA sample taken from a
buccal swab of Petitioner’s mouth; they matched as well. T.730.
Dr. Simich determinatively concluded that Petitioner was the source of the both blood on
the phone cord and the floor. T.739. The chance of an individual in the United States having the
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same DNA profile found in the blood droplet and on the phone cord was one in 2.89 quintillion.
T.741-43. (As a point of reference, there are between 6.7 and 7 billion people on planet Earth.
Id.) Dr. Simich concluded that Petitioner could not be excluded as a source of the DNA on the
stocking. The chance of an individual in the United States having the same DNA profile as that
found on the stocking was one in 138 million. T.742. Finally, Dr. Simich determined that
Petitioner could not be excluded as a contributor to the trace portion of DNA found in the nail
clippings. T.739-40.4 Notably, Johnson and DuBose were definitively excluded as the source of
that DNA as well as the DNA found on the other items of evidence. T.738.
Notwithstanding defense counsel’s extensive cross-examination, the strength of Dr.
Simich’s findings regarding the DNA was not meaningfully impeached.
B.

Summary of the Defense Case
1.

Katherine McIlwain

Defense counsel introduced into evidence the letter sent by Katherine McIlwain
(“McIlwain”) to Monk dated May 12, 2007, about which she had testified on direct examination.
Her letter to Petitioner read in relevant part as follows:
Hello, John. I received your letter and am not wrote [sic] to you because I [sic] not
know what to say. For you things can’t be so great in lock-up. I feel bad for you
but officers said they found D.A. [i.e., DNA] in Sandra’s home. So how did your
D.A. get there, John? If you did this thing just tell the Courts and get it over with.
Why put yourself through all of this. I really hope and pray that you find peace
with God . . . .
T.789-90.

4

Dr. Simich could not give a statistic as to probability with regard to the nail clippings because, in
the DNA sample from the clippings, the amount of genetic markers was below the necessary reporting criteria.
T.742.

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McIlwain agreed that Hainesworth did have several boyfriends after her husband passed
away. However, she denied knowing whether Hainesworth was involved with a person named
Ruffin. T.791.
2.

Reverend James A. Lewis, III

Reverend James A. Lewis, III (“Rev. Lewis”) testified that he had known Petitioner for
“[s]even, maybe eight, nine years” during which time Petitioner lived at several boarding houses
run by Rev. Lewis and was a member of the congregation and choir at Rev. Lewis’ church, the
J.W. Loguen Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion. T.794-95. According to Rev. Lewis,
Petitioner “had a horrible time walking” and “most of the time . . . was assisted by arm braces on
a crutch.” T.795. It appeared that Monk had a “very, very difficult time walking”. At the church,
they had to arrange for him to sit on the aisle seats and use the back stairway that had a railing.
T.795. They had to make the bathroom and stairway handicapped accessible in order to
accommodate him. Id. Rev. Lewis testified that they “had a break” in their relationship because
Monk had stopped coming to church for a period of time; Rev. Lewis believed he came back
“somewhere around 2005” and was in attendance “quite a few of the Sundays. . . .” T.796-97.
Petitioner “was still unable to maneuver as a normal person” and “had trouble with steps and
things” and still used the two crutches. T.797.
On cross-examination, Rev. Lewis stated that it “was somewhere in th[e] area” of 2005 or
2006 that he saw Monk again. T.798.
3.

Petitioner, John Monk

Monk, who was fifty-eight-years-old, had been on disability since 1994 or 1995. T.80304. Monk testified that he began having back problems in the 1970s. T.812. He had a spinal tap
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which, he stated, caused him “to go partial limp in both legs.” T.812. He had used different types
of back graces over the years in order to alleviate the tingling and numbness going down his legs.
Id.
In 2000, Monk had back surgery, which he called “deterioration of the disc”. T.813.
Monk could not describe the surgery; he just said it was “very painful”. He said he “was opened
up and they cleaned it out and reclosed [him] up.” Id. Monk testified that it did not relieve his
back problem at all and he continued to seek treatment for it at Erie County Medical Center. Id.
He stated that he “constantly” went to physical therapy; that he experienced his leg “locking up”;
and that he had hospitalized a “couple times” for “[w]eeks at a time.” Id. In addition to the
numbness and tingling in his legs, he also experienced “deterioration” of the right knee. T.815.
Monk had surgery on the knee, but it never healed properly and he testified he got “deterioration
arthritis” as a result of it. T.815. Monk testified that his problems in his legs, back, and knee
prevented him from walking or bending his knee sometimes. Monk testified that he had physical
therapy and would see a doctor once a month. T.814. The last time that he sought treatment while
he was not in custody was in June 2005. Id.
For the past five years, Monk had been diagnosed with diabetes which, he stated, caused
him to have swelling of his joints and in particular his feet. T.815-16. Sometimes, Monk
testified, he could not put a shoe on and that if he did not take his medication or eat when he was
supposed to he, would pass out. T.816.
Monk testified that the last time he thought he would have been able to climb on top of a
three- or four-foot-high garbage can was “[p]robably in the ‘90s.” T.816. In early to mid-2005,
Petitioner testified, he was taking Loritabs and using a codeine patch for his pain. He also took
-16-

medication for his arthritis, diabetes, and high blood pressure. T.816.
Monk explained that he had a romantic relationship with the victim’s friend, McIlwain,
from about 1998 up until 2000. T.804. After that ended, they continued to be close friends; for
instance, she would take him to his various doctor’s appointments. T.805. Monk explained that
McIlwain wrote to him and “constantly” asked about the situation with the criminal charges; he
wrote back explaining his innocence and trying to give her details about times and dates. T.805.
Monk testified that he had noticed a decline in her memory over the years in that she did not
remember “[a] lot of the dates . . . .” T.806. It was through McIlwain that Monk met Hainesworth
in 1995 after church; they would go over to Hainesworth’s house after services. T.806.
Monk testified that he was very close to Hainesworth’s deceased husband, Leo. Monk
recalled that they would have a beer and watch sports together. T.807. Monk testified that he lost
contact with them sometime before Mr. Hainesworth died. Id.
After Leo Hainesworth’s death, Monk began spending time with McIlwain and
Hainesworth; he would see them at least once a month because McIlwain would pick them up
and take them to the reservation to buy cigarettes. T.807. Monk testified that he did spend time at
Hainesworth’s house during that period. Id.
According to Monk, he began a romantic relationship with Hainesworth in 2000, which
lasted until 2004. He testified that the last time he was at 500 Goodyear was on June 21, 2005,
which happened to be three days before her death. T.808. Monk heard about the murder on the
news. Id.
Monk denied killing Hainesworth and stated that he had no idea who did. T.809. He
knew that “she was seeing someone” but he did not know who it was or what the relationship
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was; he stated that Hainesworth “had a lot of friends.” T.809.
When asked to explain how his DNA might have gotten in the house, he stated, “I
accidentally cut [him]self” and that was the only way he could think it happened. T.809. Monk
testified that they were having a drink in the kitchen, and he accidentally broke a glass and
nicked himself; “[w]hen you drinking alcohol and you nick yourself . . . it’s a fearsome bleed,
you know, you bleed real easily.” T.810. According to Monk, it occurred in April 2005. Id.
With regard to his DNA being found on the victim’s stockings, Monk stated that he had
taken the victim’s stockings off her legs when they were romantically involved. T.810-11. With
regard to the DNA under Hainesworth’s fingernails, Monk said that “[m]aybe” it came to be
there during one of their “romantic sessions”. T.811. On cross-examination, Monk admitted that
none of his or the victim’s friends and acquaintances could substantiate his claim that Monk and
the victim were romantically involved. Furthermore, Monk denied that he affirmatively told Det.
Aronica that he had never been in a romantic relationship with the victim. Monk also claimed
that he never told Det. Aronica that the last time he had been to the victim’s house was, at the
latest, in 2004.
D.

The Verdict and Sentencing

The indictment charged Petitioner with one count of first degree murder (New York Penal
Law (“P.L.”) § 125.27(1)(a)(vii) (murder committed during the course of a first degree burglary),
one count of second degree (intentional) murder (P.L. § 125.25(1); one count of second degree
(felony) murder (P.L. § 125.25(3)), one count of first degree burglary (P.L. § 140.30(3)), and one
count of third degree criminal possession of a weapon (P.L. § 265.02(1)). All five of these counts
were submitted to the jury.
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Because the jury returned a verdict convicting Monk of first degree murder and first
degree burglary, the jury was not required to consider the counts charging him with second
degree murder. Monk also was convicted of the weapons-possession charge.
Monk was sentenced, and is currently serving, a term of life-imprisonment without the
possibility of parole.
E.

The Direct Appeal

The Appellate Division, Fourth Department, unanimously affirmed Petitioner’s
conviction on direct appeal. The New York Court of Appeals denied leave to appeal.
After completing his direct appeal, Petitioner brought no further state court proceedings.
F.

The Habeas Proceeding

Monk filed this timely habeas petition seeking to raise two of the issues that he had
presented to the Appellate Division–that the trial court erred in denying his request to introduce
his medical records without accompanying expert testimony and that the prosecutor committed
misconduct. Respondent submitted an answer and memorandum of law in opposition to the
petition. Monk did not submit a traverse in reply to Respondent’s answer.
The parties have consented to final disposition of this matter by a magistrate judge
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(1).
For the reasons that follow, the petition is dismissed.
III.

Analysis of the Petition
A.

Erroneous Exclusion of Medical Records

As his first ground for relief, Petitioner asserts that he was denied his constitutional right
to present a defense by the trial court’s refusal to admit his medical records into evidence.
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Respondent argues that the introduction of the Petitioner’s medical records into evidence would
have caused confusion with the jury which in turn would have led to undue prejudice to the
People. Without an expert to explain the effect of the injury, Respondent asserts, the introduction
of the medical records “would merely show that petitioner had a back injury” and, standing
alone, “ would have invited the jury to improperly speculate as to what extent the
disability could have limited petitioner’s mobility.” Resp’t Mem. at 14. Respondent argues that
“[c]onsequently, petitioner’s claim is not of constitutional import and should not be reviewed by
this Court.” Resp’t Mem. at 12.
Respondent contends that because the claim regarding the exclusion of medical records is
predicated on a state court’s evidentiary ruling, it does not present a constitutional issue
cognizable in a habeas corpus petition. Resp’t Mem. at 10. As Respondent notes, Under 28
U.S.C. § 2254(a), federal habeas review is available for a state prisoner only on the ground that
he is in custody in violation of the Constitution, laws or treaties of the United States. Mere errors
of state law generally not cognizable on federal habeas review. See, e.g., Estelle v McGuire, 502
U.S. 62, 67-68 (1991).
The Supreme Court, however, “has found unconstitutional the rigid application of state
evidentiary rules prohibiting presentation” of exculpatory evidence. Hawkins, 460 F.3d 238, 244
(2d Cir. 2006) (citing Wade v. Mantello, 333 F.3d 51, 57 (2d Cir.2003) (citing Chambers v.
Mississippi, 410 U.S. 284, 302 (1973)), cert. denied sub. nom. Hawkins v. Perlman, 549 U.S.
1215 (2007). In this vein,“where constitutional rights directly affecting the ascertainment of guilt
are implicated, the hearsay rule may not be applied mechanistically to defeat the ends of justice.”
Even where an evidentiary ruling was correct under the state’s evidentiary rule, the federal court
-20-

should still consider whether that evidentiary rule is “‘arbitrary’ or ‘disproportionate to the
purposes [it is] designed to serve’” such that its application “infringed upon a weighty interest of
the accused,” United States v. Scheffer, 523 U.S. 303, 308 (1998) (quoting Rock v. Arkansas, 483
U.S. 44, 56 37 (1987)); accord, e.g. Hawkins v. Costello, 460 F.3d at 244.
1.

The State Courts Adjudicated the Claim on the Merits.

Where, as here, a state court adjudicates a habeas petitioner’s claim on the merits, the
reviewing court must assess that decision under the deferential standard established by the
Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (“AEDPA”) in 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d).
Hawkins v. Costello, 460 F.3d at 244 (citing Sellan v. Kuhlman, 261 F.3d 303, 310-11 (2d Cir.
2001)).
Applying AEDPA deference, a federal court may grant a writ of habeas corpus if the state
court's adjudication on the merits “was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of,
clearly established, Federal law as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States.” 28
U.S.C. § 2254(d)(1). “Clearly established Federal law” “refers to the holdings, as opposed to the
dicta, of [the Supreme] Court's decisions as of the time of the relevant state-court decision.”
Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 412 (2000).
2.

Clearly Established Law Regarding the Right to Present a Defense

It is clearly established Supreme Court precedent that a criminal defendant possesses a
constitutional right–grounded in the Sixth Amendment’s Compulsory Process and Confrontation
Clauses and the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause–to “a meaningful opportunity to
present a complete defense.” Crane v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 683, 690 (1986) (internal quotation
marks omitted); accord Hawkins, 460 F.3d at 243. “‘Few rights are more fundamental than that
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of an accused to present witnesses in his own defense.’” Hawkins, 460 F.3d at 243 (quoting
Chambers, 410 U.S. at 302).
Although a defendant’s right to present a complete defense is well-established, it is “not
without limits and ‘may in appropriate cases, bow to accommodate other legitimate interests in
the criminal trial process.’” Id. (quoting Chambers, 410 U.S. at 295); accord, e.g., Jimenez v.
Walker, 458 F.3d 147 (2d Cir. 2006) (“As with many rights, the right to present a defense is not
unlimited.”). Thus, courts require a defendant to “comply with established rules of procedure and
evidence designed to assure both fairness and reliability. . . .” Chambers, 410 U.S. at 302; accord
Hawkins, 460 F.3d at 243; see also Taylor v. Illinois, 484 U.S. 400, 410 (1988) (stating that a
defendant does not have an “an unfettered right to offer testimony that is incompetent, privileged,
or otherwise inadmissible under standard rules of evidence”); Clark v. Arizona, __ U.S. __, __,
126 S. Ct. 2709, 2731 (2006) (“[T]he right to introduce relevant evidence can be curtailed if
there is a good reason for doing that.”). Even before AEDPA required a more deferential review
of state court decisions, the Supreme Court had expressed a “traditional reluctance to impose
constitutional constraints on ordinary evidentiary rulings by state trial courts[,]” Crane, 476 U.S.
at 689, noting that it had “never questioned the power of States to exclude evidence through the
application of evidentiary rules that themselves serve the interests of fairness and reliability–even
if the defendant would prefer to see that evidence admitted[,]” id. at 690.
In considering whether the exclusion of evidence violated a criminal defendant’s right to
present a complete defense, the reviewing court should start with “the propriety of the trial court's
evidentiary ruling.” Wade v, 333 F.3d at 59; accord, e.g., Hawkins, 460 F.3d at 244; see also
Washington v. Schriver, 255 F.3d 45, 57 (2d Cir. 2001). It is, of course, well established that
-22-

“habeas corpus relief does not lie for errors of state law,” Lewis v. Jeffers, 497 U.S. 764, 780
(1990). “[N]ecessarily include[d]” in that category of mere state-law errors that do not warrant
habeas relief are “erroneous evidentiary rulings[,]” Hawkins, 460 F.3d at 244. However, the
inquiry “into possible state evidentiary law errors at the trial level” assists the reviewing court in
“ascertain[ing] whether the appellate division acted within the limits of what is objectively
reasonable.” Jones v. Stinson, 229 F.3d 112, 120 (2d Cir. 2000) (quoted in Hawkins, 460 F.3d at
244).
If potentially exculpatory evidence was erroneously excluded, the reviewing court then
looks at “whether ‘the omitted evidence [evaluated in the context of the entire record] creates a
reasonable doubt that did not otherwise exist.’” Justice v. Hoke, 90 F.3d 43, 47 (2d Cir.1996)
(quoting United States v. Agurs, 427 U.S. 97, 112 (1976)) (alteration in original)); accord
Hawkins, 460 F.3d at 244 (citing Wade, 333 F.3d at 59 (stating that “[t]his test applies
post-AEDPA”)). If, on the other hand, the state court’s evidentiary ruling was correct as a matter
of state evidentiary law, the habeas court’s “inquiry is more limited[,]” addressing itself only to
“whether the evidentiary rule is “‘arbitrary’ or ‘disproportionate to the purposes [it is] designed
to serve.’” United States v. Scheffer, 523 U.S. at 308 (quoting Rock v. Arkansas, 483 U.S. at 56);
see also Holmes v. South Carolina, 547 U.S. 319, ___, 126 S. Ct. 1727, 1731 (2006)). A state
evidentiary rule is “unconstitutionally arbitrary or disproportionate only where it has infringed
upon a weighty interest of the accused.” Scheffer, 523 U.S. at 308.
3.

The Trial Court’s Evidentiary Ruling

A part of Petitioner’s defense was that due to alleged disabilities resulting from a back
injury and related surgery, it was physically impossible for him to climb up on top of the blue
-23-

garbage tote, break the window of the victims’s house, and enter into the house to burglarize it.
See, e.g., T.812-18. In support of this argument, defense counsel sought to introduce certified
copies of Petitioner’s medical records over a period of several years indicating that, inter alia, he
underwent back surgery in 2002 and “a lot more” medical treatment since that time. T.684.
Defense counsel indicated that Petitioner would testify as to his own medical condition. Counsel
urged that the medical records be introduced into evidence, stating without the medical records,
Petitioner’s testimony regarding his disabilities “wouldn’t make sense to the jury.” T.685.
At first, the prosecutor argued that whether or not Petitioner had back surgery was
“completely irrelevant to his ability to have or have not committed this crime” because “an
operation is usually meant to cure people, not to make them worse.” T.684. The trial court
correctly recognized that a physical disability on Petitioner’s part would be relevant to whether
he could have committed the crime as theorized by the prosecution. Id.
Next, the prosecutor objected to the introduction of the records on the grounds that
without an expert to elucidate the nature of Monk’s medical condition and the related medical
treatment, the jury would be “encourage[d] to speculate that because he had a minor operation
regarding his discs three years prior” to the murder “that somehow affects his ability to have
gotten on top of the garbage tote and to climb through the window.” T.685-86. The prosecutor
argued that because Petitioner’s physical limitations were “not facially obvious on the medical
records[,]” the jury would be “require[d] to utilize some kind of knowledge or expertise that’s
not a part of the record.” T.686.
Defense counsel responded that “[t]hat’s what the issue of fact is” and stated “[i]t would
be proper for the D.A.’s office to call an expert to help interpret the records to [sic] the jury, if
-24-

that’s his position.” T.686.
The trial court posed the question, “Wouldn’t that be the next move, to call someone [in
rebuttal by the prosecution] who could say that his surgery would have no effect on someone’s
ability to do certain acts, rather than have the jury speculate as to they whether they [sic] can or
can’t?” T.686. The prosecutor agreed, but argued that it would require a defense expert to first
elucidate the contents of the records in order to make them relevant. T.686. The prosecutor
argued that the defense should no be permitted “to just simply throw [the records] in there, hope
the jury speculates” and then require the prosecution to attempt to rebut the medical records.
T.686.
Observing that there is “no presumption that a person cannot do a certain physical act
because they had back surgery[,]” the trial court asked, “[I]s it not a leap to have the jury presume
that . . . the surgery or treatment is the cause of someone’s inability to do something without first
[offering] medical [expert] opinion?” T.687. Defense counsel argued that the medical records
“support[ed] Mr. Monk’s position that he was physically unable” to perform the act of climbing
up on the garbage tote and going in through the window. Id. When pressed by the trial court on
the issue of “who is to say” that Monk could or could not do certain things, defense counsel
asked if the trial court was suggesting that he subpoena the doctor. T.688. The trial court replied,
All I’m suggesting is inasmuch as the prosecution thinks it’s improper to have the
jury presume inability to do something, it seems the defense is asking the jury to
do the same thing simply by virtue of [the medical] records. If I had shoulder
surgery and I say I can’t throw something now, well, maybe I can, maybe I can’t.
It would seem to me that I would have to have a medical person come in and say
mechanically he cannot do that because of the procedure we performed.
T.688. Defense counsel responded, “I don’t think it’s necessarily whether he medically could or

-25-

could not do it, but [the] medical records support the defense’s position that he’s had these
medical problems.” T.689. The following colloquy ensued:
The Court:

[Trial Counsel]:

The Court:

[Trial Counsel]:

He may have had them [i.e., the medical problems] but if
the medical records do not point to the inability to do an act
then why are they relevant?
They’re relevant because it’s not just a matter of whether he
absolutely could or could not do it. There’s a gray area
there. There’s an issue of fact of whether or not it was
likely that he could do it. You would have two extremes.
You would have a paraplegic where the medical records
would say that a person couldn’t have done it or someone
with no record where the person–it wouldn’t be credible for
him to say he couldn’t do it. This case is someplace in
between.
I understand, but a person testifying I cannot do something
is a matter of credibility. Records by themselves are a
matter of potential speculation as to whether someone can
do something or not.
I submit they merely support Mr. Monk as he goes through
his medical history. Just like [the coroner] and just like [the
police officer] reviewing their notes of an ongoing
situation, I’m going to ask Mr. Monk to review his records,
which is [sic] his medical history.

T.689-90. After reviewing the records during a recess, the trial court issued the following ruling:
[T]he medical records are relevant material to establish the defendant’s prior
medical history and treatment, including any that may have occurred around the
time of the incident; however, they’re not material without expert testimony to
establish any physical limitations of the defendant to the medical history or
treatment. The records alone, without expert testimony, invites [sic] speculation
by the jury, so the records may be marked and used to refresh the defendant’s
recollection regarding treatment dates, but they will not be admitted into evidence
without expert testimony. That goes for both sides. It invites speculation. So that’s
my ruling.
T.743-44.
4.

The Appellate Division’s Ruling

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On direct appeal, Petitioner argued that the ruling was erroneous as a matter of state law
and denied him his constitutional right to present a defense. Petitioner noted that the trial court
had correctly ruled that the medical records were relevant but stated that the court incorrectly
determined that the jury needed expert testimony to explain the records, since the records “spoke
for themselves.” Petitioner’s Appellate Brief at 13 (Resp’t Ex. B). Petitioner argued that rather
than inviting speculation, the medical records “would have simply permitted an inference that
[he] had physical limitations due to his surgery and recent treatment.” Id.
On Monk’s direct appeal, the Fourth Department agreed with the prosecution that Monk’s
medical records unaccompanied by expert testimony would have invited speculation by the jury:
Contrary to the contention of defendant, [the trial court] properly refused to admit
his medical records in evidence. It is well settled that “[t]rial courts are accorded
wide discretion in making evidentiary rulings and, absent an abuse of discretion,
those rulings should not be disturbed on appeal” (People v. Carroll, 95 N.Y.2d
375, 385, 718 N.Y.S.2d 10, 740 N.E.2d 1084). Here, the court determined that
defendant’s medical records were relevant insofar as the theory of the defense was
that defendant was physically incapable of entering the victim’s home by climbing
on top of a garbage tote. Nevertheless, the court did not abuse its discretion in
refusing to admit those medical records in evidence without additional expert
medical testimony inasmuch as, without such explanatory testimony, the jury
would necessarily engage in impermissible speculation whether defendant’s prior
back surgery and subsequent treatment would have made it difficult, if not
impossible, for defendant to enter the victim’s home in the manner alleged by the
People (see People v. Young, 295 A.D.2d 631, 632, 745 N.Y.S.2d 177 [(App. Div.
2d Dept. 2002), lv. denied 99 N.Y.2d 541, 752 N.Y.S.2d 602, 782 N.E.2d 580; cf.
People v. Smith, 195 A.D.2d 265, 266, 599 N.Y.S.2d 582).
People v. Monk, 57 A.D.3d 1497, 1498, 871 N.Y.S.2d 514, 515 (App. Div. 4th Dept.).
After reviewing the state authorities cited by the Fourth Department and Monk, I disagree
with the trial court’s and state appellate court’s rulings that introduction of the medical records
were inadmissible because they would have required the jury to “engage in speculation.” While I

-27-

believe the reasoning was incorrect, the ultimate evidentiary ruling did not amount to an
objectively unreasonable application of clearly established Supreme Court law regarding a
defendant’s right to present a defense.
As an initial matter, the Fourth Department did correctly recognize, by its citation to
People v. Carroll, 95 N.Y.2d 375 (N.Y. 2000), “[a] court’s discretion in evidentiary rulings is
circumscribed by the rules of evidence and the defendant’s constitutional right to present a
defense[.]” Id. at 385 (citing People v. Hudy, 73 N.Y.2d 40, 57 (N.Y. 1988), abrogated on other
grounds by Carmell v. Texas, 529 U.S. 513 (2000); Chambers v. Mississippi, 410 U.S. at 294
(“The right of an accused in a criminal trial to due process is, in essence, the right to a fair
opportunity to defend against the State’s accusations.”) (emphasis supplied)).
“Evidence is relevant if it has any ‘tendency in reason to prove any material fact[.]’” Id.
(quoting RICHARDSON , EVIDENCE § 4, at 2 (Prince 10th ed.) (quotation omitted)). More
specifically stated, “[r]elevant evidence means ‘evidence having any tendency to make the
existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or
less probable than it would be without the evidence[.]’” People v. Davis, 43 N.Y.2d 17, 27 (N.Y.
1977) (quoting Uniform Rules of Evidence, rule 401 (1974)). In other words, relevant evidence
“tends to convince that the fact sought to be established is so[.]” Id. (citation omitted). As the
trial court and the Fourth Department correctly found, Monk’s medical records were relevant
insofar as the theory of the defense was that defendant was physically incapable of entering the
victim’s home by climbing on top of a garbage tote.
“All relevant evidence is admissible unless its admission violates some exclusionary
rule[.]” People v. Lewis, 69 N.Y.2d 321, 324 (N.Y. 1987) (citing Ando v. Woodberry, 8 N.Y.2d
-28-

165, 167 (N.Y. 1960)). New York’s rules of evidence did not prohibit the introduction of
Monk’s medical records. Hospital records fall within the business records exception to the
hearsay rule as long as the information therein relates to the diagnosis, prognosis or treatment.
People v. Wright, 81 A.D.3d 1161, __, 918 N.Y.S.2d 598, 603 (App. Div. 3d Dept. 2011) (citing
People v. Ortega, 15 N.Y.3d 610, 617 (N.Y. 2010); People v. Rogers, 8 A.D.3d 888, 892, 780
N.Y.S.2d 393 (App. Div. 2004); N.Y. CIVIL PRACTICE LAW & RULES § 4518; N.Y. CRIM . PROC.
LAW § 60.10). The trial judge recognized, and apparently the Fourth Department did as well, that
the medical records were admissible under the “business records” exception to the rule against
hearsay. E.g., Joyce v. Kowalcewski, 80 A.D.2d 27, 29 (App. Div. 4th Dept. 1981) (“There is no
question that the medical records which plaintiff sought to admit into evidence were duly and
properly authenticated by the custodian of such records. This is all that is required pursuant to
CPLR 4518 (subd(c)) as a prerequisite to their admissibility. Accordingly, the trial court erred in
ruling that the proffered medical records could not be received in evidence merely because they
had not been subpoenaed. Such error seriously impaired plaintiff’s attempts to establish the
nature and seriousness of his injuries.”).
The evidence clearly was relevant, and did not violate a state evidentiary rule. Indeed,
Monk’s appellate counsel drew the Fourth Department’s attention to one of their previous cases,
People v. Egbert, 122 A.D.2d 599 (App. Div. 4th Dept. 1986), in which the defendant had
proffered certified hospital records showing his own treatment. The Fourth Department held that
the trial court “erred in refusing to admit a certified copy of hospital records showing treatment
of defendant” since “[t]he records have clearly met the statutory test[.]” Egbert, 122 A.D.2d at
599 (citing N.Y. CIVIL PRAC. LAW & RULES § 4518(c) (“All records, writings and other things
-29-

referred to in sections 2306 and 2307 [of the C.P.L.R.] are admissible in evidence under this rule
and are prima facie evidence of the facts contained, provided they bear a certification or
authentication by the head of the hospital, laboratory, department or bureau of a municipal
corporation or of the state, or by an employee delegated for that purpose or by a qualified
physician.”); Joyce v. Kowalcewski, 80 A.D.2d at 29; Matter of Quinton A., 68 AD.2.d 394, 399
(App. Div. 2d Dept. 1979), rev’d on other grounds, 49 N.Y.2d 328 (N.Y. 1980)). The Fourth
Department in Egbert found that the trial court’s hearsay “concern about the history portion of
the record presented no bar to its admission since this part could have been redacted.” Egbert,
122 A.D.2d at 600. Although the records’ exclusion was error, it did “not require reversal since
the records would have been cumulative, there being no dispute that defendant [Egbert] suffered
injuries at the time of his arrest.” Id.
Monk also cited People v. Smith, 195 A.D.2d 265 (App. Div. 1st Dept. 1993), in his
appellate brief in support of his contention that records should have been submitted. In People v.
Smith, the prosecution’s proof indicated that defendant and his cohorts had entered the
complainant’s apartment by leaping or jumping through the top part of a bedroom window and
that they were subsequently pursued by the police from the crime scene. One of the police
officers testified that while attempting to evade capture, Smith dropped to the ground from a fire
escape ladder suspended some twelve feet above street level, and rapidly scaled two sets of stairs
and a chain link fence prior to being caught. Smith’s defense counsel was prepared to present
evidence showing that Smith suffered from a disabling hip condition for which he had been
medically treated from 1986 until the time of the incident; hospital records Smith would have
offered in evidence had he been permitted to do so, confirmed that Smith’s hip condition had
-30-

necessitated surgical intervention in 1986 and subsequent intermittent hospital care until at least
the time of the burglary. Smith also was going to present expert medical testimony–from either a
board-certified orthopedic surgeon who had examined Smith, or Smith’s treating physician. It
was Smith’s contention that those records, together with the medical expert testimony, would
have established that he was physically incapable of the various athletically strenuous maneuvers
he was said to have performed while attempting to avoid capture, or, in other words, that he
could not have been one of the men pursued by the police from the crime scene. The Appellate
Division held that the trial court’s ruling prevented Smith from presenting evidence both “highly
relevant” and “crucial” to his defense of misidentification. The trial court’s in limine ruling
excluding the records and expert medical testimony was grounds for reversal of Smith’s
conviction. People v. Smith, 195 A.D.2d at 266.
Interestingly, the Fourth Department in Monk’s case cited People v. Smith, 195 A.D.2d
265, with a “cf.” I surmise that it found Smith to be distinguishable from Monk’s situation
because in Smith, the defendant intended to offer expert medical testimony along with the
medical records. However, it is impossible to determine from the Smith decision whether the
absence or presence of expert testimony would have made any difference in the Appellate
Division’s ruling that the trial court had committed reversible error in excluding relevant,
material, non-cumulative evidence–namely, defendant Smith’s medical records.
Turning to the other case cited by the Fourth Department in support of its ruling, the
primary support for the Fourth Department’s holding was People v. Young, 295 A.D.2d 631
(App. Div. 2d Dept. 2002), in which the defendant asserted that the trial court violated his
constitutional right to present a defense by precluding him from introducing medical records
-31-

concerning his hernia operation. The Appellate Division in Young found the claim to be
unpreserved due a lack of timely objection. In any event, the Appellate Division found, “the trial
court providently exercised its discretion in precluding the medical records because that evidence
was completely irrelevant to the defendant’s ability to commit the robbery 16 days after
[Young’s] discharge, and would have invited the jury to engage in speculation[.]” People v.
Young, 295 A.D.2d at 632 (citing People v. Celifie, 287 A.D.2d 465 (App. Div. 2d Dept. 2001)
(“In any event, the trial court providently exercised its discretion in excluding this testimony
because it was irrelevant and collateral, and would have invited the jury to engage in
speculation[.]”) (citation omitted) (emphasis supplied); People v. Ortiz, 259 A.D.2d 271, 272
(App. Div. 1st Dept. 1999) (“The court properly exercised its discretion when it precluded
defendant from introducing medical records concerning the condition of his jaw. These records
contained no information relevant even as to defendant’s ability to speak at the time of his
hospitalization, and were completely irrelevant to his ability to speak at the time of the drug
transaction three weeks after his discharge. Moreover, the records were illegible and the medical
terminology employed would have been difficult for the jury to interpret without expert
assistance. Thus, any probative value the records may have had would have been outweighed by
the danger that they would have confused or misled the jury[.]”) (citing People v. Davis, 43
N.Y.2d 17 at 27 (emphasis supplied); People v. Beecher, 225 A.D.2d 943, 944 (App. Div. 3d
Dept. 1996) (“At the close of the People’s case, defendant made an offer of proof regarding his
physical condition and impending heart bypass surgery. After an extended colloquy in which
defendant’s attorney did not articulate a clear purpose for the admission of such testimony,
County Court limited the testimony to the effect defendant’s tremor and medication would have
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had upon him. In light of this ruling, defendant elected not to present medical testimony and now
argues that County Court erred in restricting his proof. We disagree. In the absence of a notice
under CPL 250.10, defendant was precluded from introducing evidence of his state of mind or
diminished capacity. Moreover, given defendant’s failure to establish a nexus between his
physical condition and the charges against him, County Court did not abuse its discretion in
precluding the proffered medical testimony as being irrelevant.”) (internal and other citation
omitted) (emphasis supplied)).
Significantly, in Young, Ortiz, Celifie, and Beecher, the excluded medical evidence was
held to be irrelevant. In cases of marginally relevant or collateral evidence, the danger is that the
jury will speculate about its relevance to the factual issues to be determined. However, the
medical records in Monk’s case were relevant–as both the trial court and the Fourth Department
expressly held. Young, Ortiz, Celifie, and Beecher are not apposite here because they involved
evidence that was not relevant. In light of those courts’ terminology–i.e., their statements that
introduction of the medical records would have invited the jury to speculate–it appears that the
trial court and Fourth Department in Monk’s case applied the standard used in determining
whether evidence as to a collateral matter may be properly excluded.
Although this Court may disagree with the state courts’ terminology and even their
reasoning, this disagreement is not dispositive; rather, the Court must analyze the result reached
and determine whether it was objectively unreasonable. Where, as here, the evidence is clearly
relevant to a material fact in issue, it nevertheless “‘may be rejected if its probative value is
outweighed by the danger that its admission would prolong the trial to an unreasonable extent
without any corresponding advantage; or would confuse the main issue and mislead the jury; or
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unfairly surprise a party; or create substantial danger of undue prejudice to one of the parties[.]’”
People v. Davis, 43 N.Y.2d at 27 (quoting RICHARDSON , EVIDENCE , § 147, p. 117 (Prince 10th
ed.) and citing People v Harris, 209 N.Y. 70, 82 (N.Y. 1913); MCCORMICK, EVIDENCE, § 185,
pp. 438-440 (2d ed.)). Without an expert witness to explain the terminology employed in the
medical records and the significance of Monk’s various injuries and treatments, introduction of
the records could have resulted in delays while the jurors attempted to decipher their contents. I
note that Monk did not easily relate details of his own medical treatments (e.g., what his back
surgery entailed), which he actually experienced first-hand. For a jury comprised of laypersons,
presumably not having had the same medical experiences Monk had undergone, the records
certainly would have been very difficult to interpret without expert assistance. Thus, any
probative value the medical records may have had would have been outweighed by the danger
that they would have confused or misled the jury, or prolonged the trial to an unreasonable extent
without any corresponding advantage. The trial court’s and Fourth Department’s ultimate
conclusion that the records, although relevant and probative, should not have been admitted, was
not “arbitrary,” Scheffer, 523 U.S. at 308, under “standard rules of evidence” governing
admissibility, Taylor, 484 U.S. at 410. Thus, I must conclude that the Appellate Division’s
determination that the trial court’s evidentiary ruling did not violate Monk’s right to present a
defense was not objectively unreasonable.
In closing, I note that while the Supreme Court “has found unconstitutional the rigid
application of state evidentiary rules prohibiting presentation” of exculpatory evidence, Wade v.
Mantello, 333 F.3d at 57, that did not occur in this case. The trial judge engaged in a thoughtful
and extensive colloquy with the parties, reviewed the medical records in camera, and gave
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defense counsel the opportunity to call a expert witness to elucidate the medical records in order
to have them admitted. When evaluating claims of violation of the right to present a complete
defense, the Supreme Court has found the Constitution to be principally (but not always)
concerned with state evidentiary rules leading to the “blanket exclusion,” Crane, 476 U.S. at 690,
of categories of evidence when their application is “‘arbitrary’ or ‘disproportionate to the
purposes the [rules] are designed to serve.’” Scheffer, 523 U.S. at 308 (quoting Rock, 483 U.S. at
56). Rather than involving the application of such a rule, the ruling at issue is one of those
“ordinary evidentiary rulings by state trial courts” concerning the admissibility of evidence, upon
which the Supreme Court has been “traditional[ly] reluctan[t] to impose constitutional
constraints.” Crane, 476 U.S. at 689.
B.

Prosecutorial Misconduct

In the second ground of his petition, Monk claims that he was denied a fair trial because
the prosecutor committed misconduct by improperly cross-examining him about his invocation
of his right to counsel, improperly forced him to characterize the prosecution’s witnesses as liars,
and attempted to shift the burden of proof to the defense. Respondent correctly argues that these
claims are unexhausted because they were not included in Petitioner’s letter application seeking
leave to appeal to the New York Court of Appeals and thus they have not been through one
complete round of New York’s established appellate review procedures. See, e.g., O’Sullivan v
Boerckel, 526 U.S. 838 (1999). Petitioner missed the opportunity to raise these claims with the
New York Court of Appeals and no longer has any procedure available to him in New York law
by which to do so. Consequently, the claims may be deemed exhausted; however, the procedural
rule that gives rise to the constructive exhaustion also creates a procedural default which. Grey v.
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Hoke, 933 F.2d 117, 120-21 (2d Cir. 1991). Unless the petitioner can show cause for the default
and prejudice attributable thereto, or demonstrate that failure to consider the federal claim will
result in a fundamental miscarriage of justice, the claim is procedurally barred from being
reviewed on the merits by this habeas court. Here, Petitioner has not alleged cause and prejudice,
or that a fundamental miscarriage of justice has occurred in that a constitutional violation has
resulted in the conviction of someone who was actually innocent. Nor are such elements apparent
on the record before the Court.
In addition, the Appellate Division denied the claims of prosecutorial misconduct on the
basis that they were unpreserved for appellate review. As Respondent points out, the Appellate
Division invoked an adequate and independent state ground–the contemporaneous objection
rule–as the sole basis for denying these claims. Reliance upon an adequate and independent state
ground to dismiss a petitioner’s federal constitutional claim results in that claim being
unavailable for review on the merits by a habeas court unless the petitioner can show cause for
the default and prejudice attributable thereto, or demonstrate that failure to consider the
federal claim will result in a fundamental miscarriage of justice. See, e.g., Wainwright v Sykes,
433 U.S. 72 (1977); Harris v Reed, 489 U.S. 255, 262 (1989). Petitioner has not demonstrated or
even alleged cause and prejudice, or that a fundamental miscarriage of justice has occurred in
that a constitutional violation has resulted in the conviction of someone who was actually
innocent. Thus, habeas review of the prosecutorial misconduct claims are precluded because they
are subject to an unexcused procedural default.
IV.

Conclusion
For the reasons stated above, petitioner John Henry Monk’s petition for a writ of habeas
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corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 is denied, and the petition is dismissed. Because Monk has
failed to make a substantial showing of a denial of a constitutional right, I decline to issue a
certificate of appealability. See 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/ Victor E.Bianchini
____________________________
VICTOR E. BIANCHINI
United States Magistrate Judge
Dated:

April 22, 2011
Buffalo, New York.

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