Burrows v. Herbert

Filing 16

Petitioner's application for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §2254 is denied in its entirety, and the petition is dismissed. Signed by Hon. Michael A. Telesca on June 1, 2009.(Herrero-Jaarsma, Maria)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ________________________________________ LEROY BURROWS, Petitioner, - vs 02-CV-6314 Victor Herbert, Superintendent, Attica Correctional Facility, Respondent. _________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Petitioner Leroy Burrows ("Burrows") filed this petition pro se for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §2254 challenging his conviction in Monroe County Court on one count of rape in the first degree and one count of rape in the third degree. For the reasons set forth below, Burrow's §2254 petition is dismissed. BACKGROUND I. Factual Background DECISION AND ORDER

On August 1, 1997, Burrows was charged under Indictment Number 500/97 with one count of first degree rape for the April 7, 1997 rape of Barbara Terry ("Terry"). Under the same indictment, he was also charged with one count of first degree rape of Mahogany Houston ("Houston") between June 24, 1997 and June 25, 1997. Because the victims were less than 17 years of age and Burrows was older than 21 years of age, he was also charged with two counts of rape in the third degree (statutory rape).

1

The Terry Case1 On April 7, 1997 at around 8:00 p.m., Terry left her aunt's house where she was living at the time to go to the store to get some beer with Burrows and her friend Jason Singleton ("Singleton").2 T. 253-54. Burrows was driving the car, a blue Honda, while Terry was in the back seat and Singleton was in the front. Id. Upon arriving at the store, Singleton went inside, leaving Terry alone in the car with Burrows. T. 257-258. Rather than waiting for Singleton to return, Burrows drove away. Id. Terry later testified that she began

screaming and crying when she realized that something was wrong and Burrows told her to shut up. T. 259. Further, Terry testified that Burrows stopped the car at an unknown location, grabbed her by the throat and again told her to shut up. T.260. Burrows drove a while longer before stopping in a parking lot behind a Ramada Inn near the airport. T. 262. Thereafter, Burrows climbed into the back seat and forcibly removed Terry's clothes. T. 263. She tried to resist but Burrows hit her in the chest and held her down with his elbows. Id. After removing her pants, Burrows allegedly had intercourse with her against her will. T. 265. When Burrows was finished, Terry hit him in the mouth, jumped out of the front window and flagged down a passing motorist. T. 266. The motorist, an elderly lady, brought Terry home. Id. On April 15, 1997, eight days after the incident, Terry informed

1

Citations to "T.__" refer to the trial transcript.

A c c o r d i n g to Terry, Burrows, who was a friend of her sister's and whom she knew by the name of "Manny P o o h , " came to her aunt's house that night with Jason Singleton. T. 124.

2

2

her mother what happened and her mother reported to the police that Terry had been raped by Burrows.3 The Houston Case On June 24, 1997, two months after Burrows' release from jail, he raped Houston who was then 14 years old. At approximately 9:00 p.m. on the day in question, Houston was outside a friend's house on Scio Street in Rochester when Burrows pulled up in a green Cadillac with his cousin David Hill ("Hill") and another friend previously mentioned, named Singleton. T. 352. Although Hill owned the car, Burrows was driving it. T. 388, T.416.4 Houston got in the parked car and talked with Burrows for about 15 to 20 minutes. T. 353. At about 9:15 p.m. Houston's cousin, Pam Lawhorn ("Lawhorn") and her

boyfriend, pulled up alongside the Cadillac, got out near the window and told Houston to get out of the car. T. 390. As Houston attempted to step out of the car, Burrows drove off in a hurry with Houston still inside. Id. Lawhorn and her boyfriend tried to follow the green Cadillac for a few blocks, but Burrows managed to lose them. T. 392. Burrows then dropped off Singleton at his house on Second Street, and from there Burrows (or Hill, who may have replaced Burrows in the driver's seat when they dropped off Singleton) drove to 80 Norton Street, where Hill's aunt lived. T. 396. Burrows parked in the back

On April 16, 1997 Burrows was arrested at his apartment by Officer M i c h a e l Burns and taken to the Public S a fe ty Building for booking. T. 330-31. Burrows was charged with rape in the First Degree. However, he was r e le a s e d from jail when Terry failed to appear in court for the preliminary hearing. H o u s to n had spent several hours with the three individuals earlier in the day and it appears that she may h a v e had consensual sexual intercourse with Burrows earlier that day. T. 416.
4

3

3

of the driveway of 80 Norton Street. T. 356. Hill exited the car and walked across the street to his girl friend's house. T. 357. Alone in the car with Houston, Burrows climbed into the back seat and asked Houston whether she wanted to have sexual intercourse. Id. Houston answered no and said that she had to leave. Id. However, Burrows would not take no for an answer and he began choking her and insisted that Houston was going to have sexual intercourse with him anyway. T. 357-58. While choking Houston with one hand, Burrows removed her pants with the other and then forced her to have sexual intercourse. T. 359. During the course of the rape, Hill returned to the car and observed that Burrows was having intercourse with

Houston. T. 420. Hill later testified that Houston was crying and yelling to him for help. T. 422. Further, Hill testified that Houston told Burrows to get off of her. Id. Burrows ignored Houston's pleas and told Hill to go away. Id. Hill walked back to his girl friend's house but returned to the car a few minutes later and continued to observe Burrows attacking Houston. Id. Although not true, Hill told Burrows that his aunt was coming because he could think of no other way to get Burrows off of Houston, who was yelling for help. T. 423. The ploy worked and as Burrows got off of Houston, Hill entered the driver's seat and assisted Houston in finding her clothes. Id. According to Hill, Burrows expressed anger at him for intervening on behalf of Houston. T. 424. Hill drove Burrows home and then dropped off Houston on Alphonse Street, where she encountered her cousin Lawhorn. T. 425, T. 428. 4

When Lawhorn asked why Houston was crying, she explained that Burrows had raped her. T. 473. Thereafter, Houston called her mother and told her what had occurred and her mother contacted the police. Houston was taken by the police to Rochester General Hospital where an examination confirmed that sexual activity took place. T. 483-84. Based on information provided by Houston, the police went to Hill's apartment and searched his green Cadillac. In the back seat of the car, the police found a hair ribbon and a hair brush, both of which belonged to Houston. T. 456-57.5 The Trial and Verdict Burrows was tried before a jury in Monroe County Court (Egan, J.) on January 5 to January 8, 1998. Charged with two counts of Rape in the First Degree and two counts of Rape in the Third Degree, Burrows moved to sever counts 1 and 2, which related to Terry from counts 3 and 4, which related to Houston. The court denied the severance motion.6 The jury convicted Burrows of the Houston rape (counts 3 and 4), but acquitted him of the rape charge involving Terry (counts 1 and 2). Burrows was sentenced on March 23, 1998 to 25 years to life for Rape in the First Degree and 2 to 4 years for Rape

On July 3, 1997, Officer John Dimascio responded to a report of a wanted person who was standing on the c o r n e r of North Street and Clifford Ave. in Rochester. T. 463. The wanted person was Burrows who was identified b y Houston in a photo array as the man who raped her. Officer Dimascio approached Burrows and asked him for his n a m e . According to Officer Dimascio, Burrows initially gave him a false name and incorrect date of birth. Id. Upon fu r t h e r inquiry, Burrows admitted his real identity and correct date of birth. Thereafter, he was placed under arrest a n d charged with rape. The court also denied a request by Burrows for an in camera hearing to demonstrate that he had " su b s ta n t ia l testimony" to give regarding certain unspecified counts and a genuine need to refrain from testifying a b o u t others."
6

5

5

in the Third Degree. Both sentences were set to run concurrently. II. Procedural History

Burrows appealed his conviction to the Appellate Division of the Fourth Department ("Appellate Division") which unanimously affirmed his conviction in a decision entered March 21, 2001. See People v. Burrows, 280 A.D.2d 132 (4th Dept. 2001). The Appellate Division held that Burrows was not entitled to an ex parte in camera hearing on his motion for severance. The Court of Appeals denied leave to appeal on May 15, 2001. On June 11, 2002, Burrows filed the instant federal habeas corpus petition pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §2254 raising the following claims: (1) error in denying his motion to sever; (2) insufficiency of the evidence with regard to Count Three (forcible compulsion claim) and (3) prosecutorial misconduct during closing arguments.7 DISCUSSION I. To Standard of Review prevail under 28 U.S.C. §2254, as amended by the

Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 ("AEDPA"), a petitioner seeking federal review of his conviction must demonstrate that the state court's adjudication of his federal constitutional claim resulted in a decision that was contrary to or involved an unreasonable application of clearly established Supreme Court

As will be discussed further below, Burrows' claim alleging prosecutorial misconduct includes allegations o f burden-shifting; denigrating the defense; inflammatory comments; invited response comments; and "modus o p e r a n d i" comments.

7

6

precedent,

or

resulted

in

a

decision

that

was

based

on

an

unreasonable factual determination in light of the evidence presented in state court. See 28 U.S.C. §2254(d)(1),(2); see also Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 375-76 (2000); Miranda v. Bennett, 322 F.3d 171, 177-78 (2d Cir.2003); Boyette v. LeFevre, 246 F.3d 76, 88 (2d Cir.2001). The AEDPA also requires that in any such proceeding "a

determination of a factual issue made by a State court shall be presumed to be correct [and t]he applicant shall have the burden of rebutting the presumption of correctness by clear and convincing evidence." See 28 U.S.C. §2254(e)(1); see also Boyette, 246 F.3d at 88 (quoting §2254(e)(1)) (internal quotation marks omitted). The Second Circuit has provided additional guidance concerning a federal court's application of this test, noting that: [u]nder AEDPA, we ask three questions to determine whether a federal court may grant habeas relief: 1) Was the principle of Supreme Court case law relied upon in the habeas petition "clearly established" when the state court ruled? 2) If so, was the state court's decision "contrary to" that established Supreme Court precedent? 3) If not, did the state court's decision constitute an "unreasonable application" of that principle? See Williams v. Artuz, 237 F.3d 147, 152 (2d Cir.2001) (citing Francis S. v. Stone, 221 F.3d 100, 108-09 (2d Cir.2000)). II. A. Merits of the Petition Denial of Severance Motion

On his appeal to the Appellate Division, Burrows argued that the County Court committed reversible error in denying his motion to

7

sever without conducting an ex part in camera hearing (People v. Lane hearing) pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law ("CPL")

§200.20(3)(b)(ii).8 He maintains that the denial of severance rendered his trial fundamentally unfair and deprived him of due process. The Appellate Division rejected petitioner's claim on the merits, holding that: [T]he defendant made an insufficient showing to warrant a hearing pursuant to CPL 200.20(3)(b)(ii) and that the court properly denied the severance motion. The two pairs of offenses charged in the indictment are joinable because they `are defined by the same or similar statutory provisions and consequently are the same or similar in law' (CPL §200.20(2)(c)). Defendant moved for severance pursuant to CPL §200.20(3), which allows the court, in its discretion, to order separate trials of two or more offenses or groups of offenses `in the interest of justice and for good cause shown.' ... Even if the court had granted the request of defense counsel for an ex parte in camera showing with respect to defendant's genuine need to refrain from testifying concerning one set of charges, the severance motion could not properly be granted under CPL 200.20(3)(b) absent a convincing showing that defendant also had important testimony to give concerning the other set of charges. We conclude, therefore, that the court properly denied both the request for an ex parte in camera hearing pursuant to CPL 200.20(3)(b)(ii) and the severance motion. Burrows, 280 A.D.2d at 133, 135. Therefore, this court is required to afford that decision deference under AEDPA.9
Burrows moved to sever counts One and Two, which allegedly involved the rape of Barbara Terry in April 1 9 9 7 , from counts Three and Four, which occurred in June 1997 involving the rape of Mahogany Houston. T h e Fourth Department relied in part upon People v. Lane, 56 N.Y. 2d 1 (1982), as the basis for its h o ld in g . There, the New York Court of Appeals articulated a policy statement directing trial courts to "weigh the p u b l ic interest in avoiding duplicative, lengthy and expensive trials against the defendant's interest in being protected fr o m unfair disadvantage" See id. at 8, which echoes the balancing of competing interests raised by issue of joinder u n d e r ta k e n by the Supreme Court in Spencer v. Texas, 385 U.S. 554, 562 (1967). The Court of Appeals also noted th a t before severance may properly be granted, it is necessary "that the defendant make `a convincing showing that h e has both important testimony to give concerning one count and strong need to refrain from testifying on the other. I n making such a showing, it is essential that the defendant present enough information-regarding the nature of the
9 8

8

In similar cases, the Second Circuit has noted that under both state and federal law, decisions to sever "are committed to the broad discretion of the trial court, and will be reversed only upon a showing of substantial prejudice." See United States v. Alvarado, 882 F.2d 645, 655 (2d Cir.1989), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 1071 (1990) (direct review of conviction; holding that denial of severance was not erroneous) (quotations omitted); see also Espinal v. Kelly, 1998 WL 655551 at *1 (S.D.N.Y.1998) (citing Alvarado, 882 F.2d at 655) (quotation omitted). Improper joinder does not, in itself, amount to a constitutional violation. See United States v. Lane, 474 U.S. 438, 446 n. 8 (1986). "Joinder of offenses rises to the level of a constitutional violation only if it actually render[s] petitioner's state trial fundamentally unfair and hence, violative of due

process." See Herring v. Meachum, 11 F.3d 374, 377 (2d Cir.1993) (quoting Tribbitt v. Wainwright, 540 F.2d 840, 841 (5th Cir.1976), cert. denied, 430 U.S. 910 (1977)). The Second Circuit has recognized that "[t]here is indeed always a danger when several crimes are tried together, that the jury may use the evidence cumulatively." See Herring, 11 F.3d at 377. However, the Supreme Court "explicitly accepted that `[t]his type of

prejudicial effect is acknowledged to inhere in criminal practice,

testimony he wishes to give on one count and his reasons for not wishing to testify on the other-to satisfy the court th a t the claim of prejudice is genuine and to enable it intelligently to weigh the considerations of "economy and e x p e d i t io n in judicial administration"against the defendant's interest in having a free choice with respect to te stify in g '" See Lane, 56 N.Y.2d at 8-9 quoting Baker v. U.S., 401 F.2d 958, 977, cert. denied 400 U.S. 965.

9

but it is justified on the grounds that (1) the jury is expected to follow instructions in limiting this evidence to its proper function, and (2) the convenience of trying different crimes against the same person...in the same trial is a valid governmental interest.'" See id. (quoting Spencer, 385 U.S. at 562); see also United States v. Carpentier, 689 F.2d 21, 27 (2d Cir. 1982) ("A certain amount of prejudice to a defendant is regarded as acceptable given the judicial economies that result from joinder.") Joinder thus "has long been recognized as a constitutionally acceptable accommodation of the defendant's right to a fair trial." See Herring, 11 F.3d at 377 (citing, e.g., Bruton v. United States, 391 U.S. 123, 134 (1968); Zafiro v. United States, 506 U.S. 534, 540 (1993)). The Second Circuit has observed that habeas petitioners

challenging state court convictions under the general "fairness" mandate of the due process clause appropriately "bear an onerous burden" in light of the "significant procedural protection provided by direct review through the state system." See Herring, 11 F.3d at 378 (citing Brecht v. Abrahamson, 507 U.S. 619, 633 (1993)

(presumption of finality and legality attaches to state criminal proceedings); TXO Prod. Corp. v. Alliance Resources Corp., 509 U.S. 457-458 (1993) (plurality opinion) ("Assuming that fair procedures were followed, a judgment that is a product of that process is entitled to a strong presumption of validity")). Therefore, a

defendant claiming a due process violation based upon joinder of offenses "must, to succeed, go beyond the potential for prejudice and 10

prove that actual prejudice resulted from the events as they unfolded during the joint trial." See Herring, 11 F.3d at 377-78 (quoting Tribbitt, 540 F.2d at 841 (joinder must "actually" render trial fundamentally unfair before habeas relief is appropriate)) In the instant case, Burrows has not made the required showing that joinder of the counts actually prejudiced his right to a fair proceeding. At his trial, the judge instructed the jury on several occasions that the evidence of one count was not to be used to determine his guilt as to the other counts: You've observed that the People have joined in a single indictment, four counts, each charging a separate crime. These crimes are joined in a single indictment solely for the convenience of the Court. Ordinarily, the fact that a defendant is charged with one crime constitutes no proof that the defendant committed another crime also charged in a single indictment. Therefore, you're required to separate in your mind the evidence applicable solely to each crime and return a verdict on each crime based solely on the evidence applicable to that crime. T. 591. Later, when instructing the jury regarding the elements of the crimes charged in the indictment, the trial judge was careful to reiterate throughout the charge that the jury was required to consider the offenses, and evidence relating to each offense, separately. T. 601-09. The jury was thus properly instructed to refrain from viewing the evidence of the crimes cumulatively during its deliberations. See Herring, 11 F.3d at 378; Zafiro, 506 U.S. at 540-541. The Court "must presume that the jury followed these

instructions "unless there is an `overwhelming probability' that

11

the jury will be unable to follow the court's instructions, and a strong likelihood that the effect of the evidence would be

`devastating' to the defendant." See Herring, 11 F.3d at 378 (quoting Greer v. Miller, 483 U.S. 756, 766 n.8 (1987)) (internal quotations omitted). No such "overwhelming probability" of

confusion is discernible here. On the contrary, it appears, based on the jury's verdict of acquitting Burrows of counts one and two but convicting him of counts three and four, that the jurors carefully followed the court's admonition to consider each count separately. See id.; see also Davis v. Kelly, 2 F. Supp.2d 362, 366 (W.D.N.Y.1998). Moreover, the Court finds that the proof, as presented at trial, was such that it was able to be easily considered separate in the minds of the jury. Cf. Herring, 11 F.3d at 378 ("[B]ecause the evidence with respect to each murder was distinct and easily compartmentalized, the risk of jury confusion at petitioner's trial was significantly limited.") (citing, e.g., U.S. v. Chang An-Lo, 851 F.2d 547, 556 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 966 (1988)). At Burrows' trial, the evidence consisted of each complainant's

testimony about separate occasions on which Burrows allegedly raped Terry and the rape of Houston. The proof was not so complicated that the jury was unable to consider the evidence pertaining to each event separately. Further, the denial of Burrows' severance

12

application was not an abuse of discretion.10 The Court finds that the trial court judge was well within constitutional limits in denying the motion to sever and for an in camera hearing. Burrows has not demonstrated that he received an unfair trial or suffered compelling prejudice as a result of the denial of severance. The Court finds that the determination of the state court to refuse severance was not contrary to, or an unreasonable application of, clearly established Supreme Court precedent on this issue, and Burrows is not entitled to habeas relief on this ground. B. Sufficiency of the Evidence

Petitioner bears a "very heavy burden" in attempting to obtain a writ of habeas corpus based upon an "insufficiency of the evidence claim." See United States v. Carson, 702 F.2d 351, 361 (2d Cir.1983) (citations omitted), cert. denied, 462 U.S. 1108 (1983); accord, e.g., Fama v. Commissioner of Corr. Servs., 235 F.3d 804, 811 (2d Cir.2000) (stating that a "petitioner bears a very heavy burden in convincing a federal habeas court to grant a petition on the grounds of insufficiency of the evidence"); United States v. Middlemiss, 217 F.3d 112, 117 (2d Cir.2000); United States v. Autuori, 212 F.3d 105, 114 (2d Cir.2000); Einaugler v. Supreme Court of the State of New York, 109 F.3d 836, 840 (2d Cir. 1997) (habeas petitioner "bears a very heavy burden" when challenging the

New York courts have consistently held that in determining whether to consolidate offenses for trial, the fa c t that "a sex crime is involved is not a sufficient basis for the granting of a severance." See People v. Telford, 134 A .D .2 d 632, 633 (2d Dept. 1987); see also People v. Rivera; 186 A.D.2d 594, 595 (2d Dept. 1992); People v. B o y e a , 222 A.D.2d 937, 939 (3d Dept. 1995); People v. Shand, 280 A.D.2d 943, 943 (4 th Dept. 2001).

10

13

legal sufficiency of his state criminal conviction). The habeas court's review of the jury's factual findings is limited, and the court may not "ask itself whether it believes that the evidence at the trial established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt." Under the clearly established law set forth in Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307 (1979), a reviewing court must view the trial evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution and uphold the conviction if "any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt." See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319 (emphasis in original). The reviewing court is required to defer to the fact-finder's

assessment of the strength of the evidence and credibility of the witnesses and may not substitute its view of the evidence for that of the fact-finder. See id.; accord, e.g., Maldonado v. Scully, 86 F.3d 32, 35 (2d Cir.1996); Middlemiss, 217 F3d at 117. In evaluating the sufficiency of the evidence to support Burrows' state-court conviction, the Court "`must look to state law to determine the elements of the crime.'" See Ponnapula v. Spitzer, 297 F.3d 172, 179 (2d Cir. 2002) (quoting Quartararo v. Hanslmaier, 186 F.3d 91, 97 (2d Cir.1999), cert. denied, 528 U.S. 1170 (2000)). Here, Burrows has only challenged the legal sufficiency of the evidence supporting the first degree rape conviction involving Houston. To establish Burrows' guilt of first degree Rape, the prosecution was required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that, Burrows "engage[d] in sexual intercourse with [Houston] ... [b]y 14

forcible compulsion". See N.Y.PENAL LAW §130.35. The elements of this crime are as follows: that the defendant, (1) "engage[d] in sexual intercourse" with the victim as defined in CPL §1.30(1); (2) without the victim's consent; and (3) that the lack of consent resulted from the use of forcible compulsion by the defendant as defined in CPL §1.30(8)(a)(b). See N.Y.PENAL LAW §130.35; see also People v. Voymas, 39 A.D.3d 1182, 1183 (4th Dept.2007); People v. Fuller, 50 A.D.3d 1171, 1175 (3d Dept.2008). "Forcible compulsion" is defined as compelling someone by either the use of physical force or "a threat, express or implied, which places a person in fear of immediate death or physical injury to himself, herself or another person[.]" See N.Y.PENAL LAW §130.00(8)(a)(b); see also People v. Black, 38 A.D.3d 1283, 1285 (4th Dept.2007). Finally, "Sexual intercourse" has been defined as having "its ordinary meaning and occurs upon any penetration, however slight." See N.Y.PENAL LAW §130.00(1). With regard to the three elements of engaging in sexual intercourse without the victim's consent resulting in the use of forcible compulsion by the defendant, a rational jury easily could have found that the prosecution proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Burrows, engaged in first degree rape of Houston. The

testimony of Houston demonstrated that she was alone in the car with Burrows when he climbed into the back seat of the Cadillac and asked her whether she wanted to have sexual intercourse. T. 357. Houston answered no and said that she had to leave. Id. However, 15

Burrows would not take no for an answer and he began choking her and insisted that Houston was going to have sexual intercourse with him anyway. T. 357-58. While choking Houston with one hand, Burrows removed her pants with the other and then forced her to have sexual intercourse. T. 359. Moreover, during the course of the rape, Hill returned to the car and observed that Burrows was having

intercourse with Houston. T. 420. Hill later testified that Houston was crying and yelling to him for help. T. 422. Further, Hill testified that Houston told Burrows to get off of her. Id. Burrows ignored Houston's pleas and told Hill to go away. Id. Hill walked back to his girl friend's house but returned to the car a few minutes later and continued to see Burrows attacking Houston. Id. Although not true, Hill told Burrows that his aunt was coming because he could think of no other way to get Burrows off of Houston, who was yelling for help. T. 423. The plan worked and as Burrows got off of Houston, Hill entered the driver's seat and assisted Houston in finding her clothes. Id. According to Hill, Burrows expressed anger at him for intervening on behalf of Houston. T. 424. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, there was sufficient evidence for the jury to infer from Burrows' conduct and the surrounding circumstances that Burrows had engaged in forcible compulsion resulting in first degree rape. Thus, under the Jackson v. Virginia standard, the evidence should be found to be legally sufficient to support Burrows' 16 first degree rape conviction.

Accordingly,

Burrows'

legal

insufficiency

claim

is

denied

as

without merit. Therefore, Burrows is not entitled to habeas relief based on this ground. C. Prosecutorial Misconduct asserts that the prosecutor made impermissible

Burrows

comments during summation that were "prejudicial, Inflammatory and grossly improper[.]" See Burrows' Habeas Corpus Petition at 5. As with his first two claims, the Appellate Division rejected this claim on its merits (see Burrows, 280 A.D.2d at 136), and thus the claim is subject to review by this Court under AEDPA, 28 U.S.C. §2254(d). In determining whether a prosecutor's conduct warrants overturning a verdict, "[t]he relevant question," once again, "is whether the prosecutors' comments `so infected the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial of due process.'" See Darden v. Wainwright, 477 U.S. 168, 181 (1986) (citing Donnelly v. DeChristoforo, 416 U.S. 637 (1974)); see also Floyd v. Meachum, 907 F.2d 347, 353 (2d Cir.1990) (To obtain relief based on a claim of prosecutorial misconduct, the habeas petitioner must demonstrate that the "prosecutor [engaged in]...egregious misconduct...amount[ing] to a denial of constitutional due

process"). Not only must a prosecutor have exceeded the broad latitude he is afforded, but his comments must have affected the entire proceeding so as to deny the defendant a fair trial. See Darden, 477 U.S. at 181. "`Inappropriate prosecutorial comments, standing alone, would 17

not justify a reviewing court to reverse a criminal conviction obtained in an otherwise fair proceeding.'" See United States v. Elias, 285 F.2d 183, 190 (2d Cir.2002) (quoting United States v. Young, 470 U.S. 1, 11-12 (1985) and citing United States v. Modica, 663 F.2d 1173, 1184 (2d Cir.1981) ("Reversal is an ill-suited remedy for prosecutorial misconduct[.]")). Rather, in order to warrant reversal, the prosecutor's misconduct must have caused the defendant "substantial prejudice" by "`so infecting the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial of due process.'" See United States v. Shareef, 190 F.3d 71, 78 (2d Cir.1999) (quoting Darden, 477 U.S. at 181; accord, e.g., Elias, 285 F.2d at 190. Thus, the question of whether the defendant was denied a fair trial must be viewed in the context of the entire trial.11 See Young, 470 U.S. at 11. The relevant context includes whether the prosecutor's comments were invited by defense counsel, id. at 12; whether the comments were in fact improper; and, if they were improper, whether any curative measures were taken to mitigate prejudice or the impropriety was rendered harmless by the

likelihood of conviction. See Greer v. Miller, 483 U.S. 756 (1987); see also United States v. Melendez, 57 F.3d 238, 241 (2d Cir.1995). Here, Burrows complains about a number of comments made by the

In determining whether the alleged misconduct amounted to "prejudicial error," courts must review the c o n d u c t in the context of the entire trial. See Strouse v. Leonardo, 928 F.2d 548, 557 (2d Cir.1991); Modica, 663 F .2 d at 1181 ("The first question is whether the improper comments were minor aberrations in a prolonged trial or c u m u la t iv e evidence of a proceeding dominated by passion and prejudice.") (internal quotation marks omitted)). In a d d itio n to assessing the "severity of the misconduct," the court also must examine "the measures adopted to cure the m i s c o n d u c t, and the certainty of conviction absent the misconduct." See Elias, 285 F.3d at 191.

11

18

prosecutor during summation, which Burrows challenges on various grounds, including that certain of the comments (1) shifted the burden of proof to defendant, (2) denigrated the defense at trial, (3) employed inflammatory rhetoric that improperly appealed to the sympathy of the jury, and (4) improperly commingled evidence in characterizing the strength of the inference that could be drawn from evidence that defendant had raped both victims. When viewed in context, however, the prosecutor's comments alone or in

combination - were not so egregious as to render the Appellate Division's decision contrary to, or an unreasonable application of federal law. Indeed, the prosecutor's comments as challenged by Burrows were either not improper or not unduly prejudicial, given the strength of the evidence and the content of the trial court's instructions to the jury. 1. Shifting the Burden of Proof Burrows first complains that the prosecutor shifted the burden of proof at summation when, during discussions about DNA evidence, the prosecutor stated "[t]hey're saying where's the DNA evidence? Has there been any evidence that the defendant is not the

individual who committed these crimes?" T. 571. The trial court, however, sustained an objection to these statements. Id. In

addition, the court gave a curative instruction concerning the prosecutor's burden-shifting statement. T. 572. Moreover, in its charge, the court instructed the jury that: I charge you that in your deliberations you must be 19

guided by the cardinal principle that the defendant in any criminal action is entitled to the presumption of innocence. The defendant is presumed to be innocent of the crime charged unless and until guilt has been established beyond a reasonable doubt. This presumption of innocence belongs to the defendant during the trial. It continues during the introduction of evidence upon the trial. The summing up of counsel. The charge of the Court. And until such time that you, the jury, either by your verdict of guilty have said that the presumption is overcome, or by your verdict of not guilty have said that the presumption has become an established fact. Since this presumption of innocence continues throughout the trial the burden of proof remains on the prosecution at the close of the evidence just as it does at the opening. Moreover, this burden of proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt may never be shifted from the People to the defendant. T. 592. While it is improper for a prosecutor to make remarks suggesting that a defendant has the burden of proving his

innocence, United States v. Miller, 79 F.3d 338, 344 (2d Cir.1996), the one remark complained of here, viewed in conjunction with the court's immediate ruling, the court's curative instruction, and the court's full jury instructions, was not sufficiently serious to undermine the fundamental fairness of Burrows' trial. 2. Burrows Denigrating the Defense also contends that the prosecutor improperly

denigrated the defense by telling the jury that defense counsel's resort to pointing out inconsistencies in the witness testimony is "often a defense ploy." T. 573. On this point, the trial court sustained the objection to this statement. Id. Further, the court gave a curative instruction concerning the prosecutor's statement by stating "[y]ou may comment, counsel, on this case but don't

20

start giving us a lecture about defendants and defense counsel in general." Id. Accordingly, the prosecutor's comments must again be viewed in conjunction with the trial court's rulings and

instructions. See Young, 470 U.S. at 11; Greer, 483 U.S. at 766. Here, the trial court sustained an objection to the prosecutor's comment that Burrow's counsel's pointing out inconsistencies in the witness testimony was "often a defense ploy." T. 573. The trial court also gave a curative instruction to the jury. Id. These actions by the court served to minimize any prejudicial impact of the prosecutor's comments. In context, the challenged comments did not violate Burrows' due process rights. 3. Employed appealed Inflammatory Rhetoric that to the sympathy of the jury improperly

Burrows complains that the prosecutor made an inflammatory comment that appealed to the sympathy of the jury when the

prosecutor remarked that Burrows was "not done preying [sic] on young girls." T. 577. The trial court, on an objection by Burrows' counsel, sustained the objection and directed the jury to disregard the remark made by the prosecutor. Id. Further, during the jury charge the court instructed the jury that "arguments and comments of counsel which you find are not supported by the evidence should receive no consideration from you and you should disregard these arguments. Likewise, the arguments of the attorneys addressed to the Court and in arguing motions or making objection must be disregarded by you. You must disregard any statements of any

21

witnesses which I ordered stricken from the record. If there were answers of witnesses which I excluded or questions by the attorneys which the witnesses were not permitted to answer or any suggestion in your minds of facts not in evidence you must disregard these things." T. 595. In light of the court's ruling and instructions, it cannot be said that this comment by the prosecutor gave rise to a due process violation. See Johnson v. Ercole, 2007 WL 778478, at *4

(E.D.N.Y.2007) (prosecutor's comments, which allegedly aroused sympathy for the victim, inflamed the emotions of the jury and demonized the petitioner, were "not so egregious as to infect the trial with unfairness"); see also Darden, 477 U.S. at 181 ("it is not enough that the prosecutors' remarks were undesirable or even universally condemned....The relevant question is whether the

prosecutors' comments so infected the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial of due process." (quotation marks and citation omitted). As for Burrows' complaint regarding the prosecutor's so-called inflammatory rhetoric when he commented "Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, ask yourselves, are these two rapes just bad luck of an individual by the name Leroy Burrows? Are they mere coincidence? I believe this term was used, did lightning strike twice?" (T.584), the prosecutor's remarks appear to have been permissible, when viewed in context. First, Burrows' counsel objected to the remark, but when asked by the trial court on what ground the objection was 22

made,

Burrows'

counsel

withdrew

the

objection.

Second,

the

prosecutor's comment was in response to Burrows' counsel's argument that Terry and Houston knew each other and accordingly may have had some connection with Burrows. In addition, Burrow's counsel was challenging the integrity of the victims as well as their

credibility. On this point, a review of the transcript reveals that the prosecutor's comments were invited by the comments of Burrows' own counsel during trial. Accordingly, the prosecutor's comment here was permissible under the circumstances presented. See Rosario v. Walsh, 2006 WL 1431410, at *22 (S.D.N.Y.2006) (Report and Recommendation) ("When faced with an attack on prosecution

witnesses, a prosecutor may properly respond to that attack and call it a diversionary tactic during summation."(citing cases)), adopted by 2006 WL 1880958 (S.D.N.Y.2006). Thus, the prosecutor's comments was an invited response within the bounds of permissible rhetoric. 4. Petitioner commingled the Improperly Commingled Evidence also contends and that merged the the prosecutor proof for improperly both cases

evidence

resulting in strengthening the inference that could be drawn that Burrows had raped both victims. Specifically, Burrows argues that the prosecutor improperly informed the jury during summation that "[d]on't forget, I submit to the jury how the rapes occurred in the same fashion. And, again, mere coincidence? Absolutely not. He had a modus operandi. He operated a certain way." T. 584-85. The trial 23

court, however, sustained an objection to these statements. Id. In addition, the court gave a curative instruction concerning the prosecutor's statement. T. 585. The court instructed the jury that they are "to treat each and every one of these alleged crimes on their own particular merits based on the evidence." Id. Even assuming that the prosecutor's comments were improper, the trial court took proper steps to cure the misconduct: it sustained defense counsel's objection and immediately directed the jury to disregard the prosecutor's statement and treat the crimes individually. Moreover, the trial court properly gave a specific curative instruction and on several occasions the judge instructed the jury that the evidence of one count was not to be used to determine his guilt as to the other counts. T. 591. Further, during its general charge when instructing the jury regarding the elements of the crimes charged in the indictment, the trial judge was careful to reiterate throughout that the jury was required to consider the offenses, and evidence relating to each offense, separately. T. 601-09. Burrows has failed to show "substantial prejudice" as a result of the improper comments by the prosecutor. Although the jury convicted Burrows of the Houston rape (counts 3 and 4), they acquitted him of the rape charge involving Terry (counts 1 and 2). To acquit him of one rape and find him guilty of the other rape shows that the jury followed the judge's curative instructions. See King v. Mantello, 2002 WL 32100251, at *14-15 (E.D.N.Y.2002) (any 24

adverse

effect

of

the

prosecutor's

speculative

comments

were

remedied by the trial judge's sustaining of counsel's objection and instructions to the jury); see also United States v. Zackson, 12 F.3d 1178, 1183 (2d Cir.1993) (noting that the government generally has "broad latitude in the inferences it may reasonably suggest to the jury during summations" and rejecting prosecutorial misconduct claim on finding that the defendant had suffered no substantial prejudice). CONCLUSION For the foregoing reasons, Leroy Burrows' application for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §2254 is denied in its entirety, and the petition is dismissed. Further, because Burrows has failed to make a substantial I decline showing to issue of a a denial of a of

constitutional

right,

certificate

appealability. 28 U.S.C. §2253. ALL OF THE ABOVE IS SO ORDERED s/Michael A. Telesca Michael A. Telesca United States District Judge DATED: June 1, 2009 Rochester, New York

25