Batten v. Clark

Filing 15

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Samuel G. Wilson on 6/11/2013. (tvt)

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$ 2254M EM O M NDUM OPI ON
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H A R O LD W .C LA R K E,
R espondent
.

By:Sam ue G .W is
l
l on
U nie St e D i t i tJudge
t d at s s r c

W ilam Gr y Ba t n,a Vigi ai a epr ee ngpr se brngst spe ii f
li
egor te
r ni nm t oc di
o , i
hi tton or

wrtofha asc puspurua t 28U. C.j2254,c l nghi c ci a s e e
i
be or
s nt o
S.
halengi s onviton nd entnc
i t Cic tCour ofM adion Count Vigi a,f a t m ptng t obt i m oney by f s
n he r ui
t
s
y, r ni or te i o an
ale

prt esfom hi i ur ri vi ai ofVa.Codej 18. 78.Batenr iessxcli s
eens r
s ns e n olton
2-1
t as i am '
.
f i f tve- s it
our nefec i a s sance- ofcouns lcl m s apr ec oralm i c
e ai , os ut i
s onductc a m ,and a cl m
li
ai
t tt ti c ta ed isdi c e i '
ha he ral our bus t s r ton.
î

The Vigi a Supr m e Coul f
r ni
e
' ound t tt f
t
ha he our
i f tve- s it
nefec i a s sancecl i sf ie on t rm e isunde Sti kl v.W as ngt 466
am ald
hei rt
r rc and
hi on,

U. 6 ( 98 )a d t a Batnp o e ur lyde a le hi pr s c t ra - s o d ta
S. 68 1 4 n h t te r c d al f u td s o e u o ilmic n uc nd
a u e o - ic ein camsu e Slv o v. ri a , 5Va 27 ( 9 4) a dt r f r
b s - fd s r to li nd r a t n Pa rg n 21 . 1 7 , n hee o e

dimis dBat n speii n.Thi c ur fnd t a t eVig n aS pr meCo r' a j d c to
s s e te ' tto
s o t i s h t h rii u e
u ts d u iai n
ofBaten' i f t ve- s s a c ai s w a notc r r t oran unr s bl a i ton
t s nef ec i as i t nce l m
s
ont a y o,
ea ona e pplca i

of cl l esabls f de a l w,a di notr ul i a dec son t twa ba ed on a
, eary t ihed e r l a nd d
es t n
i i ha s s
n
unr ona e det r i ton oft f t . The cour alo fndst Ba t n pr edur ly
eas bl
e m na i
he ac s
t s i
hat te oc
al
de aul e hi r m ai ng cl m s pur uantt a ade t a i
f t d s e ni
ai
s
o n
qua e nd ndependents a e pr dur
t t oce al
r e. A cc di y,t cour g a s t r s
ul
or ngl he
t r nt he e pondent s m oton a di m i s Ba t n' pe ii
'
i nd s s es t e s t ton.

1.

Bewe n 1 a 2002, te s
t e 999 nd
Ba tn oughtt r co rfom hi i ur r Norht n Ne k
o e ve r
s ns e , t r c

l urnc Co ny(s t m Ne k',f vai l s a hi p i r r i ncei M a s
ns a e mpa t he
Nor
c ' or rous oses t s rmay esde n dion
)
Count Vigi a. On Dec mber30,2002,M a s Cot y She ifsLiut na Donad F.
y, r ni
e
dion mt
rf
e e nt
l

M i hae,J .e mt r Ba tn whiee u i as a c wa r n a t tr i nc Plrua tt
c l r, ncot e ed te
l xec tng e r h r a t t ha tsde e. zs n o
t twa r nt a t ii s i e f t s n fr r sa c
ha ra , u hortes e z d ory-eve iea m nd ompie a i nt r oft efr r ,
ld n nve o y hos ien ms

lsi t by m a mode , lbe ,a s ra num be .Thos fr n msr
itng hem
ke,
l cai r nd e i l
r
e ie r emai d i t
ne n he
pos e so oft M ad s Coun y She ifsOfi e.
s s i n he
i on
t
rf ' fc
Ye slt r i J of2008,Bate rpored t t Be or Count She ipsOfi t t
ar a e , n une
tn e t o he df d
y rf
fce ha
heha bee t vitm ofablr a y a hi s onda y r i nc i Be or Cot y.De t tve
d n he c i
zglr t s ec
r esde e n df d mt
tci
W e y Fi h me wih Ba t a c
nd nc
t t ten nd ompied als ofie sBa tn c am e we e soln.Tra t.
l
it t m
te l i d r t e
il r
1 -58. Ba tn l tra d ie st t sls .Am ong o he ie s Ba tn c am e t l sof
51
te ae dde t m o hi it
t r tm , te l i d he os
s ve fr n m s B a tn fl d a c a m f hi l s sw ih hi i ur ra t tm e Roc ng m
e n i e r . te i e
l i or s os e t s ns e t he i , ki hn

M uu l n u a c Co a yCt o kng a M uu l , n s b te t a e a n to t e
ta l s r n e mp n l c i h m t a' a d u mitd o n x miain md r
k
)
oa h i co c i w ih t c a m s i s i ton. Tra t .1
t n nne ton t he l i nve tga i
i l r 41.

A grndj yrt ne tvef onyi cme sa ns Batna ii outofhi i ur nc
a ur eur d i el ndit nt gai t te rsng
s ns a e

cams t c u t o p ru y t c u t o atmp e isla c fa d a d o c u t f
li :wo o n s f ej r ,wo o n s f te td n lrn e ru , n ne o n o
i tr nc fa TheCic tCour ofM a s Cot y,Vigi a, ns i t d f ti lo c mt
nsla e r ud.
r ui
t
dion mt r ni co olda e or ra ne ot
ofa tmptngt ob ai mone by f lepr e e fom Rocki m M ut li 2008a one
te i o t n
y
a s etns s r
ngha
ua n
nd
c
ountofobti ng m o y by f lepr t esfom Norhe nN e k I ur nceCompa bewe n
a ni
ne
a s eens r
t r c ns a
ny t e
1 a 200 .1 Atti , t Commonwe t con e d t ts eoft fr a m sBa tn
999 nd 2
ral he
alh t nde ha om
he ie r
te
cl i e w e e sol n i 2008 we e t s e lr n m st tl w e or em e pe s m e s i e i
am d r t e n
r he am i e r ha a nf c nt r ol l e z d n

1Thec r ofobt ni moneyby f s pr e e âom Norhe nNec se d fom a i m a ecli
hage
ai ng
ale etns s
tr
k t mme r n ns nc am
tld f rpr ry da gedi a 1 fr
ie o ope t ma n 999 le.

2

2002. Roc ng m M ut lc am si si t M a t w Cs dy t tfedt tBa tn pr ded
ki ha
ua l i -nve tgaor the
a esii ha te ovi
oner eptf aRe i on t ode 597M ag
ec i or
m ngt s
M
l
num . W . . cai rrfe'a f lrm a l
22 M R. lbe il ' nd oz nua s
f ot rtr a msheha r td soln durngt 2008btr a y. The M ode 5 r eptha a
or he i e r
d epore t e
i he
lglr
l 97 ec i d
lr UPC ba c a c ai d t number: 318 .'Ba tn a s s i d us m a s
a ge
r ode nd ont ne he
1
291 2M ' te lo upple er nual

f aBr
or owni Se iAut ai lil 1300wi ca , a Encor 50 c i muzzel de lfe,
ng m - om tc tfe 1
n l' n
'
e
alber
l oa r ' l a
i
M a ln M ode 336C 30/ lvera ton rte a a St r Ruge M - M a k 1 bol- c i rfe.
ri
l
30 e - c i il , nd
um
r 77 r 1 ta ton il
La e i t t l Li ut na M i ha lt tfe aboutt 2002 s r h ofB a t n' M a s n Count
t r n he da , e e nt c e esii d
he
ea c
t e s di o
y

r i nc M i ha i ntfe t iemsr c r d durng t ts a c n ong t m aRe i o
esde e. c el de ii d he t
e ove e
i ha e r h, m
he
m ngtn
597 wih t s ra num be 1
t he e il
r1
291318 ,' c ma c t s ra nlm be oft Re ngt
2M 'whi h t hed he e i l l r he mi on
597 r po td sol n i 2008.Acc di t t e de ,t tpa tc a fr nn i f c ha
e re t e n
or ng o he vi nce ha riul r ien n a t d

r i d i t M a s Co t Sherf ' Ofi esnc 2002.
ema ne n he dion un y
ifs fc i e
Ba tn' s Ra Bat n,t tfed f rt def e.De e eco els
te s on, ndy te esii o he ens
f ns uns howed Ra
ndy
Ba tn t muz l -oa ra s g t twe es i d durngt 2002 s a c Ra Ba tn
te he
z e l de nd hot un ha r eze
i he
e r h. ndy te
cli d t t fr n we e dif r ntfom t tr m ssoln f o hi f t r sBe or
a me he wo ie nns r fe e ' he s en m t e r m s a he ' df d
r
Co mt r sde ei 2008.Dmi t Co monwe t sc os - xa na i Ra y Batn
t y e i nc n
ng he m
alh' r s e mi ton, nd te
t sii d t tt fr rmssol n dm i t 2008 Be or Count br k-n we ehi fr r a
e tfe ha he ien
t e
ng he
df d
y ea i r s iea ms nd
t thewa notd di t m' f rhi f t r Tralt.
ha
s
t ng he ' o s ahe . i r 201.Afe t def ns r t d,t
hol
tr he e e ese he
Comm onweat c le i r buta wine sDe sDods oft Vigi a St t Polc Dods
lh a ld n e tl t s nni
on he r ni ae ie.
on

t tfe t thei e vewe Ba tn' s o J y 21 2009. Tralt.
esii d ha
nt r i d te s on n ul ,
i r 205.Acc di t Dods
or ng o
on,
durng t ti e v e Ra Ba tn ha s i t thi f he di no ha a fr a m ssor at
i ha ntr i w, ndy te d ad ha s at r d t ve ny ie r t ed
t Be or Count r sde ,t thewasnothol ng a fr a m sf rhi f t r a t tno
he df d
y e i nce ha
di ny ie r o s ahe , nd ha
fr a m swe e soln i t b e k-n. Tra t.
ie r
r t e n he r a i
i l r 206. Cic sa i le de i t f m ofus r
r um t nta vi nce n he or
e
m a salo c r atd t Comm onwe lh' cl m t aut ii ha i f ts z i 2002
nual s orobor e he
at s ai hat hortes d n ac eied n

3

va i fr a m sB a t n aleg w e e s ol n i 2008. W iln Ba t n di nott tf durng t
r ous i e r
t e l ed r t e n
li m te d
esi y i he
til
ra .

l cl i a gum e ,Baten' c ms lmai ane t toneoft s g mss z i 2002
n osng r
nt t s ot e
nt i d ha
he hot t eied n

wa ad fee t d ln mb r( mo e 1 0 fo t es o g nBatncame t h v b e
s ifrn mo e u e a d l 2 ) r m h h t u te li d o a e e n
sol n i 2008. The durngt Com monwe lh' r buta cl i t f l wi e ha e t
t e n
n, i he
at s e tl osng, he olo ng xc ng ook
Pl e:
ac
CO M M O N W EA LTH ' A TTORN EY :.. .. The e' no e de e be or you t
S
r s
vi nc f e
o

c nsd r s d n' g o tgrapig f rti so te e a d h tls a o tt e
o i e, o o t o u lls n o hng n h r n e ak b u h
s opeson t i tr nc i nt y. W he yo l a t e gt ,t r a e s m e
c
he nsla e nve or
n u ook t hes ms he e r o
s opesdown beow butno oft s gt he e a e lse wih s ope on t m,s
c
l
ne he e ms r r it d t c s he o
t t n' ltt tr d heri t o yo of eiher aswe l a t mode 1
ha--do t e ha e
rng hr w u f t ,
l, nd he
l 2,
t ts wha M r Ba tn wr e do
ha '
t . te
ot wn,a W i hese M odel 1 i' a . 2 ga .
nc tr
2, ts 1 uge
W he you l a t s rf ' ofi ,t y di i a ur t l and di i rght The e
n
ook t he he if s fce he d t cc a ey
d ti . r
i no s t ng a a m ode 1 The put do n ano he m ode m l be 1 . 2
s
uch hi s
l 2.
y
w
t r
l m r 20 1
ga W i heser
uge nc t .

BATTE ' ATTORNEY: j cin Yol Ho o , o i e i e c .
NS
Ob e to , t n r n t n v d n e
r
THE COURT: ' 1t h j r de i ewha t ee i e c i.
11 e t e u y cd
1
th vd n e s
BATTEN ' ATTORNEY:W el, mea he' s yi t r i no s h t ng.
S
l l n, s a ng he e s uc hi
THE COU RT:W e ll,BA TTEN ' A TTORN EY : I don' r c l a e de e s yi t r s no s h
S
t e al ny vi nc a ng he e'
uc
t ng asa M odel1
hi
2.

THE COURT:11 s san te o jcin t t a f r o te a gl n . Thee
' u ti h be to o h t o m f h r l t
1
me
r
c ran ywa n e ie et t a- t ej r wil ir g r ta.
etil s o vd nc o h t h u y ld se ad h t
COM M ON W EA LTH ' A TTORN EY :I a of you a e f m ii r w ih guns a
S
f ny
r a la t
nd
Re ngt you'lknow- yo l know whatm odes a e pr pe ornot Don' l t
mi on
l
u'l
l r o r
.
te
t tf you,l esa ge te
ha ool
adi nd n l men.
Tralt . -48.
i r 247

4

Afe t a e c n e tetil o lt x lie t t ej r i d ti tep o e u e t e
tr h t x ha g ,h ra c t e p an d o h u y n ealh r c d r s h y
r
s o l f lo d rn terd l e ains tej r rtrdt d lb rt, ndBatn' c u s l
h ud o lw u ig h i ei r to ,h u y eie o eieae a
b
te s o n e
a g da f l s
r ue s olow :

Du i ( p o e u o ')agl n t r i r b ta, ce rytidt c nv yte
rng t r s c t rs r t thee n e u tlhe la l re o o e h
he
me
me s g t tamo e 1 W ic e trd e no e s,a d wh n Io j ce t ta
sa e ha
d l 2 n h se o s t xit n e be td o h t
t tiwa n taf c i e i e c ,h Co r s sane myo j cinb th we to
ha t s o a t n v d n e te u t u ti d
b e to u e n n
t sy, l, fyo - i a y o y u a1k o gu s t o t ej r r i t eb c
o a wel i u f n f o 1 n w n - wo f h u o s n h a k
we e ki ofnoddi t rhe a t y'e g ng,yea we know g ms Yot
r nd
ng hei ads nd he r oi
h,
t .
t
r
Honor we' gote denc t tt r i s at ng a a W i he t rM ode 1 I
, ve
vi e ha he e s uch hi s
nc se
l 2.

d n' wa t woj r r b c te e y uk o tkn t ig ta a en ti e ie c
o t n t u o s a k h r, o n w, a ig hn s h t r o n vd n e
a brngi t i o ex re e i t s y t e' no s t ng a a mode 1
nd i ng her wn pe i nc n o a her s
uch hi s
l 2
whe t r - whe t r cla l i . I t nk i was cea l a i ppr prae
n he e
n he e e ry s
hi t
l ry n na o it

c mme to te p r o (h pr s c tr,a d I y u k o Im a kn ta t
o n n h a t f te o e u oj n - o n w, ' s ig h t he
j r b gv n a c u in n tt c nsd rt o e kn o c mme t. It ik i- l
u y e ie a to o o o i e h s id f o n s hn t
t ik i a d i wa v r p eu iilt ty t p ru d t ej r t tte ewa n
hn t n t s ey rj d ca o r o e s a e h u y ha h r s o
s h t ng as t s t of gun,a t r f e i- t ts t ts pa tof a f le
uc hi
hi ype
nd he e or , s ha '- ha ' r
as
ca m a by r wor ng i a s yi we l us yourown e re e. l a of
li nd
e di t nd a ng, l, e
xpe i nc f ny
you know a
boutguns you ca brng i i W ha t y know a
,
n i t n.
t he
boutgt i not
ms s

e ie e Yo r Ho r a i' j s ce ry a h g l p eu iilc mme tt t
vd nc , u no , nd ts u t la l ih y rj dca o n ha
was t tst u
- ha ' ms ppore by t f c so sdeoft e de oft sca e s td he a t ut i
he vi nce hi s , o

THE COURT:A1 rg t W el (o n e) 1s ti d y u o j cin b c u e
1 ih . l, c u s l, usane o r be to e a s
whe 1 r fe t d on i l bele d yo we e c r c ,a 1 f und a no e t t
n e lc e
t
ive u r ore t nd o
nd t d ha

t ee wa n s c e d n e a s tl te j y No y t - y u f rh r
h r s o u h vie c nd o od h m'. w, ol o r u te
r

c mme th t(h p oe uolwe to t ueoh rwodsn o jcinwa ma e
o n ta te r sc tr n n o s te r , o beto s d
s t e was not ng f t Cour t l l o a t t poi . Se ondl yolr
o her
hi or he
t o ' e n t ha
u
nt
c y, l

sae n ta y u whe h s i t o ewods s w jlo sno dn t i h a so
ttme t h t o , n e ad h s r , a t r d ig her e d r
r
i c tng by f i ge t e s m ehi i no a hi t t t Co t et r
ndi ai
acal sm s o t ng s t nyt ng ha he ur ihe
obs r d orc n t i o a ountormake a r i on. l ot rwo ds we r e
e ve
a ake nt cc
ulng
n he r ,
uld
i yotrf vorappr it l on t tpoi ,butt Cour i i aposton now whe e
n l a
opra e y ha nt
he
ts n
ii
r

i wo l n tb a p o raef rmet b ig t j r b c a d tl t e a yhng
t u d o e p r p it o
o rn he u y a k n el h m n ti
f rhe a t s poi . lve ale y r l d e ty as you r que t d,s t ts my
u t r t hi
nt '
r ad u e xacl
e s e o ha'

r s o s t wh ty uj s s i.
e p n e o a o u t ad
BA TTEN ' A TTORN EY :Yes s r
S
, i.

Tra t . 3-5
il r 25 4.

Th u yf n Batn g it o atmp i gt o ti mo e b f lepr tn e fo
ej r ou d te u ly f te tn o b an n y y as ee s s r m
Roc ngha M ut l butnotg ly ofobt i ng m one by f l epr t ns fom N orhe n
ki m
ua ,
uit
a ni
y
a s e e es r
t r
N e M ont l t ,a s enci Ba t n' c
ck.
hs a er t ent ng, te s ouns m oved f am it i t t bassofa
el
or
sral t he i
on
n
5

i pr rar e 'by t Com m onwea t sAto ne i cl i a ti . Theti lcour
m ope gum nt' he
lh' t r y n osng t ral
ra
t
de e t m oto Bef es nt ncng,t Comm onw e 1h a Ba t n e e ed i o a pl a
ni d he
i n.
or e e i he
a t nd te ntr nt
e
a ee e di posng oft r m a ni c ges Unde t tagr m e ,Bate pl t one
gr m nt s i
he e i ng har .
r ha
ee nt t n ed o

c un o pej y se ngfo h sf lesae nt c nc r i ghi fna ilst to ma e
o t f rur tmmi r m i as ttme s o e n n s i nca iuain, d
unde oa h durng apr ti lhea i t det m i whehe Bate qua ii d f c t
r t
i
e-r a
rng o er ne
t r tn
lfe or oura
ppoi e c
nt d ouns .2 Uli a e y,t cour s nt nc Bate t t n yea s i prs e on
el
tm t l he
t e e ed t n o e
r ' m ionm nt
t one c
he
ountofa t mptng t obt n m o y by f s pr e e ,t r co ur e l wih t o
te i o ai
ne
ale et ns s o un nc r nty t w

ye r 'i rs n n i i s do t pej r c u t3
a s mp io me t t mpo e n he ru y o n .
Ba t n a
te ppea e t t V igi a Cour ofAppea s ar ng t tt ti c te r i
l d o he r ni
t
l , gui ha he ral our r ed n

r f i t gi a ca i r i tuc i i r s
e usng o ve
utona y nsr ton n e pons t t i ope a gum e by t
e o he mpr r r
nt he
Com m onweat i c osng,a ered i r f i t gr ntBat sm oton a t c os oft
1h n l i
nd r n e usng o a
ten'
i t he l e he
Com m onweat sca e t srket e de e asi ufi i . Bat a s r
lh' s o ti he vi nc
ns fc tnt ten l o eques e t i
t d hat f
t Cour ofAppe sf
he
t
al ound t m iti lmoton t beuntm el t ti r e t c ai
he sr a
i o
i y, ha t evi w he l m

u de Vigni se dso -usiee e in t t c n e r n o o j ci n r l , l
n r r i a' n - fj tc xc pto o he o t mpo a e us b e to u e Ru e
5 1 4 TheCo r o Ap asf u Batn' o j c in a mo in f rmitilt b
A:8.
u t f pe l o nd te s b e to nd to o sra o e
untmel a t r f e no pr ry pr e ve f a
i y nd he e or t ope l es r d or ppea . I r ac ng t tconcl i i
l n e hi ha
uson t
not t tat
ed ha lhough Rul 5A : 8 a l sexce i f good ca e ort a t i t ends of
e
1 low
ptons or
us
o ta n he
- -

2Thec r ac e e Baten' pl f l ng at oughpl c l . Tho h t plawase e e wel
ou t c ptd t s ea olowi
hor
ea oloquy
ug he e
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Batten, in turn, filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the Supreme Court of
Virginia, attacking the validity of his conviction on the following grounds: (1) counsel was
ineffective for refusing to permit Batten to testify on his own behalf;7 (2) counsel was
ineffective for failing to subpoena exculpatory evidence, namely material witnesses and
available documentation;8 (3) the prosecutor knowingly made deliberately false statements
to the jury in closing argument;9 (4) the trial court abused its discretion in not providing
Batten’s defense with an opportunity to rebut the prosecutor’s closing argument that there is
no such thing as a Winchester model 12;10 (5) counsel was ineffective for failing to move
the trial court for a mental-health evaluation, due to Batten’s documented post-traumatic
stress disorder (“PTSD”);11 and (6) counsel was ineffective on appeal for failing to assert
7

Batten maintains that counsel’s “decision to preclude [him] from testifying at his own criminal trial . . .
proved fatal and prejudiced [his] defense beyond salvage.” Pet. 7, ECF No. 1. Had he testified in his own defense
rather than allowing counsel to “convince[]” him otherwise on the “assurance that the charges would be dismissed or
greatly reduced if [he] cooperated,” Batten maintains that his testimony would reveal him as the victim of a home
break-in and that he did have a Winchester model 12 shotgun stolen from that home. Id. at 5–6.
8

In both his state and federal habeas petitions, Batten maintains that he advised his trial defense counsel
“that he would need a vital witness to further support the fact that he was not making a false claim against his
insurance company.” In his petition, Batten identifies his former girlfriend, Diane St. Clair, who, if called, would
have offered testimony that she took at least four firearms to Batten’s Bedford County home, including a Winchester
model 12 shotgun, and that she and others knew Batten to keep firearms at his secondary residence. Batten offers
the failure to call St. Clair as a witness as evidence of counsel’s deficient performance and states that “there is no
cogent tactical or other consideration to justify the failure” to present this “exculpatory evidence.” Pet. 10, ECF No.
1.
9

Batten contends that the prosecutor falsely informed the jury that the Remington model 12 shotgun
(which Batten had claimed was missing) was not a shotgun that Remington produced, when in fact Remington does
make a model 12 S shotgun that is manufactured by Winchester, and that he was further prejudiced because two
jurors nodded in agreement with this allegedly false statement.
10

Batten contends that the trial court failed to take any corrective action to assure the jurors that his claim
was in fact for a Winchester model 12 shotgun rather than a Remington model 12 shotgun.
11

Batten asserts that his counsel was aware of his past diagnosis of PTSD, and that counsel’s failure to
move the court for an updated mental-health evaluation meant the trial court did not have the opportunity to consider
whether Batten suffered from a diminished capacity or have the opportunity to “protect [his] . . . interest from being
wrongfully convicted of an offense for which [he] may have no control over.” Batten goes on to assert that since his
trial was before a jury, both the trial court and defense counsel needed to know if he was “subject to a ‘quick
temper,’ ‘easy startle responses,’” and if there was a need for medication that would “work to maintain a demeanor
devoid of depression.” Pet. 18, ECF No. 1. Batten also maintains that his condition rendered him unable to
adequately consult or aid in his defense.

8

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ouns l
e
di A st Vigi a Supr me Cour not E
d.
he r ni
e
t ed, t
couns lm a r s bl ha be i ved cali
e y ea ona y ve le
lng

( te t t siya d e osn hi t cos- xa n to wo l no h v be n b nei il o
Batn) o e tf n xp i g m o r s e mia in u d t a e e e fca t
t d f n e' Batn v. p' o Co r, .1 7 , lp o a 2 ( .Oc .1 , 01 ,
he ee s . te De t f r.No 20 23 si p. t Va t 1 2 2) ECF
'
N o.8- Undert cic sa es t cour fndst V igi a Supr m e Courts
9.
he r um t nc , he
ti
hat r ni
e
'

a j diain oft ecam wa no c n r r t o a un e s n bl a p iai n o c e ry
d u c to
h l i s t o ta y o, r n r a o a e p lc to f la l
e t bls d f all w ,a di notr s ti ade son t twasbas d on an unr s bl
s a ihe eder a nd d
e ul n
cii ha
e
ea ona e
de e mi i oft f ct . Acc di y,t cour dim is t c a m .
t r naton he a s
or ngl he
t s s es he l i

1
2

B.

Ba t n c a m st thi couns lperor ed de i enty i f lng t s
te l i ha s
e
f m
fci l n aii o ubpoe Ba t n'
na te s
f m e gilre Di ne St Cl i,a a wines . A c di t Ba t n,hei or e c
or r rfi nd, a
. ar s
t s
cor ng o te
nf m d ouns l
e
t St Cl i woul t tf t ts de i ed f fr ar s i udi a M odel1 s gun,
hat . a r
d es iy ha he lver our ie m , ncl ng
2 hot
t Ba t n' r i nce prort t br k-n. The Vigi a Supr m e Cour not t tt s ae
o te s esde
i o he ea i
r ni
e
t ed ha he t t
polceha pr par a r tofa J
i
d e ed epor
anuar 2009 i er ew t y ha conduc e wih St Cl r
y
nt vi he d
t d t . ai
i c
n onnec i wih t i s i ton i o Ba t n' i ur
ton t he nve tga i nt te s ns ance c a m s I t r por,St Cl r
l i . n he e t . ai
de c i d t ki fr ar st Bat s Be or Coun y hom e aferhe r ai hi wih
s r be a ng ie m o ten' df d
t
t
r eltons p t

Baten ende Tha r por a t r toft r or s
t
d.
t e t nd he es
he ec d howe t tSt Cl rdi notm e i
d ha . ai d
nton
t num beroffr r ss had t ken t Ba t n' hom e i Bedf d Count di not
he
iea m he
a
o te s
n
or
y, d
ac
knowl
edget e s e ofa M ode 1 s gun,and di noti ntf a s cii
he xi t nce
l 2 hot
d
de iy ny pe fc
fr r s l t d,St Cl rsm pl des rbe t fr m sas$ d' and s d t tone us d
iea m . nsea
. ai i y c i d he iear
t '
o1
ai ha
e
bl c powde . l any e nt St Cl r spur t t tm ony s m si
ak
r n
ve , . ai'
pored esi
ee ncons sentw ih
it
t
Ra
ndy' c a m t t s ol fr a msbe onge t hi a nott hi f t r TheVigi a
s l i hat he t en ie r
l
d o m nd
o s a he .
r ni

Supr
eme Cour f
t ound t tBaten ha f ie t de onsr eeiherde i entperor
ha
t
d a l d o m tat t
fci
f manceor

prj dieu de S rc lnd Und rt crumsa e , n viwi t eq si nt r ug
eu c n r tik a . e he ic tnc s a d e ng h ue to h o h
AEDPA ' doubl de e e i l ns t cour c l st tt Supr m e Cour ofVigi a'
S
y f r ntal e , he
t onc ude ha he
e
t
r ni s

a j diai oft ecam d dno r s ti ad cso t a wa c n r r t o a u r a o a e
d u c ton h l i i t e ul n e ii n h t s o ta y o, r n n e s n bl
a i ton of cl ry esa ihed f der l norwasi ba ed on a unr s bl
pplca i
, ea l t bls
e al aw,
t s
n ea ona e
de e m i ton oft f ct . Acc di y,t cour dim is t c ai .
t r na i
he a s
or ngl he
t s s es he l m
C.

Ba t n cl m st thi c
te ai ha s ouns pe f m e defci nty i f ii t move t ti cour
el r or d i e l n a lng o
he ral
t

f a m e a1he t e ua i i lghtofa e le di
or
nt - a1h val ton n i
n ari r agnosst tBa t n s f r f om
i ha te uf e ed r

13

PTSD. Batten contends that his counsel’s failure to seek an updated mental-health
evaluation prevented the trial court from determining whether he suffered from diminished
capacity to “protect[] [himself] . . . from being wrongfully convicted of an offense over
which he may have had no control.” Pet. 18, ECF No. 1. Id. Batten also maintains that his
PTSD rendered him unable to adequately consult and aid in his defense and that a proper
evaluation would have revealed that he required medication. Id. The Virginia Supreme
Court found that the claim failed to satisfy either of Strickland’s prongs. To the extent that
Batten alleged that a mental-health evaluation would reveal his diminished capacity, the
Virginia Supreme Court noted that Virginia law does not recognize diminished capacity as a
defense. Additionally, that court concluded that the record did not support a claim that
Batten was insane at the time of the offense, that his PTSD caused him to misapprehend the
nature of his actions or fail to understand that his actions were wrong, or that he was
incompetent to stand trial or unable to assist in his defense.
On the question of sanity the Virginia Supreme Court found that the record,
including the trial transcript, demonstrated that Batten filed an insurance claim and was able
to detail the items he asserted were missing and to participate in an examination under oath
with a Rockingham Mutual agent. And on the question of competency it found that the
record, including the trial transcript, demonstrated that Batten was able to adequately and
appropriately respond to the trial court’s questioning and that he understood the charges
against him, discussed the charges with his attorney, entered his plea voluntarily, and chose
to be tried by a jury. Batten, No. 120723, slip op. at 4–5, ECF No. 8-9. Indeed, the record
reflects considerable interaction between the trial court and Batten on matters touching on
Batten’s competency immediately before trial, and that court—which was uniquely

14

po ii n dt ma ei o me j d me t- p oc e e t til Un rt cr u tnc s t e
sto e o k nf r d u g n s r e d d o ra . de he ic msa e , h
Vigi a Supr m e Cour r s bl a i d Sti kl nd t f ct i r ona y de er i
r ni
e
t ea ona y pple r c a o a s t eas bl t m ned,i
n

c udi t tBa t ha f l t s
oncl ng ha ten d aied o how t tcouns ' per o m ance wa de i entort t
ha
els f r
s fci
ha
t r wa a r onabl pr
he e s eas
e obabiiy ofa dif e r ul. A c di y,t c tdi mi s st
lt
fer nt es t
cor ngl he our s s e he
C1 1 .
am
D.

Ba t c a m st thi couns pe f m ed de i enty on a ali f lng t as e t
ten l i ha s
el r or
fci l
ppe n aii o s r

l et rc am si t ep tto f ra e lt u po sby c usn ( i t b bar dun e
t te li n h e ii n o pp a h s s i l a i g h mq o e re d r
b

Vig n a sc n e o a o o j cin r l . Ac o dngt Batn hi c n e t e f rh a
r i i ' o tmp r ne us b e to u e' c r i o te , s ou s l û t o t
'
s
r u i peii n .. d v d o c uca c le e t t esae stil( l u ter r . Bat n
o tne tto . e oi f r il halng s o h tt ' ra c o r ro s' te
'
doesnots f t ç uc a c l nges't thi c
peciy he s i l hale
cr
' ha s ouns lf l t m ounti eihe hi
e aied o
n t r s
pe ii t t Vigi a Supr me Cour o t t sco t The Vigi a Supr
tton o he r ni
e
t r o hi ur.
r ni
eme Cour f
t ound
t he had f ied t s ts y e t r of St i a s pr
hat
a l o a i f ihe
r ckl nd' ongs l r chi t s concl i i
. n ea ng hi
us on, t

f
ound t tBa t n ha f l t s
ha te d aied o how t ta l t c
ha ppela e ouns had f l t pe f m i
el
aied o r or n
a dancewih t c i r bl di c e i ac de a la e c
ccor
t he ons de a e s r ton cor d ppe l t ouns underJ sv.
el
one

Ba nes 463U. 745,751 (
r ,
S.
-52 1983)( di t tt s e ton ofis st addr son
hol ng ha he elci
s ue o es
a
ppea i l tt t di c eton of a l a e c
l s ef o he s r i
ppe l t ouns and t tc
el
ha ouns nee notaddr s e r
el d
es ve y

po sb eis eo a pe l. Batn, 1 07 3, lp o a 6 ECF No 8 9.TheVig n a
s i l s u n p a) te No. 2 2 si p. t ,
.rii
Supr
eme Cour r as
t e onabl apple Sti kl t f t i r as
y
i d rc and o ac s t e onabl de e m i d,fndi t t
y t r ne i ng ha
Ba t n di notm ee hi bur n t s
te d
t s de o how couns lsperor a e wasdefci ort tt r
e ' f m nc
i ent ha he e
w a a r ona e pr
s eas bl obabi iy of a di f r ntr ul . A c di y,t c tdi m i s s t
lt
f e e es t
cor ngl he our s s e he
cl m .
ai

15

1 1.
1

Bat cl i st tt pr ec i enga i m i c
ten am ha he os uton
ged n s onduc by m aki de i r el
t
ng lbe at y

f lesae n st t j r du i g co i a g n a d t tt etilc u ttb e is
as tt me t o he u y rn l sng r ume t n ha h ra o r ç us d t
a
d s r to i no p o dng ( te s d fns wiha o po t n t t (e u lt etilc u t
ic ei n n t r vi i Batn') e e e t n p ru iy o r b t h ra o r
pr e er sf s sat m e wih m a e i e dence t wa avaiabl i t cour r .'
os cut ' ale t e nt t
t ral vi
hat s
l e n he
t oom '

The Vigi a Supr m e Cour dim i s d Ba t n' cl i aspr edm a l de a t unde
r ni
e
t s se
te s am
oc
ly f uled
r

Slyt v.Parga 215Va.27 ( 97 ,bec eBatn c d,butf ld t r iet cl ms
a on
ri n,
1 4) aus te oul
aie o, as he ai
a t i orpr s ve t
t ral
e er hem f die ta al Thi c tRndst tSl on i an i
or r c ppe . s our
ha ayt s ndependent

a adequat sa e pr dur lr e t tba sf r lhabea r viw unl sa s
nd
e t t oce a ul ha r ede a
se e
es howi ofc e
ng
aus

a prj dieo amic ri g of u tc e c s st pr c du a de a t Be a eBat n
nd eu c r s a ra e j sie x u e he o e r l ful. c us te
d sno d mo taec u ea p eu ieo amic rig o j tc t e us t edea l,
oe t e nsr t a s nd rj d c r s ara e f usie o xc e h f ut
t c tdi m is hi pr ec oralmi c
he our s s es s os ut i - s onduc a abus of di c e i cl m s
t nd
e- - s r ton ai .

A c ai i def ule whe et s a e c ' e es l fndst r vi i bare by a
l m s a td
r he t t oul xpr sy i
t
hat e ew s r d
n

i e n n a da q a esaep o e u a r l .Fih rv. eo e 1 3F.d 8 5 8 4 (t
nd pe de t n de u t tt r c d r l u e s e Ana l n , 6 3 3 , 4 4 h
Ci.1 8 ; e a s La rx v S naea v 5 0 U. 51 ,5 3 ( 9 ) W heh rar ei
r 99 ) s e lo mb i . i lt r , 2 S. 8 2 1 97 .
t e ul s
i pende and a qua ei a que ton off r ll w . He y v.M i ss i ,379 U . 443,
nde
nt
de t s
si
ede a a
nr
s is ppi
S.

4 ( 9 ) ç saep o e u a r ei a q t i i i r g lry o c nsse l a le by
47 1 65 . 1 tt r c d r l ul s de uae f t s e u a l r o itnty pp id
A
t saec t,J on v.M iss i ,486U. 578,587( ) and i i i pe nti i
he tt ours ohns
s isppi
S,
1988 , t s nde nde f t
doe notdepend on a f r c tt i
s
ede al onsiutonalr i Akev.Okl hom a 470 U. 68,75
ulng,
a
,
S.

( 9 )' M c il Po k. 7 F.d 2 6, 1( t Ci. 0 ) The e o e aviltonof
1 85 . Nel v. l 4 6 3 0 21 4 h r 20 7 . r f r , o ai
'
ttr l esa i hed and r gul ry f l
li m y t bls
e a l olowed s a e r es'i ade t t f e os r viw . Lee
t t ul ' s qua e o or cl e e e

v.Ke
mna,534U. 362,375 (
S.
2002) TheFourhCicui ha r cogni d Slyt a an
.
t r t se
ze a on s
i
ndependenta adequat pr dur r et tr nde st c ai pr edur l def ule i
nd
e oce al ul ha e r he l m oc aly a t d n

ue,
3d 2, 7 4t r 2006) s ealo W rahtv.
;e s i
t sc t See Vi on v. Tr 436F. 41 41 ( h Ci.
hi our .
ns
-

Ang l n 1 F.d 1 ,1 9 0 ( t Ci.1 98 ; u' n v. u t, 2 F.d 1 2,1 6 ( t
eo e, 51 3 51 5 -6 4 h r 9 ) M mi Pr et 1 5 3 9 9 4 h
Ci.1997) Be t v.Ancel ,92F. 1 1343( h Ci.1 ) Spe erv.M ura 18
r
; nnet
one
3d 336,
4t r 996 ; nc
r y,
F. 229,232 ( h Ci.1 .
3d
4t r 994)
Howe r a s a e prs
ve , t t i onerca obt n f r lhabeasr vi ofa pr
n ai ede a
e ew
oèedur ly
al

d f u tdca m i h s
e a le li f e howset r( )c u ea p eu i eo ( )amic rigeof u tc .
ihe 1 a s nd rj d c r 2
s ara
j si e
Coe nv. o o 5 U. 7 2 7 0 ( 9 ) To s o c u e ap tto rmus
lma Th mps n, 01 S. 2 , 5 1 91 . h w a s , eiine
t
de nsrt t a t r we et b e tv f co s'e tr lt hi d f ns whihi de hi
mo ta e h t hee r s j ci e a t r , x ena o s e e e, c mpe d m
o
'
fo r ii h scam a a e rirsa e M u r yv. rir 47 U. 4 , 8( 9 ) To
r m asng i li t n a le t g . ra Ca re , 7 S. 78 48 1 86 .
s w p eudc , p tto rmus s ow t tt ealg d c nsiu i n lv o ain wo ke t
ho rj ie a eiine
t h ha h le e o tt to a i lto r d o
hi acua a s t ntaldiadvant ge,i e i hi e ie ti lwih er orofa
s t l nd ubsa i s
a nf ctng s ntr r a t r

c siu ina ma niu .l a 48 Thei s a ra eof u tc 'e e toni an ro
on tt to l g t de d. t 8.
ç c rig j si e' xc p i s a r w
mi
exce i t t ca er quie e . A ha
pton o he us e r m nt
beaspe ii
ttonerf lswihi t sna r e e i i
a l t n hi r ow xc pton f
heca demonsr t t ta cons iutona vi a i hasipr bl r uled' i t c cton
n
ta e ha
tt i l ol ton
ç oba y es t ' n he onvi i
ofone who i t t l i
s t ualy nnoce ' oft s t i ofens 1 a 496. I t sc e,
ac
nt' he ubsantve f e. d. t
n hi as
no hi i t r or s
t ng n he ec d upporsa cl m ofac uali
t
ai
t nnoce
nce,a Bat n ofer not ng elet
nd te f s hi
s o
excus hi pr edur ldef ul. Ac di y,t c tdi m is Ba t n' pr e ut i l
e s oc
a
a t
cor ngl he our s s es te s os c ora m iconduc and a e ofdicr ton c a m sa pr dur l de aule
s
t
bus - - s e i l i s oce aly f t d.
157
.

Fort a
he bove- t e r as ,t c tgr st r ponde ' m oton and dim i s
sat d e ons he our ant he es
nts
i
s s es
Baten' ha as pe i i
t s be
t ton.

<s
r* .
ra

.

EN TER : une 11,
J
2013.

UN I
TED STA TES DISTR I JUD GE
CT
17