Robinson v. State ( 2016 )


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  •            IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
    BRANDON ROBINSON,                      §
    §     No. 152, 2016
    Defendant-Below,                 §
    Appellant,                       §     Court Below: Superior Court
    §     of the State of Delaware
    v.                               §
    §     Cr. 
    ID. No. 1009012821
    STATE OF DELAWARE,                     §
    §
    Plaintiff-Below,                 §
    Appellee.                        §
    Submitted: October 5, 2016
    Decided:   October 13, 2016
    Before VALIHURA, VAUGHN, and SEITZ, Justices.
    ORDER
    This 13th day of October, 2016, having considered the briefs and the record
    below, it appears to the Court that:
    (1)    In 2013, a New Castle County grand jury indicted Brandon Robinson
    for First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, and two counts of
    Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony for the shooting death
    of Cameron Johnson and the shooting injury of Jarren Glandton. In the middle of
    trial, one witness told the prosecutor for the first time that Glandton, the main eye
    witness to the murder, said he was not sure he saw Robinson shoot the gun. The
    prosecutor disclosed the information to Robinson’s counsel and the court
    immediately. Another trial witness, a police officer, testified for the first time that
    Glandton initially said he did not know who shot him. The officer’s statement was
    not in her police report. The jury convicted Robinson of first degree murder and
    one of the weapon possession offenses. It acquitted him of the other charges. We
    affirmed Robinson’s conviction on direct appeal.
    (2)    Robinson filed a motion for postconviction relief, claiming the State
    committed Brady1 violations, and his counsel was ineffective for failing to move
    for a mistrial because of those violations. A Superior Court Commissioner denied
    relief, holding that although the State violated Brady, Robinson suffered no
    prejudice from the timing of the disclosures, counsel was able to exploit the
    disclosed information, and counsel made a reasonable tactical decision not to
    request a mistrial. The Superior Court adopted the Commissioner’s findings.
    Robinson raises the same arguments on appeal. We find Robinson’s arguments to
    be without merit, and affirm.
    (3)    On September 14, 2010, at around 9:00 p.m., Glandton and his friend
    Johnson were standing at the corner of Elm and Van Buren Streets in Wilmington.
    An unidentified male acquaintance of Johnson approached them. While Glandton
    was on the phone with his cousin, he overheard the man ask Johnson if he could
    buy Percocet from him. Johnson agreed. As Johnson was taking the man’s
    1
    Brady v. Maryland, 
    373 U.S. 83
    (1963).
    2
    money, Robinson and a man known as “RC”2 approached the group. Robinson
    walked up to Johnson and shot him from an arm’s length distance. Glandton ran
    away. Robinson then shot Glandton in the leg. Glandton fell into the street and
    watched the three men run away.            Johnson died from his injuries. Glandton
    survived, but required surgery and was immobile for seven months.
    (4)    As first responders arrived, a crowd gathered around Glandton and
    Johnson. Officer Monet Cummings of the Wilmington Police Department asked
    Glandton who shot him. Glandton initially said he did not know. Glandton’s
    initial statement was not in any of the officers’ police reports.3 He then shouted to
    an acquaintance in the crowd, “B4 did this, your peoples did this.”5                Officer
    Cummings also heard Glandton shout “they killed Cam and she6 shot him for some
    pills.”7 Police arrested Robinson and charged him with First Degree Murder,
    Attempted First Degree Murder, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm during
    the Commission of a Felony.
    (5)    On the fifth day of trial, the prosecutor informed Robinson’s counsel
    and the Superior Court that a witness, Keisha Henry, provided her with new
    2
    Glandton identified the man as a person he knew as “RC” after viewing pictures on Facebook.
    3
    Officer Cummings did not write her own report; her supervisor wrote it.
    4
    Glandton knew Robinson as “Brandon” or “B.”
    5
    App. to Opening Br. at 23. Officer Cummings also heard Glandton yell to someone in a crowd
    of spectators, “your boy B shot me.” App. to Opening Br. at 27.
    6
    The word “she” is a typographical error as will be discussed later.
    7
    App. to Opening Br. at 23 (emphasis added).
    3
    information on the way into court.                Henry told the prosecutor that she and
    Glandton had spoken multiple times about the shooting through e-mail, text, and
    social media. She said that in those conversations, Glandton expressed uncertainty
    about who shot him. Robinson’s counsel examined Henry outside the presence of
    the jury. Henry testified that Glandton had told her that everything “happened so
    fast” and that the “word on the street” was that RC had shot him.8 Henry had
    previously told police that Glandton told her Robinson had shot him. She could
    only produce one message from Glandton asking her to call him, and a photograph
    he sent her of RC as evidence of their conversations.
    (6)     Following a seven day Superior Court jury trial, a jury convicted
    Robinson of First Degree Murder and one count of Possession of a Firearm during
    the Commission of a Felony. The jury acquitted him of Attempted First Degree
    Murder and the other weapons offense. The trial judge sentenced Robinson to life
    in prison for First Degree Murder and eight years for Possession of a Firearm
    during the Commission of a Felony. This Court affirmed Robinson’s conviction
    on direct appeal.9
    (7)     Robinson moved pro se for postconviction relief on October 2, 2013.
    The Superior Court appointed counsel, and referred the matter to a Commissioner.
    8
    
    Id. 9 Robinson
    v. State, 
    65 A.3d 617
    (Del. 2013).
    4
    After the court appointed counsel, Robinson filed an amended motion.             The
    Commissioner denied the motion, and the Superior Court affirmed the
    Commissioner’s findings. This appeal followed.
    (8)     Robinson raises four issues on appeal: (1) the Superior Court erred by
    denying his direct claim of multiple Brady violations; (2) Robinson’s counsel was
    constitutionally ineffective for failing to move for a mistrial based on the alleged
    Brady violations; (3) the Superior Court erred by denying Robinson’s claim of
    cumulative due process errors; and (4) the Superior Court abused its discretion
    when it refused to grant an evidentiary hearing. We review the Superior Court’s
    denial of a Rule 61 motion for postconviction relief for abuse of discretion.10 “We
    review ineffective assistance of counsel claims and alleged Brady violations de
    novo.”11
    (9)     Robinson first argues that the State violated Brady by failing to
    provide in advance of trial the two statements Glandton made in front of Officer
    Cummings, and the conversations that Glandton had with Henry. As with all
    motions for postconviction relief, the Court must determine whether the claims are
    procedurally barred under Superior Court Criminal Rule 61.12 When Robinson
    filed his motion for postconviction relief in 2013, Rule 61(i)(3) provided that
    10
    Neal v. State, 
    80 A.3d 935
    , 941 (Del. 2013).
    11
    Starling v. State, 
    130 A.3d 316
    , 325 (Del. 2015).
    12
    Younger v. State, 
    580 A.2d 552
    , 554 (Del. 1990).
    5
    claims that could have been raised on direct appeal could not be asserted in
    postconviction relief proceedings.13 Here, Robinson’s counsel was aware of the
    alleged Brady violations at trial, and could have raised them in the trial court and
    on direct appeal.      But under former Rule 61(i)(5), if Robinson can show “a
    colorable claim that there was a miscarriage of justice because of a constitutional
    violation that undermined the fundamental legality, reliability, integrity or fairness
    of the proceedings leading to the judgment of conviction,” he is relieved from the
    procedural default.14 This Court has held that viable Brady claims fall within the
    miscarriage of justice exception.15 After our review of Robinson’s Brady claims,
    we find that they are procedurally defaulted and his counsel was not ineffective for
    failing to move for a mistrial.
    (10) In Brady v. Maryland the United States Supreme Court held that the
    State’s failure to disclose to the defense material exculpatory evidence violates the
    Fourteenth Amendment.16 A Brady violation can occur “irrespective of the good
    faith or bad faith of the prosecution.”17 A Brady violation occurs when “[t]he
    evidence at issue [was] favorable to the accused, either because it [was]
    13
    See Bradley v. State, 
    135 A.3d 748
    , 757 (Del. 2016) (holding that the Court must apply the
    version of the rule governing postconviction proceedings that was in effect at time of filing).
    14
    Id (quoting Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(5)).
    15
    Wright v. State, 
    91 A.3d 972
    , 986 (Del. 2014).
    
    16 373 U.S. at 87
    .
    17
    Starling v. State, 
    882 A.2d 747
    , 756 (Del. 2005).
    6
    exculpatory, or because it [was] impeaching; [the] evidence [was] suppressed by
    the State; either willfully or inadvertently; and prejudice . . . ensued.”18
    (11) The Commissioner held that “it [was] clear that Glandton’s statements
    to Cummings and Henry were not disclosed prior to trial, despite being within the
    reach of the State to do so,” thus violating Brady.19 Further, the Commissioner
    held that “[t]he State had an obligation to provide the statements and, had the Court
    today found that this resulted in prejudice, the Court would have found in
    Defendant’s favor.”20
    (12) After our review of the statements in question, we find that only one
    of them is arguably Brady material. Henry’s statement was not Brady material
    because it was not suppressed. It was only during the middle of trial that Henry
    told the prosecutor that Glandton had told her that “the word on the street” was that
    RC had shot him, not Robinson. The prosecutor disclosed the information to
    Robinson’s counsel and the Superior Court as soon as she received it. Robinson’s
    counsel was then able to effectively cross examine Henry and Glandton about the
    statement at trial. Officer Cumming’s testimony that she heard Glandton shout
    “they killed Cam and she shot him for some pills” is nothing more than a
    typographical error. There was no evidence that a female was present during the
    18
    Norman v. State, 
    968 A.2d 27
    , 30 (Del. 2009) (citing 
    Atkinson, 778 A.2d at 1063
    ).
    19
    Opening Br. Ex. A.
    20
    
    Id. 7 incident.
    Had Officer Cummings actually said “she” rather than “he,” counsel on
    both sides would have explored the statement further. Throughout the entire case,
    the witnesses consistently testified that three men were involved in the drug
    transaction and shooting.
    (13) Thus, the only statement that is arguably Brady material is Officer
    Cumming’s statement that when she first asked Glandton who had shot him, he
    said he did not know. As the Commissioner found, the State did not suppress
    Officer Cumming’s statement, but delayed disclosure because the information did
    not appear in any police reports. Where delayed disclosure occurs:
    If the evidence is both favorable and material, a determination must be
    made whether its delayed disclosure precluded effective use of the
    information at trial. When a defendant is confronted with delayed
    disclosure of Brady material, reversal will be granted only if the
    defendant was denied the opportunity to use the material effectively.21
    (14) The Commissioner properly found that trial counsel was able to make
    effective use of the disclosure at trial.               Counsel thoroughly cross-examined
    Cummings about the statement and relied on it in his closing argument. Through
    counsel’s effective cross examination, he elicited testimony from Glandton that he
    had not seen the person who shot him, and that it was possible RC had pulled out a
    gun after he turned and ran. Trial counsel stated in his affidavit that the additional
    21
    White v. State, 
    816 A.2d 776
    , 778 (Del. 2003) (internal citations omitted).
    8
    evidence was a “windfall” and that he was able to use it effectively.22 In fact, the
    jury acquitted Robinson of Attempted First Degree Murder and the related
    weapons offense, indicating that counsel effectively highlighted Glandton’s
    uncertain memory. Thus, the State’s delayed disclosure is not a Brady violation
    requiring reversal.
    (15) Robinson next argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to
    request a mistrial when faced with the State’s Brady violations. Under Strickland
    v. Washington,23 counsel is constitutionally ineffective if (1) counsel’s
    representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, and (2)
    defendant was prejudiced by counsel’s error.24 To show prejudice, the defendant
    must demonstrate that it is reasonably likely the outcome of trial would have been
    different had counsel not committed the error.25 A defendant bears a heavy burden
    in establishing counsel was constitutionally ineffective.26 Further, “there is no
    need to examine whether an attorney performed deficiently if the deficiency did
    not prejudice the defendant.”27
    (16) Counsel could not be ineffective for failing to move for a mistrial if
    the State did not violate Brady. Further, trial counsel made a strategic decision not
    22
    App. to Opening Br. at 109-11.
    23
    
    466 U.S. 668
    , 688 (1984).
    24
    Brooks v. State, 
    40 A.3d 346
    , 354 (Del. 2012).
    25
    
    Id. 26 Hoskins
    v. State, 
    102 A.3d 724
    , 730 (Del. 2014).
    27
    Ploof v. State, 
    75 A.3d 811
    , 825 (Del. 2013).
    9
    to request a mistrial. In trial counsel’s Rule 61 affidavit, counsel explained that he
    did not feel the need to request a mistrial when he heard Officer Cumming’s
    testimony because he was able to use that evidence effectively.28 Robinson also
    cannot establish prejudice from the alleged violation.
    (17) Robinson next argues that the cumulative effect of the State’s Brady
    violations together with counsel’s ineffectiveness in failing to request a mistrial
    requires this Court to order a new trial. Because Robinson’s underlying claims are
    without merit or did not prejudice him, he has failed to establish cumulative error.
    (18) Finally, Robinson argues that the case should be remanded because
    the Superior Court abused its discretion when it refused to hold an evidentiary
    hearing. Superior Court Criminal Rule 61(h) provides that the Superior Court may
    order an evidentiary hearing if, after reviewing parties’ submissions, it finds that
    one is desirable. “Rule 61 does not mandate the scheduling of an evidentiary
    hearing in every case, but, rather, leaves it to the Superior Court to determine
    whether an evidentiary hearing is needed.”29                 The record below sufficiently
    informed the court of the nature of Robinson’s claims as evidenced by the
    Commissioner’s decision.            Thus, the Superior Court acted within its broad
    28
    App. to Opening Br. at 109-11.
    29
    Getz v. State, 
    77 A.3d 271
    , 
    2013 WL 5656208
    , at *1 (Del. Oct. 15, 2013) (Table).
    10
    discretion to summarily dispose of Robinson’s motion without holding an
    evidentiary hearing.
    NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby ORDERED that the judgment of the
    Superior Court is AFFIRMED.
    BY THE COURT:
    /s/ Collins J. Seitz, Jr.
    Justice
    11