Purnell v. State , 2014 Del. LEXIS 553 ( 2014 )

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
MARK PURNELL, §
§ No. 339, 2013
Defendant Below, §
Appellant, §
§ Court Below:
§
v. § Superior Court of the
§ State of Delaware, in and for
STATE OF DELAWARE, § New Castle County
§
Plaintiff Below, § Cr. I.D. No. 0701018040
Appellee. §
Submitted: September 24, 2014
Decided: November 21, 2014
Before STRINE, Chief Justice, RIDGELY and VALIHURA, Justices.
Upon appeal from the Superior Court. AFFIRMED
Thomas A. Foley, Esquire, (argued), Joseph M. Bernstein, Esquire, Wilmington,
Delaware, for Appellant.
Elizabeth R. McFarlan, Esquire (argued), Karen V. Sullivan, Esquire, Department
of Justice, Wilmington, Delaware, for Appellee.
VALIHURA, Justice:
Defendant-Below, Appellant Mark Purnell (“Purnell”) appeals from a
Superior Court Order denying his Rule 61 motion for postconviction relief
following his conviction of the following offenses: murder second degree;
attempted robbery first degree; possession of a firearm during commission of a
felony; possession of a deadly weapon during commission of a felony; possession
of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited; and conspiracy second degree.
On October 17, 2008, Purnell was sentenced to an aggregate of 77 years at
L-5, 21 years of which were mandatory, suspended after serving 45 years at
decreasing levels of supervision. Purnell’s convictions and sentences were
affirmed by this Court on direct appeal.1
A timely motion for post-conviction relief (“Rule 61 motion”) 2 was filed on
March 25, 2010. An amended Rule 61 motion was filed on October 11, 2011. The
Superior Court referred the matter to a Commissioner for findings and a
recommendation. On July 3, 2012, the Commissioner recommended that the Rule
61 motion be denied.3 Purnell filed a timely appeal from the Commissioner’s
findings and recommendations. On May 31, 2013, the Superior Court issued its
decision denying Purnell’s Rule 61 motion. 4
1
See Purnell v. State, 979 A.2d 1102 (Del. 2009) [hereinafter Purnell I].
2
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61.
3
See State v. Purnell, 2012 WL 2832990 (Del. Super. Jul. 3, 2012) [hereinafter Purnell II].
4
State v. Purnell, 2013 WL 4017401 (Del. Super. May 31, 2013) [hereinafter Purnell III].
2
On June 28, 2013, Purnell filed a timely appeal in this Court from the
Superior Court’s Rule 61 decision. Purnell raises four arguments on appeal, all
related to the performance of his trial counsel. First, Purnell argues that his trial
attorney was ineffective under Strickland v. Washington 5 when he failed to request
an accomplice credibility jury instruction. Second, Purnell contends that his
counsel was ineffective when he failed to request a limiting instruction regarding
the guilty plea entered into by his co-defendant, Ronald Harris (“Harris”), where
the plea was entered following selection of the jury for a joint trial, but before the
trial began. Third, Purnell contends that his counsel was ineffective when he failed
to appeal the trial court’s ruling denying his request to empanel a new jury
following disclosure of Harris’ guilty plea. Finally, Purnell argues that his trial
counsel was ineffective when he failed to object to comments made by the
prosecutor, which Purnell contends amounted to improper “vouching” for Harris’
credibility.
We find no merit to Purnell’s appeal. Accordingly, we affirm.
I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY 6
Tameka Giles (“Mrs. Giles”) was murdered after a botched robbery attempt
on January 30, 2006. She was walking with her husband when two men
5
466 U.S. 668 (1984).
6
These facts are drawn from the Commissioner’s findings and recommendation, which were in
turn adopted by the Superior Court.
3
approached them and demanded money. After she refused, one of them fatally
shot her in the back. Both men fled.
The police quickly identified Harris as a suspect based on eyewitness
identification from Angela Rayne, who had been smoking crack cocaine nearby at
the time of the shooting. Mrs. Giles’ husband also tentatively identified Kellee
Mitchell (“Mitchell”) as one of the shooters in a photo lineup. The police arrested
both men on February 18, 2006. At the time of the arrest, Purnell was in Harris’
apartment, but was not yet considered a suspect. Neither Harris nor Mitchell
identified Purnell as one of the assailants during any of their respective interviews
with the police in 2006.
Purnell was not identified as a suspect until January 2007, when Corey
Hammond (“Hammond”) informed the police that he had seen Purnell and Harris
together on the day of the shooting. Hammond had previously denied knowing
anything about the crime, but suddenly recalled that Purnell had complained about
needing money and was carrying a firearm on the morning of January 30, 2006.
Hammond also informed police that Purnell had later bragged about killing Mrs.
Giles. As with most of the State’s witnesses, Hammond’s credibility was an issue:
his statement to police followed an arrest on drug-related charges, and the State
agreed to reduce his sentence in exchange for his trial testimony.
4
Also in January 2007, Mitchell changed his story and informed the police
that Purnell was involved in the shooting. He recalled a conversation in April 2006
with Purnell in which Purnell confessed to shooting Mrs. Giles. Mitchell’s
girlfriend, Etienne Williams (“Williams”), also claimed that she had overheard
Purnell confess during a telephone call.
Based on this evidence, the police arrested Purnell. In April 2007, Purnell
and Harris were jointly indicted on charges of murder in the first degree, attempted
robbery in the first degree, conspiracy in the second degree, possession of a firearm
during the commission of a felony, and possession of a deadly weapon by a person
prohibited. A jury was selected for the trial on April 2, 2008. Five days later,
before the trial began, Harris accepted a plea deal from the State. In exchange for
pleading guilty to reduced charges, Harris agreed to testify against Purnell. The
trial against Purnell began on April 14, 2008, with the same jury initially selected
for the joint trial.
The jury voted to convict Purnell of murder in the second degree, attempted
robbery in the first degree, possession of a firearm during the commission of a
felony, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony,
possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited, and conspiracy in the
second degree. Purnell was sentenced by the Superior Court to an aggregate of 77
years at Level 5 incarceration, 21 years mandatory, suspended after serving 45
5
years at decreasing levels of supervision. Both the conviction and sentence were
affirmed by this Court on direct appeal on August 25, 2010.7
Purnell then filed a motion for postconviction relief under Rule 61, alleging
ineffective assistance of counsel. The Superior Court referred Purnell’s motion to
a Commissioner for findings and a recommendation. On July 3, 2012, the
Commissioner issued her recommendation that the motion be denied,8 which
Purnell appealed, seeking de novo review by a judge of the Superior Court. After
hearing oral arguments, the Superior Court issued its ruling denying Purnell’s
motion on May 31, 2013.9 Purnell now appeals that decision to this Court.
II. DISCUSSION
As we recently stated in Hoskins v. State,10 “‘[w]e review a Superior Court
judge’s denial of a Rule 61 motion for postconviction relief for abuse of
discretion.”’11 Constitutional questions and other questions of law are reviewed de
novo.12
7
Purnell I, 979 A.2d 1102.
8
Purnell II, 2012 WL 2832990.
9
Purnell III, 2013 WL 4017401.
10
2014 WL 4722716 (Del. Sept. 22, 2014) [hereinafter Hoskins II]. This decision affirmed the
denial of postconviction relief in Hoskins v. State, 14 A.3d 554, 556-59 (Del. 2011) [hereinafter
Hoskins I], overruled by Brooks v. State, 40 A.3d 346 (Del. 2012).
11
Id. at *2 (quoting Neal v. State, 80 A.3d 935, 941 (Del. 2013)).
12
Hoskins II, 2014 WL 4722716, at *2 (citing Ploof v. State, 75 A.3d 811, 820 (Del. 2013)).
6
Purnell’s claims all allege instances of ineffective assistance of counsel in
violation of the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. An
ineffective assistance of counsel claim requires a defendant to satisfy the two-
pronged test set out in Strickland v. Washington.13 First, the defendant must show
that counsel’s performance was deficient, “meaning that ‘counsel’s representation
fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.”’ 14 “If counsel is shown to be
deficient, then the defendant must demonstrate prejudice from counsel’s error.” 15
In analyzing the first prong of Strickland, a defendant bears a heavy burden
in demonstrating that trial counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard
of reasonableness. As we said in Hoskins, “[i]n order to eliminate ‘the distorting
effects of hindsight,’ there is a strong presumption that trial counsel’s
representation was professionally reasonable.”16 “If an attorney makes a strategic
choice after thorough investigation of law and facts relevant to plausible options,’
that decision is virtually unchallengeable . . . .” 17
Strickland’s second prong requires the defendant to demonstrate how trial
counsel’s error resulted in prejudice. We have defined “prejudice” as “a
reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the
13
466 U.S. 668 (1984).
14
Hoskins II, 2014 WL 4722716, at *3 (citing Cooke v. State, 977 A.2d 803, 848 (Del. 2009)).
15
Hoskins II, 2014 WL 4722716, at *3 (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687).
16
Hoskins II, 2014 WL 4722716, at *3 (citing Gattis v. State, 697 A.2d 1174, 1178 (Del. 1997)).
17
Hoskins II, 2014 WL 4722716, at *3.
7
proceeding would have been different.” 18 Mere allegations of ineffectiveness are
not sufficient. Instead, a defendant must allege actual prejudice and substantiate it.
A “‘failure to state with particularity the nature of the prejudice experienced is fatal
to a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.’” 19 “In particular, a court need not
determine whether counsel’s performance was deficient before examining the
prejudice suffered by the defendant as a result of the alleged deficiencies.”20
A. Trial Counsel’s Failure to Request an Accomplice Credibility
Instruction
1. The Failure Constituted Deficient Performance Under Strickland’s
First Prong
Purnell’s first claim on appeal is that his trial counsel was deficient for
failing to request a jury instruction concerning the credibility of accomplice
testimony -- a so-called Bland instruction. 21 In our recent decision in Hoskins II,
we trace the somewhat tortured history of the law regarding accomplice credibility
instructions. 22 The law as it presently exists requires a trial court to provide a
specific Bland instruction any time an accomplice witness testifies. 23 This model
18
Id. (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687).
19
Hoskins II, 2014 WL 4722716, at *3 (citing Dawson v. State, 673 A.3d 1186, 1196 (Del.
1996)).
20
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697.
21
See Bland v. State, 263 A.2d 286, 289-90 (Del. 1970).
22
See Hoskins II, 2014 WL 4722716, at *3-5.
23
Id. at *4 (citing Brooks v. State, 40 A.3d 346, 350 (Del. 2012)).
8
instruction, originally set forth in 1970 in Bland, 24 and modified in Brooks,25
provides:
A portion of the evidence presented by the State is the
testimony of admitted participants in the crime with which
these defendants are charged. For obvious reasons, the
testimony of an alleged accomplice should be examined by you
with more care and caution than the testimony of a witness who
did not participate in the crime charged. This rule becomes
particularly important when there is nothing in the evidence,
direct or circumstantial, to corroborate the alleged accomplices’
accusation that these defendants participated in the crime.
Without such corroboration, you should not find the defendants
guilty unless, after careful examination of the alleged
accomplices’ testimony, you are satisfied beyond a reasonable
doubt that it is true and you may safely rely upon it. Of course,
if you are so satisfied, you would be justified in relying upon it,
despite the lack of corroboration, and in finding the defendants
guilty. 26
a. The Present State of the Law
In Brooks, this Court issued important guidance as to how cases calling for a
Bland instruction should be handled by the trial court.27 Seeking to “resolve this
unnecessarily convoluted area of the law,”28 we announced a new rule that requires
a trial court to provide a specific Bland instruction any time an accomplice witness
24
Bland, 263 A.2d at 289-90.
25
Brooks, 40 A.3d at 350 (modifying the original model instruction set forth in Bland).
26
Id.
27
See id. at 349-50.
28
Id. at 350.
9
testifies -- regardless of whether or not it is requested by trial counsel. 29 This
Court unequivocally told trial courts to “give the modified Bland instruction [as
stated in Brooks] or commit plain error.”30 However, we explained that this new
rule would not be retroactive and there would be no plain error where a trial judge
provides an instruction that “correctly applied the law as it existed on the day [the
trial judge] instructed the jury.” 31 Accordingly, for cases decided before our 2012
decision in Brooks, “our analysis on postconviction review of a Bland claim is
governed by the case law controlling at the time of trial.” 32
Purnell’s trial began on April 14, 2008.33 Thus, we must ascertain the state
of the law as of April 14, 2008.
b. The Law at the Time of Purnell’s Trial
Following Bland, and up to the start of Purnell’s trial on April 14, 2008, we
held on multiple occasions that accomplice testimony instructions that departed
from the specific wording in Bland were acceptable so long as they were accurate
and adequately explained the potential problems with accomplice testimony. 34 For
29
Id. at 348.
30
Id.
31
Id. at 351.
32
Hoskins II, 2014 WL 4722716, at *4.
33
App. to Appellant’s Opening Br. at A7-8.
34
Cabrera v. State, 747 A.2d 543 (Del. 2000), overruled by Brooks, 40 A.3d 346. See also
Soliman v. State, 2007 WL 63359 (Del. Jan. 10, 2007), overruled by Brooks, 40 A.3d 346;
Bordley v. State, 2003 WL 22227558 (Del. Sept. 24, 2003), overruled by Brooks, 40 A.3d 346.
10
example, in Cabrera v. State, this Court held that a modified Bland instruction was
adequate where it “warn[ed] the jurors that accomplice testimony may be suspect
because of the accomplice’s self-interest and his plea agreement.” 35 Three years
later, in Bordley v. State, we held that there was no error where the pattern jury
instruction warned that the accomplice testimony “may be affected by self-interest,
by an agreement she may have with the State, by her own interest in the outcome,
and by prejudice against the defendant.”36 Four years later, in Soliman v. State, we
reiterated that when the jury is provided with a correct statement of the law, even if
it does not instruct the jury to examine the testimony “with caution,” we will not
find error.37
c. Cases After Purnell’s April 2014 Trial: Smith,
Hoskins II, and Brooks
To complete the chronology, in cases after Purnell’s trial, we again
considered whether counsel’s failure to request a Bland instruction could
successfully establish an ineffective assistance of counsel claim. In Smith v. State,
a case of first impression, this Court reiterated, “a general credibility instruction is
not an acceptable substitute for a specific accomplice credibility instruction.” 38
This Court determined that “the failure of [a defendant’s] trial counsel to request a
35
Cabrera, 747 A.2d at 545.
36
Bordley, 2003 WL 2222 7558, at *2.
37
Soliman, 2007 WL 63359, at *3.
38
Smith v. State, 991 A.2d 1169, 1179 (Del. 2010), overruled by Brooks, 40 A.3d 346.
11
specific instruction on the credibility of accomplice testimony amounted to
‘deficient attorney performance’ under the first part of [this Court’s] Strickland
analysis.”39 However, Smith still required the defendant to establish prejudice
under the second prong of Strickland. We explained in Smith that “trial counsel’s
failure to request [a Bland] instruction will not always be prejudicial per se.” 40
Rather, “the prejudicial effect depends upon the facts and circumstances of each
particular case.”41 Nonetheless, we found that the defendant in Smith did receive
ineffective representation when trial counsel failed to request an accomplice
instruction based on the facts of that case.42
In Hoskins I, 43 this Court considered whether it was plain error when a judge
failed sua sponte to give an accomplice credibility instruction. We held that Smith
did not create such a broad rule. We explained that the Smith decision required a
trial judge “to give a Bland-type of instruction, upon request, when accomplice
testimony is presented.” 44 Thus, it was not plain error for a trial judge to fail to
give sua sponte an accomplice credibility instruction.
39
Id. at 1177; see also Brooks, 40 A.3d at 354 (“Counsel who forgets to request an instruction
that could help his client fails to meet an objective standard of reasonableness.”).
40
Smith, 991 A.2d at 1180.
41
Id.
42
Id.
43
Hoskins I, 14 A.3d 554, 556-59 (Del. 2011), overruled by Brooks, 40 A.3d 346.
44
Hoskins I, 14 A.3d at 562 (emphasis in original).
12
The progeny of cases after Bland, up to and including Hoskins I, were
overruled when we decided Brooks. In Brooks, we held that trial judges must give
an accomplice testimony instruction any time an alleged accomplice testifies
regardless of whether trial counsel requests it.45
But at the time of Purnell’s trial, his counsel did not have the benefit of this
Court’s decision in Brooks. This Court’s holding in Brooks is not applicable to our
determination of whether the failure to request the Bland instruction was erroneous
or prejudicial to Purnell.46 Instead, the earlier holdings in Cabrera, Bordley, and
Soliman provide the applicable framework for analysis.
In Bordley, we stated that “[a]lthough the trial judge in the present case did
not instruct the jury to examine [the accomplice’s] testimony ‘with caution,’ the
trial judge should be granted wide latitude in framing his jury instruction.” 47 In
Purnell’s trial, the jury was given a general credibility instruction as follows:
You are the sole judges of credibility of each person who has
testified and of the weight to be given to the testimony of each.
You are to judge the credibility of all the witnesses that have
testified before you whether for the prosecution or for the
defense . . . .
In considering the credibility of witnesses and in considering
any conflict in testimony, you should take into consideration
45
See Brooks, 40 A.3d at 350.
46
See Guy v. State, 82 A.3d 710, 714 (Del. 2013) (“[T]he mandatory instruction set forth in
Brooks does not apply retroactively.”).
47
Bordley, 2003 WL 22227558, at *2.
13
each witness’ means of knowledge, strength of memory and
opportunity for observation, the reasonableness or
unreasonableness of the testimony, the consistency or
inconsistency of the testimony, the motives influencing the
witness, the fact, if it is a fact, that the testimony has been
contradicted, the witnesses [sic] bias or prejudice or interest in
the outcome of the litigation, the ability to have acquired the
knowledge of the facts to which the witness testified, the
manner and demeanor upon the witness stand, and that
apparent truthfulness of the testimony, and all other facts and
circumstances shown by the evidence which affect the
credibility of the testimony.48
The jury was further instructed as follows:
The fact that a witness has been convicted of a felony or a
crime involving dishonesty, if such be a fact, may be considered
by you for one purpose only, namely, in judging the credibility
of that witness. The fact of such a conviction does not
necessarily destroy or impair the witness’ credibility and it does
not raise the suggestion that the witness testified falsely. 49
The Superior Court found that the instructions were “correct statement[s] of
the substance of the law, [were] reasonably informative and not misleading.” 50
However, Cabrera, Bordley and Soliman all contained specific instructions
regarding the accomplice’s agreement with the State. In Cabrera, the jury
instruction “did warn the jurors that accomplice testimony may be suspect because
of the accomplice’s self-interest and his plea agreement.” 51 In Bordley, the
48
Purnell III, 2013 WL 4017401, at *7.
49
Id. at *8.
50
Id.
51
Cabrera v. State, 747 A.2d 543, 545 (Del. 2000), overruled by Brooks, 40 A.3d 346.
14
instruction “did, in fact, warn that the testimony of . . . the accomplice[] may be
affected by self-interest, by an agreement she may have with the State, by her own
interest in the outcome, and by prejudice against the defendant.” 52 In Soliman, the
jury was instructed that it:
may consider all the factors which affect the witness’
credibility, including whether the testimony of the accomplice
has been affected by self-interest, by an agreement which he
may have with the State, by his own interest in the outcome of
the litigation, by prejudice against the defendant, or whether or
not the testimony has been corroborated by any other evidence
in the case. 53
Thus, in these cases -- where we did not find reversible error in the jury
instructions -- language directing the jury to take into account accomplice
testimony was used in addition to a general witness credibility instruction. In
Purnell’s trial, the trial court only gave the general witness credibility instruction.
Thus, although a general credibility instruction was given, the jury was not
instructed as to the specific concerns regarding accomplice testimony.
What Cabrera, Bordley and Soliman make clear is that Purnell’s counsel
was on notice that a separate jury instruction regarding accomplice testimony could
be requested. Accordingly, we must determine whether counsel’s decision not to
52
Bordley v. State, 2003 WL 22227558, at *2 (Del. Sept. 24, 2003), overruled by Brooks, 40
A.3d 346.
53
Soliman v. State, 2007 WL 63359, at *3 n.20 (Del. Jan. 10, 2007), overruled by Brooks, 40
A.3d 346.
15
request the separate instruction was a strategic one. In Neal v. State, we observed
that “[t]hough we do not require lawyers to predict the future, [Smith and Brooks]
only underscore the concerns that this Court has long recognized: a decision not to
request a Bland instruction is not a product of trial strategy.” 54 We further noted in
Neal:
even though this Court, at the time of Neal’s trial [in August of
2009], displayed some ambivalence about the exact wording of
a Bland instruction, “it was well established that, in Delaware, a
defendant is entitled, upon request, to a specific jury instruction
concerning the credibility of accomplice testimony in cases
where the State’s evidence includes the testimony of an
accomplice.”55
In this case, Purnell’s trial counsel stated in an affidavit, “[c]andidly, I
cannot recall why I did not request the instruction.” 56 Yet, requesting an
instruction would have been consistent with trial counsel’s strategy. Purnell’s
counsel wanted to convince the jury that Harris was credible when he initially told
police that Purnell was not involved, but then lied at trial as a result of his plea deal
54
Neal v. State, 80 A.3d 935, 944 (Del. 2013); see also Brooks, 40 A.3d at 354 (“When
considering whether to request an instruction on accomplice testimony, the defense gains nothing
by failing to request a cautionary instruction, aside perhaps from a later chance at a claim for
ineffective assistance of counsel.”); Smith, 991 A.2d at 1177 (“[T]here is no reasonable trial
strategy for failing to request the cautionary accomplice testimony instruction. . . . We cannot
envision an advantage which could be gained by withholding a request for th[ese]
instruction[s].”).
55
Neal, 80 A.3d at 944 (quoting Smith, 991 A.2d at 1175) (applying Smith and Brooks to a trial
conducted prior to those decisions); but see Torrence v. State, 2012 WL 2106219 (Del. Jun. 11,
2012) (finding that where the language of the instruction differed from Brooks’ modification of
Bland, this Court will not find error).
56
App. to Appellant’s Opening Br. at A24.
16
with the State. Throughout the trial, Purnell’s counsel highlighted Harris’ motives
in testifying and contrasted these with his motives upon first being questioned by
the police.57 Although this Court only required accomplice testimony instructions
to be accurate and adequately explain the potential problems with accomplice
testimony and there was no precise language required to be used in the
instruction,58 the instruction would nevertheless have furthered the defense
strategy. An accomplice testimony instruction would have helped illustrate the
point defense counsel attempted to make during cross-examination and closing
arguments: accomplice testimony must be scrutinized for potential bias and
unreliability. We thus conclude that trial counsel’s performance in failing to
request a Bland instruction “fell below an objective standard of reasonable attorney
conduct” and constitutes deficient performance under the first prong of Strickland.
57
App. to Appellee’s Answering Br. at B26. See Purnell III, 2013 WL 4017401, at *9 (in its
review of Purnell’s Rule 61 motion, the Superior Court stated that “[t]he fact that the defense
counsel’s strategy did not prove to be successful does not diminish the reasonableness of that
strategy”). In concluding that the first prong of the Strickland standard had not been met, the
Superior Court concluded that although defense counsel could not recall why he did not request a
Bland instruction, the strategy was clear from the record -- namely, defense counsel did not want
to discredit Harris’ testimony in its entirety. Instead, we believe the instruction would have
furthered the strategy of convincing the jury that Harris later lied at trial -- contrary to his earlier
statements to the police -- as a result of his plea agreement.
58
Soliman, 2007 WL 63359, at *3 (denying an appeal where both parties conceded that the
accomplice testimony instruction was an accurate statement of law); Bordley, 2003 WL
22227558, at *2 (“The record demonstrates that the pattern jury instruction used by the trial
judge was a correct statement of the law and adequately guided the jury as trier of fact and
determiner of credibility.”); Cabrera, 747 A.2d at 545 (“Turning to the language at issue, we
find that the instruction is adequate. . . . Considering the instruction as a whole, we are satisfied
that it sufficiently communicated the credibility concerns associated with accomplice
testimony.”).
17
2. The Failure Was Not Prejudicial Under Strickland’s Second
Prong
Although trial counsel’s failure to request a Bland instruction was deficient,
Purnell must now demonstrate prejudice under the second prong of Strickland. To
show prejudice, Purnell must demonstrate a reasonable probability that, but for
counsel’s deficient performance, the jury would have decided differently. 59
Purnell asks us to reexamine the validity of the prejudice standard articulated
in Brooks. He claims that Brooks fails to recognize the fundamental differences
between the “reasonable probability” inquiry under Strickland and the traditional
“harmless error” analysis. He argues that our interpretation of the second prong of
Strickland makes it more difficult for a defendant to establish prejudice than what
the Supreme Court intended.60
The harmless error standard is different from the standard we articulated in
Brooks. Harmless error is a burden-shifting test. In Chapman v. California,61 the
United States Supreme Court noted:
Certainly error, constitutional error, in illegally admitting
highly prejudicial evidence or comments, casts on someone
59
Zebroski v. State, 822 A.2d 1038, 1043 (Del. 2003) (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687; Wright
v. State, 671 A.2d 1353, 1356 (Del. 1996)).
60
Appellant’s Opening Br. at 16-17 (“In holding that a defendant is not prejudiced if: (1) the
testimony of the accomplice is corroborated by independent evidence; and (2) the defendant fails
to show a reasonable probability that the outcome would have been different, the Court has re-
defined Strickland’s prejudice inquiry by making it more difficult to establish prejudice than is
required under Strickland and its progeny.”).
61
386 U.S. 18 (1967).
18
other than the person prejudiced by it a burden to show that it
was harmless. It is for that reason that the original common-
law harmless-error rule put the burden on the beneficiary of the
error either to prove that there was no injury or to suffer a
reversal of his erroneously obtained judgment.62
The Supreme Court has further explained that the analytical framework of the
harmless error doctrine is “not whether the legally admitted evidence was
sufficient . . . but rather, whether the State has proved beyond a reasonable doubt
that the error complained of did not contribute to the verdict obtained.” 63
Our standard in Brooks comports with the standard set forth by Strickland
and its progeny. In Strickland, the Supreme Court noted that “actual
ineffectiveness claims alleging a deficiency in attorney performance are subject to
a general requirement that the defendant affirmatively prove prejudice.”64 The
defendant has the burden to “show that there is a reasonable probability that, but
for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been
different.”65 Similarly, in Brooks we held that the burden is on the defendant to
“demonstrate a reasonable probability that the jury would have decided differently
had it heard the Bland instruction.”66
62
Id. at 24.
63
Satterwhite v. Texas, 486 U.S. 249, 258-59 (1988) (internal quotation marks omitted).
64
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 693.
65
Id. at 694.
66
Brooks, 40 A.3d at 354-55.
19
Here, we apply the standard for prejudice as it existed at the time of
Purnell’s trial. Strickland requires us to “consider the totality of the evidence” 67 in
determining whether the defendant has shown that, but for counsel’s deficient
performance, there is a reasonable probability that the outcome would have been
different. “A reasonably probability is a probability sufficient to undermine
confidence in the outcome.” 68 It is therefore “not enough for the defendant to
show that the errors had some conceivable effect on the outcome of the
proceeding.” 69
The Superior Court considered the totality of the evidence to find that even
if Purnell had established deficient performance under the first prong of Strickland,
Purnell failed to establish prejudice as required under the second prong. 70 It
concluded that there was “significant, additional information before the jury that
substantiated the accomplice’s testimony.” 71 We agree.
Evidence, aside from Harris’ testimony, showed that Purnell was identified
as the shooter by three other individuals, none of whom were accomplices --
Hammond, Mitchell and Williams. Hammond testified at trial that he heard
67
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 695. See also Smith, 991 A.2d at 1180 (“The prejudicial effect depends
upon the facts and circumstances of each particular case.”).
68
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694.
69
Id. at 693.
70
Purnell III, 2013 WL 4017401, at *9.
71
Id. at *8.
20
Purnell complain that he was “broke” and saw Purnell carrying a semi-automatic
gun in his waistband on the day of the shooting. 72 He also testified that Purnell had
later bragged that he had “popped” Mrs. Giles because she refused to hand over her
money. 73
Most of Mitchell’s testimony came into evidence through a Section 3507 74
statement because he claimed he could not remember anything on the witness
stand. The State introduced evidence that Mitchell was unwilling to cooperate at
trial because Purnell had threatened him for being a “snitch.” In the statements
provided by the police detectives who had previously interviewed him, Mitchell
claimed Purnell had confessed to him in April 2006 to killing Mrs. Giles because
she recognized him when he tried to rob her. 75 Williams, Mitchell’s girlfriend,
testified at trial that she overheard a telephone conversation between Purnell and
her cousin, Jerome Portis, in which Purnell confessed to killing Mrs. Giles,
although she believed he might have been joking.76
72
App. to Appellant’s Opening Br. at A40.
73
Id. at A42.
74
Under 11 Del. C. § 3507, the voluntary out-of-court statement of a witness who is present and
subject to cross-examination may be used as affirmative evidence with substantive independent
testimonial value in a criminal prosecution.
75
App. to Appellant’s Opening Br. at A36. Harris testified that he ran away when Purnell pulled
out a gun. Id. at A50.
76
After claiming that he had killed Mrs. Giles, Purnell said “sike,” which Williams interpreted as
indicating that his preceding statement was potentially false or in jest. App. to Appellant’s
Opening Br. at A45-46. Aqueshia Williams was also present for the conversation, and testified
to a similar account. App. to Appellant’s Reply Br. at AR1-2.
21
The State also introduced the recording of a telephone call between Purnell
and Tramont Mitchell, Kellee Mitchell’s brother, in which Purnell bragged that he
had “a lot” to do with the murder.77 A video statement from Aqueshia Williams,
Etienne Williams’ sister, was played for the jury, in which she claimed that Purnell
said “I shot one bitch, I’ll kill another.” 78
Moreover, Purnell asserted that he did not associate with Harris, the
accomplice, but that claim was undermined by the fact that he was found in Harris’
home when Harris was arrested.79 Purnell also lacked a credible alibi, as he
presented two conflicting reports of where he was on the night of the shooting.
Further, as discussed above, the jury was instructed that it had the “sole”
responsibility for judging the “credibility of each person who has testified and of
the weight to be given to the testimony of each.” The jury was instructed to
consider the witness’ motives, bias, prejudice, interest and general credibility.
Additionally, Purnell’s counsel cross-examined Harris about his plea, focusing on
the inconsistencies between Harris’ testimony and his previous statements to the
police. 80 He then used his closing argument to reiterate that theme, as to Harris
77
App. to Appellee’s Answering Br. at B14.
78
Id. at B5-6.
79
Purnell did not testify at trial, but his attorney in his closing argument asserted that the jury
could not “make a connection between [Purnell] and Ron Harris.” App. to Appellant’s Opening
Br. at A54.
80
App. to Appellee’s Answering Br. at B10-11.
22
and the other witnesses: “you have been instructed to . . . try to make one
harmonious story of the events on January 30th 2006. That is going to be a hard
job based upon all those conflicting statements and all the motivation that people
have to get out of jail, get out of trouble.”81
Strickland requires the defendant to show that there is a reasonable
probability that the result would have been different had his attorney not erred.
Given the independent evidence corroborating Harris’ testimony, Purnell’s
counsel’s vigorous efforts to undermine Harris’ credibility at trial, and the jury
instruction’s general caution regarding “the motives influencing the witness” and
the witness’s “bias or prejudice or interest in the outcome of the litigation,” we do
not find that there is a reasonable probability that the jury’s verdict would have
changed had it heard the Bland instruction. Thus, Purnell has not met his burden to
show prejudice as required by the second prong under Strickland.
B. Trial Counsel’s Failure to Request a Limiting Instruction Regarding
the Guilty Plea of Co-defendant Harris Did Not Constitute Ineffective
Assistance of Counsel
Purnell argues that his counsel should have requested the jury be instructed
about the effects of Harris’ guilty plea based on the fact that they knew Harris was
a co-defendant and would learn he had pled guilty. The jurors saw Harris sitting at
the defense table during jury selection, but at the start of trial, Harris was absent.
81
Id. at B26 (emphasis added).
23
During the State’s opening statement, the jury learned that Harris had pled guilty
and would testify for the State.
Purnell relies on this Court’s decision in Allen v. State 82 to show that a
reasonably competent defense attorney would request a cautionary instruction
concerning Harris’ guilty plea. The State argues, and the Superior Court found,
that the facts in Allen “significantly differ” from the facts in this case.83 We agree.
In Allen, we considered whether admitting into evidence a certified copy of a
co-defendant’s guilty plea agreement without live testimony was an abuse of
discretion. 84 Allen and two co-defendants were indicted on twenty charges arising
from three separate burglary incidents. Both co-defendants entered into plea
agreements with the State prior to the trial. One of the co-defendants testified
during Allen’s trial, but the other did not. The Superior Court allowed into
evidence, over defense counsel’s objection, the non-testifying co-defendant’s plea
agreement. We held that “a co-defendant’s plea agreement may not be used as
substantive evidence of a defendant’s guilt, to bolster the testimony of a co-
defendant, or to directly or indirectly vouch for the veracity of another co-
defendant who pled guilty and then testified against his or her fellow accused.” 85
82
878 A.2d 447 (Del. 2005).
83
Purnell III, 2013 WL 4017401, at *10.
84
Allen, 878 A.2d at 449.
85
Id. at 450.
24
We did acknowledge, however, that there are limited circumstances in which a
prosecutor may seek to introduce a co-defendant’s guilty plea. For example,
“[d]uring the direct examination of a co-defendant, a prosecutor may elicit
testimony regarding that co-defendant’s plea agreement and may actually introduce
that agreement into evidence.”86
The admission of the guilty plea in such a circumstance may serve “the
limited purpose of allowing the jury to accurately assess the credibility of the co-
defendant witness, to address the jury’s possible concern of selective prosecution
or to explain how the co-defendant witness has first-hand knowledge of the events
about which he or she is testifying.” 87 We made clear that even “[i]n these
situations, a trial court must still give a proper cautionary instruction as to the
limited use of the plea agreement and the accompanying testimony about it.” 88 We
warned that admitting a guilty plea, even for a limited purpose, must be
accompanied by a cautionary instruction, because the “absence of such a limiting
instruction is an important factor in determining whether the admission of the
guilty plea was harmless error.” 89
86
Id. at 450-51. We also noted that testimony about a guilty plea may also be elicited during
cross-examination for the purposes of impeachment. Id. at 451.
87
Id. at 451.
88
Id. (emphasis added).
89
Id.
25
The trial court in Allen instructed the jury that there may be “many reasons”
why a defendant may plead guilty. 90 However, the trial court never instructed the
jury on the proper limited purpose for admitting the actual plea agreement into
evidence.91 This Court reasoned that without an instruction on how the jury should
evaluate the evidence, it left open the possibility that the jury “use[d] the plea
agreement as substantive evidence of Allen’s guilt, to bolster the testimony of co-
defendant Howard or to directly or indirectly vouch for the veracity of co-
defendant Howard who pled guilty and testified against Allen at trial.” 92
In this case, Harris’ plea agreement was not offered into evidence. Further,
Harris testified and was subject to rigorous cross-examination. Thus, Allen does
not provide valid grounds for Purnell to argue that his counsel needed to request a
cautionary instruction regarding Harris having pled guilty. Accordingly, Purnell
has not demonstrated that his counsel’s conduct fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness and was deficient under the first prong of Strickland.93
90
Id. at 449-50.
91
Id. at 451.
92
Id.
93
Harris’ decision to plead guilty was a central element of Purnell’s defense strategy at trial.
Defense counsel used the fact that Harris accepted a plea agreement to make the argument that
Harris was trying to protect his own interests by shifting responsibility for Mrs. Giles’ murder
from himself to Purnell. An instruction admonishing the jury not to use the plea as substantive
evidence of Purnell’s guilt may have furthered defense counsel’s strategy. However, as
discussed above, not requesting such an instruction is not deficient performance under the first
prong of Strickland. Therefore, we do not reach the second prong under Strickland, i.e., whether
26
C. Trial Counsel’s Failure to Appeal the Trial Court’s Ruling Denying
his Request to Empanel a New Jury Did Not Constitute Ineffective
Assistance of Counsel
Purnell argues that his counsel’s failure to appeal the trial court’s rejection
of his request to empanel a new jury was evidence of deficient performance under
Strickland. During jury selection, jurors saw Harris at the defense table and
understood him to be Purnell’s co-defendant. Purnell contends that the jury was
likely to infer his guilt based on Harris’ guilty plea. Indeed, his trial counsel did
request a new jury on April 8, 2008, the day after Harris entered his plea.
However, after the trial court denied the request for a new jury, Purnell’s counsel
did not appeal the ruling. Nor did he include the issue when he appealed the
conviction and sentence on other grounds. Purnell’s counsel stated in his affidavit
that he did not appeal the ruling related to seating a new jury because he “did not
believe that this issue would have been successful on direct appeal because the jury
swore and [sic] oath to be fair and impartial.” 94 He also stated in his affidavit that
he “was able to cross-examine Harris concerning the beneficial plea he received to
testify in an effort to attack the credibility of his proffer and trial testimony.” 95
there is a reasonable probability that a different outcome would result if the jury had been given
such an instruction.
94
App. to Appellant’s Opening Br. at A25.
95
Id.
27
Our analysis of a claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel follows
the standard Strickland framework. In Neal v. State, we noted that:
Appellate counsel “need not (and should not) raise every
nonfrivolous claim, but rather may select from among them in
order to maximize the likelihood of success on appeal.”
Nevertheless, “[i]t is still possible to bring a Strickland claim
based on counsel’s failure to raise a particular claim, but it is
difficult to demonstrate that counsel was incompetent.”96
In this case, Purnell has not demonstrated that his counsel was incompetent
for failing to raise this claim on appeal. Defense counsel made a strategic decision
not to pursue the claim, which is sufficient under the Strickland test. “A strategy,
which structures appellate arguments on ‘those more likely to prevail, far from
being evidence of incompetence, is the hallmark of effective appellate
advocacy.’” 97
In Jones v. Barnes, the United States Supreme Court held that although a
defendant has the final authority to make certain fundamental decisions, such as
whether to plead guilty, or to take an appeal, the defendant does not have a
constitutional right to compel his counsel to raise issues that counsel, in exercising
his own independent and professional strategic judgment, decides not to present. 98
96
Neal v. State, 80 A.3d 935, 946 (Del. 2013) (quoting Smith v. Robbins, 528 U.S. 259, 285
(2000)).
97
Zebroski v. State, 822 A.2d 1038, 1051 (Del. 2003) (quoting Flamer v. State, 585 A.2d 736,
758 (Del. 1990)).
98
Jones v. Barnes, 463 U.S. 745, 751 (1983) (“It is also recognized that the accused has the
ultimate authority to make certain fundamental decisions regarding the case, as to whether to
28
This Court applied Jones in Scott v. State, a case raising a similar issue to the one
presented here.99 In Scott, defendant’s counsel stated in his affidavit that he “did
not argue [an] issue [on appeal] because [he] did not believe that there was any
chance that [this Court] would reverse based on the circumstances of the ruling.” 100
Moreover, Scott’s trial counsel did, in fact, cross-examine the witness on the
underlying issue that he did not appeal. This Court held that Scott’s claim for
ineffective assistance of counsel was thus without merit.101
In this case, defense counsel stated that his reason for not raising this
argument on appeal was because it was unlikely to be successful. Purnell’s current
counsel does not cite to any rule of law or precedent that says that a new jury must
be empanelled whenever a jury is aware that a case has been brought against two
criminal defendants, and one of them pleads guilty before trial. Jurors are
presumed to follow the instructions given them. The jury swore under oath to be
fair and impartial. Counsel used the information concerning Harris’ plea as part of
the defense strategy. Purnell’s counsel sought to do what Scott’s counsel did:
cross-examine on the issue. Purnell’s trial strategy was to show Harris as
plead guilty, waive a jury, testify in his or her own behalf, or take an appeal…[but no] decision
of this Court suggests, however, that the indigent defendant has a constitutional right to compel
appointed counsel to press nonfrivolous points requested by the client, if counsel, as a matter of
professional judgment, decides not to present those points.”).
99
Scott v. State, 7 A.3d 471, 479 (Del. 2010).
100
Id.
101
Id.
29
opportunistic because he was afraid of going to trial and the State offered him a
plea agreement. The fact that the jury saw Harris during selection only furthered
Purnell’s argument. Thus, we find that the trial court did not err in rejecting this
claim.
D. Trial Counsel’s Failure to Object to Certain Comments by the
Prosecutor Did Not Constitute Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Finally, Purnell argues that his trial counsel was deficient under Strickland
for failing to object to the prosecutor’s alleged “vouching” for Harris. Purnell
alleges that the prosecutor improperly vouched for Harris by asking Harris whether
he was “telling the truth” in his statements to police and in his trial testimony, but
had lied during earlier statements.102 The trial counsel stated in his affidavit that he
did not object because he “did not consider the prosecutors [sic] statements to be
vouching for the witness because [trial counsel] had raise[d] the truthfulness of his
statements during the cross-examination of Harris.” 103
We reject Purnell’s contention that the prosecutor’s statements amounted to
improper vouching such that his attorney was deficient for failing to object.
“Improper vouching occurs when the prosecutor implies some personal superior
knowledge, beyond that logically inferred from the evidence at trial, that the
102
App. to Appellant’s Opening Br. at A51-53.
103
Id. at A26.
30
witness has testified truthfully.” 104 It is proper for prosecutors to first establish a
foundation, which can include a discussion of a witness’s truthfulness. 105 Here, the
prosecutor asked Harris if he had told the truth in his first two conversations with
the police.106 Then he asked Harris about his plea deal:
Q: Now, Mr. Harris, before you signed this plea agreement,
did you go over it with your attorney?
A: Yes.
Q: And the agreement states: “The defendant agrees to
cooperate with the prosecution of his co-defendant by
testifying truthfully during the co-defendant’s trial, if
called as a witness by either party.” Is that correct?
A: Yes.
Q: And that was read to you by your attorney?
A: Yes. 107
On appeal, Purnell essentially concedes that the prosecutor’s statements did
not in fact constitute vouching under current law, but argues that his trial counsel
104
Miller v. State, 750 A.2d 530 (Del. 2000).
105
See Ray v. State, 587 A.2d 439, 443 (Del. 1991) (“[A] witness’ statement may be introduced
[under 11 Del. C. § 3507] only if the two-part foundation is first established: the witness testifies
about both the events and whether or not they are true. Finally, in order to conform to the Sixth
Amendment’s guarantee of an accused’s right to confront witnesses against him, the victim must
also be subject to cross-examination on the content of the statement as well as its truthfulness.”).
106
App. to Appellant’s Opening Br. at A51 (“Q: And were you telling [Detective Tabor] the
truth when you told him all those things on February 18th?”); A52 (“Q: And on January 24th of
2007, all those things that I just talked to you about, were you -- was that the truth that you told
Detective Tabor?”).
107
Id. at A53 (emphasis added).
31
“could have persuasively argued” that our standards for improper vouching
“should be re-examined.” Here, there is no deficient performance under Strickland
because there was no improper vouching by the prosecution, and it is not deficient
performance to not object under these circumstances where the prosecutor’s
conduct comports with existing law. Accordingly, we reject Purnell’s claim.
III. CONCLUSION
Based upon the forgoing, we conclude that the Superior Court did not abuse
its discretion in denying Purnell’s motion for postconviction relief. Accordingly,
the judgment of the Superior Court is AFFIRMED.
32