State v. Wright ( 2023 )

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
STATE OF DELAWARE, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
)
v. ) Cr. ID. No. 1802015485
)
)
TAMEKE WRIGHT, )
)
Defendant. )
Submitted: November 7, 2022
Decided: January 24, 2023
COMMISSIONER’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
THAT DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR POSTCONVICTION
RELIEF SHOULD BE DENIED
Diana Dunn, Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice, Wilmington,
Delaware, Attorney for the State.
Tameke Wright, Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution, New Castle, Delaware,
pro se.
Patrick Collins, Esquire and Kimberly Price, Esquire, Collins & Price, Wilmington,
Delaware, postconviction counsel for Defendant.
O’CONNOR, Commissioner
1
This 24th day of January, 2023, upon consideration of Defendant’s Motion
for Postconviction Relief and the record in this matter, the following is my Report
and Recommendation.1
I. BACKGROUND FACTS
On February 17, 2018, officers from the Wilmington Police Department
responded to Wilmington Hospital for a report of a deceased baby.2 The baby,
fifteen-month-old C.S., was transported to the hospital by Defendant Temeke Wright
(“Wright”), her co-defendant, Lavar Harris (“Harris”), and two other individuals.3
When C.S. arrived at the hospital, hospital staff attempted to administer aid, but their
efforts were unsuccessful, and C.S. was pronounced deceased at 0421 hours.4
The responding police officers observed multiple injuries to the baby,
including numerous bruises and scratches to C.S.’s head, face, arms, chest, back and
abdomen.5 Wright and Harris told hospital staff that C.S. had fallen off of a futon
and was found lying down face first on the apartment floor.6
The Chief Medical Examiner from the Delaware Division of Forensic Science
performed an autopsy on C.S. and issued an Autopsy Report (“Report”). According
1
This postconviction case was re-assigned to Commissioner Martin O’Connor on November 7,
2022. Docket Item (“DI”) 79.
2
Appendix to Memorandum in Support of Motion to Withdraw, Adult Complaint and Warrant
(“App’x”) at A13 (DI 62).
3
Id.
4
Id. at A13-A14.
5
Id. at A14.
6
Preliminary Hearing Transcript (“Prelim. Hr’g Tr.”) at 8:10-20 (DI 2).
2
to the Report, C.S. exhibited “sustained bruising on the majority of his body from
[the baby’s] head all the way down to his ankles on the front side and the back side
of his body.”7 The Chief Medical Examiner concluded C.S.’s cause of death was
homicide resulting from blunt force trauma.8
The Wilmington Police Department’s investigation into C.S.’s death revealed
that Wright and Harris were babysitting C.S. for more than a week at 325 East 5th
Street, Wilmington, Delaware.9 Several other people were also in the apartment with
Wright, Harris, and C.S. during the time Wright and Harris babysat C.S., and up
until the time he was brought to the hospital on February 17, 2018. These other
individuals saw Wright and Harris slap and punch C.S. and force C.S. to stand near
a bed in the apartment for hours at a time.10 If C.S. would try to sit down or walk
away from the bed, Wright and Harris would strike him.11 At one point, Harris told
7
Id. at 10:8-12. The examination revealed the following blunt impact injuries: diffuse scalp
contusion; forehead hematoma; occipital bone fracture; occipital epidural hematoma; bilateral
subdural hematoma; bilateral optic nerve hemorrhage; bilateral retinal hemorrhage; abdominal
wall contusion; right perinephric and periadrenal hemorrhage; subcutaneous contusions to back
and buttock; contusions to upper and lower extremities; extra-axial hemorrhage over the left
frontal, parietal and occipital lobes; bulging of optic discs; and right adrenal hemorrhage. C.S. also
suffered from a fractured skull. June 12, 2019 State’s sentencing memorandum, Exhibit C,
Findings and Opinions of Gary L. Collins, M.D., Autopsy of C.S., Delaware Division of Forensic
Science, Case No. 2018-N-0447 (“Report”) at 1 (DI 30).
8
Report at 1.
9
Prelim. Hr’g Tr. at 6:16-27, 7:15-20. C.S.’s mother told the police that Wright and Harris would
watch C.S. so she could spend time with her boyfriend and friends. Id. at 7:6-11. On other
occasions, Wright would ask C.S.’s mother if she could babysit him. Id. at 7:11-14.
10
Id. at 13:2-5.
11
Id.
3
Wright that C.S. stopped crying when he was being hit,12 and Wright told Harris was
not doing it correctly, he had to smack C.S. in the back of the head to get him to
cry.13 Harris then violently struck C.S. several times in the back of the head, and
C.S. cried.14
On another occasion, Harris picked up C.S. by one arm and repeatedly
punched him as he held him in the air.15 And, just hours before C.S. was brought to
the hospital, as C.S. sat on the apartment floor, Wright pushed the back of the baby’s
head forward in between his legs, causing the baby’s head to strike the floor.16 Then,
with C.S.’s upper body bent forward on the floor, Wright stepped on the baby’s
back.17 For the next few minutes, Wright stood on top of C.S. with her other leg
suspended in the air.18 Wright stood on C.S., in this fashion, twice.19
Another person in the apartment reported seeing bruises on C.S.’s chest, back
and thighs; black eyes; a lacerated lip; and handprint impressions on his arms and
legs.20 They also found C.S., late at night, asleep on a dirty rug on the bathroom
floor wearing only a diaper, without a blanket or pillow.21 On one occasion, Wright
12
Id. at 15:1-4.
13
Id. at 15:4-7.
14
Id. at 15:7-10.
15
Id. at 14:18-20.
16
Id. at 12: 13-17; see also App’x at A15.
17
Prelim. Hr’g Tr. at 12:17-19; App’x at A15.
18
Prelim. Hr’g Tr. at 12:17-19; App’x at A15.
19
Prelim. Hr’g Tr. at 12:17-19; App’x at A15.
20
Prelim. Hr’g Tr. at 12:17-19.
21
Id.
4
and Harris put C.S. into a cold shower for 10-15 minutes. When asked why they put
C.S. in the cold shower, Wright and Harris explained “they wanted to shock him and
let the water beat on his bruises so that [the bruises] would go down so [they] could
return him back to his mother.”22
On February 18, 2018, Wright was interviewed by the police. Contrary to her
initial report to hospital staff that C.S. had been found after falling off a futon, Wright
blamed Harris for C.S.’s injuries. Wright said Harris pulled down the baby’s diaper
and struck him several times with a belt and a remote control device,23 and told the
police Harris picked up C.S. by one arm and, while holding him in the air, punched
him several times in the chest yelling “shut up, shut up, you’re not going to sleep.”24
On another occasion, Wright claimed Harris told her he put the baby in a cold
shower for 10-15 minutes to keep him awake.25 Wright saw Harris strike C.S. in the
back of the head, and C.S. then fall, hitting his head on the concrete floor.26 Finally,
Wright claimed Harris stood with his full weight on the baby’s back after he pushed
the baby’s head and upper body between his legs while C.S. sat on the apartment
floor.27
22
Id. at 13:14-19.
23
App’x at A15.
24
Id.
25
Id.
26
Id.
27
Id. Wright initially admitted to striking C.S. once, but she later conceded she struck him three
to five times. Id. at 14:8-11. She also admitted having been the person who stepped on C.S.’s
back for a period of time, but also claimed Harris made her do it. Id. at 14:11-13.
5
The police also interviewed Harris. After initially suggesting he was unaware
of any injuries to C.S.,28 Harris eventually blamed Wright for C.S.’s injuries,
recounting that he saw Wright strike the baby numerous times and step on C.S.’s
back with her full weight on the baby.29
II. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On May 17, 2018, a New Castle County Grand Jury indicted both Wright and
Harris each for one count of Murder by Abuse or Neglect First Degree.30
On January 29, 2019, Harris accepted a plea to Murder By Abuse or Neglect
First Degree and agreed to testify against Wright.
On February 1, 2019, Defendant Wright pled guilty to one count of Murder
by Abuse or Neglect First Degree.31 In exchange for the guilty plea, the State agreed
not to seek a natural life sentence at sentencing.32 Wright’s sentencing was deferred
pending a Presentence Investigation.33
28
Id. at 15:14-17.
29
Id. at 16:3-9.
30
In Count I of the Indictment (DI 28), Wright was charged with the following offense:
MURDER BY ABUSE OR NEGLECT FIRST DEGREE, in violation of Title
11, Section 634 of the Delaware Code.
TAMEKE WRIGHT, on or about the 17th day of February, 2018, in the County
of New Castle, State of Delaware, did recklessly cause the death of C.S., a child,
through an act of abuse or neglect.
31
The lone condition noted on the plea agreement was that State would not seek a natural life
sentence at Wright’s sentencing hearing. At the time of the plea, Wright was informed Harris had
taken a plea and agreed to testify against her at trial. February 1, 2019 Plea Colloquy Tr. at 2:15
– 3:1. (DI 29).
32
App’x at A93.
33
February 1, 2019 Plea Colloquy Tr. at 11:15-23 (DI 29).
6
On June 24, 2019, the Court sentenced Wright. At the conclusion of counsels’
sentencing comments, the Court asked Wright if there was anything she wished to
say before her sentence was imposed.34 She replied “no.”35 The Court
acknowledged the existence of several mitigating factors, but concluded what
happened to C.S. was an “absolutely despicable crime. . . as significant and horrific
case” as the Court had ever seen. The Court noted “the slow, steady progression . .
. of torment and torture” upon C.S. during the final week of the baby’s life, and said:
[T]he aggravating factors are significant . . . the excessive cruelty. The
need for incarceration. It would unduly depreciate the offense, I think,
just for the defendant to be given quote, unquote, 15 years. That’s a
long time, I’m not saying that’s not, you know, some kind of a long
sentence in and of itself.
But one of the functions of sentencing is – and there are many purposes
of it is to send a message to the community that if somebody is going
to undertake this kind of intentional conduct, a very heavy price is going
to have to be paid.
And after considering this case at great length and giving all the best
judgment that I can, I think the State’s recommendation is sound of 35
years. It’s just such a terrible crime.36
The Superior Court sentenced Wright to forty years Level V, suspended after
serving thirty-five years, for six months Level IV probation, and eighteen months
Level III probation.37
34
June 24, 2019 Sentencing Tr. at 24:1-3 (DI 36).
35
Id. at 24:4-5.
36
Id. at 43:3-18.
37
Id. at 43:1-44:2.
7
On June 25, 2019, the day after her sentencing hearing, the Court received a
handwritten note from Wright. The note said: “I don’t want the plea deal no more I
want to take it to trial instead. I changed my mind.”38
On November 26, 2019, Wright appealed her conviction and sentence to the
Delaware Supreme Court asserting: (1) trial counsel was ineffective; (2) during the
plea colloquy, Wright was coerced into pleading guilty and tried to withdraw her
plea; and (3) the State violated its discovery obligations under Superior Court
Criminal Rule 16 and Brady v. Maryland.39 The Delaware Supreme Court affirmed
Wright’s conviction and sentence.40
On February 24, 2020, Wright filed a pro se Motion for Postconviction
Relief,41 claiming: (1) trial counsel failed to communicate with Wright and her
grandmother; (2) trial counsel coerced her into entering the plea; and (3) her plea
was neither knowing, intelligent, nor voluntary.42 Wright claimed to have been
unaware of the specific terms of the plea offer, and suggested her initial answer of
38
June 10, 2019 Note from Defendant Tameke Wright to The Honorable Richard R. Cooch (DI
32).
39
Wright’s trial counsel filed a Rule 26(c) brief, and Wright presented what she believed to be
meritorious appellate claims. Wright v. State, 2020 WL 411292 at *1 (Del. Jan 24, 2020). See also
Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963).
40
DI 45, February 11, 2020 Mandate from the Delaware Supreme Court affirming Defendant’s
conviction.
41
DI 46, February 24, 2020 Pro Se Motion for Postconviction Relief.
42
Id.8
“no” during the plea colloquy is evidence that her plea was involuntarily entered.43
Wright also argued counsel and the prosecutor engaged in a “cover up.”44
On March 13, 2020, Wright filed a pro se Amended Motion for Postconviction
Relief,45 and on April 9, 2020, Wright filed a second pro se Amended Motion for
Postconviction Relief.46 In these filings, Wright claimed counsel was ineffective
because her first interview with the police was wrongly admitted into evidence; the
State committed a Brady47 violation; the State failed to comply with Superior Court
Criminal Rule 16 and did not provide discovery in a timely manner; and Wright
should have been permitted to withdraw her guilty plea pursuant to Superior Court
Criminal Rule 32(d).
On April 20, 2020, Wright requested the assistance of postconviction
counsel,48 and on August 24, 2021, the Court appointed postconviction counsel.49
On April 1, 2022, postconviction counsel filed a Motion to Withdraw pursuant to
Superior Court Criminal Rule 61(e), concluding, after a review of the record, that
43
Id.44
Id.45
March 13, 2020 Am. to Mot. for Postconviction Relief (DI 50). The amendment states “Plea
was not knowingly, willingly and intelligently taken. Tameke Wright replied ‘no’ to Judge
Cooch’s question of the plea and crime.” Id.46
April 9, 2020 Am. to Mot. for Postconviction Relief (DI 51) (in this amended motion for
postconviction relief, Wright attached the same claims she submitted to the Delaware Supreme
Court in her direct appeal).
47
373 U.S. 83 (1963).
48
April 20, 2020 Letter from Defendant requesting appointment of postconviction counsel (DI
52).
49
September 28, 2020 Order for appointment of postconviction relief counsel (DI 55).
9
postconviction counsel did not identify any meritorious claims to raise on Wright’s
behalf.50
On May 31, 2022, the Court received trial counsel’s affidavit in response to
Wright’s postconviction motion. Therein, trial counsel represented he did discuss
trial strategy with the defendant, he did speak to her grandmother about the case, he
did not have an independent recollection of the plea colloquy, and does not believe
he told Wright that if she did not take the plea, she would get a life sentence.51
On June 15, 2022, the Court docketed an Affidavit from Flora Wallace
(“Wallace”), Wright’s grandmother. Wallace’s affidavit concedes counsel met with
her and Wright, but also states Wallace did not believe trial counsel was fighting for
Wright.52
On June 30, 2022, the Court docketed Defendant’s Affidavit in response to
trial counsel’s May 31, 2022 Affidavit. In the Affidavit, Defendant generally alleges
trial counsel repeatedly attempted to convince her to take the plea offer, contrary to
her statements to the Court during the February 1, 2019 plea colloquy.53
On June 28, 2022, the Delaware Department of Justice filed the State’s
Response to Defendant’s Motion for Postconviction Relief.54 The State asserted the
50
DI 61.
51
May 31, 2022 Affidavit of Counsel in response to Wright’s postconviction motion (DI 67).
52
June 10, 2022, Affidavit of Flora Wallace (DI 68).
53
DI 75; Affidavit of Tameke Wright filed in response to counsel’s May 31, 2022 Affidavit (DI
67).
54
DI 74.
10
record does not support Defendant’s claim that counsel provided deficient
representation; Wright’s claim of coercion is procedurally barred as previously
adjudicated pursuant to Rule 61(i)(4), Wright has failed to allege counsel was
ineffective in representing Wright, and the record does not support her claim.
On August 3, 2022, Wright responded to the State’s June 22, 2022
submission.55 Wright’s claims are ripe for decision.
III. MOTION FOR POSTCONVICTION RELIEF
Wright’s case resulted in a plea, not a trial. In order to prevail on an
ineffective assistance of counsel claim in the context of a guilty plea, a defendant
must show that counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness, and there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s
unprofessional errors, Wright would have insisted on going to trial, and that trial
would have resulted in an acquittal.56 There is a strong presumption that trial
counsel’s representation was competent and fell within the “wide range” of
reasonable professional assistance.57 “The standard for judging counsel’s
representation is a most deferential one,”58 because trial counsel “observed the
relevant proceedings, knew of materials outside the record, and interacted with the
55
DI 85.
56
State v. Johnson, 2013 WL 5883211 (Del. Super. Aug. 16, 2013) (citing Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984)).
57
Premo v. Moore, 562 U.S. 115, 122-23 (2011); see also Flamer v. State, 585 A.2d 736, 753-44
(Del. 1990) (citations omitted).
58
Premo, 562 U.S. at 122.
11
client, with opposing counsel, and with the judge.”59 “The question is whether an
attorney’s representation amounted to incompetence under ‘prevailing professional
norms,’ not whether it deviated from best practices or most common custom.”60 As
such, mere allegations of ineffective assistance will not suffice; instead, Wright must
make concrete allegations of ineffective assistance, and substantiate them, or risk
summary dismissal.61 Deference must be given to defense counsel’s judgment in
order to promote stability in the process.62
To overcome the strong presumption that counsel provided competent
representation, Wright must demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, that
“counsel failed to act reasonabl[y] considering all the circumstances” and that the
alleged unreasonable performance prejudiced the defense, i.e., in this case, that
Wright would have insisted on going to trial and been acquitted of all charges.63
Because a defendant must prove both parts of an ineffectiveness claim, this
Court may dispose of a claim by first determining that the defendant could not
establish prejudice.64 The first consideration in the “prejudice” analysis “requires
more than a showing of theoretical possibility that the outcome was affected.”65
59
Id.60
Id. (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690).
61
Younger v. State, 580 A.2d 552, 556 (Del. 1990).
62
State v. Fithian, 2016 WL 3131442, at * 3 (Del. Super. May 25, 2016) (citing Premo, 562 U.S.
at 120-122)).
63
Cullen v. Pinholster, 563 U.S. 170, 189 (2011) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688).
64
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697.
65
Frey v. Fulcomer, 974 F.2d 348, 358 (3d Cir. 1992).
12
Wright must actually show a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s errors,
she would have elected to go to trial and that trial would have resulted in an
acquittal.66
IV. PROCEDURAL BARS
In any motion for postconviction relief, this Court must first determine
whether a defendant has satisfied the procedural requirements of Superior Court
Criminal Rule 61 before giving consideration to the merits of the underlying
claims.67 Rule 61(i)(1) prohibits the Court from considering a motion for
postconviction relief unless it is filed within the applicable time limitation.68 Rule
61(i)(2) prohibits the filing of repetitive motions for postconviction relief, unless
under 61(d)(2)(i), the movant “pleads with particularity that new evidence exists that
creates a strong inference” of actual innocence; or, under Rule 61(d)(2)(ii),“that a
new rule of constitutional law, made retroactive to cases on collateral review”
applies to the movant’s case.69
Rule 61(i)(3) provides that “any ground for relief that was not asserted in the
proceedings leading to the judgment of conviction, as required by the rules of this
66
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 695.
67
Taylor v. State, 32 A.3d 374, 388 (Del. 2011) (quoting Shelton v. State, 744 A.2d 465, 474 (Del.
1999)).
68
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(1).
69
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(2).
13
Court, is thereafter barred, unless the movant shows (a) cause for relief from the
procedural default and (b) prejudice from the violation of movant’s rights.”70
Rule 61(i)(4) provides that “[a]ny ground for relief that was formerly
adjudicated, whether in the proceedings leading to the judgment of conviction, in an
appeal, in a postconviction proceeding, or in a federal habeas corpus proceeding, is
thereafter barred.”71
Rule 61(i)(5) provides that any claim barred by Rule 61(i)(1)-(4) may
nonetheless be considered if the claim is jurisdictional or otherwise satisfies the
pleading requirements of Rule 61(d)(2)(i) or (d)(2)(ii).72
This is Wright’s first Motion for Postconviction Relief, and it was timely filed,
so the procedural bars of Rule 61(i)(1) and 61(i)(2) do not apply. But, pursuant to
Rule 61(i)(3), the following claims are procedurally barred because Wright did not
assert any of them leading up to the judgment of conviction, and Wright has not
established the cause and prejudice required by the Rule: (a) trial counsel coerced
her into entering the plea;73 (b) counsel and the State engaged in a “cover up;” and
(c) Wright’s first police interview was improperly admitted into evidence.
70
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(3).
71
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(4).
72
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(5).
73
See Kalil v. State, 2014 WL 2568029 at *2 (Del. June 5, 2014); State v. Gomez, 2014 WL
8042732 at *4 (Del. Super. Dec. 4, 2014).
14
Pursuant to Rule 61(i)(4), the following claims are procedurally barred
because they were formerly adjudicated on direct appeal: (a) the State committed a
Brady violation; (b) the State failed to provide discovery in a timely manner; and (c)
the Court erred in not permitting her to withdraw the guilty plea pursuant to Superior
Court Criminal Rule 32(d).74
That leaves the ineffective assistance of counsel claim.
V. DEFENDANT’S POSTCONVICTION CLAIMS.
Wright has alleged one ineffective assistance of counsel claim, as well as
several procedurally barred claims. The ineffective assistance of counsel claim will
be addressed first, and the remaining claims will then be addressed based on the
assumption that the aforementioned procedural bars do not foreclose consideration
of those claims. As indicated infra, those remaining claims are not only procedurally
barred, but they fail on their merits. Each of Wright’s claims are addressed below.
A. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel claim: Wright claims that counsel
failed to communicate with her; and that the plea was not knowingly,
intelligently or voluntarily entered.
Wright claims counsel did not communicate with her in preparation for trial
and the plea, counsel did not review with her the terms of the plea, and therefore her
plea was not knowingly, intelligently or voluntarily entered. She also alleges
counsel ignored her intent to reject the plea and go to trial, and the evidence
74
See Wright, 2020 WL 411292 at *2.
15
supporting her claim is the initial “no” answer when the Court asked during the plea
colloquy if she committed Murder By Abuse or Neglect First Degree.75 The record
does not support Wright’s claims.
During the February 1, 2019 plea colloquy, prior to the entry of the plea, trial
counsel, in Wright’s presence, informed the Court he had discussed the Plea
Agreement and TIS Form with Wright on January 30, 2019 and on February 1,
2019.76 Counsel explained that Wright understood the terms of the plea and the
statutory penalties for the offense, and he would ask the Court to impose no more
than the minimum sentence of fifteen years at sentencing. Counsel had also
previously advised Wright it was likely the State would ask for more than fifteen
years in prison, and the Court was not bound by either parties’ sentencing request.77
Counsel told the Court Wright was entering the plea knowingly, intelligently and
voluntarily, and it had been “her desire to accept this plea for a long time and to not
try this case for several weeks . . . .”78 Counsel also informed the Court that Wright
was being pressured by people very close to her to reject the plea offer.79
75
February 1, 2019 Plea Colloquy Tr. at 10:10.
76
Id. at 3:5-10.
77
Id. at 3:16-19.
78
Id. at 3:21-4:2.
79
Id. at 3:23-4:4. At sentencing, counsel also informed the Court:
She took the lead charge. She took the only charge in this case. And she took the
plea under circumstances in which she had a lot of people really close to her who
were imploring her really, really strongly and going to really extreme measures to
try to make sure she didn’t take the plea. She took the plea because she knew it
16
The Court began Wright’s plea colloquy by reviewing with her the TIS Guilty
Plea Form. Wright confirmed she signed the TIS Form after reviewing it carefully
with her attorney, and acknowledged she “freely and voluntarily decided to plead
guilty to the charge listed in [her] written plea agreement.”80 Wright denied that she
had been forced or threatened by the State, her attorney or any other person to enter
the plea,81 and agreed she was not promised what her sentence would be. Wright
understood the State would not request a life sentence, but the prosecutor’s
recommendation was not limited to the minimum mandatory fifteen-year sentence.
She also understood that regardless of the parties’ respective sentence
recommendations, the Court retained discretion to sentence her to any amount of
Level V time, from fifteen years to life imprisonment.”82
Wright expressly told the Court she was satisfied with counsel’s
representation, counsel fully informed her of her rights, and she executed the plea
agreement after reviewing it thoroughly.83 Then, the following exchange occurred:
The Court: The charge against you reads as follows and because there
was a – or excuse me. It’s Count 1, Criminal Action Number ending in
0226, and it reads that you on or about the 17 th day of February, 2018
was the right thing to do, it was what she wanted to do and she wanted to take
responsibility for her conduct. And I’m asking that that get weight in this case,
Your Honor.
June 24, 2019 Sentencing Tr. at 20:1-11.
80
February 1, 2019 Plea Colloquy Tr. at 5:4-7, 5:18-22.
81
Id. at 6:3-5.
82
Id. at 7:23-8:8.
83
Id. at 9:21-10:1.
17
in this County and State, did recklessly cause the death of C.S., a child,
through an act of abuse or neglect of such child. Did you commit that
offense?
The Defendant: No, Your Honor.
The Court: No, my question to you was, you’re charged with Count 1
with murder by abuse or neglect first degree, and it reads, the
indictment does, that on February 17, 2018, in the County of New
Castle, State of Delaware, you did recklessly cause the death of C.S., a
child, through an act of abuse or neglect of that child, and my question
to you now is, did you commit that offense?
The Defendant: Yes, Your Honor. Yes, Your Honor.
The Court: Was your earlier answer “no” a mistake?
The Defendant: Yes.
The Court: Do you understand that what’s being done today is final;
meaning, you will not be able to come back at any later time to seek to
withdraw this guilty plea?
The Defendant: Yes, Your Honor.
The Court: Do you believe you are knowingly, voluntarily and
intelligently entering a plea of guilty to this charge?
The Defendant: Yes, Your Honor.
The Court: After what I hope is a thorough colloquy, including a
careful observation of the defendant’s demeanor and listening to all of
her answers to all of the questions, I find that the defendant has
knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently entered a plea of guilty to this
charge. It is accepted. A presentence investigation is ordered. By law
bail is revoked as to this charge.84
As this Court has repeatedly held, “[a] plea is knowing and voluntary when it
is ‘voluntarily offered by the defendant, [herself], with a complete understanding by
[her] of the nature of the charge and the consequences of the plea, and the trial judge
has so determined. A defendant is bound by the answers [she] provides on [her]
84
Id. at 10:1-11:23.
18
truth in sentencing guilty plea form.’”85 Wright’s plea was entered with a complete
understanding of the offense to which she pled guilty, the statutory penalty range for
the offense, and her constitutional rights. She confirmed the plea was a knowing,
intelligent and voluntary act, was satisfied with her attorney’s representation, and
acknowledged her attorney fully advised her of her rights.86 As to Wright’s claim
that her initial “no” answer is evidence of her intent to want to withdraw the plea,
her explanation is not supported by the record. Wright clearly articulated her “no”
answer was a “mistake,” immediately entered the plea, and did not seek to withdraw
the plea until after she had been sentenced, more than five months later. Moreover,
during the plea colloquy the Court contemporaneously conducted “a careful
observation of the defendant’s demeanor and listening to all of her answers to all of
the questions.”87 Wright’s plea was knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently entered,
and she cannot demonstrate counsel’s performance was deficient, nor can she
establish prejudice.
85
State v. Benson, 2022 WL 2073342, at *5 (Del. Super. June 6, 2022) (quoting Shorts v. State,
2018 WL 2437229, at *4 (Del. May 30, 2018)).
86
Plea Colloquy Tr. at 5:18-20, 8:20-23.
87
19
B. Wright’s police interview was improperly admitted into evidence.
Wright claims her first interview with detectives was improperly admitted into
evidence, but there was no trial, and so no interviews were admitted into evidence.
Wright’s claim is factually baseless and meritless.
C. Brady and Discovery violation claims
Wright alleges the State did not fulfill its discovery obligations, by failing to
comply with Superior Court Criminal Rule 16 and Brady v. Maryland.88 Wright
does not identify any evidence, exculpatory or otherwise, in the possession of the
State which was withheld from the defense. Wright’s claim is, at best, vague and
conclusory.
D. The attorney “cover up” claim.
Wright alleges the prosecutor and trial counsel engaged in a “cover up.” The
evidence Wright provides of a “coverup” is a series of post-sentencing motions filed
by herself and her counsel, as well as the State’s responses to those motions.
On September 20, 2019, Wright filed a pro se Motion for Modification of
Sentence.89 On September 23, 2019, Wright’s counsel filed a Motion for Reduction
88
373 U.S. 83.
89
DI 39.
20
of Sentence.90 The State opposed any sentence modification.91 Wright’s suggests
neither the Court nor the State addressed her pro se Motion for Sentence
Reduction/Modification and this post-sentence motion practice constitutes a
postconviction claim. It does not.
Post-sentencing motions for sentence reduction are common and appropriate,
particularly when they are timely filed pursuant to Superior Court Criminal Rule 35.
Counsel’s attempt to reduce Wright’s sentence does not constitute a postconviction
claim.
Moreover, on December 4, 2019, the Court denied both Wright’s pro se
Motion for Sentence Reduction/Modification and Defendant’s Motion for Reduction
of Sentence.92 The Court’s decision to consider Wright’s pro se motion as being
“effectively subsumed in Defense counsel’s Motion of September 20” is consistent
with the Court’s treatment of other pro se filings when a represented defendant files
90
DI 40. Counsel’s Motion requested two things: (1) a five-year reduction in sentence, and (2) a
request that the Court retain jurisdiction over Defendant’s sentence after she serves 15 years
imprisonment, presumably so she could file a Rule 35 Motion for Sentence Reduction after
completing the fifteen year mandatory term of imprisonment for Murder by Abuse or Neglect First
Degree. Id.91
September 24, 2019 Letter from the State to the Court responding to counsel’s Motion for
Reduction of Sentence and Motion for the Court to retain jurisdiction over Defendant’s sentence
after she serves 15 years imprisonment (DI 41).
92
December 4, 2019 letter from the Court to the State and defense counsel denying the Motion for
Sentence Modification (DI 44). The Court did not take specific action on Defendant’s pro se
Motion for Reduction/Modification of Sentence, as it concluded the Motion was “subsumed in
Defense counsel’s Motion of September 20.” Id. at 2.
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motions without counsel’s knowledge or participation.93 Counsel’s post-sentencing
motion was appropriately and timely filed, and the Court considered Wright’s pro
se motion when it denied counsel’s Motion for Reduction of Sentence.
Wright’s allegation of a “cover up” is speculative, conclusory and without
merit.
E. Wright was coerced into entering the plea.
Wright alleges she was coerced into entering the plea. Wright claims that
when counsel met with her prior to the plea, he yelled at her to take the plea, and
told her if she did not take the plea, she would receive a life sentence. Wright’s
postconviction claims are not supported by the record, and in fact, the plea colloquy
transcript squarely contradicts her claim, as she represented she was fully advised of
her rights, was satisfied with counsel’s representation, and she knowingly,
voluntarily and intelligently pled guilty. Wright also explicitly denied being forced
or threatened to enter the plea.94 Her claim of coercion is meritless and is
unsupported by any credible evidence.
93
See Super. Ct. Crim. R. 47 (“The court will not consider pro se applications by defendants who
are represented by counsel unless the defendant has been granted permission to participate with
counsel in the defense.”)
94
Plea Colloquy Tr. at 6:3-5.
22
F. The Motion to Withdraw Guilty Plea pursuant to Rule 32(d).
Wright claims she should have been permitted to withdraw the guilty plea
pursuant to Superior Court Criminal Rule 32(d). Superior Court Criminal Rule 32(d)
provides:
(d) Plea Withdrawal
If a motion for withdrawal of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere is made
before imposition or suspension of sentence or disposition without
entry of a judgment of conviction, the court may permit withdrawal of
a plea by a showing by the defendant of any fair and just reason. At
any later time, a plea may be set aside only by motion under Rule 61.
In limited circumstances, the Court has discretion when deciding whether to allow a
defendant to withdraw a guilty plea after it has been entered, but before a defendant
is sentenced. But, after a defendant is sentenced, Rule 32 provides that a defendant
may only be considered for a motion to withdraw a guilty plea in the context of a
motion for postconviction relief. Here, because Wright had already been sentenced
when the Court received her note, the issue of withdraw of the guilty plea may only
be collaterally attacked in the context of a Rule 61 motion.95
The Court received Wright’s handwritten note on June 25, 2019, the day after
her sentencing hearing, wherein she wrote: “I don’t want the plea deal no more I
want to take it to trial instead. I changed my mind.”96
95
See Super. Ct. Crim. R. 32(d).
96
June 10, 2019 Note from Defendant Tameke Wright to The Honorable Richard R. Cooch.
23
First, a defendant’s change of mind is not a reason to vacate an otherwise
properly executed guilty plea.97 Second, there is no evidence which would support
a postconviction claim that counsel failed to file a timely motion to withdraw plea.
Wright did not ask counsel to file a motion to withdraw prior to sentencing, Wright
did not file a pro se motion to withdraw prior to sentencing, and at the June 24, 2019
sentencing hearing, neither Wright nor her attorney indicated she wanted to
withdraw the February 1, 2019 guilty plea. In fact, the Court provided Wright an
opportunity prior to the imposition of sentence to say anything on the record, and
not only did she not ask to withdraw the guilty plea, she expressly declined the
Court’s offer to say anything at all.98 The record does not support Wright’s claim,
and she cannot demonstrate prejudice.
Wright’s motions collectively fail to establish that trial counsel’s performance
fell below constitutional standards, and she cannot demonstrate prejudice.
VI. CONCLUSION
The State’s case against Wright was very strong. Wright was responsible for
C.S.’s care as she and Harris babysat him for more than a week. During an interview
with the police, Wright admitted to striking C.S. three to five times while he was in
her care, and to standing on his back as he was on the apartment floor. Wright also
97
State v. Lindsey, 2002 WL 1463103, at *2 (Del. Super. May 21, 2002) (citing State v. Marks,
1999 WL 1611338 (Del. Super. Mar. 22, 1999)).
98
June 24, 2019 Sentencing Tr. at 24:1-3.
24
admitted to witnessing Harris repeatedly strike C.S. while C.S. was in their collective
care, and she did nothing to protect the baby. When C.S. was injured, Wright did not
seek help, and her co-defendant agreed, as a condition of his plea, to testify against
her.
The witnesses who saw both Harris and Wright assault C.S. were clear that
both Wright and Harris were torturing C.S.. The Autopsy Report was damning. C.S.
was internally and externally critically injured, from head to toe. C.S. was, as the
sentencing judge noted, tortured and tormented during the final week of his young
life. And, the mens rea required to convict Wright for Murder by Abuse or Neglect
First Degree was reckless, not intentional, conduct. It is difficult, at best, to consider
any scenario where Wright would have gone to trial and would have been acquitted,
and Wright has not provided one.99 Even assuming counsel provided ineffective
representation (and Wright failed to demonstrate that he did), Wright has failed to
demonstrate prejudice.
99
Wright is required to make “concrete allegations of actual prejudice and substantiate them, or
risk dismissal.” State v. Johnson, 2013 WL 5883211, at *3 (Del. Aug. 13, 2013) (citing Larson
v. State, 1995 WL 389718, at *2 (Del. June 23, 1995); Younger, 580 A.2d at 556. Wright has not
established prejudice, as she merely asserted, without more, that counsel was ineffective. Id.25
For all of the aforestated reasons, I recommend the Motion for Postconviction
Relief should be DENIED.
Postconviction counsel’s Motion to Withdraw should be GRANTED.
IT IS SO RECOMMENDED.
/s/ Martin B. O’Connor
Commissioner Martin B. O’Connor
oc: Prothonotary
26