Jermaine Carl Davis v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) ( 2020 )


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  • MEMORANDUM DECISION
    Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
    this Memorandum Decision shall not be                                       FILED
    regarded as precedent or cited before any                              Dec 30 2020, 9:53 am
    court except for the purpose of establishing                                CLERK
    the defense of res judicata, collateral                                 Indiana Supreme Court
    Court of Appeals
    estoppel, or the law of the case.                                            and Tax Court
    APPELLANT PRO SE                                         ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
    Jermaine Carl Davis                                      Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
    Michigan City, Indiana                                   Attorney General of Indiana
    J.T. Whitehead
    Deputy Attorney General
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
    Jermaine Carl Davis,                                     December 30, 2020
    Appellant-Defendant,                                     Court of Appeals Case No.
    20A-PC-489
    v.                                               Appeal from the Lake Superior
    Court
    State of Indiana,                                        The Honorable Natalie Bokota,
    Appellee-Plaintiff.                                      Magistrate Judge
    Trial Court Cause No.
    45G04-1708-PC-05
    Tavitas, Judge.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020                Page 1 of 17
    Case Summary
    [1]   Jermaine Davis appeals the post-conviction court’s (“PC Court”) denial of his
    petition for post-conviction relief (“PCR”). We affirm.
    Issues
    [2]   Davis raises several issues, which we revise and restate as:
    I.         Whether Davis received ineffective assistance of trial
    counsel.
    II.         Whether Davis received ineffective assistance of appellate
    counsel.
    Facts
    [3]   The facts as set out in Davis’s direct appeal follow:
    On August 21, 2013, Willie Bailey was at a gas station in Gary
    when Davis approached him. Davis was the ex-boyfriend of
    Bailey’s sister, Erica. Davis told Bailey that his sister was a
    “wh***” and threatened to hurt Bailey. Tr. Vol. I p. 65. Outside
    the gas station, Davis again approached Bailey, called his sister
    names, and threatened to hurt Bailey. Bailey thought Davis was
    going to hit him, so Bailey punched Davis, knocking him out.
    Davis later called Erica and said that he was “going to shoot
    [their] house up.” Id. at 134. Davis also called Erica and
    Bailey’s aunt, Glynda Randolph, and told her that he was going
    to kill Bailey.
    The next day, the Bailey family went to a funeral. Bailey rode
    home that evening with Erica and her friend. As Bailey unlocked
    the front door of his home, Davis approached him from behind
    and shot Bailey repeatedly. Erica was sitting in the car with her
    friend and saw Davis shoot Bailey. Bailey was shot five times
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 2 of 17
    and is now paralyzed from the waist down. Immediately after
    the shooting, Bailey’s brother opened the front door, and Bailey
    told his brother and aunt that Davis shot him. Bailey’s brother
    saw Davis running away. When officers arrived at the scene,
    Bailey told them that Davis shot him. While in the hospital,
    Bailey also identified Davis as the shooter in a photo array. The
    next day, Erica also gave a statement to officers and identified
    Davis as the shooter. Four cartridge casings and three spent
    bullets were recovered at the scene. Melissa Oberg of the Indiana
    State Police Laboratory determined that the four cartridge
    casings were fired from the same weapon and that the three
    bullets were fired from the same weapon.
    The State charged Davis with Class A felony attempted murder,
    Class B felony aggravated battery, Class C felony battery by
    means of a deadly weapon, Class C felony battery resulting in
    bodily injury, and Class D felony pointing a firearm. On the
    Saturday before the trial, the deputy prosecutor informed Davis’s
    counsel that he had just discovered Oberg’s lab report. The
    deputy prosecutor immediately provided the report to Davis’s
    counsel. Prior to the start of the trial, the parties discussed the
    State’s late disclosure of the lab reports. Davis noted that a “big
    theory of [the] defense was that no analysis of any evidence
    collected was done . . . .” Id. at 10. In response to the trial
    court’s questioning, Davis’s attorney noted that the defenses were
    “alibi and lack of investigation.” Id. at 11. The trial court noted
    that the “paperwork saying that the casings came from the same
    or similar firearm does not inhibit your ability to present an alibi
    defense” and denied Davis’s motion for a continuance. Id.
    On the first day of the trial, Davis’s counsel informed the trial
    court:
    Judge, we have an issue. When meeting with my client,
    yesterday, he advised me that he does not have confidence
    in my abilities to represent him with respect to the trial this
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 3 of 17
    week and I believe there is a break-down of
    communication and he, on his behalf, he wants me to
    request either a continuance of the trial or he said he wants
    a new lawyer.
    Id. at 3. The trial court informed Davis that he was entitled to a
    public defender but not the public defender of his choosing. The
    trial court then asked Davis if he had the money to hire an
    attorney, and Davis responded that he did not. After a
    discussion of preparation done by his attorney and prior
    attorneys, the trial court denied the motion for a continuance.
    Later, immediately before jury selection began, Davis told the
    trial court that his family was going to hire an attorney. The trial
    court informed Davis that he had two and one-half years since he
    was charged to secure a private attorney and that the trial would
    proceed as planned. The trial court then told Davis that if he
    hired a private attorney and had the attorney in court the next
    morning, he would “consider it.” Id. at 36. The next morning,
    Davis had not hired a private attorney, and the trial continued as
    planned.
    The jury found Davis guilty of the charges except for the pointing
    a firearm charge. The trial court merged the remaining counts
    into the attempted murder conviction and sentenced Davis to
    forty-five years in the Department of Correction.
    Davis v. State, No. 45A03-1606-CR-1636, slip op. at 2-5 (Ind. Ct. App. Apr. 12,
    2017), trans. denied.
    [4]   Attorney Phillip King represented Davis at the trial, and Attorney Scott King
    represented Davis at sentencing and during the filing of a motion to correct
    error. Attorney Kristin Mulholland represented Davis on direct appeal.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 4 of 17
    [5]   On direct appeal, Davis raised two issues: (1) whether the trial court properly
    denied Davis’s motion for a continuance following the State’s late disclosure of
    lab reports; and (2) whether the trial court violated Davis’s constitutional right
    to counsel when it denied his motion for a continuance to hire a different
    attorney. This Court affirmed, and our Supreme Court denied transfer.
    [6]   In August 2017, Davis filed a petition for post-conviction relief, which he
    amended in April 2019. Davis’s amended petition for ineffective assistance of
    counsel alleged: (1) ineffective assistance of trial counsel for failing to properly
    investigate, to interview witnesses, to consult with Davis, to cross-examine
    certain witnesses effectively, to object to certain evidence, to adequately prepare
    for trial, and to prepare for sentencing; (2) ineffective assistance of appellate
    counsel for failing to raise certain issues; (3) ineffective assistance of post-
    conviction counsel; (4) the trial court erred by denying Davis’s request for a
    change of counsel, failing to grant a mistrial, and admitting certain evidence;
    and (5) prosecutorial misconduct. After multiple evidentiary hearings, the PC
    Court entered findings of fact and conclusions of law denying Davis’s petition
    for ineffective assistance of counsel. Davis now appeals.
    Analysis
    [7]   Post-conviction proceedings are civil proceedings in which a defendant may
    present limited collateral challenges to a conviction and sentence. Gibson v.
    State, 
    133 N.E.3d 673
    , 681 (Ind. 2019), reh’g denied, cert. denied; Ind. Post-
    Conviction Rule 1(1)(b). “The scope of potential relief is limited to issues
    unknown at trial or unavailable on direct appeal.” Gibson, 133 N.E.3d at 681.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 5 of 17
    “Issues available on direct appeal but not raised are waived, while issues
    litigated adversely to the defendant are res judicata.” Id. The petitioner bears
    the burden of establishing his claims by a preponderance of the evidence. Id.;
    P.-C.R. 1(5).
    [8]   When, as here, the petitioner “appeals from a negative judgment denying post-
    conviction relief, he ‘must establish that the evidence, as a whole, unmistakably
    and unerringly points to a conclusion contrary to the post-conviction court’s
    decision.’” Gibson, 133 N.E.3d at 681 (quoting Ben-Yisrayl v. State, 
    738 N.E.2d 253
    , 258 (Ind. 2000), cert. denied, 
    534 U.S. 1164
    , 
    122 S. Ct. 1178
     (2002)). When
    reviewing the PC court’s order denying relief, we will “not defer to the post-
    conviction court’s legal conclusions,” and the “findings and judgment will be
    reversed only upon a showing of clear error—that which leaves us with a
    definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made.” Bobadilla v. State,
    
    117 N.E.3d 1272
    , 1279 (Ind. 2019). When a petitioner “fails to meet this
    ‘rigorous standard of review,’ we will affirm the post-conviction court’s denial
    of relief.” Gibson, 133 N.E.3d at 681 (quoting DeWitt v. State, 
    755 N.E.2d 167
    ,
    169-70 (Ind. 2001)).
    I. Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel
    [9]   Davis argues that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel.
    To prevail on his ineffective assistance of trial counsel claims, Davis must show
    that: (1) his counsel’s performance fell short of prevailing professional norms;
    and (2) his counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced his defense. Gibson, 133
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 6 of 17
    N.E.3d at 682 (citing Strickland v. Washington, 
    466 U.S. 668
    , 687, 
    104 S. Ct. 2052
    , 2064 (1984)).
    [10]   A showing of deficient performance “requires proof that legal representation
    lacked ‘an objective standard of reasonableness,’ effectively depriving the
    defendant of his Sixth Amendment right to counsel.” 
    Id.
     (quoting Overstreet v.
    State, 
    877 N.E.2d 144
    , 152 (Ind. 2007), cert. denied, 
    555 U.S. 972
    , 
    129 S. Ct. 458
    (2008)). We strongly presume that counsel exercised “reasonable professional
    judgment” and “rendered adequate legal assistance.” 
    Id.
     Defense counsel
    enjoys “considerable discretion” in developing legal strategies for a client. 
    Id.
    This “discretion demands deferential judicial review.” 
    Id.
     Finally, counsel’s
    “[i]solated mistakes, poor strategy, inexperience, and instances of bad judgment
    do not necessarily render representation ineffective.” 
    Id.
    [11]   “To demonstrate prejudice, the defendant must show a reasonable probability
    that, but for counsel’s errors, the proceedings below would have resulted in a
    different outcome.” 
    Id.
     “A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to
    undermine confidence in the outcome.” Strickland, 
    466 U.S. at 694
    , 
    104 S. Ct. at 2068
    . Failure to satisfy either prong will cause the claim to fail. Grinstead v.
    State, 
    845 N.E.2d 1027
    , 1031 (Ind. 2006). Most ineffective assistance of counsel
    claims can be resolved by a prejudice inquiry alone. 
    Id.
    [12]   On appeal, Davis raises multiple allegations of ineffective assistance of trial
    counsel. Specifically, Davis argues his trial counsel was ineffective for: (1)
    failing to properly prepare for the trial; (2) failing to cross-examine Willie Bailey
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 7 of 17
    and William Wright effectively; and (3) failing to object to closing arguments by
    the deputy prosecutor. 1 The PC Court found no deficient performance or
    prejudice concerning these claims, and we cannot say the PC Court’s findings
    of fact and conclusions of law are clearly erroneous.
    A. Failure to Prepare
    [13]   Davis first argues that his trial counsel failed to properly prepare for the trial by
    failing to: (1) investigate late-disclosed ballistics lab report; 2 (2) consult with
    Davis; (3) interview Cedric Miller; and (4) prepare a proper defense. Davis,
    however, has failed to demonstrate that his trial counsel’s performance was
    deficient or that he was prejudiced by any alleged deficiency.
    1
    Davis also argues that trial counsel: (1) failed to cross-examine Glynda Randolph effectively; (2) failed to
    investigate Erica Bailey’s criminal history; and (3) failed to prepare properly for the filing of the motion to
    correct error. Davis, however, did not raise these arguments in his petition for ineffective assistance of
    counsel. Issues not raised in a petition for post-conviction relief cannot be raised for the first time on appeal.
    Allen v. State, 
    749 N.E.2d 1158
    , 1171 (Ind. 2001) (holding that claims were “unavailable” where the petitioner
    did not raise the issues in his initial petition for post-conviction relief or in any of his three amended
    petitions), cert. denied, 
    535 U.S. 1061
    , 
    122 S. Ct. 1925
     (2002). Davis also argues that trial counsel failed to
    object to the deputy prosecutor vouching for a witness during closing arguments. This claim, however, was
    improperly presented as a freestanding claim in the petition for post-conviction relief, not in the context of
    ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Accordingly, the PC Court’s denial of the claim is not clearly
    erroneous.
    2
    The PCR record includes lab reports dated December 19, 2013 (ballistics), November 7, 2013 (latent
    impressions), October 29, 2013 (DNA). The ballistics lab report identified Item 004 (one cartridge case) and
    Item 009T (three bullets and cartridge cases test fired in the firearm in Item 009). The
    “Results/Opinions/Interpretations” section of the report merely provided:
    The cartridge case in Item 004 and a test fired cartridge case from Item 009T were entered into
    the IBIS database.
    The test fires In Item 009T will be returned to the contributor. It is recommended that the test
    fires are retained for a period of at least five years.
    PCR Exhibit p. 12. Davis makes no argument on appeal regarding the DNA or latent impressions reports.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020                     Page 8 of 17
    [14]   Much of Davis’s argument centers on the ballistics lab report, which was not
    provided to Davis’s trial counsel until the weekend before the trial. As a result
    of the late-discovered evidence, trial counsel asked for a continuance of the
    trial, which the trial court denied. We noted on direct appeal:
    At the trial, Davis’s main defenses were that he had an alibi and
    that the investigation was shoddy. The admission of the lab
    report did not harm either defense. The [ballistics] lab report
    merely noted that the four cartridge casings were fired from the
    same weapon and that the three bullets were fired from the same
    weapon. The [ballistics] lab report did not indicate who fired the
    weapon and did not affect Davis’s alibi defense.
    Davis, No. 45A03-1606-CR-1636, slip op. pp. 5-6.
    [15]   At the post-conviction hearing, Davis argued that his trial counsel failed to
    properly prepare for trial by the failure to realize that the ballistics lab report
    was not in the file and the failure to timely request the lab report. In the post-
    conviction appeal, however, Davis argues that his trial counsel “could have
    argued that the victim [was] shot with a .45 caliber weapon and the State had
    submitted a .9 mm handgun for ballistic testings.” Appellant’s Br. p. 14. The
    ballistics lab report apparently established that the casings and bullets found at
    the scene were all fired from the same weapon, which was not the handgun
    submitted for testing. 3 Our review of the record, however, reveals no
    information regarding the .9mm handgun submitted for testing and its
    3
    This is not evident from the lab report submitted at the PCR hearing.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 9 of 17
    connection to Davis, if any. The fact that a random .9mm handgun was
    submitted for testing would not have made it more or less likely that Davis was
    the shooter of the .45 caliber handgun. Given this lack of evidence, Davis has
    simply failed to establish that his trial counsel was deficient for failing to raise
    the issue. Moreover, Davis has failed to establish that his trial counsel’s
    preparation and investigation related to the ballistics lab report impaired
    Davis’s defenses or that Davis was actually prejudiced.
    [16]   Cedric Miller testified at the PCR hearing that he received a call from his
    cousin, Mason, shortly after the shooting and learned that Bailey had been shot.
    Davis’s name was not mentioned during the conversation, and the family did
    not know who shot Bailey. The PC Court found: “Although Davis considers
    Miller to be a vital witness overlooked by counsel, the evidence does not prove
    that counsel overlooked him or that Miller possessed any relevant information
    concerning the case generally or the identity of the shooter specifically.”
    Appellant’s App. Vol. II p. 202. The PC Court’s finding is not clearly
    erroneous. Even if trial counsel had called Miller as a witness and the
    testimony had been admissible, there is no reasonable probability that the result
    of the proceeding would have been different.
    [17]   Overall, Davis has simply failed to prove that his trial counsel’s performance
    was deficient as related to the trial preparation. Evidence presented at the
    ineffective assistance of counsel hearings demonstrated that Attorney Phillip
    King has been an attorney since 2003, and he was the second attorney assigned
    to Davis’s case. When King was assigned to the case, he reviewed the case file
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 10 of 17
    from Davis’s prior attorney, reviewed the State’s discovery, reviewed the prior
    depositions, hired an investigator to contact witnesses, attempted to locate
    Davis’s alibi witnesses and a possible suspect, attempted to confer with Davis,
    and prepared a theory for the defense. The defense theory included
    insufficiency of the evidence, poor eyewitness identifications, and a lack of
    proper investigation. Despite King’s investigation efforts, he was unable to
    locate an unknown female that allegedly spoke to the Gary police on the night
    of the shooting. The Gary police did not identify the woman in their report.
    Further, alibi witnesses identified by Davis did not cooperate with King.
    [18]   Davis argues that King only met with Davis one time. According to King,
    however, he spoke with Davis several times before the trial. After court
    hearings, Davis would leave immediately and would not stay to discuss his
    case. King made arrangements to meet with Davis, but Davis repeatedly
    cancelled the appointments. King met with Davis the Sunday before the trial,
    but Davis became upset and “cut [the meeting] short.” PCR Tr. Vol. II p. 35.
    King was “frustrated” by Davis’s “unwillingness to cooperate.” Id. at 37.
    [19]   None of Davis’s allegations related to his trial counsel’s lack of preparation for
    the trial amount to deficient performance nor do they establish that Davis was
    prejudiced by the alleged deficient performance. We cannot say the PC Court’s
    denial of this claim was clearly erroneous.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 11 of 17
    B. Effective Cross-Examination
    [20]   Next, Davis argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because his
    trial counsel failed to effectively cross-examine Willie Bailey and William
    Wright. 4 Davis further contends that trial counsel failed to impeach Bailey and
    Wright with prior inconsistent statements from their depositions. The PC
    Court analyzed the alleged deficiencies and found that the lack of cross-
    examination amounted to either a strategic decision or that Davis’s trial counsel
    had indeed impeached Bailey and Wright with the inconsistencies.
    [21]   Our review of Bailey’s and Wright’s testimony shows that trial counsel did, in
    fact, impeach both by confronting both with inconsistencies in their testimony.
    Most of the other instances raised by Davis can be explained as strategy
    decisions, as stated by the PC Court. To the extent the instances cannot be
    explained as strategy, we again note that a showing of deficient performance is
    not supported by isolated mistakes. Gibson, 133 N.E.3d at 682. Rather, such a
    showing “requires proof that legal representation lacked ‘an objective standard
    of reasonableness,’ effectively depriving the defendant of his Sixth Amendment
    right to counsel.” Id. Even if there are isolated instances of inconsistencies that
    Davis’s trial counsel should have explored on cross-examination, Davis has
    4
    Davis also briefly contends that his trial counsel should have cross-examined Oberg regarding the lab
    report. As with Davis’s arguments related to his trial counsel’s preparation, Davis has similarly failed to
    demonstrate that he was prejudiced by this lack of cross-examination regarding the lab report.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020                  Page 12 of 17
    failed to demonstrate that his trial counsel’s performance was deficient. The PC
    Court’s denial of this claim is not clearly erroneous.
    C. Objection to Closing Arguments
    [22]   Next, Davis argues that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel
    because trial counsel failed to object to alleged inflammatory comments during
    the deputy prosecutor’s closing arguments. These comments relate to Bailey’s
    confinement to a wheelchair, Bailey’s inability to give his daughter away at her
    wedding, and Bailey’s inability to go to a daddy/daughter dance. The PC
    Court rejected this claim and found:
    Trial counsel made a tactical decision to not object to the
    majority of the State’s comments during closing arguments. Like
    many attorneys, he considers the statements in the light of their
    context: arguments, not evidence. When the State asked the jury
    to put itself in the victim’s place however, counsel did object and
    the objection was sustained. Tr. Vol. II, pp. 100-01. Davis fails
    to prove deficient performance.
    Appellant’s App. Vol. II p. 206.
    [23]   Trial counsel did, in fact, object to the deputy prosecutor’s comment regarding
    the victim during closing arguments. Moreover, trial counsel’s lack of objection
    to other comments during closing arguments was a matter of strategy and a
    tactical decision, which does not support a finding of deficient performance.
    The PC Court’s finding that Davis failed to prove deficient performance is not
    clearly erroneous.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 13 of 17
    II. Ineffective Assistance of Appellate Counsel
    [24]   Davis next argues that he received ineffective assistance of appellate counsel.
    “The standard for gauging appellate counsel’s performance is the same as that
    for trial counsel.” Weisheit v. State, 
    109 N.E.3d 978
    , 992 (Ind. 2018), reh’g
    denied, cert. denied, 
    139 S. Ct. 2749
     (2019). Our Supreme Court has held that
    appellate ineffective assistance of counsel claims “generally fall into three basic
    categories: (1) denial of access to an appeal, (2) waiver of issues, and (3) failure
    to present issues well.” Garrett v. State, 
    992 N.E.2d 710
    , 724 (Ind. 2013).
    A. Ballistics Lab Report
    [25]   Davis argues that his appellate counsel was ineffective in her arguments related
    to the late-disclosed ballistics lab report. Appellate counsel raised the issue in
    the context of Davis’s motion to continue, but Davis contends appellate counsel
    should have raised the issue differently.
    [26]   This claim falls in the category of failure to present an issue well. “Claims of
    inadequate presentation of certain issues . . . are the most difficult for convicts
    to advance and reviewing tribunals to support.” Weisheit, 109 N.E.3d at 992.
    To the extent that Davis’s appellate counsel failed to present zealous arguments
    regarding the ballistics lab report, “an ineffectiveness challenge resting on
    counsel’s presentation of a claim must overcome the strongest presumption of
    adequate assistance.” Bieghler v. State, 
    690 N.E.2d 188
    , 196 (Ind. 1997), cert.
    denied, 
    525 U.S. 1021
    , 
    119 S. Ct. 550
     (1998). “Judicial scrutiny of counsel’s
    performance, already ‘highly deferential,’ is properly at its highest.” 
    Id.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 14 of 17
    (internal citation omitted). “Relief is only appropriate when the appellate court
    is confident it would have ruled differently.” 
    Id.
    [27]   According to Davis, his appellate counsel simply raised the same issues raised
    in his motion to correct error. Davis argues that his appellate counsel should
    have also raised the issue of the firearm discussed in the ballistics lab report
    because the “firearm could have helped Davis’s case since the victim was shot
    with a .45 caliber bullet and the gun that was in the lab reports was a .9mm.”
    Appellant’s Br. p. 30. We have already rejected this argument in the context of
    Davis’s ineffective assistance of trial counsel claim. We again note that the
    record reveals no information regarding the .9mm handgun submitted for
    testing and its connection to Davis, if any. Even if appellate counsel had made
    the argument regarding the .9 mm handgun, there is no indication that this
    argument would have resulted in a different ruling on direct appeal. The PC
    Court’s denial of this claim is not clearly erroneous.
    B. Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel
    [28]   Next, Davis seems to argue that appellate counsel should have raised a claim of
    ineffective assistance of trial counsel. To show that appellate counsel was
    ineffective for failing to raise an issue on appeal, thus resulting in waiver for
    collateral review, “the defendant must overcome the strongest presumption of
    adequate assistance, and judicial scrutiny is highly deferential.” Garrett, 992
    N.E.2d at 724. To evaluate the performance prong when appellate counsel
    waived issues upon appeal, we look at the following: (1) whether the unraised
    issues are significant and obvious from the face of the record; and (2) whether
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 15 of 17
    the unraised issues are “clearly stronger” than the raised issues. Id. “If the
    analysis under this test demonstrates deficient performance, then we evaluate
    the prejudice prong which requires an examination of whether ‘the issues which
    . . . appellate counsel failed to raise would have been clearly more likely to
    result in reversal or an order for a new trial.’” Id. (quoting Bieghler, 690 N.E.2d
    at 194).
    [29]   The PC Court denied this claim and found:
    Davis claims that appellate counsel should have raised ineffective
    assistance of trial counsel. When ineffective assistance of trial
    counsel is not raised on direct appeal, it may be raised for the first
    time in a petition for post-conviction relief. Since ineffective
    assistance of trial counsel is available for post-conviction review,
    Davis was not prejudiced by appellate counsel’s omission of this
    issue on direct appeal. Davis fails to establish deficient
    performance or prejudice concerning appellate counsel’s
    representation.
    Appellant’s App. Vol. II p. 209 (internal citations omitted).
    [30]   Our Supreme Court has noted that “the failure to litigate a claim of ineffective
    assistance of counsel in a direct appeal does not preclude a petitioner from
    seeking post-conviction relief on that basis.” Landis v. State, 
    749 N.E.2d 1130
    ,
    1133 (Ind. 2001). Moreover, “if a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel has
    been litigated on direct appeal, it is not available in post-conviction
    proceedings.” 
    Id.
     See also Jewell v. State, 
    887 N.E.2d 939
    , 941 (Ind. 2008) (“A
    criminal defendant claiming ineffective assistance of trial counsel is at liberty to
    elect whether to raise this claim on direct appeal or in post-conviction
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 16 of 17
    proceedings. But if raised on direct appeal, the appellate resolution of the issue
    acts as res judicata and precludes its relitigation in subsequent post-conviction
    relief proceedings.”) (internal citation omitted). Our Supreme Court held in
    Conner v. State, 
    711 N.E.2d 1238
    , 1252 (Ind. 1999), cert. denied, 
    531 U.S. 829
    ,
    
    121 S. Ct. 81
     (2000), that “because appellate counsel is not required to raise this
    claim [of ineffective assistance of trial counsel] on direct appeal, appellate
    counsel’s failure to do so was not deficient representation.”
    [31]   As in Conner, Davis was not prejudiced by appellate counsel’s failure to raise a
    claim of ineffective assistance of trial counsel on direct appeal. Such a claim
    was still available in post-conviction proceedings. The PC Court’s denial of
    Davis’s claim is not clearly erroneous.
    Conclusion
    [32]   The PC Court’s denial of Davis’s petition for ineffective assistance of counsel is
    not clearly erroneous. We affirm.
    [33]   Affirmed.
    Bailey, J., and Robb, J., concur.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 20A-PC-489 | December 30, 2020   Page 17 of 17
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 20A-PC-489

Filed Date: 12/30/2020

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 12/30/2020