Cletus Robbins, Jr. v. Commonwealth of Kentucky ( 2020 )

RENDERED: DECEMBER 18, 2020; 10:00 A.M.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Court of Appeals
NO. 2019-CA-0281-MR
CLETUS ROBBINS, JR. APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM HARLAN CIRCUIT COURT
v. HONORABLE KENT HENDRICKSON, JUDGE
ACTION NO. 14-CR-00083
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY APPELLEE
OPINION
AFFIRMING
** ** ** ** **
BEFORE: LAMBERT, MAZE, AND L. THOMPSON, JUDGES.
MAZE, JUDGE: Cletus Robbins, Jr. appeals from a judgment of the Harlan
Circuit Court denying his request, pursuant to Kentucky Rules of Criminal
Procedure (RCr) 11.42, for post-conviction relief. For the following reasons, we
affirm.
Following a jury trial, Robbins was convicted of first-degree
kidnapping with serious physical injury; first-degree robbery; two counts of
second-degree assault (against victim Benji Stout); first-degree unlawful
imprisonment (of victim Gabrielle Cochran); two counts of wanton endangerment
(of Stout and Cochran); two counts of intimidating a participant in the legal
process (of Stout and Cochran); and being a persistent first-degree felony offender.
The jury recommended a total sentence of twenty-five years in prison and the trial
court imposed that sentence.
On direct appeal, the Kentucky Supreme Court affirmed Robbins’
convictions. Robbins v. Commonwealth, No. 2015-SC-000478-MR, 2017 WL
5494103 (Ky. Mar. 23, 2017). We adopt the facts set forth in that Opinion here:
During the evening of May 2, 2014, Cletus
Robbins Jr. and Erica Bryant visited the home of Arbin
Shepherd. Later that evening, Benji Stout and Gabrielle
Wright Cochran arrived at the residence. Subsequently,
Robbins and Stout began to argue and the argument
became physical, resulting in Stout being badly beaten
and shot with a handgun. Beyond these facts, witness
testimony differed as to what transpired that evening and
what triggered the dispute and assault.
The Commonwealth’s first witness was Bryant,
who was dating Robbins’s step-son at the time of this
incident. Bryant was with Robbins when he received a
phone call about visiting Shepherd’s house that evening.
In her interview with the police, Bryant explained that
Shepherd called Robbins to inform him that he had “got
the lady,” who had sold them counterfeit Xanax pills and
that she would be at his house that evening. As a
-2-
consequence of this call, Bryant and Robbins went to
Shepherd’s home.
According to Bryant the mood in the house was
tense. Asked specifically about Robbins’s mood, Bryant
recalled that he was angry. Once Stout and Cochran
arrived at the residence, Stout was summoned by
Robbins to come to the kitchen. Due to her vantage point
in the living room, which was immediately next to the
kitchen, Bryant was able to observe how the conflict
began. Initially, Bryant heard Robbins shout at Stout that
he “had got him for $600 the day before.” Robbins then
began to beat Stout and as the beating continued Stout
fell to the ground, with Robbins kicking him in the head.
The beating continued despite Stout’s pleas for Robbins
to stop.
Afterwards, Robbins and Carl Edward Collins, tied
Stout up with a nylon rope. Robbins then placed a gun to
Stout’s head, stating he was going to get his $600 back
from Stout. While Stout was tied up, Collins took money
and illicit narcotics from his person. That money was
subsequently divided among Robbins, Collins, and
Shepherd.
During this period, Bryant approached Robbins
asking him to calm down. In response, Robbins pointed
his gun in her face and informed her that he intended to
shoot Stout. Bryant put her hands up and retreated to
defuse the situation. Afterwards, Robbins returned his
focus to Stout, untying his restraints. However, Robbins
continued to yell at Stout about the money. During this
exchange Bryant heard a gunshot and realized that Stout
had been shot in the chest.
Bryant was ordered by Collins to clean up Stout’s
blood in the kitchen. While Bryant did so, she overheard
Robbins boasting that he had “got [Stout]”. Later,
Cochran, Stout’s companion, entered the kitchen and
Robbins struck her in the face. After a short
-3-
discussion, Robbins and Collins gave Stout some of his
money back so he could pay for gas to return to
Lexington. Prior to letting Stout and Cochran leave,
Robbins told the pair not to stop on the way to Lexington
or inform anyone about what had happened or he would
kill Cochran’s family.
The Commonwealth’s second witness was
Shepherd, the homeowner. Shepherd admitted to having
taken Xanax the day of the assault and that as a result he
was in and out of consciousness throughout the evening.
Shepherd testified that Robbins had come to his house to
rendezvous with Stout and Cochran. Prior to the start of
the altercation in the kitchen, Shepherd overhead Stout
and Robbins discussing a prior drug deal for Xanax.
While in and out of consciousness, Shepherd heard
“scuffling” in the kitchen. The sound of the gunshot in
the kitchen, lifted Shepherd from his stupor, and he went
to his room to get his gun.
Shepherd went on to explain that his concern was
to calm down Robbins and get everyone out of his home.
In a tense moment, Robbins and Shepherd pointed their
weapons at each other, but the moment passed without
violence. Later, Shepherd watched Stout leave his
residence, while Bryant worked to clean up his blood.
During cross-examination, Shepherd claimed to not
understand the reason for the dispute between Robbins
and Stout, explaining that he had purchased genuine
Xanax which he used that evening. Shepherd explained
that this was the second occasion in which Stout and
Cochran came to his house to sell Xanax. Also,
Shepherd denied that anyone had been tied up.
The Commonwealth’s third witness was Collins.
Collins, a convicted felon, testified that he was home in
bed when he received a call from Shepherd’s landline
telephone, requesting that he come to the house. When
Collins arrived at the residence, he discovered that
Shepherd was unconscious and that Robbins had called
-4-
him from Shepherd’s phone. Collins explained that had
he known that it was Robbins who had called him that he
would not have gone to the house, as the two men did not
get along.
Robbins told Collins that the drugs that he had
previously purchased from Stout were counterfeit.
Further, he told Collins that Stout and Cochran were on
the way to the house to sell narcotics, as they had
previously done once before. Collins observed that
Robbins was angry and intended to harm Stout. To avoid
a fight and a possible disruption in Stout and Cochran
bringing drugs from Lexington, Collins offered to buy
the counterfeit drugs from Robbins. While Robbins
accepted Collins’s money, he remained at Shepherd’s
house waiting for Stout and Cochran to arrive. When
Stout and Cochran failed to arrive on time, Robbins used
Shepherd’s home phone and his cell phone to call and
threaten Cochran’s family.
A short while later, Cochran arrived at Shepherd’s
home and questioned Robbins about why he contacted
her family, as they did not know that she and Stout sold
narcotics. Robbins told her that everything was fine and
questioned her about Stout’s whereabouts, who was still
in the car. Collins testified that when Stout entered the
living room, Robbins immediately got up, put his arm
around Stout, and shot him in the chest. Robbins then
began to beat Stout in the kitchen. During the beating,
Stout screamed Collins’s name in a desperate plea for
help. After beating Stout for approximately ten minutes,
Robbins took a taser from Stout’s pocket and shocked
him with it. Collins also testified about Robbins’s crazed
state, which was demonstrated by his subsequent use of
the taser on himself.
Afterwards, Robbins pointed his gun at Shepherd,
which led to Collins retrieving a gun that was located on
top of the refrigerator. Collins explained that he obtained
the weapon, so that if Robbins shot Shepherd, he would
-5-
be able to retaliate against Robbins. Subsequently,
Collins took Cochran into the living room, away from
Robbins who continued to repeat that he was going to kill
and bury them. Collins testified that he was concerned
that Robbins intended to kill Stout and Cochran. In an
attempt to calm Cochran down, he slapped her in the face
and urged her to listen to him so they could get out of the
situation.
Later, Collins observed Robbins standing in front
of Cochran with her shirt half buttoned; he surmised that
it was due to Robbins searching her person for narcotics.
After deciding to not further harm Stout and Cochran,
Robbins informed the pair that if they were to contact the
police that he would respond by killing Cochran’s whole
family. Prior to Stout and Cochran’s departure, Collins
helped clean up Stout and gave him advice on how to
breathe in case his lung had been struck in the shooting.
During his testimony, Collins denied that Stout had been
tied up during his ordeal.
The Commonwealth’s fourth witness was
Kentucky State Police Detective Craig Miller. Detective
Miller became involved in the case after receiving a
report that Stout had visited Good Samaritan Hospital in
Lexington claiming to be the victim of a gunshot wound.
Subsequently, Detective Miller took witness statements
from Stout and Cochran, created photo pack lineups, and
obtained a search warrant for Shepherd’s residence. The
resulting search of Shepherd’s residence led to the
discovery of a green nylon rope, a .38 caliber handgun,
and a .22 caliber rifle. Also, Stout had told the police
that his beaded necklace was broken during the beating;
police recovered beads in multiple locations in
Shepherd’s kitchen. Subsequently, Detective Miller
arrested Robbins and interviewed him. In his interview,
Robbins admitted to attacking Stout saying, “I beat the
shit outta him; I beat his motherfucking brains out. . . .”
Later, Robbins’s wife provided to police the pills
-6-
that Robbins had allegedly obtained from Stout and
Stout’s taser.
The Commonwealth’s final two witnesses were
Stout and Cochran. Stout, a convicted felon, explained
that he and Cochran were traveling to Harlan County to
see their children who were staying with their maternal
grandparents, Cochran’s parents. In route to the house,
Cochran received a phone call from her mother,
informing her that someone had called her house. In
response, Cochran informed Stout that they needed to
make a stop at Shepherd’s home.
After arriving at Shepherd’s residence, Stout noted
that there was a crowd of happy people who warmly
welcomed them into the home. Subsequently, Robbins
took Stout into the kitchen and began beating him with a
gun. As part of this assault, Robbins struck Stout in the
back of the head with the gun causing him to fall to the
floor. Once on the ground, Robbins began to kick Stout,
which included kicking him in the face. As Stout began
to crawl towards the back door of the house, Robbins,
using a racial epithet, told Stout he was going to kill him.
Robbins then shot Stout in the chest.
Stout testified that he was forced into a chair and
someone tried to remove his shirt. Then, Robbins
observed that Stout had a taser, took it from him, and
used it against him. Stout testified that throughout the
beating, he was held at gunpoint. He also recounted
being tied up by Bryant and Collins. Eventually, Stout
was permitted to leave the residence. Prior to leaving,
Stout was warned against going to the authorities,
with Robbins threatening to kill Cochran’s parents if he
did so. Stout testified that he delayed going to the
hospital in Lexington for three days due to his fear
of Robbins’s retaliation. During cross-examination,
Stout denied possessing any illegal narcotics the night of
the incident. He claimed to have $2,400 in cash stolen
-7-
from him that night, cash which he received for selling a
vehicle.
Next, Cochran testified. She recounted that while
on the way to visit her parents in Harlan, she received a
call (the identity of the caller is unclear) in which it was
made clear that Robbins was upset. The caller explained
that Robbins believed that Cochran owed him money,
and that she needed to meet with Robbins at Shepherd’s
residence. Additionally, Cochran’s mother called and
told her daughter that she had received a threatening call.
After arriving at Shepherd’s house, Cochran told
Stout to remain in the car while she went in to speak
to Robbins. Cochran’s efforts to resolve the situation
were unsuccessful, as Robbins and Collins held her at
gunpoint, while Shepherd went outside to tell Stout to
come into the house. After Stout entered the residence,
Robbins and Collins proceeded to beat him. In
particular, Stout testified that Robbins struck Stout in the
head over fifty times.
Afterwards, Robbins took Stout into the kitchen,
but just before doing so pointed a gun at Cochran’s head
and told her to stay in the living room, and that he would
deal with her next. In the kitchen, Robbins proceeded to
break three chairs over Stout’s head. During this period,
Robbins repeatedly told Stout that he wanted $500.
Subsequently, he told Bryant to get rope and she
proceeded to tie Stout’s hands behind his back and tie his
feet together. Once Stout was tied up, Robbins took
money from him and then after the robbery was
completed, Stout’s bindings were removed.
After robbing Stout, Robbins went into the living
room and demanded money from Cochran. Cochran
refused Robbins’s demand, telling him that she did not
owe him anything. In response, Robbins shoved his gun
into her eye, then put it to her temple, before finally
striking her in the head with the gun. Robbins then
-8-
demanded that Cochran take off her clothes. When she
refused, Robbins pulled her shirt open and began to
fondle her breasts underneath her bra. After the robbery
and this incident in the living room, Stout was shot.
Cochran testified that Robbins experienced periods
of lucidity, before returning to crazed and violent actions.
An example of his crazed state was Robbins’s repeated
use of the taser on Stout while he chased him around the
kitchen. Additionally, when Stout began to pray,
Robbins held his hand and joined in prayer with him
asking God for forgiveness. Yet, Robbins later
demanded money from Stout within four days-time, and
threatened Cochran about going to the police and that if
she did so he would kill her family.
During cross-examination Cochran denied that she
and Stout were involved in the sale of narcotics. When
asked about the money that Stout had on his person at the
time of the robbery, Cochran explained that he had
received it as part of a social security payment. At the
conclusion of Cochran’s testimony, the Commonwealth
briefly recalled Detective Miller, and then rested its case.
Robbins called three witnesses. His first witness
was Cochran’s father, Lloyd Cochran. He testified that
while he was out of the house that there was a missed call
and that the caller ID indicated that it was from a person
with the last name of Shepherd. Subsequently, he called
the number back and spoke to “a Shepherd fella.”
Robbins’s second witness was Cochran’s mother Cathy
Cochran. She testified about a missed call, which her
caller ID noted as being from “Arvin Shepherd.”
Additionally, she noted that her husband later returned
the phone call.
Robbins then elected to testify on his own behalf.
He explained that a couple of days before May[] 2, 2014,
he had been informed by Shepherd that there would be
someone at his home selling Xanax. Subsequently,
-9-
Robbins purchased $600 of Xanax from Stout and
Cochran. Stout claimed that the drugs were counterfeit
drugs that contained as little as three percent alprazolam.
Robbins told the jury that on the date in question
he had received a call from Shepherd that Cochran and
Stout were going to meet him at his residence and,
consequently, Robbins would have an opportunity to get
his money back. Afterward, Robbins went to Shepherd’s
house to wait. After approximately twenty-five minutes,
Stout and Cochran arrived, with Cochran entering first.
When Stout entered the house, Robbins accused
him of selling sham Xanax. Stout told Robbins that he
had “something else” to offer in his car, but Robbins
informed him that he did not want anything else, but he
did want his money back. Shortly thereafter, a brawl
started between the two men. According to Robbins,
when Stout attempted to take out his taser, he was
disarmed and badly beaten by Robbins. During the
altercation, heroin that Stout had on his person fell to the
ground; those drugs were subsequently seized by
Shepherd and Collins. Robbins placed the value on those
drugs at approximately $2,400. Later Robbins gave
Stout $30 of his own money, so that he could afford gas
to travel back to Lexington.
Robbins denied that the event was anything more
than a fist fight. He denied shooting Stout or even
having a gun, insisting that only Shepherd and Collins
were armed with guns. Further, Robbins insisted that he
did not strike Stout with chairs or tase him. Additionally,
Robbins denied knowledge about rope or anyone being
tied up that evening. Robbins also denied that he had hit
or inappropriately touched Cochran. Finally, Robbins
denied taking any money from Stout, but did admit to
using some of his heroin later that evening.
According to Robbins, Stout and Cochran told
Shepherd the following day that they would go to the
-10-
police, unless Robbins paid for Stout’s lost heroin.
Robbins attempted to explain away the other witnesses’
accounts of the evening, by saying that Collins and Stout
were longtime friends. Also, Robbins alleged the
existence of a love triangle involving Robbins, Shepherd,
and Robbins’s wife who also happened to be Shepherd’s
former spouse.
Id. at *1-5 (footnotes omitted).
After the Kentucky Supreme Court denied Robbins’ direct appeal, he
filed a motion for post-conviction relief pursuant to RCr 11.42, alleging ineffective
assistance of counsel. The trial court denied Robbins’ motion. The trial court also
denied Robbins’ motion for an evidentiary hearing, holding that the issues of fact
or law raised in Robbins’ motion could be resolved by examining the record.
For his appeal to this Court, Robbins argues that the trial court abused
its discretion by denying his RCr 11.42 motion based on four1 arguments: (1) his
attorney failed and/or refused to request a lesser-included jury instruction for
“physical injury” instead of “serious physical injury” relating to the kidnapping
charge; (2) his attorney failed and/or refused to obtain independent testing of the
Xanax, which may have proven he ingested something that “made him go crazy”;
(3) his attorney failed and/or refused to request an intoxication or diminished
capacity jury instruction; and (4) his attorney failed and/or refused to investigate
1
Robbins’ RCr 11.42 motion before the trial court set forth six errors, but he is only arguing four
of the six errors for this appeal.
-11-
Stout’s drug trafficking. In addition, Robbins claims the trial court should have
held an evidentiary hearing on these four alleged errors.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
The standard of review for claims of ineffective assistance of counsel
was established in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L.
Ed. 2d 674 (1984). The defendant must establish that trial counsel made serious
errors resulting in a performance below the objective standard of reasonableness
and that the defective performance prejudiced the defense so seriously that there is
a reasonable likelihood that the result of the trial would have been different absent
the errors. Fegley v. Commonwealth, 337 S.W.3d 657, 659 (Ky. App. 2011).
A reviewing court must focus on the totality of the evidence before the judge when
assessing the performance of trial counsel and must presume that counsel
rendered effective assistance of counsel. Kimmelman v. Morrison, 477 U.S. 365,
381, 106 S. Ct. 2574, 2586, 91 L. Ed. 2d 305 (1986). Counsel’s performance is not
judged in a vacuum but by the degree that the performance deviates from the
quality of representation customarily provided by the legal profession. Centers v.
Commonwealth, 799 S.W.2d 51, 55 (Ky. App. 1990).
ANALYSIS
Lesser-included jury instruction for “physical injury” instead of “serious
physical injury” relating to the kidnapping charge
-12-
The jury found Robbins guilty of first-degree kidnapping with serious
physical injury to Stout. Pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS)
509.040(1), “[a] person is guilty of kidnapping when he unlawfully restrains
another person and when his intent is . . . (c) [t]o inflict bodily injury . . . .” Then,
under subsection (2) of KRS 509.040, kidnapping is considered a Class A felony if
“the victim has suffered serious physical injury during the kidnapping . . . .”
Robbins argues the evidence was insufficient to prove that Stout
suffered a “serious physical injury” and, therefore, his trial counsel provided
ineffective assistance by failing to request the lesser-included instruction of
“physical injury” instead. Specifically, Robbins claims that Stout waited three
days before going to the hospital, so Stout’s injury was not “serious” as it did not
require immediate medical attention. Robbins further argues that the jury only
found him guilty of second-degree assault with “physical injury.” So, he reasons
that the kidnapping instruction should have similarly only included the “physical
injury” element.
In its order, the trial court held that trial counsel committed no error in
not objecting or moving for a directed verdict, judgment notwithstanding the
verdict (JNOV), or new trial regarding the kidnapping with “serious physical
injury” instruction. The trial court explained that the evidence fully supported the
instruction because Robbins caused physical injury to Stout which created a
-13-
substantial risk of death and, pursuant to KRS 509.040(2), “serious physical
injury” is defined as “physical injury which creates a substantial risk of death, or
which causes serious or prolonged disfigurement, prolonged impairment of health,
or prolonged loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ.” KRS
500.080(15) (emphasis added).
When claiming ineffective assistance of counsel for failure to object
to a jury instruction, a defendant must show that the instruction was given in error.
Commonwealth v. Davis, 14 S.W.3d 9, 11 (Ky. 1999), as modified (Jan. 20, 2000).
“In other words, if the record does not support the conclusion that the objection
should have been sustained, then there can be no ineffective assistance of counsel
for failing to object.” Id. Therefore, “if the instructions were not in error, an
evidentiary hearing to determine why defense counsel did not object to them would
be futile and pointless.” Id.
Here, the kidnapping instruction was not given in error. Despite
Robbins’ testimony to the contrary, the evidence showed that Robbins shot Stout
through the chest; kicked Stout; shocked Stout with a Taser, and beat Stout,
especially about the head. Cochran’s testimony that Stout’s clothes were
“absolutely soaked in [blood]” also shows that Stout lost a substantial amount of
blood. Likewise, Detective Miller testified about the amount of blood when he
described the pains taken to mop and bleach the blood from the kitchen floor and
-14-
clean the adjacent living room carpet. Testimony also proved that Stout was so
weakened from his injuries that he could not stand or sit upright in a chair and had
become non-responsive as he went in and out of consciousness.
From the foregoing evidence, the jury could reasonably infer that
Stout was at a substantial risk of death by the time the ordeal ended. And, as the
Kentucky Supreme Court held in Brooks v. Commonwealth, 114 S.W.3d 818, 824
(Ky. 2003), a serious loss of blood alone can create a substantial risk of death.
Simply because Stout did not immediately go to the hospital does not change the
life-threatening nature of his injuries. Moreover, Stout testified that he delayed
going to the hospital due to his fear of Robbins’ retaliation, which several
witnesses confirmed through their testimony that Robbins threatened to kill
Cochran’s parents if Stout or Cochran went to the authorities.
We also note that the jury was given two lesser-included instructions
to consider: (1) kidnapping (without the serious physical injury element); and (2)
first-degree unlawful imprisonment. Thus, the jury had an option to find Robbins
not guilty of kidnapping with serious physical injury and could have, instead,
found him guilty or not guilty of one of these lesser-included instructions. We
further note that Robbins’ trial counsel presented a closing argument that advanced
Robbins’ exact argument on appeal—namely, that Stout was not seriously injured.
After hearing this argument, the jury still found Robbins guilty of kidnapping with
-15-
serious physical injury even though it could have found him not guilty of that
charge and had the option to consider two lesser-included charges.
Based on the totality of the evidence, the jury instruction for
kidnapping with serious physical injury was warranted and not given in error. We
do not believe the outcome of the case would have been different had Robbins’
trial counsel objected because the evidence supported the kidnapping with serious
physical injury instruction. Accordingly, we conclude Robbins’ trial counsel was
not constitutionally ineffective and Robbins was not prejudiced by her
performance.
Independent testing of the Xanax
Robbins next argues that his trial counsel was deficient in not
obtaining independent testing of the Xanax. He claims he told his trial counsel he
wanted the Xanax tested “because something he ingested made him go crazy.” As
support, he notes Collins, who was present during the incident, testified that
Robbins was in a crazed state. Robbins reasons that “his actions were those of
someone who had unknowingly ingested something other than [X]anax – a
‘downer’” and the substance was “not conducive to his otherwise calm
disposition.”
In response, the Commonwealth claims the Xanax was tested and
Jamie Hibbard, with the Kentucky State Police (KSP) laboratory, testified that the
-16-
pills contained alprazolam, the active ingredient in Xanax. Thus, an independent
laboratory would have arrived at the same results.
Robbins’ argument is entirely self-serving speculation. He provides
no evidence that he ingested something that made him “go crazy.” In fact, at trial,
Robbins never testified that he ingested something that made him “go crazy.” He
only testified that Stout sold him fake Xanax. More likely, it seems that Robbins
wanted the Xanax tested so he would know the exact components of the pills
because he still suspects that Stout sold him “fake Xanax.”
When a defendant claims ineffective assistance of counsel for not
obtaining an expert, “he must establish how he was prejudiced by the alleged
failure of counsel.” Parrish v. Commonwealth, 272 S.W.3d 161, 179 (Ky. 2008)
(citation omitted). Here, Robbins fails to establish how he was prejudiced by not
having the Xanax tested by an independent laboratory. Moreover, “it is not
necessary ‘in all cases [for] an attorney [to] hire a rebuttal expert witness in order
to avoid being deemed ineffective.’” Commonwealth v. York, 215 S.W.3d 44, 48
(Ky. 2007) (quoting Thompson v. Commonwealth, 177 S.W.3d 782, 786 (Ky.
2005)). In this case, additional laboratory testing was not critical given the fact
that Robbins never testified that he ingested something that made him “go crazy.”
Therefore, his trial counsel was not constitutionally ineffective in not obtaining
independent laboratory testing of the Xanax.
-17-
Intoxication or diminished capacity jury instruction
Robbins argues his trial counsel was ineffective for not requesting
jury instructions on intoxication or diminished capacity. To support this argument,
Robbins again claims that the “fake Xanax” had “some unknown compound in it”
that changed his physiology and ability to control himself during the incident.
In response, the Commonwealth claims the evidence did not support
such instructions, as Robbins never testified that he used or ingested any drugs
before he beat Stout. Additionally, the Commonwealth argues that Robbins’
behavior during the incident was the same behavior he displayed during the
sentencing hearing when he cursed at the judge, spit on the prosecutor, and
threatened the prosecution with the statement, “You better hope I never get out,” as
he was taken away. And, at that time, the Commonwealth notes that Robbins was
in custody and, presumably, not under the influence of any drugs.
Pursuant to KRS 501.080(1), voluntary intoxication is a defense to a
criminal charge if it “[n]egatives the existence of an element of the offense[.]” The
Kentucky Supreme Court has interpreted that statute to mean that the defense is
only justified “where there is evidence reasonably sufficient to prove that the
defendant was so drunk that he did not know what he was doing.” Fredline v.
Commonwealth, 241 S.W.3d 793, 797 (Ky. 2007) (quoting Rogers v.
Commonwealth, 86 S.W.3d 29, 44 (Ky. 2002)). “If, from the evidence presented, a
-18-
jury could reasonably conclude that the defendant was so intoxicated that he could
not have formed the requisite mens rea for the offense, a voluntary intoxication
instruction is warranted.” Id.
The evidence in this case did not support a voluntary intoxication
instruction. At trial, Robbins testified he knew exactly what he was doing. He
assaulted and robbed Stout with the specific intention of recovering the $600 he
believed he was owed. Robbins assaulted Cochran for the same reason. He never
claimed that he lost his memory or control over his actions. To the contrary, his
testimony confirmed that his mental and physical faculties were more than
adequate.
Accordingly, Robbins’ counsel had no reason to believe that a jury
instruction for intoxication or diminished capacity might be appropriate. Her
decision not to request such instructions was within the bounds of reasonable trial
strategy because the evidence did not support such an instruction. Thus, Robbins’
counsel was not ineffective for failing to request such an instruction. “It is not
ineffective assistance of counsel to fail to perform a futile act.” Bowling v.
Commonwealth, 80 S.W.3d 405, 415 (Ky. 2002), cert. denied, 538 U.S. 931, 123
S. Ct. 1587, 155 L. Ed. 2d 327 (2003).
-19-
Alleged failure to investigate Stout’s drug trafficking
For Robbins’ last claim of error, he argues that his trial counsel
provided ineffective assistance by failing or refusing to investigate Stout as a drug
trafficker. He claims that, because Stout was a drug trafficker, Stout had reason to
blame the incident on Robbins. Robbins also claims that Stout did not seek
medical attention because he was a drug trafficker and not because he was afraid of
retaliation by Robbins.
In response, the Commonwealth argues this claim is meritless because
evidence was, indeed, introduced that Stout was a drug trafficker. Collins even
testified that Cochran was upset when she arrived at the house the night of the
incident because Robbins had contacted her family and told them that she and
Stout sold drugs.
In its order, the trial court held that Stout’s livelihood was irrelevant
to any issue tried. Robbins’ counsel was, thus, not ineffective for not pursuing
such irrelevant information. We agree. The jury heard evidence that Stout was a
drug trafficker and Robbins fails to establish how he was prejudiced by his
counsel’s alleged failure to investigate Stout’s livelihood as a drug trafficker.
Necessity of an evidentiary hearing on the four alleged errors
Granting or denying an evidentiary hearing on allegations raised in an
RCr 11.42 motion is limited to “whether the allegations in the motion can be
-20-
resolved on the face of the record . . . .” Fraser v. Commonwealth, 59 S.W.3d 448,
452 (Ky. 2001). “A hearing is required if there is a material issue of fact that
cannot be conclusively resolved, i.e., conclusively proved or disproved, by an
examination of the record.” Id. Here, the trial court determined that Robbins’
motion did not raise an issue of fact or law that could not be conclusively resolved
by an examination of the record. We agree. Therefore, an evidentiary hearing was
unnecessary, and the trial court did not err in denying Robbins’ request for one.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm.
ALL CONCUR.
BRIEFS FOR APPELLANT: BRIEF FOR APPELLEE:
Cletus Robbins, Jr., pro se Daniel Cameron
Sandy Hook, Kentucky Attorney General of Kentucky
Leilani K.M. Martin
Assistant Attorney General
Frankfort, Kentucky
-21-