State v. Jackson ( 2009 )

[Cite as State v. Jackson, 2009-Ohio-5906.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
UNION COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 14-09-24
v.
ERIC A. JACKSON, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Union County Common Pleas Court
Trial Court No. 02-CR-0116
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: November 9, 2009
APPEARANCES:
Claire R. Cahoon for Appellant
Terry L. Hord for Appellee
Case No. 14-09-24
PRESTON, P.J.
{¶1} Petitioner-appellant, Eric A. Jackson (hereinafter “Jackson”),
appeals the Union County Court of Common Pleas’ judgment denying his petition
for post-conviction relief without a hearing. We affirm.
{¶2} The pertinent facts and procedural history of this case was set forth
by this Court in Jackson’s direct appeal, State v. Jackson, 3d Dist. No. 14-03-28,
2004-Ohio-4016, appeal not allowed by State v. Jackson, 104 Ohio St.3d 1439,
2004-Ohio-7033, 819 N.E.2d 1123, as follows:
It is undisputed that on October 15, 2002, Jackson shot his
mother, Donna Levan (“Levan”), with a sawed-off twelve-gauge
shotgun. The shooting occurred in the parking lot of Levan’s
place of employment, the Heartland of Marysville Nursing and
Rehabilitation Center, in Union County, Ohio. There were no
witnesses to the shooting. Following the shooting, Jackson drove
away from the scene, but he was shortly thereafter pulled over
and arrested by a Union County Sheriff’s deputy. Levan died
nine days after the shooting.
On October 24, 2002, following Levan’s death, Jackson was
indicted and charged with one count of Aggravated Murder, in
violation of R.C. 2903.01(A), a felony of the first degree, with a
firearm specification, and Unlawful Possession of Dangerous
Ordnance, in violation of R.C. 2923.17, a felony of the fifth
degree.
Pertinent to this appeal, Jackson entered written pleas of not
guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity to the charge of
aggravated murder. See Crim.R. 11(A). Jackson was deemed
competent to stand trial by the court-appointed psychiatrist and
the matter was set for a jury trial.
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On June 26, 2003, the jury returned a verdict finding Jackson
guilty on all charges. Jackson was sentenced to consecutive
prison terms of three (3) years for the firearm specification and
twenty (20) years for aggravated murder. Jackson was also
sentenced to one (1) year in prison for unlawful possession of
dangerous ordnance, to be served concurrently with the
aggravated murder conviction. In aggregate, Jackson was
sentenced to twenty-three (23) years in prison.
On August 2, 2004, this Court affirmed Jackson’s conviction but reversed and
remanded for resentencing finding sua sponte that Jackson should have been
sentenced to a life term under R.C. 2929.03(A)(1). Id. at ¶¶22-23; (Doc. No. 165).
{¶3} On February 26, 2004, while his direct appeal was pending, Jackson
filed a Crim.R. 33(B) motion for a new trial on the basis of newly discovered
evidence. (Doc. No. 153). Specifically, Jackson alleged a newly discovered
witness, Kaci Chaffin, observed the shooting and averred that Jackson never
pointed the gun toward his mother; but “[r]ather, the gun discharged after Jackson
aimed the weapon at his own head and his mother struggled to pull the gun away.”
(Id.); (Id., Ex. A). On March 2, 2004, however, the trial court overruled the
motion as being untimely filed. (Doc. No. 157). On March 24, 2004, Jackson
appealed this decision, and, on September 27, 2004, we affirmed the trial court’s
decision. State v. Jackson, 3d Dist. No. 14-04-11, 2004-Ohio-5103 (Doc. No.
165), appeal not allowed by State v. Jackson, 105 Ohio St.3d 1451, 2005-Ohio-
763, 823 N.E.2d 456.
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{¶4} On April 16, 2004, after the trial court denied his Crim.R. 33(B)
motion for a new trial, Jackson filed a post-conviction petition in the trial court.
(Doc. No. 164). In support of his petition, Jackson alleged that his trial counsel
was ineffective because he failed to discover Kaci Chaffin, an eyewitness whose
testimony would have likely changed the outcome of his trial. (Id.). For unknown
reasons though, the trial court failed to rule on the motion. Then, on May 27,
2009, Jackson filed a motion for a ruling on the petition. (Doc. No. 180). On June
22, 2009, the trial court dismissed Jackson’s post-conviction relief petition without
a hearing. (Doc. No. 181).
{¶5} On July 10, 2009, Jackson filed a notice of appeal from the trial
court’s decision. (Doc. No. 183). Jackson now appeals raising two related
assignments of error. We elect to address them together.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. I
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DISMISSING MR.
JACKSON’S POSTCONVICTION PETITION, BECAUSE MR.
JACKSON PRESENTED A SUBSTANTIVE GROUND FOR
RELIEF IN OFFERING SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE THAT HE
WAS DENIED EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL.
STRICKLAND V. WASHINGTON (1984), 466 U.S. 668, 687-88;
(JOURNAL ENTRY, JUNE 22, 2009).
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DISMISSING MR.
JACKSON’S POSTCONVICTION PETITION WITHOUT AN
EVIDENTIARY HEARING WHEN THE PETITION
DEMONSTRATED SUFFICIENT OPERATIVE FACTS TO
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ESTABLISH SUBSTANTIVE GROUNDS FOR RELIEF. R.C.
2953.21(C); (JOURNAL ENTRY, JUNE 22, 2009).
{¶6} In his first assignment of error, Jackson argues that he presented
substantive grounds for relief by offering sufficient evidence that his trial counsel
was ineffective. In his second assignment of error, Jackson argues that the trial
court erred by denying his petition without first granting an evidentiary hearing.
The State argues that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying
Jackson’s petition without a hearing. We agree with the State.
{¶7} R.C. 2953.21, the post-conviction relief statute, provides, in
pertinent part:
(A)(1)(a) Any person who has been convicted of a criminal
offense * * * who claims that there was such a denial or
infringement of the person’s rights as to render the judgment
void or voidable under the Ohio Constitution or the Constitution
of the United States * * * may file a petition in the court that
imposed sentence, stating the grounds for relief relied upon, and
asking the court to vacate or set aside the judgment or sentence
or to grant other appropriate relief. * * *
(C) The court shall consider a petition that is timely filed under
division (A)(2) of this section even if a direct appeal of the
judgment is pending. Before granting a hearing on a petition
filed under division (A) of this section, the court shall determine
whether there are substantive grounds for relief. In making such
a determination, the court shall consider, in addition to the
petition, the supporting affidavits, and the documentary
evidence, all the files and records pertaining to the proceedings
against the petitioner, including, but not limited to, the
indictment, the court’s journal entries, the journalized records
of the clerk of the court, and the court reporter’s transcript. * *
* If the court dismisses the petition, it shall make and file
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findings of fact and conclusions of law with respect to such
dismissal. * * *
(G) If the court does not find grounds for granting relief, it shall
make and file findings of fact and conclusions of law and shall
enter judgment denying relief on the petition. * * *
{¶8} A petitioner seeking to challenge his conviction through a post-
conviction relief petition is not entitled to a hearing automatically. State v. Jones,
3d Dist. No. 4-07-02, 2007-Ohio-5624, ¶12, citing State v. Jackson (1980), 64
Ohio St.2d 107, 110, 413 N.E.2d 819; State v. Driskill, 3d Dist. Nos. 10-07-03, 10-
07-04, 2008-Ohio-827, ¶12. Instead, the applicable test is “whether there are
substantive grounds for relief that would warrant a hearing based upon the
petition, the supporting affidavits, and the files and records in the case.” Jones at
¶12, citing State v. Strutton (1988), 62 Ohio App.3d 248, 251, 575 N.E.2d 466.
When reviewing the documentary evidence in support of the petition, the trial
court may judge credibility and determine whether to accept the affidavits as true
for the purpose of showing substantive grounds for relief. Jones at ¶15, citing
State v. Calhoun (1999), 86 Ohio St.3d 279, 284, 714 N.E.2d 905; State v. Bays
(Jan. 30, 1998), 2nd Dist. No. 96-CA-118; Strutton, 62 Ohio App.3d at 252
{¶9} When the post-conviction relief petition “‘alleges grounds for relief,
and the record of the original criminal prosecution does not fully rebut the
allegations, the petitioner is entitled to an evidentiary hearing in which he is
provided an opportunity to prove his allegations.’” Jones at ¶13, quoting Bays, 2nd
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Dist. No. 96-CA-118, citing State v. Williams (1966), 8 Ohio App.2d 135, 136,
220 N.E.2d 837. “However, if the court determines that there are no substantive
grounds for relief, it may dismiss the petition without an evidentiary hearing.”
Jones at ¶14, citing State v. Smith, 3d Dist. No. 1-04-50, 2004-Ohio-6190, citing
Calhoun, 86 Ohio St.3d at 282-83; State v. Cole (1982), 2 Ohio St.3d 112, 443
N.E.2d 169.
{¶10} When a petition for post-conviction relief alleges ineffective
assistance of counsel, “the petitioner bears the initial burden to submit evidentiary
documents containing sufficient operative facts to demonstrate the lack of
competent counsel and that the defense was prejudiced by counsel’s
ineffectiveness.” Driskill, 2008-Ohio-827, at ¶16, citing Jackson, 64 Ohio St.2d
107, syllabus; Jones at ¶18. Prejudice results when “there is a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the
proceeding would have been different.” State v. Bradley (1989), 42 Ohio St.3d
136, 142, 538 N.E.2d 373, citing Strickland v. Washington (1984), 466 U.S. 668,
691, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674. “A reasonable probability is a probability
sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d at
142; Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694.
{¶11} We review a trial court’s denial of a post-conviction petition without
a hearing for an abuse of discretion. Jones at ¶16, citing State v. Campbell, 10th
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Dist. No. 03AP-147, 2003-Ohio-6305, citing Calhoun, 86 Ohio St.3d at 284. An
abuse of discretion implies more than an error of law; rather it connotes that the
trial court’s attitude was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. Blakemore v.
Blakemore, 5 Ohio St.3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140.
{¶12} In support of his petition, Jackson submitted the affidavit of Kaci
Chaffin, an alleged eyewitness to the shooting. (Doc. No. 164, Ex. B). Ms.
Chaffin averred, in relevant part, that:
1. * * * On October 15, 2002, I was employed by Heartland
nursing home in Marysville, Ohio. * * *
2. I was acquainted with Donna Levan from working with her.
Donna periodically discussed her son, Eric Jackson. She told me
that he had drug problems and had attempted suicide.
3. Eric Jackson came to Heartland, midday on October 15,
2002. Donna went outside to see him in the parking lot, saying
he was probably going to ask her for money.
4. I walked down the hallway to continue my work, when
Annabelle Reed, a patient, told me I should come to the window
and see what was happening in the parking lot between Donna
and her son.
5. From the window of Ms. Reed’s room, I saw Donna fighting
with her son. Mr. Jackson had the shotgun pointed to his own
head. Donna was trying to pull the shotgun away from him.
6. As Donna struggled with her son, the gun discharged and
shot her hand off. At no time did Mr. Jackson appear to point
the gun at his mother.
7. I pulled the curtains closed and went to the bathroom to get
sick. I called my grandfather and he picked me up from work
soon thereafter.
8. I was not aware that anything I saw was significant to the
police investigation. I was never approached by the police or
anyone else regarding the event.
9. In October 2003, I was working at the Millcrest nursing
home. I spoke with Barbara Jackson, who I am casually
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acquainted with because she sometimes babysat me as a child.
She was discussing her husband when I realized that she was
married to Eric Jackson. I told her what I saw on the day
Donna was shot. In November 2003, I spoke with an
investigator from the Ohio Public Defender and recounted the
information contained in this affidavit.
(Id.). Jackson also submitted the affidavit of his trial counsel, Jeffery M.
Holtschulte. (Doc. No. 164, Ex. A) Holtschulte averred, in relevant part:
2. That * * * I was assigned through the Union County Public
Defender system * * * to represent Eric Jackson, the Defendant
in the above captioned matter [State v. Jackson, Case No. 2002
CR 0116];
3. That Mr. Jackson was indicted in this matter on one count
of Aggravated Murder and one count of Unlawful Possession of
Dangerous Ordinance;
4. That said indictment was based upon allegations that Mr.
Jackson, on or about October 15, 2002, shot his mother with a
sawed off shotgun in the parking lot of her workplace,
Heartland Nursing Home, in Marysville, Union County, Ohio
and she subsequently died as a result of the injuries she
sustained;
5. That Mr. Jackson indicated that he had no recollection of
the actual shooting;
6. That based upon the interviews with Mr. Jackson, his wife,
his treating psychiatrist at the time and review of the
investigation information provided in discovery, a defense
theory was developed and Defendant entered a written plea of
Not Guilty and Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity;
7. That witnesses identified and/or disclosed saw activity
immediately before and after the shooting but none stated they
saw the actual instant of the shooting;
8. That no action was taken to search for other witnesses that
had not been identified, discovered or voluntarily come forward;
9. That I reviewed the affidavit of Kaci Chaffin, dated
December 23, 2003, wherein she sets forth that she saw the
actual instant of the shooting, but was not aware that what she
saw was significant to the police investigation;
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10. That had Kaci Chaffin been discovered or otherwise
identified there is a reasonable probability that her testimony, as
set forth in the affidavit, would have altered the theory of
defense; she would have been called as a defense witness; and
that said testimony would have been resulted in Mr. Jackson not
being convicted of Aggravated Murder.
(Id.).
{¶13} The trial court, in its findings of fact and conclusions of law, found
that Jackson’s trial counsel did not render ineffective assistance for failing to
discover a “reluctant and silent witness.” (June 22, 2009 JE, Doc. No. 181). The
trial court further found that Jackson’s trial counsel “diligently investigated the
facts, witnesses, and theories of the case.” (Id.). In the alternative, the trial court
found that even if trial counsel’s assistance was constitutionally ineffective,
Jackson was not prejudiced since it was unlikely Chaffin’s testimony would have
affected the outcome at trial. (Id.). The trial court found that Chaffin’s affidavit
was not credible because Chaffin’s averment that she “was not aware that anything
[she] saw was significant to the police investigation” and that she witnessed
Jackson shoot his mother’s hand off were irreconcilable. (Id.). The trial court
further questioned the credibility of Chaffin’s affidavit since Jackson’s wife was
Chaffin’s friend and childhood babysitter. (Id.). Therefore, the trial court
determined that Jackson was not denied effective assistance of counsel under
Strickland, and therefore, his constitutional rights were not violated. (Id.).
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{¶14} After reviewing the trial court’s judgment, the affidavits, the record,
and all the documentary evidence listed in R.C. 2953.21(C), we cannot conclude
that the trial court abused its discretion by dismissing Jackson’s post-conviction
petition without a hearing. To begin with, we are not persuaded that Jackson was
provided ineffective assistance of trial counsel for trial counsel’s failure to
investigate for potential eyewitnesses outside of the State’s provided discovery.
Jackson correctly points out that “[c]ounsel has a duty to make reasonable
investigations or to make a reasonable decision that makes particular
investigations unnecessary.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691. Jackson’s trial counsel
averred that he developed a defense theory based upon his interviews with
Jackson, Jackson’s wife, and Jackson’s treating psychiatrist at the time, as well as
an investigation of information provided in discovery. (Holtschulte Aff. at ¶6,
Doc. No. 164, Ex. A). The State’s initial discovery provided: a list of thirty-five
(35) potential witnesses that could be called at trial; copies of police reports and
narratives; copies of the witness statements; property custody documents; vehicle
inventory documents; gunshot residue analysis; inventory of items obtained by
search warrant; copies of vehicle identifications; and copies of related press
releases and newspaper articles. (Doc. No. 12). The State filed supplemental
discovery several times. (Doc. Nos. 16, 19, 34, 40, 58, 62, 63, 66, 86, 103, 113).
We believe that trial counsel’s decision to review and investigate those witnesses
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and evidence provided in the State’s discovery filings—and not investigate outside
of the evidence contained in these filings—was reasonable in light of all the
evidence provided by the State during discovery. Based upon that evidence, trial
counsel developed a theory of defense predicated upon Jackson’s desire to commit
suicide and his alleged mental defect. (June 24, 2003 Tr. at 30); (Holtschulte Aff.
at ¶6, Doc. No. 164, Ex. A). “[A]fter counsel chooses an adequate theory of
defense, there is no duty to prepare for alternative theories.” State v. Heffernan,
12th Dist. Nos. CA2005-11-104, CA2005-11-105, 2006-Ohio-5659, ¶15, citing
State v. Hoop, 12th Dist. No CA2004-02-003, 2005-Ohio-1407, ¶30, citing State v.
Murphy, 91 Ohio St.3d 516, 2001-Ohio-112, 747 N.E.2d 765. Therefore, we
cannot conclude that trial counsel failed to fulfill his duty of conducting a
reasonable investigation under Strickland.
{¶15} In addition, we cannot conclude that Jackson was prejudiced by
counsel’s failure to discover Chaffin. As an initial matter, we cannot conclude
that the trial court abused its discretion by determining that Chaffin’s affidavit was
not credible. Jones at ¶15, citing Calhoun, 86 Ohio St.3d at 284; Bays, 2nd Dist.
No. 96-CA-118; Strutton, 62 Ohio App.3d at 252. In assessing the credibility of
affidavits, the trial court should consider all relevant factors, including:
(1) whether the judge reviewing the post-conviction relief
petition also presided at the trial, (2) whether multiple affidavits
contain nearly identical language, or otherwise appear to have
been drafted by the same person, (3) whether the affidavits
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contain or rely on hearsay, (4) whether the affiants are relatives
of the petitioner, or otherwise interested in the success of the
petitioner’s efforts, and (5) whether the affidavits contradict
evidence proffered by the defense at trial. Moreover, a trial
court may find sworn testimony in an affidavit to be
contradicted by evidence in the record by the same witness, or to
be internally inconsistent, thereby weakening the credibility of
that testimony.
Calhoun, 86 Ohio St.3d at 285. “[O]ne or more of these factors may be sufficient
to justify the conclusion that an affidavit asserting information outside the record
lacks credibility. Such a decision should be within the discretion of the trial court.”
Id. The trial court found that Chaffin’s relationship with Jackson’s wife—a co-
worker and childhood babysitter—raised credibility issues (factor 4). We cannot
find an abuse of discretion with that conclusion. Furthermore, although not listed
among the Calhoun factors, we find no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s
conclusion that Chaffin’s statement that she “was not aware that anything [she]
saw was significant to the police investigation” is inconsistent with what she
averred she witnessed and raises serious credibility issues. (Chaffin Aff. at ¶8,
Doc. No. 164, Ex. B). Accordingly, we cannot find that the trial court abused its
discretion in finding that Chaffin’s affidavit was of questionable credibility.
{¶16} Furthermore, we cannot conclude that Jackson was prejudiced by
trial counsel’s alleged failure to investigate. The evidence at trial overwhelmingly
supported the conclusion that Jackson purposefully killed his mother. Deputy
Lonnie Elmore of the Union County Sheriff’s Department testified that when he
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stopped Jackson driving his car shortly after the shooting, Jackson stated, “I’m the
one you’re looking for. I’m the one that did it. I threw the gun out the window in
the grass.” (June 24, 2003 Tr. at 128-30). When Deputy Elmore asked Jackson
what he did, Jackson replied, “[s]hot her * * * [m]y mother.” (Id. at 132). Sheriff
Rocky Nelson testified that he heard Jackson state, “I did it * * * I shot her * * *
my mother.” (Id. at 145-46).
{¶17} Carla Rees, a Heartland employee who was working when the
incident occurred, testified to the following:
Q: When you got outside, what did you see?
A: Um, we ran around to Donna’s car, and Donna was on the,
she was on the ground. There was a guy had a belt around her
right arm, and a lady had her shirt on her belly, putting
pressure. Her whole right side of her hand was completely
blown away. You could see the inside of her hand. Her thumb
was barely hanging on the back of her hand. And when I got
there, I hollered for some of the staff to go get some blankets to
put on her, and I put her legs up, and she said, “Oh my God, I
can’t believe he would do this, and I said, “Who, Donna?”, and
she said, “My son, Eric,” and she just kept saying, “Oh, my God,
I’m going to die, “and I said, “Donna, you’re not going to die.
You’ll be okay.”
I kept trying to reassure her she wasn’t going to die. She
said three or four times that she was going to die, and she kept
laying there, her head kept going back and forth. “Oh, my God,
it hurts so bad.” And I assured her, you know, that they were
coming to help her, and when the medics got there, they took
away that shirt that the lady had on her belly, and she had a big
hole in the right side of her stomach, and she had had spaghetti
for lunch that day, and it was all over her belly, all over the
concrete around her. And she kept getting kind of shocky. She
just kept kind of going out, and I kept just trying to help her,
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and she just [sic] saying, “My God, it hurts so bad,” you know,
“I’m going to die.”
***
Q: How many times did you hear her say who shot her?
A: Twice. Once before the Chief got there, and then when he
got there, he asked her point blank if she knew who shot her.
She said, “Yes. My son,” and he said, “who is your son?” She
said, “Eric Jackson.”
(Id. at 381-84). Alicia Davis, also a Heartland employee, testified, in pertinent
part:
Q: * * * Did you have occasion to go outside shortly before
noon that day?
A: I went to my van.
Q: Why did you go to your van?
A: To get some change out, and to check on an employee that
went out there, Donna.
Q: Okay. When you went outside, what did you see?
A: When I went outside, you know, went to my van, and
Donna at that time was coming back, somebody she had met in
the driveway, and we had met, and we were talking.
Q: So you saw her head back into the building?
A: Yeah, at that time. And so we stood in the driveway and
talked about why she was out there, and --
Q: Okay. Without going into details of the conversation, did
Donna go back inside at that time?
A: No.
Q: She stayed outside?
A: Correct.
Q: And what did you do?
A: We talked, and a car pulled up, and she went to the car that
was, somebody that, that’s who she was going to meet.
Q: Could you see who was in the car?
A: I could see just a shape, a shadow, but I couldn’t see
directly who was in the car.
Q: What did you see or hear after Donna went up to her car?
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A: When Donna went to the car, I went to my van, and I could
hear yelling, very belligerent yelling, screaming, hollering, the
person in the car hollering at her.
Q: * * * Did you say you could identify this person as a man?
A: It appeared to be a man.
Q: Did you hear or see anything else between this person and
Donna Levan?
A: Yeah. When I heard the yelling going on, I looked out
through the windows in my van, and I could see the person in
the car grabbing at Donna, and Donna trying to pull away.
(Id. at 389-91).
{¶18} Jackson, on the other hand, testified about meeting his mother
Donna at Heartland as follows:
A: * * * My next memory is coming from a side street --
Heartland is on South Plum Street, which is the main entrance
to their property. There is a side street on the other end of the
parking lot that is not drawn.
When I got to Heartland, and saw my mom outside, I pulled
up to her. She goes, “What do you need?” I said, Well, I said –
I’ve obviously planned to kill myself. I wanted to say goodbye. I
am tired of not being able to provide for my family, and I
wanted to be on speaking terms when I passed away.
An argument broke out * * *
My memory was obviously first on her own behalf, just
trying to get her to understand that I was done, I did not want to
move anymore, I was not working, that I wanted to be done.
My rage got to a point that I still was not just getting a
simple okay. I remember reaching out, having ahold of my
mother’s smock jacket, and pulling my hand back, realizing that
I haven’t touched my mother since I gave her away at wedding
December 3, 1986.
I then saw the Mills Center building at the end of the
parking lot through a clearing in the trees.
Q: Are you familiar with the Mills Center?
A: Yes. I had been there for my suicide treatments over the
years.
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Case No. 14-09-24
I was looking at the building. My hands, just as they are
now, my left hand on the steering wheel at 10:00 o’clock, my
right hand on my gear shift in first gear, wanting to get help.
My mother’s argument continued. I focused on getting
help. * * *
At the end of my mother’s argument I drove away, having a
sight on the Mills Center the entire time, even as I drove away.
There is no spot in my mind that will black out -- there is no spot
in my mind of even touching the gun while I was with my
mother.
I drove away. I looked in the rearview mirror as I shifted
gears, saw my mother doubled over. I could not pick up my
eight-year-old daughter. I was going to jump out of the car
because I thought my mother was having a heart attack from
this argument, carry her to the Emergency Room. She raised up
looking at me with her hand on her belly. I thought she was
laughing at me. Got my car back in gear, and drove off, leaving
my mother alive and laughing at me.
(Id. at 415-18). Jackson could not recall making any confession to Deputy Elmore
and denied making any plans to kill his mother. (Id. at 419, 421, 439). On
rebuttal, Dr. Chris Khellaf, a licensed psychologist, testified that he evaluated
Jackson and concluded that Jackson had “pseudo-amnesia * * * meaning that it’s
not true amnesia * * * it is selective forgetfulness, it is fake amnesia.” (Id. at 459-
60, 480); (State’s Ex. 54).
{¶19} In light of the evidence presented that: Jackson admitted to shooting
his mother and never claimed it was accidental; Davis’ testimony that Jackson was
arguing with his mother, and Jackson physically grabbed and pulled his mother
toward the car; Jackson’s mother’s statement that her son shot her and never
mentioning that it was accidental or that her son was attempting to commit suicide
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when it happened; and the fact that Dr. Khellaf testified that Jackson’s amnesia
was “fake,” we are not persuaded that “there is a reasonable probability that, but
for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been
different.” Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d at 142, citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691. Nor
is our confidence in the outcome undermined as a result of counsel’s alleged
shortcomings. Bradley, 42 Ohio St.3d at 142; Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694.
Consequently, Jackson has failed to establish ineffective assistance of trial
counsel, and therefore, a constitutional violation upon which post-conviction relief
would be warranted. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
denying Jackson’s post-conviction relief petition without a hearing.
{¶20} Jackson’s first and second assignments of error are, therefore,
overruled.
{¶21} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the
particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Judgment Affirmed
WILLAMOWSKI and SHAW, J.J., concur.
/jlr
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