DocketNumber: AC 24539
Citation Numbers: 890 A.2d 123, 93 Conn. App. 458, 2006 Conn. App. LEXIS 51
Judges: Dranginis, Flynn, Bishop
Filed Date: 1/31/2006
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 10/19/2024
Opinion
The defendant, Maurice Flanagan, appeals from the judgment of conviction, rendered after a jury trial, of conspiracy to commit assault in the first degree in violation of General Statutes §§ 53a-59 (a) (1) and 53a-48 (a).
This appeal concerns another chapter in the hostile, violent and deadly rivalry between two street gangs, the Latin Kings and Los Solidos. See, e.g., State v. Ramos, 261 Conn. 156, 173, 801 A.2d 788 (2002); State v. Torres, 242 Conn. 485, 487, 698 A.2d 898 (1997).
The jury reasonably could have found the following facts. On May 5,1994, Chanito Roman, a member of Los Solidos was killed in a drive-by shooting. Los Solidos members believed that the Latin Kings were responsible for his death. While attending Roman’s wake, the statewide leader of Los Solidos, George Rivera, ordered members of that gang to kill two members of the Latin Kings for every Los Solidos member killed by the Latin Kings. The defendant heard Rivera’s order. The defendant then approached the head of the local Los Solidos organization, Aramy Rivera, and urged him to avenge Roman’s death.
Following the wake, the defendant and other Los Solidos met at the home of Pennie Yonan to discuss
On Saturday, May 14, 1994, members of both gangs attended a keg party in a field in New Britain. During the party, two men, one from each gang, argued and were about to engage in a fistfight when a member of the Latin Kings drew a gun, pointed it at the man associated with Los Solidos and told the two men to stop fighting. Hector Rodriguez and Patrick Gannon, members of the Latin Kings, thereafter left the party with Walter Rodriguez and went to Walter Rodriguez’ home. While they were standing on the sidewalk, Alex Morales, a Los Solidos member, saw the three men with weapons. Via telephone, Morales communicated his observations to leaders of the local Los Solidos organization and was informed that “they were taking care of it.” Morales later saw the three men leave the area in a white Monte Carlo (white vehicle).
Subsequent to receiving the telephone message from Morales, leaders of the local Los Solidos organization talked with a few members of the gang and confirmed that a member of the Latin Kings had drawn a gun on someone associated with them. Larry Gatlin was not yet a member of Los Solidos, but wanted to become one. Gatlin informed Los Solidos leaders that he wanted to participate in “catching wreck” on the Latin Kings.
George Rivera, the state leader, had provided the local Los Solidos with the requested stolen vehicle, which was parked on the street near Yonan’s house. When Los Solidos members left Yonan’s house, the defendant was carrying the Glock pistol and the AK-47 rifle. Following some logistical movements, the defendant and two other Los Solidos members got into the stolen vehicle. The defendant was seated in the front passenger seat. Aramy Rivera told the men to “catch wreck” and not to return without “catching wreck.” The men in the stolen vehicle later met Gatlin, who joined them, and told them that the Latin Kings were in a “big, old white car. ” The defendant and three cocon-spirators went in search of the white vehicle.
Los Solidos members in the stolen vehicle did not find the white vehicle in the housing complex where it was last seen, so they drove through New Britain until they saw it on West Main Street. They followed the white vehicle. At approximately 9:50 p.m., when the white vehicle was stopped at the intersection of Overlook and Selander Streets, the defendant told the operator of the stolen vehicle to turn off the lights and to drive to the side of the white vehicle. Gatlin told the defendant to move his seat forward, which he did. Gatlin then stuck a rifle out the window, and the defendant
Inside the white vehicle at the time of the shooting were Walter Rodriguez and Reinaldo Mercado and two members of the Latin Kings, Gannon and Hector Rodriguez. Both Hector Rodriguez and Gannon were struck in the head by bullets and died of their injuries. During an autopsy of Gannon’s body, a bullet was removed from his brain. It was a .30 caliber bullet with markings consistent with having been fired from an AK-47 rifle. Walter Rodriguez was shot in his right arm and side, and his left thumb and wrist. The bullet that struck his right side penetrated his spleen and diaphragm. Mercado sustained cuts to his face.
Gary Chute, Jr., a member of the New Britain police department, recovered nine nine millimeter shell casings at the intersection of Overlook and Selander Streets that night. The shell casings were consistent with having been fired from a Glock firearm.
I
The defendant first claims that the state did not present sufficient evidence for the jury to find him guilty of conspiracy to commit assault in the first degree in violation of §§ 53a-59 (a) (1) and 53a-48 (a). More specifically, he claims that the state presented evidence of a conspiracy only to commit murder, a charge of which he was acquitted. The defendant claims that the state did not present evidence of a conspiracy to cause serious physical injury, as required by the statutes with which he had been charged. The defendant’s claim is contrary to the evidence and the law. See, e.g., State v. Murray, 254 Conn. 472, 482-83, 757 A.2d 578 (2000), and State v. Rodriguez, 180 Conn. 382, 403-405, 429 A.2d 919 (1980).
“The standard of review we apply to a claim of insufficient evidence is well established. In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a criminal conviction we apply a two-part test. First, we construe the evidence in the light most favorable to sustaining the verdict. Second, we determine whether upon the facts so construed and the inferences reasonably drawn therefrom the [finder of fact] reasonably could have concluded that the cumulative force of the evidence established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. . . .
“We note that the jury must find every element proven beyond a reasonable doubt in order to find the defendant guilty of the charged offense, [but] each of the basic and inferred facts underlying those conclusions need not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. . . . If it is reasonable and logical for the jury to conclude
“It is undisputed that, to sustain a conviction under § 53a-48 (a), the state had to establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant had agreed with one or more persons to engage in criminal conduct. Specifically, the state had to show not only that the conspirators intended to agree but also that they intended to commit the elements of the offense.” (Emphasis in original; internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Asberry, 81 Conn. App. 44, 48, 837 A.2d 885, cert. denied, 268 Conn. 904, 845 A.2d 408 (2004). “The existence of a formal agreement between the parties need not be proved; it is sufficient to show that they are knowingly engaged in a mutual plan to do a forbidden act.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Estrada, 28 Conn. App. 416, 420-21, 612 A.2d 110, cert. denied, 223 Conn. 925, 614 A.2d 828 (1992), quoting State v. Holmes, 160 Conn. 140, 149, 274 A.2d 153 (1970).
“A person is guilty of assault in the first degree when: (1) With intent to cause serious physical injury to another person, he causes such injury to such person or to a third person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument . . . .” General Statutes § 53a-59 (a) (1). “ ‘Serious physical injury’ means physical injury which creates a substantial risk of death, or which causes serious disfigurement, serious impairment of health or serious loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ . . . .” General Statutes § 53a-3 (4). “A person is guilty of conspiracy when, with
The defendant has argued that the state presented evidence of a conspiracy only to commit murder. Although there was evidence that after Roman’s wake, members of the local Los Solidos organization decided to take revenge for Roman’s death by following George Rivera’s order to kill two members of the Latin Kings for every member of Los Solidos killed by the rival gang, there also was evidence that on May 14, 1994, members of Los Solidos were motivated to “catch wreck” for the nonfatal incident that occurred at the keg party earlier in the afternoon. We have no idea how the jury reached its verdict, but it could have construed “catching wreck” to mean something less than murder. We need not base our decision on this possibility, however, because, as a matter of law, our Supreme Court has held that the intent to cause death necessarily includes the intent to cause serious physical injury. State v. Rodriguez, supra, 180 Conn. 402-405.
“The state of mind of one accused of a crime is often the most significant and, at the same time, the most elusive element of the crime charged. This is especially true where a person has caused the death of another person. The death of a person may be caused by a purely accidental act or omission of another ... or it may come about as the result of long and careful planning, for which the law prescribes severe penalties. Because it is practically impossible to know what someone is thinking or intending at any given moment, absent an outright declaration of intent, a person’s state of mind is usually proved by circumstantial evidence
“In State v. Montanez, 219 Conn. 16, 21, 592 A.2d 149 (1991), [our Supreme Court] concluded that, although the evidence in that case permitted the inference that the defendant had intended only to injure the victim, ‘[i]t did not preclude the equally permissible inference that the defendant [had] intended to kill the victim . . . .’ The converse is equally true. As [the court has] determined previously, under some circumstances, the intent to cause death and the intent to cause serious physical injury may be possessed simultaneously.” State v. Murray, supra, 254 Conn. 481. “It is difficult to imagine how the intent to cause death does not encompass an intent to injure when death is the ultimate impairment of one’s physical condition. Therefore, one cannot intend to cause death without necessarily intending to cause a physical injury.” Id., 482-83. On the basis of the guidance provided by our Supreme Court, we conclude, therefore, that one who conspires to cause death also conspires to cause serious physical injury.
For the foregoing reasons, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence before the jury for it to find, in a manner consistent with our law, that the defendant was guilty of conspiracy to commit assault in the first degree.
The defendant’s second claim is that the court improperly denied him due process of law and the constitutional right to represent himself by failing to canvass him pursuant to Practice Book § 44-3
With respect to his claim, the defendant concedes that he failed to bring Practice Book § 44-3 to the trial court’s attention and asks this court to review his claim pursuant to State v. Golding, 213 Conn. 233, 239-40, 567 A.2d 823 (1989), and the plain error doctrine. See Practice Book § 60-5. We will review the defendant’s claim pursuant to Golding because the record is adequate for our review and the claim is one of constitu
The defendant’s claim concerns the following facts. After the state rested its case, counsel met with the court in chambers. At that time, defense counsel informed the court that he would not present any evidence and that the defendant disagreed with his trial strategy. When court reconvened, the court addressed the defendant, telling him that it was aware of counsel’s trial strategy and that the defendant disagreed with it. The defendant responded by informing the court that he had been convicted in a prior trial in which his counsel had not presented evidence. The defendant considered his current counsel’s strategy to be too narrow. He wanted to give the jurors other options to consider. He likened his counsel’s strategy to that of a pawn in a game of chess, i.e., it attacked in only one direction.
The court told the defendant that trial strategy was a decision for counsel to make after consulting with his client. The court questioned the defendant and his counsel, and determined that counsel had met with the defendant and explained his strategy. The court explained to the defendant that his counsel is “a very experienced attorney. He has tried many cases. I’ve had the opportunity to observe his performance in this case from . . . January 8, 2003, when we had some hearings on motions. And as far as I’m concerned, his performance has been beyond competent and been superior. If these are his decisions, I’m sure he has given them ample consideration. I’m sure he has taken into consideration your feelings about it, and those are decisions that are left to the attorney for good reason, sir.” Nonetheless, the defendant stated that he wanted to call an unnamed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) infor
The court canvassed the defendant about his right to testify and elicited from the defendant that counsel had advised him of his right to testify or not to testify. The defendant stated that he would not testify. The court then addressed both counsel, informing them that the court would give to the jury the standard charge regarding a defendant’s right to testify or not to testify. The defendant interrupted the proceedings.
“[The Defendant]: Excuse me, Your Honor. Don’t I have the right to finish this case myself without him there?
“The Court: In a word, no. But are you making that request to represent yourself in the remainder of the case?
“[The Defendant]: I mean, if he’s not going to do what I feel is in my best interest, I don’t think that he should be my attorney. I mean, this is my life. Like I explained to him, when this is over, if I lose, he just goes on to another case. I’m the one who has to go to jail. And he’s not doing what I feel is in my best interest. He’s doing what he feels is in his best interest, not mine. So, I don’t understand how his interest comes before my interest.
“The Court: Well, it doesn’t appear to me . . . based on my observations of [defense counsel’s] performance from January 8, 2003, to today, which is March 18, 2003, that his decisions and his actions have been in his interest as opposed to yours. So, I’m — and I can’t imagine why he’d be changing courses now. I mean, [defense counsel’s] decisions, as best as I have observed, have been solely in your interest. And his performance has been beyond competent and, in my view, superior over the last two and one-half months.
The defendant’s claim on appeal is that the court applied the wrong standard in determining whether to let him act as his own counsel for the remainder of the trial. He contends that the court should have canvassed him pursuant to Practice Book § 44-3 rather than ruling that exceptional circumstances did not exist to permit him to retain new counsel or to represent himself. The state has argued that because the defendant’s motion to proceed pro se was not clear and unequivocal and was untimely, among other things,
“[Practice Book § 44-3] was adopted in order to implement the right of a defendant in a criminal case to act as his own attorney .... Before a trial court may accept a defendant’s waiver of counsel, it must conduct an inquiry in accordance with [Practice Book § 44-3], in order to satisfy itself that the defendant’s decision to waive counsel is knowingly and intelligently made.” (Emphasis added; internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Diaz, 274 Conn. 818, 829, 878 A.2d 1078 (2005). “Although it may be settled law that a criminal defendant has an absolute right to self-representation, that right is not self-executing.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Bangulescu, 80 Conn. App. 26, 41, 832 A.2d 1187, cert. denied, 267 Conn. 907, 840 A.2d 1171 (2003). Claims concerning a violation of Practice Book § 44-3 frequently occur in the context of a claim that the court improperly permitted the defendant to represent himself.
Our Supreme Court decided the factual and legal issue presented here in State v. Carter, 200 Conn. 607,
In Carter, the defendant voiced dissatisfaction with his counsel, particularly “that his public defender was not properly examining prosecution witnesses so as to expose the alleged falsity of their testimony, and complained that the public defender did not want him to testily. In the course of that colloquy with the court, he stated: ‘I am misrepresented and now I have to represent myself.’ [The defendant later stated that] ‘I’ll have to represent myself.’ Although he subsequently reiterated his desire to question a witness, that request was again couched in terms of his request for a different public defender.” Id., 611. Our Supreme Court reasoned that the trial court “responded to the defendant’s concerns by providing explanations concerning trial proce
The facts at issue here cannot be distinguished from the facts of Carter. The defendant here questioned whether he had the right to represent himself in the context of disagreeing with his counsel’s trial strategy. Each time the defendant posed a question to the court or expressed his feelings, the court responded with understanding as to the defendant’s feelings and gave information to answer the questions. The court explained to the defendant that counsel is to consult with the client, but that trial strategy is a decision for counsel to make. The court recognized the defendant’s concerns, given his prior conviction. The court also told the defendant that on the basis of his observations over two and one-half months of trial, defense counsel’s performance was more than competent, it was superior. The defendant never responded to the court’s explanations by asserting a clear and unequivocal request to represent himself. We particularly are persuaded by the fact that the court specifically asked the defendant if he was making a request to represent himself. The defendant responded in an equivocal manner by posing yet another question. Our conclusion that the defendant’s request to represent himself was not clear and unequivocal is buttressed by the court’s lack of understanding as to what the defendant was requesting when it ruled: “So, if you’re making a request of me that you be allowed to represent yourself or that you be allowed to retain or have new counsel appointed for you, that request is denied.” (Emphasis added.) The defendant thereafter made no effort to make clear to the court what he wanted.
“The rules of statutory construction apply with equal force to Practice Book rules. ... A basic tenet of statutory construction is that when a statute [or a rule of practice] is clear and unambiguous, there is no room for construction. . . . When we have occasion to construe rules of criminal procedure, they are to be strictly construed to protect the fundamental constitutional right to liberty. . . . State v. Genotti, 220 Conn. 796, 807, 601 A.2d 1013 (1992).” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Francis D., 75 Conn. App. 1, 13 n.5, 815 A.2d 191, cert. denied, 263 Conn. 909, 819 A.2d 842 (2003). Practice Book § 44-3 provides in relevant part that a defendant may represent himself “at any stage of the proceedings . . . .’’It does not provide that the defendant may assert that right at any stage of the proceeding. Federal courts have established that a timely assertion of the right to represent one’s self is necessary to invoke that federal constitutional right.
Even though the right to self-representation is founded in the federal constitution, the United States Supreme Court has suggested that the request must be timely so that it does not disrupt the proceedings. Fare-tta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 807, 95 S. Ct. 2525, 45 L. Ed. 2d 562 (1975) (“[w]ell before the date of trial”).
There are several cases decided by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that have acknowledged or abided by the timeliness rule. In the context of the federal statutory right to self-representation in a civil action, the Second Circuit has stated that “[t]he few qualifications which this court has put on the clear language of self-representation clause of [28 U.S.C.] § 1654 are consistent with its high purpose. One such qualification, enunciated in criminal cases, see United States v. Bentvena, 319 F.2d 916, 938 [(2d Cir.), cert. denied sub nom., Ormento v. United States, 375 U.S. 940, 84 S. Ct. 345, 11 L. Ed. 2d 271 (1963)]; United States ex rel. Maldonado v. Denno, 348 F.2d 12,15 (2[d] Cir. 1965), [cert. denied sub nom., DiBlasi v. McMann,] 384 U.S. 1007, 86 S. Ct. 1950, 16 L. Ed. 2d 1020 (1966), but equally applicable in civil cases, is that the right to self-representation must be timely asserted. The right is ‘unqualified’ if invoked prior to trial but is ‘sharply curtailed’ if first asserted after the trial has begun. [United States ex rel. Maldonado v.] Denno, supra, 348 F.2d at 15. An untimely request is committed to the discretion of the trial court, which may consider,
The facts here are undisputed that the defendant expressed his dissatisfaction with his counsel’s strategy at the conclusion of the state’s case. Before the court could permit the defendant to proceed pro se, however, it would have had to discharge his counsel. The standard of review of a motion to discharge counsel is abuse of discretion. State v. Fisher, 57 Conn. App. 371, 382, 748 A.2d 377, cert. denied, 253 Conn. 914, 754 A.2d 163 (2000); see also 3 W. LaFave, J. Israel & N. King, supra, p. 583 n.60 (motion made during course of trial analogized to motion to switch counsel during trial, rests in sound discretion of court). We conclude that even if the defendant’s motion could be construed as a request to proceed pro se, the court acted well within its discretion.
“It is within the trial court’s discretion to determine whether a factual basis exists for appointing new counsel and, absent a factual record revealing an abuse of discretion, the court’s refusal to appoint new counsel is not improper. . . . Moreover, appellate tribunals look with a jaundiced eye at complaints regarding adequacy of counsel made on the eve of trial .... Such a request must be supported by a substantial reason and, [i]n order to work a delay by a last minute discharge of counsel there must exist exceptional circumstances.”
Here, the court found no exceptional circumstances to warrant the discharge of the defendant’s counsel immediately prior to final arguments. Although the defendant asserted that he had an alibi witness, he failed to identify the witness and where the witness was located. Factual determinations regarding the discharge of counsel are to be made by the court. State v. Fisher, supra, 57 Conn. App. 382. Credibility is a question of fact. State v. Farnum, 275 Conn. 26, 38, 878 A.2d 1095 (2005). The court had a high opinion of defense counsel.
The judgment is affirmed.
In this opinion BISHOP, J., concurred.
The jury found the defendant not guilty of two counts minder in violation of General Statutes §§ 53a-54a (a) and 53a-8, two counts of attempt to commit murder in violation of General Statutes §§ 53a-54a (a), 53a-8 and 53a-49 (a) (2), and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in violation of General Statutes §§ 53a-54a (a) and 53a-48 (a).
Practice Book § 44-3 provides: “A defendant shall be permitted to waive the right to counsel and shall be permitted to represent himself or herself at any stage of the proceedings, either prior to or following the appointment of counsel. A waiver will be accepted only after the judicial authority makes a thorough inquiry and is satisfied that the defendant:
“(1) Has been clearly advised of the right to the assistance of counsel, including the right to the assignment of counsel when so entitled;
“(2) Possesses the intelligence and capacity to appreciate the consequences of the decision to represent oneself;
“(3) Comprehends the nature of the charges and proceedings, the range of permissible punishments, and any additional facts essential to a broad understanding of the case; and
“(4) Has been made aware of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation.”
The defendant provided no constitutional analysis pursuant to the constitution of Connecticut. We therefore confine our review to the federal constitution.
The state argued in its brief that there are multiple conditions that the defendant had to satisfy before he could waive his constitutional right to counsel and proceed pro se. One condition is that the request must be clear and unequivocal. State v. Carter, 200 Conn. 607, 612, 513 A.2d 47 (1986). “In Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 95 S. Ct. 2525, 45 L. Ed. 2d 562 (1975), the court suggested three grounds for denying a defendant his right to self-representation: (1) he makes the request in untimely fashion such that granting it would disrupt the proceedings; id., 807; (2) the defendant engages in serious obstructionist misconduct; id., 834 n.46; and (3) the defendant has not knowingly and intelligently waived his right to counsel. Id., 835; see 2 W. LaFave & J. Israel, Criminal Procedure (1984) § 11.5 (d), pp. 47-49.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) States. Townsend, 211 Conn. 215, 221 n.4, 558 A.2d 669 (1989).
“The clear and unequivocal request formulation has been said to have developed primarily as a standard designed to minimize abuses by criminal defendants who might be inclined to manipulate the system. See generally comment, ‘The Right to Appear Pro Se: Developments in the Law,’ 59 Neb. L. Rev. 135, 141-43 (1980). If an unequivocal request were not required, convicted criminals would be given a ready tool with which to upset adverse verdicts after trials at which they had been represented by counsel. . . . United States ex rel. Maldonado v. Denno, 348 F.2d 12, 16 (2d Cir. 1965), cert. denied sub nom. DiBlasi v. McMann, 384 U.S. 1007, 86 S. Ct. 1940, 16 L. Ed. 2d 1020 (1966) . . . .” (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) State v. Gethers, 197 Conn. 369, 377 n.8, 497 A.2d 408 (1985).
Carter cites numerous federal and state court decisions in accord with its holding. See State v. Carter, supra, 200 Conn. 612-14.
This rule of discretion and factors to be considered with respect to motions to proceed pro se made during trial have been adopted by the courts of a number of states. See, e.g., State v. Christian, 657 N.W.2d 186, 193-94 (Minn. 2003); State v. Fuller, 337 S.C. 236, 241, 523 S.E.2d 168 (1999); State v. Bean, 171 Vt. 290, 297-98, 762 A.2d 1259 (2000).
The court found the caliber of representation provided by defense counsel to be superior. On the basis of the record before this court, we are inclined to agree with that opinion. The defendant was charged with six serious crimes, including murder, and was convicted of only the least serious charge.
With all due respect to the dissent’s right to view the essence of the defendant’s remarks to the trial court as a request to proceed pro se, the majority takes exception to the dissent’s characterization of its holding as the adoption of a per se rule that any request for self-representation is untimely if made after trial begins. The majority opinion stands for the proposition that the denial of an untimely request to proceed pro se is not per se a violation of a defendant’s constitutional right to self-representation. Whether a request to proceed pro se is untimely is a matter to be left to the discretion of the trial court. The federal law cited by the majority applies to the facts of this case. The majority recognizes that under a different factual scenario, a trial court may well conclude that the defendant’s assertion of his right to proceed pro se would not disrupt the proceedings, even if raised during the middle of trial.