State v. Stallings

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
STATE OF DELAWARE
V. I.D. # 1209008698A
VINCENT STALLINGS,
Defendant.
Submitted: April 30, 2018
Decided: July 31, 2018
Upon Stallings’ Motion for Postconviction Relief: DENIED
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Christopher S. Koyste, Esquire of LAW OFFICE of CHRISTOPHER S. KOYSTE,
LLC, Wilmington, Delaware, Attorney for Defendant.
Andrew J. Vella, Esquire of the STATE OF DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE, Wilmington, Delaware, Attorney for the State.
LeGrow, J.
Four days before his scheduled trial on murder, robbery, and associated
firearms charges, Vincent Stallings pleaded guilty to one count each of first degree
murder, robbery, and possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. In
exchange for the plea, the State agreed not to seek the death penalty and to dismiss
the remaining charges. Bef``ore he Was sentenced, Stallings moved, through
counsel, to WithdraW his guilty plea. Shortly thereafter, he also filed a motion to
proceed pro se, followed by motions in Which Stallings sought the appointment of
substitute counsel and stated unequivocally that he did not intend to Waive his right
to counsel.
The Court ultimately denied the motion to WithdraW the guilty plea and did
not further address Stallings’ motion to proceed pro se. The Delaware Supreme
Court affirmed Stallings’ conviction on appeal. Stallings now seeks postconviction
relief, arguing the trial court erred in accepting his plea, denying the motion to
Withdraw, and failing to hold a hearing on Stallings’ motion to proceed pro se.
Stallings also argues his trial and appellate counsel Were ineffective and that
ineffective assistance is the reason he failed to raise his claims of legal error at an
earlier stage of the proceedings The parties’ arguments in this case present two
fundamental questions. First, Was the trial court’s colloquy With Stallings
regarding a different firearm count than the count listed on the plea agreement a
fundamental error affecting the knowing, intelligent, and voluntary nature of the
plea? Second, did the Court err in failing to hold a hearing on Stallings’ request to
proceed pro se when Stallings later acted inconsistently with that motion? Under
the facts of this case, I conclude the error in the colloquy was not a serious
procedural defect. As to the motion to proceed pro se, in my view Stallings
abandoned his request almost as soon as he made it. Because trial counsel’s
representation was not ineffective, and Stallings’ claims of legal error are barred,
his postconviction motion is denied.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On April l, 2012, three individuals robbed the Hl\/IS truck stop in Newark,
Delaware. While one of the perpetrators held a truck stop employee at gunpoint,
two others gathered cash from the room. The perpetrators ultimately fled with
$50,000. The event was captured on video surveillance, and fingerprints identified
John Slater as a possible participant in the crime. When he was interviewed by the
police, Slater identified Stallings as the individual who held the employee at
gunpoint.
On the night of September ll, 2012, two men targeted the same HMS truck
stop. Although the men were unable to gain access to the cash room on this
occasion, the attempted robbery was captured on video. One of the men
participating in the attempted robbery wore a black mask. A few hours later, early
in the morning on September 12, two men committed an armed robbery at a 7-
Eleven convenience store near the HMS truck stop. Video footage of`` the robbery
showed a woman entering the store, buying something, and leaving. Shortly
thereafter, two armed men entered the store, one wearing a black mask and the
other wearing a white mask, The individual in the black mask held the store
employee, Mohammed Ullah, at gunpoint, while the white-masked individual
gathered money and cigars f``rom behind the counter. As the two assailants were
leaving, the black-masked individual fatally shot Ullah,
Police arrested Stallings the following day and charged him with first degree
murder, robbery, and related charges stemming from the truck stop and 7-Eleven
incidents on September llth and 12th. Stallings was indicted with two co-
defendants, Andre Palmer and Vanisha Carson. The indictment did not include
charges relating to the April 2012 robbery. The State indicated it would seek the
death penalty on the murder charges.
Police searched Stallings’ home pursuant to a warrant and recovered a black
mask and a firearm. DNA was recovered from the black mask and compared to
Stallings’s DNA. Stallings could not be excluded as a contributor to the DNA on
the mask, and 99.9999% of every relevant population set could be excluded as a
contributor. The caliber of the firearm matched a shell casing found at the scene of
the murder. Police also learned that late in the morning of`` September l2, 2012,
Stallings’ fiance asked him why he was “acting weird,” and Stallings responded “I
did something that I wasn’t [supposed] to, but I don’t wanna involve you and
l’m sorry.”l Stallings went on to say he “just did something bad.”2
Palmer ultimately admitted he participated in the robberies on April l,
September ll, and September l2. Palmer pleaded guilty and gave a statement
identifying himself as the individual wearing the white mask in the 7-E1even
surveillance and identifying Stallings as the black-masked assailant who shot
Ullah, Carson admitted she gave Stallings and Palmer information to enable them
to access the HMS cash room in April 2012. Carson also admitted she was the
woman captured on video entering the 7-Eleven shortly before the robbery took
place. Carson gave a statement implicating Stallings in the incidents on April 1
and September l2. Both Palmer and Carson agreed to testify against Stallings at
trial.
On January 21, 2014, the State reindicted Stallings. In addition to the
previously-indicted charges related to the September crimes, the reindictment
added five charges relating the April robbery. A month later, Stallings’ trial
counsel, Anthony Figliola, Esquire and Kevin Tray, Esquire (collectively, “Trial
Counsel”), filed three pretrial motions: (1) a motion to dismiss the robbery and
associated firearm and conspiracy charges in the indictment (Counts V-IX) on the
1 App. 180. Citations to “App.” are to the appendix to Stallings’ Amended Motion for
Postconviction Relief.
2App. 180.
basis that the indictment failed to allege all essential elements, including the name
of the robbery victims; (2) a motion to sever for purposes of trial the Possession of
a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (“PFBPP”) charge (Count XV); and (3) a motion
to sever and separately try the charges relating to the April incident and the charges
relating to the September incidents.3 On May 8, 2014, the Court denied the motion
to dismiss and the motion to sever the April and September charges4 and granted
the motion to sever the PFBPP charge.5
On June 20, 2014, Stallings pleaded guilty to one count each of first degree
murder, first degree robbery, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission
of a Felony (“PFDCF”). The Court ordered a presentence investigation and
scheduled Stallings for sentencing
On August 13, 2014, Trial Counsel filed a motion to withdraw guilty plea on
Stallings’ behalf. In that motion, Trial Counsel argued Stallings felt frightened and
pressured by advice received from counsel and his family and agreed to accept the
plea without fully understanding the rights he was relinquishing.6 Stallings filed a
supplemental letter arguing that Trial Counsel’s refusal to challenge the State’s
case and properly investigate the evidence left Stallings no choice but to accept the
3 D.I. 40-42; App. 43-58.
4 D.I. 50-51.
5 D.l. 51.
6 D.I. 63.
plea.7 Stallings also made several other filings directly with the Court. The Court
denied the motion to withdraw without prejudice, ordered the transcript of the plea
hearing, and instructed Trial Counsel and Stallings that they each could submit a
revised motion to withdraw after receiving the transcript, The Court indicated it
would not accept any filings directly from Stallings other than one renewing and
supplementing his motion to withdraw.8
While the parties were awaiting the transcript, Stallings attempted to file
various pro se motions. In response, the Court repeatedly advised Stallings that
Superior Court Criminal Rule 47 prohibited such filings and the Court would not
consider any pro se filing except one renewing the motion to withdraw guilty plea.9
After receiving the transcript, Trial Counsel advised the Court they had no
good faith basis to renew Stallings’ motion to withdraw his guilty plea. As
permitted by the Court, Stallings filed a pro se “Supplemental Motion to
Withdraw[] Guilty Plea.”10 In his Supplemental Motion, Stallings argued Trial
Counsel’s failure to prepare the case for trial, along with pressure Stallings
received from his family, coerced him into pleading guilty. Stallings argued Trial
Counsel manipulated him and his family by exaggerating the likelihood Stallings
would be convicted and sentenced to death, and Trial Counsel did so in order to
7 D.I. 64.
8 D.I. 65.
9 see D.I. 67, 69, 70.
10 D.I. 73.
mask their own ill-preparedness for trial. The State opposed Stallings’
supplemental motion,
At Stallings’ sentencing hearing on December 19, 2014, the Court denied
Stallings’ Supplemental Motion to Withdraw, ruling:
The Court is satisfied that the supplemental motion to withdraw adds
very little, if anything, to the original motion. And the transcript of
the plea colloquy tends to confirm that the plea was knowing,
voluntary, and intelligent. Accordingly, the Court is standing by its
original denial of the motion to withdraw guilty plea, and the
supplemental motion is denied.l]
The Court sentenced Stallings to life imprisonment on the charge of First Degree
Murder, 25 years at Level V for PFDCF, and three years at Level V for Robbery
First Degree.12
Trial Counsel filed a notice of appeal with the Delaware Supreme Court,
followed by a no-merit brief under Supreme Court Rule 26(c).13 Trial Counsel
advised Stallings of his right under Rule 26(c) to identify any issues he wished
Trial Counsel to raise with the Delaware Supreme Court.14 Stallings did not
identify any such issues. The State moved to affirm the trial court’s ruling and the
Supreme Court granted that motion,15 On December 9, 2015, Stallings filed a pro
se motion for postconviction relief. Postconviction counsel later was appointed
“ App. 332.
12 D.I. 77.
13 Stallings v. State, No. 10,2015 (Del.).
14 App. 116.
‘5 stallings v. s¢a¢e, 116 A.3d 1244 (Tabie) (Del. 2015).
7
and filed an amended motion for postconviction relief, which the parties briefed
and argued to the Court. Trial Counsel filed an affidavit responding to Stallings’
ineffective assistance claims in his amended motion,
ANALYSIS
Stallings raises five claims in his amended postconviction motion: (1) the
trial court erred in taking Stallings’ guilty plea and denying the motion to
withdraw; (2) Trial Counsel was ineffective in both preparing Stallings’ case for
trial and in failing to ensure his plea was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary; (3)
the trial court erred in failing to hold a hearing on Stallings’ request to proceed pro
se; (4) Trial Counsel was ineffective by failing to protect Stallings’ constitutional
right to represent himself; and (5) Trial Counsel was ineffective by failing to raise
on appeal the errors associated with Stallings’ plea and his motion to proceed pro
se.
I. Stallings’ claims that the trial court erred are barred under Rule
61(i)(3).
Bef``ore considering the merits of any claim for postconviction relief, the
Court first must consider whether the claim is barred under Superior Court
Criminal Rule 61. Rule 61 contains several procedural bars, but only the
“procedural default” bar is pertinent to this case.16 Specifically, Rule 61(i)(3)
16 The State concedes the other procedural bars in Rule 61 do not apply to Stallings’ claims in his
amended motion.
prohibits a defendant from raising “[a]ny ground for relief that was not asserted in
the proceedings leading to the judgment of conviction . . . unless the movant shows
(A) Cause for relief from the procedural default and (B) Prejudice from violation
of the movant’s rights.”17 The State contends this rule bars Stallings’ claims that
the trial court erred and he has not pleaded facts to overcome that bar.
A. Stallings’ claim that the trial court erred in accepting his plea and
denying the motion to withdraw procedurally is barred.
The State argues Stallings’ claim that the trial court erred in taking his plea
and denying the motion to withdraw the plea is barred because it could have been
raised with the trial court and on direct appeal. Stallings acknowledges that the
argument could have been raised in the proceedings leading up to the judgment of
conviction, but contends he has demonstrated cause for the procedural default and
actual prejudice by showing that Trial Counsel was ineffective in failing to raise
the claim and that, had Trial Counsel timely raised the arguments, Stallings’ plea
would not have been entered or, at a minimum, the Court would have granted the
motion to withdraw.
lf an attorney’s failure to pursue a reasonably available claim is so egregious
as to constitute ineffective assistance of counsel, that failure may constitute cause
to excuse a procedural default under Rule 61(i)(3).18 Attorney error that falls short
17 Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(3).
111 sharon v. smsa 744 A.2d 465, 475 (Dei. 2000).
9
of ineffective assistance, however, does not constitute “cause” under that rule.
Trial Counsel’s alleged ineffective assistance is the only argument Stallings raises
in support of his contention that there is cause for relief from the procedural
default. Accordingly, the threshold issue is whether Trial Counsel’s failure to raise
the defect in the plea, either during the colloquy or in support of Stallings’ bid to
withdraw the plea, amounted to ineffective assistance of counsel.
1. The plea colloquy
Stallings alleges a procedural defect existed in his plea paperwork and was
exacerbated by the plea colloquy, which in turn infected the entirety of his plea and
contradicts the Court’s finding that his plea was knowing, intelligent, and
voluntary. When Stallings entered his plea on June 20, 2014, he signed the plea
agreement and completed With Trial Counsel a Truth-in-Sentencing Guilty Plea
Form. On that form, Stallings (i) denied he was forced to enter into the plea, and
(ii) acknowledged he was waiving certain constitutional rights, including the right
to proceed to trial and force the State to prove the charges against him. Stallings
also stated on the form that he understood the range of sentences he faced by
pleading guilty, he was satisfied with Trial Counsel’s representation, and he had
been advised fully of his rights.19
19 App. 62.
10
The plea agreement Stalling signed identified three charges to which he was
pleading guilty: Murder First Degree (Count I), Robbery First Degree (Count XI),
and PFDCF (Count VII).20 In the reindictment, Count XI was the robbery charge
associated with the April 1 robbery, and Count VII was the PFDCF charge
associated with the September 12 robbery.21
Before accepting the plea, the presiding judge engaged in a colloquy with
Stallings. The Court first reviewed with Stallings the three charges to which he
was pleading guilty. During the colloquy, the presiding judge read each applicable
charge listed in the indictment, including the date of the charged crime, the name
of the victim (if applicable), and the elements of the crime.22 While reviewing the
charges, the Court read Stallings the relevant portions of the indictment for Count
I, Murder First Degree on September 12, 2012, and Count XI, Robbery First
Degree on April 1, 2012. The Court, however, read Count XII, rather than Count
VII, for the PFDCF charge.23 Although Count XII and Count VII both were
charges of PFDCF, Count XII related to the robbery on April lst and Count VII
related to the Robbery on September 12th.24 After the presiding judge read each
20 App. 61. The criminal action numbers associated with these three counts also were listed on
the sentencing order.
21 App. 251; App. 254-56.
22 App. 326.
23 ld.
21 App. 254-256.
11
count, Stallings admitted he committed each crime as read aloud by the Court.25
The Court then confirmed “So, you’re pleading guilty to these three charges
because you are, in fact, guilty of them?” Stallings responded “Yes.”26
The judge then further discussed with Stallings his decision to plead guilty
and the rights he was waiving by so doing Stallings acknowledged signing the
Truth-in-Sentencing form and confirmed he discussed and completed the form
with Trial Counsel.27 Stallings stated he answered all the questions on the form
truthfully. Stallings also acknowledged the constitutional rights he was waiving by
pleading guilty and the mandatory life sentence he faced as a result of the plea.28
Stallings stated he voluntarily was entering the plea and understood that, once the
plea was accepted by the Court, it would be “virtually impossible” to undo it.29
Stallings informed the Court he was satisfied with Trial Counsel’s representation
of him.30 On two separate occasions, the presiding judge asked Stallings if he was
sure he wanted to plead guilty, and each time Stallings stated that he wanted to do
31
so. The presiding judge thereafter accepted Stallings’ plea, finding it was
knowing, intelligent, and voluntary.32
12
Stallings now argues that his plea was not knowing, intelligent, and
voluntary because he did not understand the nature of the charges for which the
plea was offered, pointing to the discrepancy between the PFDCF count listed on
the plea agreement and the PFDCF count reviewed by the Court during the
colloquy. Stallings also contends he believed he only was pleading guilty to
charges relating to the September 12th robbery and murder. Stallings maintains
Trial Counsel’s failure to properly inform him of the charges to which he was
pleading, failure to correct the defect in the Court’s colloquy, and failure to raise
the defect as a basis supporting Stalling’s motion to withdraw his plea amounted to
ineffective assistance of counsel and constituted cause excusing the failure to raise
these issues in the proceedings leading up to his judgment of conviction.
2. The ineffective assistance of counsel standard
To prevail on a postconviction claim for ineffective assistance of counsel in
the context of a guilty plea, a defendant must establish that (i) counsel’s
representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, and (ii) but for
counsel’s unprofessional errors, there is a reasonable possibility the defendant
1.33
would not have pleaded guilty and instead Would have insisted on going to tria
There is a strong presumption that counsel’s representation was reasonable.34
33 Albury v. sra¢e, 551 A.zd 53, 59 (Del. 1988).
34 Wrighr v. sra¢e, 671 A.2d 1353, 1356 (Del. 1996).
13
Accordingly, a defendant must make specific allegations of actual prejudice and
substantiate them; vague allegations or conclusory statements will not suffice.35
3. Trial Counsel’s assistance regarding Stallings’ plea Was not
ineffective in the trial court or on appeal.
As the State points out, the only discrepancy between the plea agreement
and the colloquy relates to the PFDCF charge; the plea agreement and the colloquy
match with respect to the murder and robbery charges. And, although Stallings
contends he did not understand the range of sentence he faced, or the fact that he
was pleading guilty to charges relating to both the September 12th and April lst
crimes, those contentions squarely are contradicted by both the Truth-in-
Sentencing Form and the plea colloquy.
On the plea agreement, Stallings indicated he was pleading guilty to
Robbery First relating to the April 1 incident, and the trial court specifically read
the indictment for each charge, referencing the April 1 date for the Robbery First
and PFDCF charges.36 The Truth-in-Sentencing Form and the colloquy also
specifically referenced the mandatory life sentence Stallings faced by pleading
guilty to Murder First Degree. A defendant is bound by the statements he gives
during the plea colloquy absent clear and convincing evidence that he did not
understand the plea agreement, was forced to accept the plea, or was not satisfied
35 Id.; Monroe v. szaze, 2015 WL 1407856, at *5 (Del. Mar. 25, 2015).
36 App. 61, App. 362.
14
with counsel’s representation37 Stallings has not provided clear evidence meeting
that standard, and he therefore is bound by his representations to the Court and his
admission to committing the charges explained by the Court during the colloquy,
Accordingly, Stallings has not shown that Trial Counsel was ineffective in
advising him about the plea agreement
Stallings also argues, however, that the trial court’s reading of the April 1
PFDCF charge, rather than the September 12 PFDCF charge, was a procedural
error. Stallings contends trial counsel was ineffective in failing to either correct
the error during the plea colloquy or raise it as a basis supporting Stallings’ motion
to withdraw his guilty plea. Stallings is correct that a “serious” procedural defect
itself will support withdrawal of a guilty plea, even if the other factors typically
considered in connection with a motion to withdraw guilty plea do not support the
motion,38 In Patterson v. State, the Delaware Supreme Court held:
Certain of the factors [considered relevant to a motion to withdraw],
standing alone, will themselves justify relief. Thus, if there is a
serious procedural defect in the plea process, or if it clearly appears
that the defendant did not knowingly or voluntarily consent to the plea
agreement, a sufficient basis exists for withdrawal of the plea
31 somerville v. slate, 703 A.2d 629, 632 (De1. 2008).
38 Patterson v. State, 684 A.2d 1234, 1239 (Del. 1996). Those factors are: “(a) Was there a
procedural defect in taking the plea; (b) did the defendant knowingly and voluntarily consent to
the plea agreement; (c) does the defendant have a basis to assert legal innocence; (d) did the
defendant have adequate legal counsel; and (3) will the State be prejudiced or the court unduly
inconvenienced if the motion is granted.” Ia'. at 1238.
15
notwithstanding whether there is a basis for a claim of factual
innocence or whether there is prejudice to the State.39
On the other hand, a clerical error, or even a procedural defect that does not
appear to affect a defendant’s understanding of the nature and consequences of his
plea, likely Will not support a motion to withdraw.40 In Patterson, the Delaware
Supreme Court held that defense counsel’s incorrect advice regarding the
minimum mandatory sentence the defendant faced, the trial court’s failure to give
the defendant time to discuss the mandatory sentence with his counsel after the
inaccuracy was corrected, and the inconsistencies between the sentence listed on
the plea forms and the sentence the defendant faced amounted to a serious
procedural defect.41 In contrast, the Delaware courts have concluded that other
defects are not “serious” and do not support withdrawal, including defects relating
to (i) the trial court’s failure to recite all the elements of a charge, (ii) trial
counsel’s advice about the defendant’s ability to “void” the plea after it was
entered, (iii) the effective date listed on the plea agreement, or (iv) a defendant’s
33 ld. at 1239.
40 Id. at 1237 (holding that although the trial court’s failure to read the charge to the defendant,
advise him of the elements of the charge, or ask whether his counsel had done so was a defect in
the plea, it would not on its own support a motion to withdraw the plea); State v. Torres, 2015
WL 1055966, at *2 (Del. Super. Mar. 3, 2015) (holding that the fact that plea agreement
indicated it had expired before defendant signed it was a clerical error that did not support the
defendant’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim).
‘11 Pallerson, 684 A.2d at 1238-39.
16
alleged misunderstanding about the range of sentence where the plea forms
specifically listed the correct sentence.42
The defect Stallings points to in this case is not a serious defect that calls
into question whether his plea voluntarily was offered with a complete
understanding of the nature of the charges and the consequences of his plea, The
face of Stallings’ plea agreement demonstrates his knowledge that he was pleading
to charges relating to both the April lst and September 12th crimes. Furthermore,
the Court in its colloquy specifically recited the elements in each count, including
the date of each offense, and Stallings admitted to committing those offenses,
including possessing a firearm during the April lst robbery. The discrepancy
between the PFDCF charge listed on the plea agreement and PFDCF charge
reviewed by the trial court during the colloquy did not alter the range of sentence
Stallings faced and did not implicate Stallings in a course of criminal conduct to
which he had not already admitted.43 In light of the trial court’s clear colloquy and
Stallings’ plain acknowledgment of guilt, the fact that the plea agreement and
sentencing order listed a different criminal action number for the PFDCF charge is
12 Pallerson, 684 A.2d at 1236-37; Bamen v. slale, 2007 WL 1314664, at *3 (De1. May 7,
2007); Bradley v. State, 2007 WL 1599991, at *1 (Del. June 5, 2007); Torres, 2015 WL 1055966at *2-3.
43 Stallings separately admitted to participating in the April lst robbery by pleading guilty to
Count XI. The Court’s conclusion regarding the materiality of this defect could be different if
the PFDCF charge about which the Court conducted the colloquy involved Stallings admitting to
participating in a course of criminal conduct to which he was not already pleading guilty.
17
not a serious procedural defect that contradicts the trial court’s finding that
Stallings’ plea was knowing intelligent, and voluntary.
Accordingly, because the error Stallings identified was not a serious
procedural defect, Trial Counsel’s failure to identify the error during the plea
colloquy or use it as a basis to withdraw Stallings’ plea did not fall below the
objective standard of reasonableness Neither the case law nor the record supports
the conclusion that the trial court would have permitted withdrawal on the basis of
this error. Accordingly, this argument does not support Stallings’ contention that
Trial Counsel’s assistance was ineffective, and Stallings has not shown cause for
his procedural default.
B. Stallings’ claim that the Court erred by failing to conduct a hearing
in response to his motion to proceed pro se is barred by Rule 61(i)(3).
As with Stallings’ claims regarding the plea, the State argues Stallings’
claim that the trial court erred in failing to hold a hearing in response to his request
to proceed pro se procedurally is barred because it could have been raised with the
trial court and on direct appeal. Stallings contends the procedural default bar does
not apply because he has demonstrated cause for the procedural default by showing
that Trial Counsel was ineffective in failing to raise the claim and has established
prejudice because his constitutional right to self-representation was denied. The
question, therefore, is whether Stallings can demonstrate cause by showing Trial
Counsel was ineffective in failing to protect Stallings’ right to self-representation
18
1. The right to self-representation
The United States Constitution and the Delaware Constitution grant
defendants in a criminal proceeding the right to be represented by counsel, but also
protect a defendant’s fundamental constitutional right to represent himself.44
Unlike the right to counsel, however, which attaches automatically and must be
waived affirmatively, the right to self-representation does not attach unless and
until a defendant asserts it.45 A court must “scrupulously honor” a defendant’s
unequivocal request to proceed pro se if the court determines the defendant
knowingly and voluntarily has waived his right to counsel and the court informs
the defendant of the risks inherent in proceeding to trial without the assistance of
counsel.46 A defendant’s request must, however, be clear and unequivocal,
meaning that it must be made “in such a manner ‘that no reasonable person could
say the request was not made.”’47
2. Trial Counsel’s representation did not fall below the objective
standard of reasonableness because Stallings Waived and abandoned
his single request to proceed pro se.
Stallings contends he clearly and unequivocally invoked his right to self-
representation and the Court therefore was bound to hold a hearing and permit him
‘1‘1 U.s. coNsT. amends. vl, xlv; Del. const art 1, § 7; Farena v. Callfornla, 422 U.s. 806, 807
(1975_); Hooks v. slale, 416 A.2d 189, 197(1)61. 1980).
45 Farr:tta, 422 U.S. at 835; Bl'own v. Wainrr.``ghl, 665 F.2d 607, 610 (5th Cir. 1982)
216 Farena, 422 U.s. at 835; Brlscoe v. slale, 606 A.2d 103, 107-08 (De1. 1992).
47 Merrl``tt v. State, 2011 WL 285097, at *3 (Del. Jan. 27, 2011) (quoting Dormcm v. Wainwright,
798 F.2d 1358, 1366 (11111 cir. 1986)).
19
to represent himself if he knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to counsel.
Because the Court never held such a hearing, and Trial Counsel neither insisted the
Court do so nor raised the issue on Stallings’ appeal, Stallings contends his
constitutional rights were violated and he has overcome any procedural default by
demonstrating cause and prejudice. Although Stallings is correct that a trial court’s
failure to hold a hearing on a defendant’s plain request to proceed pro se
constitutes legal error, and trial counsel’s failure to take steps in response to a clear
and unequivocal invocation could well constitute ineffective assistance of counsel,
in this case Stallings made one request to proceed pro se, which he promptly
abandoned and waived by reiterating numerous times to the Court that he was not
waiving his right to counsel and wished to have substitute counsel appointed.
The following timeline clarifies the nature and content of Stallings’ requests,
all of which arose in the context of his efforts to withdraw the guilty plea:
¢ August 13, 2014: Trial Counsel filed a motion to withdraw Stallings’
guilty plea,
0 August 20, 2014: Stallings filed the following documents:
o A pro se motion to withdraw guilty plea in which Stallings argued,
in part, that Trial Counsel’s failure to prepare the case for trial
forced him to accept the guilty plea.48
o A “Rule 9 Special Pleading Motion for Substitute Counsel” in
which Stallings sought appointment of new counsel to represent
111 App. 70-71.
20
him at an evidentiary hearing on the motion to withdraw the guilty
49
plea,
o A letter addressed to the Court in which Stallings reiterated his
request for substitute counsel.50
August 25, 2014: the presiding judge issued a letter order addressing the
motions to withdraw guilty plea filed by both Stallings and Trial Counsel.
The Court denied those motions without prejudice, permitting Trial
Counsel to file a renewed motion once they received a transcript of the
plea colloquy. In that order, the Court held “Defendant may then make
another filing to his liking, if he insists,” but made clear that any other
pro se filings by Stallings would be rejected.51
September 2, 2014: Stallings filed a “Rule 9 Special Pleading Motion to
Proceed Pro Se” in which he argued he had an irreparable conflict of
interest with Trial Counsel.52
September 12, 2014: the presiding judge issued a letter order finding that
Stallings’ September 2, 2014, motions violated the Court’s August 25,
2014, order because he only was permitted to file a supplemental
renewed motion to withdraw guilty plea,53
Approximately September 18, 2014: Stallings filed the following:
0 A “Motion to Appoint Expert to Review Psychology of Plea and
Counsels’ Persuasions Before the Plea.”54
o A lengthy letter to the presiding judge in which Stallings:
' Noted he had not been granted leave to proceed pro se;55
" Stated multiple times that he has not Waived, and “does not
desire to waive,” his 6th Amendment right to counsel;56
‘51: App. 75.
51 App. 76.
App. 80.
52 App. 81-
82; D.I. 67.
21
' Made three separate requests for appointment of substitute
counsel;57
' Argued he had been without legal help since August 1, and
the motion to withdraw guilty plea made clear that Trial
Counsel had a conflict of interest;
' Detailed his unhappiness with Trial Counsel’s representation
and strategy;
' Stated “I am not qualified to respond to you without
counsel;”58
' Noted that the “Motion for Substitute Counsel” and “Pro Se
Motion” were still pending In context, however, it is clear
that Stallings used “Pro Se Motion” to refer to his motion to
withdraw guilty plea, not his motion to proceed pro se.59
October 5, 2014: Stallings sent a letter to Trial Counsel asking questions
regarding the plea transcript and inquiring Whether Trial Counsel would
file a motion to withdraw as counsel.60
October 9, 2014: the Court provided all parties a copy of the plea
colloquy transcript.61
October 14, 2014: Stallings sent Trial Counsel a letter reiterating his
request that they withdraw from his case.62
October 22, 2014: Stallings filed pro se a supplemental motion to
withdraw guilty plea. That supplemental motion raised many of the same
arguments contained in Stallings’ September 18 letter to the judge,
including making multiple requests for substitute counsel and reiterating
that Stallings had not waived his right to counsel.63
11‘App. 84-85_
33 App. 85-86.
511 App. 88.
511 1 66 App. 84-86.
611 App. 91.
62 App. 92.
63 App. 94-95.
22
0 October 23, 2014: Trial Counsel filed a letter indicating they had no good
faith basis to renew Stallings’ motion to withdraw guilty plea.64
With that context in mind, it is clear from Stallings’ multiple letters and
motions with the Court that he promptly abandoned his September 2nd motion to
proceed pro se and never again clearly or unequivocally asserted his right to self-
representation either to the Court or to Trial Counsel. Even if Stallings’ Motion to
Proceed Pro Se could be considered, in the context of all his contemporaneous
filings, to be an unequivocal invocation of his right to self-representation, his
conduct shortly thereafter plainly indicated his intent to waive or abandon that
request. A waiver of the right to self-representation may be found “if it reasonably
appears to the court that defendant has abandoned his initial request to represent
himself.”65 A court has no duty to conduct a hearing or otherwise address a
defendant about his wish to proceed pro se if “by conduct subsequent to the
invocation of his right the defendant appears to be vacillating on his decision.”66
The Delaware courts expressly recognize that a defendant may, by conduct
or words, waive or abandon a previously-expressed desire to proceed pro se, and in
such circumstances the trial court need not conduct a hearing67 Stallings did just
61 D.I. 74.
65 Brown v. Wolowrlghl, 665 1326 607, 611 (5th cir. 1982).
66 Dormoo v. Wolowrlghl, 798 F.2d 1358, 1367 (11111 Cir. 1986) (oiting Browo, 665 F.2d 61612).
67 See, e.g., Walker v. State, 2007 WL 471957, at *2-3 (Del. Feb. 15, 2007) (holding defendant
abandoned his right to self-representation after filing a single-page “motion to request to proceed
pro se,” by never raising the issue at “critical junctures before trial” and continuing to allow his
attorneys to represent him until the eighth day of trial).
23
that by stating in multiple filings that he did not wish to waive his right to counsel,
wished to have substitute counsel appointed, and was not competent to represent
himself. After making these filings, Stallings never reasserted his right to self-
representation.68
Finally, Stallings argues his constitutional rights were violated because the
Trial Court permitted a “hybrid” representation in which Stallings represented
himself for purposes of the motion to withdraw, but for no other purpose. Stallings
complains the Trial Court permitted this approach without ever holding the
requisite hearing to determine that Stallings was waiving his right to counsel, was
competent to do so, and understood the risks of self-representation This argument
mischaracterizes the record. The Court’s August 25th order expressly permitted
Trl``al Counsel to renew the motion to withdraw guilty plea upon receipt of the plea
transcript.69 The Court also indicated Stallings could supplement Trial Counsel’s
filing “if he insists.” That is, the Court did not require Stallings to proceed pro se
on the motion to withdraw, but instead simply permitted a narrow exception to
Rule 47 to allow Stallings to file a pro se supplemental pleading if he wished to do
so. This did not constitute “hybrid representation.”
68 Although Stallings argues in his postconviction motion that he reasserted the right in his
September 18th letter to the Court, it is clear that those references were to his motion to
withdraw, not the motion to proceed pro se. See supra n. 59.
63 App. 80.
24
Because Stallings promptly abandoned and waived his single invocation of
his right to self-representation, the trial judge was not obligated to conduct a
hearing, and Trial Counsel was not obligated to take steps to preserve Stallings’
right to proceed pro se. Stallings therefore cannot demonstrate cause for his
procedural default in failing to raise this argument at the appropriate stage of the
proceedings
C. Stallings has not overcome the procedural bars to his claims of legal
error.
Trial Counsel’s alleged ineffective assistance of counsel was the only
argument Stallings advanced in support of his contention that there was cause for
relief from his procedural defaults Having failed in that showing, the Court need
not consider whether Stallings sufficiently demonstrated prejudice under Rule
61(i)(3)(B). Stallings’ procedural default therefore bars these claims of legal error
unless he can show that bar is inapplicable under Rule 61(i)(5) because (1) the trial
court lacked jurisdiction or (2) Stallings pleads with particularity that (a) new
evidence creates a strong inference of actual innocence, or (b) a new rule of
constitutional law retroactively applies to his case and renders his conviction
invoiid.111
Stallings has not disputed jurisdiction or raised a new rule of constitutional
law applicable to his case. Although, as discussed below, Stallings argues Trial
70 Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(5); 61(d)(2).
25
Counsel failed to investigate cell phone records that could have lent support to
Stallings’ alibi, that argument does not even satisfy the standard for ineffective
assistance, let alone amount to particularized pleading creating a strong inference
of actual innocence. Accordingly, Rule 61(i)(3) bars Stallings’ claims of legal
error relating to the plea colloquy, the motion to withdraw, and his right to self-
representation
II. Stallings’ claims of ineffective assistance of counsel do not meet the
Strickland standard.
Stallings alleges Trial Counsel Was ineffective by failing to (1) fully inform
him about the charges to which he was pleading guilty; (2) correct defects in the
plea colloquy or identify those defects in the motion to withdraw guilty plea; (3)
investigate cell phone records; (4) investigate or challenge the authenticity of the
7-Eleven video surveillance; (5) challenge the reindictment; (6) protect Stallings’
constitutional right to represent himself; and (7) raise the trial court’s legal errors
on appeal. As set forth above, under Strl'cklana’ v. Washl'ngton,71 in order to
establish ineffective assistance of counsel Stallings must show that counsel’s
performance f``ell below an objective standard of reasonableness and resulted in
prejudice. In cases in which a defendant pleaded guilty, prejudice is established
upon a showing that there is a reasonable possibility the defendant would not have
71466 U.s. 668 (1984)
26
pleaded guilty and instead would have insisted on going to trial.72 “Although not
insurmountable, the Strl'cklana' standard is highly demanding and leads to a ‘strong
presumption that the representation was professionally reasonable.”’73
As discussed in Section I.A., above, the record does not support Stallings’
argument that Trial Counsel failed to advise properly him of the charges to which
he was pleading guilty and the mandatory life sentence he faced. Similarly, the
Court already has concluded that Trial Counsel’s failure to correct a clerical
discrepancy between the plea colloquy and the plea agreement, or use that
discrepancy to support the motion to withdraw Stallings’ plea, did not fall below
the objective standard of reasonableness because the clerical error would not have
served as a basis to withdraw the plea. Finally, as addressed in Section I.B., above,
Trial Counsel’s failure to “protect” Stallings’ right to self-representation at the trial
level or on appeal did not fall below the objective standard of reasonableness
because Stallings abandoned or waived his motion to proceed pro se almost
immediately after it was filed. Stallings’ remaining ineffective assistance claims
are addressed seriatum.
72 Albury v. State, 551 A.2d 53, 59 (Del. 1988).
13 Broolloy v. slo¢o, 135 A.3d 748, 760 (Del. 2016).
27
A. Trial Counsel’s alleged failure to investigate cell phone records was
not ineffective assistance of counsel.
Stallings argues Trial Counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing
adequately to investigate cell records collected from Palmer, Carson, and Stallings
Stallings first argues that Trial Counsel erred by not following up on the State’s
promise to provide a formal report authored by the State’s cell phone expert, Agent
Shute. Stallings acknowledges that the State provided Trial Counsel the cell
records themselves and a written summary of the “substance” of Shute’s report.74
Stallings nonetheless vaguely argues that Trial Counsel never received the formal
report because it was delayed by technical difficulties Stallings, however, fails to
articulate any specific allegations of prejudice resulting from this alleged failure.75
Stallings also argues Trial Counsel failed to identify certain calls made with
Stallings’ phone on the night of`` September 11-12 that would have bolstered
Stallings’ alibi and impeached his co-defendant’s statements implicating him in the
events of that night. Stallings’ alibi was his fiance', who gave a statement to the
police that Stallings was in their shared residence when she went to sleep between
10:30 and 11:00 p.m. on September llth and was there when she woke up in the
morning on September l2th. Stallings and his fiance shared a cell phone, and
Stallings points to calls made on that phone that would (1) support his fiancé’s
74 Opening Br. at 36-38.
75 A defendant seeking postconviction relief for ineffective assistance of counsel must articulate
and substantiate “concrete allegations” of actual prejudice. Bradley, 135 A.3d at 760.
28
statements regarding what time she went to sleep, (2) show that the shared phone
likely was in Stallings’ residence close to the time of the September llth robbery
and shortly after the September 12th robbery and murder, and (3) show that a call
was made from Stallings’ shared phone to Palmer’s phone at 12:26 a.m on
September 12, a time when Palmer told police he and Stallings were together
preparing for the 7-Eleven robbery. Stallings argues these calls, individually and
collectively, would bolster Stallings’ alibi and cast doubt on the veracity of
Palmer’s and Carson’s statements to police.
These arguments fail to satisfy the Strl``cklana’ standard for a number of
reasons First, Trial Counsel made a strategic decision not to rely on Stallings’
fiance as an alibi witness76 They did so because it appeared Stallings’ fiancé
would not cooperate with the State and therefore the State would not call her as a
witness If Stallings’ fiancé did not testify, the State could not introduce the
incriminating statements Stallings made to her on September 12th after the robbery
and murder.77 If, however, Stallings called her as a witness, the State likely would
have succeeded in introducing into evidence Stallings’ inculpatory statements to
his fiancé. Trial Counsel’s strategic decisions are entitled to deference, particularly
those based on a thorough investigation of law and facts78 Failing to defer to such
16 Figliola Aff. 10 (D.I. 124).
111ol. 6110-11.
78 Strickland v. Washl'ngton, 466 U.S. 668, 690-91 (1984).
29
strategic choices imposes the “distorting effects of hindsight” that the Strickland
standard seeks to avoid.79 Here, Trial Counsel made a strategic choice with a full
understanding of the substantial harm that calling Stallings’ fiance as a witness
likely would cause to his case.
In addition, Stallings also has not made concrete allegations of actual
prejudice resulting from Trial Counsel’s purported failure to identify phone calls
indicating Stallings’ shared phone was in his residence around the time of the
September llth and 12th crimes Whatever marginal value that evidence might
have provided does not overcome the overwhelming evidence of Stallings’ guilt
and therefore does not establish a reasonable probability that, had Trial Counsel
identified the evidence relating to these phone calls, Stallings would not have
pleaded guilty and instead would have taken the case to trial.80 Apart from
Stallings’ co-defendants’ statements, that overwhelming evidence included the
video surveillance, the mask and gun recovered in Stallings’ residence, and the
13 Iol 61689.
1111 soo, o.g., Neol v. slolo, 80 A.3d 935, 946 (Del. 2013) (ruling that “[g]ivon the overwhe1ming
record evidence that supports the accomplice’s testimony, Neal cannot show a reasonable
probability that the jury would have come to a different result” had trial counsel made different
decisions); Drummond v. State, 2002 WL 1472281, at *2 (Del. July 2, 2002) (holding that “in
view of the overwhelming evidence of Drummond’s guilt, . . . Drummond cannot establish actual
prejudice from his trial counsel’s failure to more thoroughly cross-examine” the officer
conducting the traffic stop); State v. Powell, 2016 WL 3023740, at *23 (Del. Super. May 24,
2016) (finding that claims regarding trial counsel’s alleged failure to investigate did not support a
finding of ineffective assistance of counsel based, in part, on overwhelming evidence of
defendant’s guilt).
30
DNA evidence found on the mask, Accordingly, Stallings cannot meet either
prong of Strickland with respect to the cell phone records
B. Trial Counsel’s investigation regarding the authenticity of the 7-
Eleven video surveillance objectively Was reasonable.
Stallings next argues Trial Counsel Was ineffective by failing to retain an
expert who could have challenged the authenticity of the video depicting the 7-
Eleven murder and robbery. The record reflects that Trial Counsel sent the video
surveillance collected for the various nights in question to an expert in the hopes
the expert could enhance the videos to identify the assailants’ physical
characteristics such as tattoos.81 With respect to the 7-Eleven video, the expert
stated “it is not possible to optimally enhance videos that have already gone
through some enhancement or resaving process, which yours have.”82 The expert
provided Trial Counsel an example of a frame in which the top and bottom halves
of the white-masked assailant’s body were not aligned. The expert stated “[t]his is
a result of incorrect video handling that resulted in manufactured frames, and could
just as easily cause[] missing frames It is not proof of willful intent and there is
no means to determine who did this, how it was done, or What video frames (if
9983
any) are missing Although Trial Counsel considered hiring the expert to
prepare a report and testify in support of a motion to suppress the video, they
:; App. 24-A33; Figiiola suppi. Aff. EX. B (D.I. 138).
83 App. 24.
App. 25.
31
ultimately concluded the report was not likely to be helpful and pursing the motion
was not an effective use of resources
Stallings argues Trial Counsel erred in failing to pursue this line of
investigation and challenge the authenticity of the video. According to Stallings,
the video “bore crucial authentication questions,” and Trial Counsel acted
unreasonably by stopping their investigation84 Stallings posits that the expert
opined it was possible frames of the video were missing and those frames could
have contained exculpatory information, such as height or visible tattoos. Stallings
also argues Trial Counsel failed to press the State for the “original” video and
therefore lost the opportunity to determine whether such exculpatory evidence
existed.
Notwithstanding Stallings’ arguments it is plain from the record that Trial
Counsel’s representation objectively was reasonable. Trial Counsel investigated
possible avenues to challenge the video’s authenticity, but ultimately concluded
such a challenge was unlikely to succeed. Authenticity is a low evidentiary hurdle
that is satisfied “when there is evidence sufficient to support a finding by a
reasonable juror that the proffered evidence is what its proponent claims it to be.”85
The State could have met this burden in any number of ways, including by asking
Palmer to confirm that the video accurately depicted what occurred at the 7-
84 Opening Br. at 49.
85 D.R.E. 901; Parker v. State, 85 A.3d 682, 688 (Del. 2014).
32
Eleven86 Although the expert with whom Trial Counsel consulted identified the
possibility that improper video handling resulted in manufactured frames or
missing frames, the expert also acknowledged the mishandling likely was not
intentional and there was no way to determine what frames, if any, were missing or
altered. Such equivocal testimony likely would not have created a “genuine
question of authenticity” sufficient to bring the issue into contention, let alone
successfully exclude the video.87 Having made that determination, Trial Counsel’s
decision not to spend further resources on that investigation was reasonable.
As to Trial Counsel’s efforts to obtain an unenhanced version of the video,
Trial Counsel specifically asked the State for the “original” video, which the State
provided. This version turned out to have the same enhancement or resaving
issues Stallings contends Trial Counsel’s failure to make additional efforts to find
the “original” was unreasonable, but he fails to make any concrete showing of
prejudice apart from mere speculation that the original existed, somehow was lost
in the chain of custody, and theoretically could have contained exculpatory
information Broad-brush speculation is not sufficient to establish prejudice,
particularly given the other overwhelming evidence of Stallings’ guilt.
36 D.R.E. 901(b)(1).
87 State v. Hill, 2017 WL 1094369, at *2 (Del. Super. Mar. 22, 2017); Graves v. State, 2006 WL
496140, at *2 (Del. Super. Feb. 2, 2016).
33
C. Trial Counsel’s decision to pursue a motion to sever, rather than a
motion to dismiss the reindictment, was strategic and objectively
reasonable.
Finally, Stallings argues Trial Counsel should have moved to dismiss the
reindictment, which charged Stallings with crimes relating to the April 1, 2012
robbery. Stallings contends the reindictment imposed additional pressure on him
to accept a plea offer because (i) the reindictment added new charges related to an
incident not previously indicted or investigated by Trial Counsel, (ii) Trial Counsel
did not have sufficient time to investigate those new charges and prepare a defense,
and (iii) the jury hearing the State’s theory of a broader conspiracy increased the
likelihood of a guilty verdict. Stallings argues Trial Counsel should have moved to
dismiss the indictment under Superior Court Criminal Rule 48. Although Stallings
acknowledges Trial Counsel filed a motion to dismiss, he argues the motion was
based on a different theory and Trial Counsel therefore “lost the only opportunity
to hold the State accountable for its unnecessary, and presumably strategic, delay
and to assist Mr. Stallings’ defense by weakening the State’s case against him.88
Stallings’ argument entirely ignores the fact that Trial Counsel filed a
motion to sever the April charges from the September charges for purposes of trial,
and that motion was denied by the trial court. In denying the motion to sever, the
Trial Court reasoned that the risk of prejudice associated with trying all the charges
88 Opening Br. at 58.
34
together largely was theoretical because even if the charges were not tried together
it was likely, given the nature of the evidence, that a jury nevertheless would “hear
about almost everything relating to all the charges”.89
The Court’s ruling denying the motion to sever shows it is highly unlikely
the Court would have granted a motion to dismiss the newly-indicted charges
under Rule 48. In order to dismiss an indictment under that rule, the Court must
find, among other things, that the delay in bringing the charges prejudiced the
defendant. The Court’s ruling on the Motion to Sever found no actual prejudice in
allowing all the charges to be tried together. Stallings has not shown he suffered
any other prejudice typically considered under Rule 48. The addition of the
charges did not lengthen Stallings’ pretrial incarceration, and Trial Counsel
advised the Court that they did not believe the addition of the new charges
necessitated delaying the trial.90
Trial Counsel’s decision to move to sever the charges, rather than move to
dismiss under Rule 48, objectively was reasonable because the motion to sever had
a higher likelihood of success Moreover, Stallings has not demonstrated
prejudice, because it does not appear Trial Counsel would have achieved a
different result with a motion to dismiss Accordingly, Trial Counsel’s
representation was not ineffective.
39 D.l. 51 614
311 soo D.l. 49.
35
CONCLUSION
For all the foregoing reasons, Stallings’ Motion for Postconviction Relief is
DENIED. IT IS SO ORDERED.
36