State v. Thomas

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
STATE OF DELAWARE, :
: ID Nos. 2010012425
v. : 2103016186
:
JAMES E. THOMAS, :
:
Defendant. :
Submitted: March 28, 2024
Decided: June 24, 2024
ORDER
On this 24th day of June 2024, upon consideration of Defendant James
Thomas’ motion for postconviction relief, the Commissioner’s Report and
Recommendation (“the Report”), the State’s Response, and the record in this case,
it appears that:
1. On March 16, 2022, Mr. Thomas pled guilty to one count of Possession
of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, 11 Del C. § 1447A, and one count
of felony Resisting Arrest, 11 Del. C. § 1257(a)(3). As part of his plea agreement,
the State agreed to dismiss the remaining charges and to recommend no more than
fifteen years of unsuspended Level V time. After a presentence investigation, the
Court sentenced Mr. Thomas to twenty-seven years of incarceration, suspended after
fifteen years, followed by probation.
2. Mr. Thomas filed no direct appeal after his guilty plea. Rather, he filed
a motion seeking postconviction relief pursuant to Superior Court Criminal Rule 61.
The Court then referred the case-dispositive matter to a Superior Court
commissioner for proposed findings of fact and recommendations as permitted by
10 Del. C. § 512(b) and Superior Court Criminal Rule 62 (a)(5).
3. After considering the parties’ positions, the Commissioner issued her
findings and recommendations in her Report attached as Exhibit A. In her Report,
she explained (1) why Mr. Thomas failed to demonstrate that his counsel was
ineffective for not filing a motion to suppress and (2) why his remaining grounds for
relief had no merit. When doing so, the Commissioner conducted a complete review
of the record and found that Mr. Thomas’ counsel provided competent representation
and that Mr. Thomas entered his plea knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily.
Accordingly, she found postconviction relief inappropriate.
4. After she issued her Report, neither party filed written objections as
permitted by Superior Court Criminal Rule 62(a)(5)(ii). In the absence of
objections, the Court accepts her findings and recommendations as required by Rule
62 (a)(5)(iv).
NOW, THEREFORE, for the reasons stated in the Report dated March 4,
2024, and after receiving no objections to the Report:
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Court ACCEPTS the attached
Commissioner’s Report and Recommendation in its entirety. Defendant James
Thomas’ motion for postconviction relief is therefore DENIED.
/s/ Jeffrey J Clark
Resident Judge
oc: Prothonotary
cc: The Honorable Andrea M. Freud
Kevin Smith, DAG
Alexander Funk, Esquire
2
Exhibit A
3
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
STATE OF DELAWARE :
: ID No. 2010012425 and 2103016186
: In and for Kent County
:
v. :
: RK2106047401 – PFDCF
JAMES E. THOMAS : RK2104096701 – Resisting Arrest
SBI # 00391707 :
Defendant.
COMMISSIONER'S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Upon Defendant's Motion for Postconviction Relief
Pursuant to Superior Court Criminal Rule 61
Kevin Smith, Esq., Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice, for the State of
Delaware.
James E. Thomas, Pro Se.
FREUD, Commissioner
March 4, 2024
The defendant, James E. Thomas (“Thomas”), pled guilty, in two separate
criminal action numbers, on March 16, 2022. In criminal action number 2010012425
to one count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
(PFDCF), 11 Del.C. § 1447; in criminal action number 2103016186 to one count of
Resisting Arrest, 11 Del.C. § 1257. He was also charged in 2010012425 with one
4
additional count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, six
counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, one count of Possession
of Weapons and Drugs, one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance, one
count of Resisting Arrest, one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and one
count of Possession of Marijuana. In criminal action number 2103016186 Thomas
was also charged with four counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
(PFBPP/PABPP), one count of Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, and an
additional charge of Resisting Arrest, one count of Assault in the Second Degree,
and three driving violations. As part of the plea deal the State agreed to enter nolle
prosequis on the remaining charges to cap its recommended Level V incarceration
to 15-years. The parties jointly agreed to a presentence investigation. Had Thomas
gone to trial and been found guilty as charged he faced many years in jail including
several years of minimum mandatory. The Court sentenced Thomas on September
13, 2022, to a total of twenty-seven years at Level V, suspended after serving 15-
years, five of which was minimum mandatory time, followed by varying levels of
probation.
Thomas did not appeal his conviction to the State Supreme Court. Instead, he
filed the pending Motion for Postconviction Relief pursuant to Superior Court
Criminal Rule 61 on October 13, 2022, in which he alleges ineffective assistance of
5
counsel.
FACTS
According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, on October 26, 2020, Corporal
Johnson, of the Dover Police Department, observed Thomas conduct an illegal drug
transaction in the area of Reed Street and S. New Street in Dover. Then Thomas
walked to an apartment located at 420 West Division Street. After Thomas exited
the apartment, the police contacted Thomas and ordered him to stop due to an active
warrant for his arrest concerning his fleeing the scene of a collision. Thomas failed
to comply with the officer’s request to stop and ran away from the police. Shortly
thereafter, the police caught Thomas. He was found in possession of 78 bags of
heroin weighing approximately 546 grams and $450.00 in U.S. Currency. Next, the
police responded to the apartment at 420 W. Division Street that Thomas had vacated
after making the drug deal prior to his arrest. Tadajah Glasco allowed the police into
the apartment and gave consent for them to search the property. She stated she was
the babysitting Thomas’s children who were present. The police found a loaded .9
mm Taurus handgun. Both Glasco and Thomas stated that the gun was Thomas’. A
search warrant was obtained, and ten .9 mm rounds of ammunition were also found,
along with 2.5 grams of marijuana and various packaging materials for heroin. From
these charges, Thomas pled guilty to the Possession of a Firearm During the
6
Commission of a Felony. (Case number 20100125425).
Next, while out on bail for the above noted offenses, on March 29, 2021, the
Dover Police initiated a traffic stop of Thomas who they observed driving a Honda
Accord. A DELJIS inquiry had shown that Thomas had a suspended driver’s license
and should not have been driving. Thomas pulled into the driveway of 420 W.
Division Street1 and opened the driver’s side door at which time the police officer
noticed a strong smell of marijuana smoke coming from the vehicle. Thomas was
instructed to exit the vehicle, but when he did, he began to run away from the police.
Ultimately, Thomas was once again taken into custody after fleeing the police for a
second time. A search of the vehicle revealed a Taurus .357 magnum handgun with
6 live rounds of ammunition concealed between the driver seat and the center
console. From these offenses Thomas pled guilty to resisting arrest, (Case number
2103016186).
THOMAS’ CONTENTIONS
In his Motion for Postconviction Relief, Thomas raises the following grounds
for relief:
Ground One Ineffective Assistance of Counsel. During
my case procedings, [sic.] I was not giving
[sic.] my complete discovery. Important
information was withheld from me.
1
The location of the apartment referred to in the prior offense.
7
Ground Two Suppression of Favorable Evidence. My
attorney denied me my right to suppress the
search warrant after we disovered [sic.] there
was probable cause to question the nature of
it.
Ground Three Unfulfilled Plea Agreement
I was promised that 5 yrs would be my
sentence. I singed [sic.] the plea only because
I was promised 5 yrs. I was lied to.
DISCUSSION
Under Delaware Law, the Court must first determine whether Thomas has met
the procedural requirements of the Superior Court Criminal Rule 61(i) before it may
consider the merits of the postconviction relief claims.2 Under Rule 61,
postconviction claims for relief must be brought within one year of the conviction
becoming final.3 Thomas’s Motion was filed in a timely fashion, thus the bar of
Rule 61(i)(1) does not apply to this Motion. As this is Thomas’s initial Motion for
Postconviction Relief, the bar of Rule 61(i)(2), which prevents consideration of any
claim not previously asserted in a postconviction motion, does not apply either.
None of Thomas’s claims were raised previously at his plea, sentencing, or on
direct appeal. Consequently, they are barred under Superior Court Criminal Rule
61(i)(3) unless he demonstrates: (1) cause for relief from the procedural default; and
2
Bailey v. State, 588 A.2d 1121, 1127 (Del. 1991)
3
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(1).
8
(2) prejudice from a violation of the movant’s rights.4 The bars to relief are
inapplicable to a jurisdictional challenge or to a claim that satisfies the pleading
requirements of subparagraph (2)(i) or (2)(ii) of subdivision (d) of Rule 61.5 To
meet the requirements of Rule 61(d)(2), a defendant must plead with particularity
that new evidence exists that creates a strong inference that the movant is actually
innocent in fact of the acts underlying the charges of which he was convicted6 or that
he pleads with particularity a claim that a new rule of constitutional law, made
retroactive to cases on collateral review by the United States or Delaware Supreme
Courts, applies to the defendant’s case rendering the conviction invalid.7 Thomas’s
Motion pleads neither requirement of Rule 61(d)(2).
Each of Thomas’ ground for relief is premised to some degree, on ineffective
assistance of counsel. Therefore, Thomas has alleged sufficient cause for not having
asserted this ground for relief at trial and on direct appeal. Thomas’s ineffective
assistance of counsel’s claim is not subject to the procedural default rule in part
because the Delaware Supreme Court will not generally hear such claims for the first
time on direct appeal. For this reason, many defendants, including Thomas, allege
ineffective assistance of counsel in order to overcome the procedural default.
4
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(3).
5
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(5).
6
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(d)(2)(i).
7
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(d)(2)(ii).
9
“However, this path creates confusion if the defendant does not understand that the
test for ineffective assistance of counsel and the test for cause and prejudice are
distinct, albeit similar, standards.”8 The United States Supreme Court has held that:
[i]f the procedural default is the result of ineffective
assistance of counsel, the Sixth Amendment itself requires
that the responsibility for the default be imputed to the
State, which may not ‘conduc[t] trials at which persons
who face incarceration must defend themselves without
adequate legal assistance;’ [i]neffective assistance of
counsel then is cause for a procedural default.9
A movant who interprets the final sentence of the quoted passage to mean that he
can simply assert ineffectiveness and thereby meet the cause requirement will miss
the mark. Rather, to succeed on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a
movant must engage in the two-part analysis enunciated in Strickland v.
Washington10 and adopted by the Delaware Supreme Court in Albury v. State.11
In the context of a guilty plea challenge, Strickland requires a defendant show:
(1) that counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard or reasonableness;
and (2) that counsel’s actions were prejudicial to him in that there is a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s error, he would not have pled guilty and would
8
State v. Gattis, 1995 WL 790961 (Del. Super.)
9
Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 488 (1986).
10
466 U.S. 668 (1984).
11
551 A.2d 53, 58 (Del. 1988).
10
have insisted on going to trial and that the result of the trial would have been his
acquittal.12 The failure to establish that they defendant would not have pled guilty
and would have proceeded to trial is sufficient cause for denial of relief.13 In
addition, Delaware Courts have consistently held that in setting forth a claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must make concrete allegations of
actual prejudice and substantiate them of risk summary dismissal.14 When
examining the representation of counsel pursuant to the first prong of the Strickland
test, there is a strong presumption that counsel’s conduct was professionally
reasonable.15 This standard is highly demanding.16 Strickland mandates that, when
viewing counsel’s representation, this Court must endeavor to “eliminate the
distorting effects of hindsight.”17
Following a complete review of the record in this matter, it is clear that
Thomas has failed to allege any facts sufficient to substantiate his claims that his
attorney was ineffective.18 I find Trial Counsel’s affidavit, in conjunction with the
12
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687
13
Somerville v. State, 703 A.2d 629, 631 (Del. 1988) (Citing Albury v. State, 551 A.2d 53, 60 (Del. 1988)) (citations
omitted).
14
See e.g., Outten v. State, 720 A.2d 547, 557 (Del. 1998), citing Boughner v. State, 1995 WL 466465 at *1 (Del.
Supr.).
15
Albury, 551 A.2d at 59 (Citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689).
16
Flamer v. State, 585 A.2d 736, 754 (Del. 1990) (quoting Kimmelman v. Morrison, 477 U.S. 365, 383 (1986)).
17
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689.
18
Thomas’s counsel states in his affidavit that he suggested to Thomas that a worst-case scenario would be a 10-
year Level V sentence. I however, do not conclude this suggestion amounts to ineffective assistance of counsel and
no prejudice exists in any event due to the overwhelming facts against Thomas.
11
record, more credible than Thomas’ self-serving claims that his counsel’s
representation was ineffective.
Turning briefly to Thomas’ claims in his first ground for relief. He claims
“[d]uring my case procedings[sic] I was not giving[sic] my complete discovery.
Important information was withheld from me.”19 Thomas’ claim is without merit.
To prevail on claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must
satisfy both prongs of Strickland.20 As indicated in trial counsel’s verified letter, a
complete copy of discovery (except for electronic media which he could not review
while incarcerated) was provided to Thomas months before his plea was entered.21
Thomas indicated under oath during his plea colloquy that he was satisfied with his
counsel’s representation.
In addition, even had discovery not been provided, Thomas has not alleged
any prejudice whatsoever.
Because Thomas cannot show any error by his counsel, the Court need not
address the prejudice prong of Strickland. But Thomas has also failed to show any
prejudice. Thus, Thomas’ claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, as it relates to
provision of discovery, fails.
19
Def.’s Mot. For Postconviction Relief at 3.
20
See Archy v. State, 2011 WL 4000994, at *5 (Del. Sep. 8, 2011) (stating, “[generally, a claim for ineffective
assistance of counsel fails unless both prongs of the Strickland test have been established”).
21
Verified Letter of Counsel at 1.
12
Thomas claims that the trial counsel was ineffective for failing, variously, to
file a motion to suppress, or for suppressing unspecified favorable evidence. 22 He
claims that his trial counsel “denied me my right to suppress the search warrant after
he disovered [sic.] there was probable cause to question the nature of it,”23 omitting
to mention that he stated under oath during his plea colloquy that he was aware of
whatever rights he had, if any, concerning suppression of evidence.
Thomas has articulated no facts that show that his counsel’s failure to file a
motion to suppress was error at all, much less an error cognizable under Strickland.
More importantly, there is no evidence Thomas suffered prejudice. The
firearm Thomas was charged with possessing in the October 26, 2020, case was
located during a consented search of a bag in which Thomas had no standing,
although a subsequent search warrant was obtained for the apartment. He confessed
to it being his gun. There is no evidence that if the motion had been filed, the result
of the proceeding would be different.
Thomas cannot establish Strickland error or prejudice, so his claim fails.
Thomas claims that he “was promised that 5 years would be my sentence,”24
although he does not specify who made that promise. He claims that he “singed [sic]
22
Def.’s Mot. For Postconviction Relief at 3.
23
Id.24
Def.’s Mot. For Postconviction Relief at 3.
13
the plea only because I was promised 5 years. I was lied to,” 25 although he fails,
again, to identify who promised that or who lied to him. Although this claim is
procedurally barred because it was not raised on direct appeal, it also fails on its
merits.
The record shows Thomas’ claim is unsupported. The plea agreement, Truth-
in-Sentencing Guilty Plea Form, and Thomas’ answers under oath during the plea
colloquy all reveal that he was aware of the range of possible punishments and the
cap on the State’s recommendation. His trial counsel also advised him of his
exposure and the recommended range.26 Thomas cannot now claim otherwise.
Thomas was facing the possibility of many years in jail, including minimum
mandatory time, had he been convicted on all counts. The sentence and plea were
very reasonable under all the circumstances, especially in light of all the evidence
against him. Prior to the entry of the plea, Thomas and his attorney discussed the
case and the plea. The plea bargain was clearly advantageous to Thomas even if his
sentence was longer than he anticipated it to be. Counsel was successful in
negotiating a beneficial plea bargain with the State. Counsel’s representation was
certainly well within the rage of required by Strickland. Additionally, when Thomas
entered his plea, he stated he was satisfied with Defense Counsel’s performance. He
25
Id.26
Verified Letter of Counsel at 2.
14
is bound by his statements unless he presents clear and convincing evidence to the
contrary.27 Consequently, Thomas has failed to establish that his counsel’s
representation was ineffective under the Strickland test.
Even assuming, arguendo, that counsel’s representation of Thomas was
somehow deficient, Thomas must satisfy the second prong of the Strickland test,
prejudice. In setting forth a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant
must make concrete allegations of actual prejudice and substantiate them or risk
dismissal.28 In an attempt to show predjudice Thomas simply asserts that his counsel
was ineffective by failing to give him discovery and not filing a motion to suppress
and for allegedly promising him what his sentence would be. Counsel clearly denied
being unprepared. While it is true that counsel suggested to Thomas that a worst
case scenario could be ten years at Level V, Thomas was fulled apprised by counsel
and the Court that he faced the possiblity of twenty seven year sentence and that the
Judge could sentence him to that amount of time despite what his attorney may have
suggested to him. He chose to plead guilty knowing the consequences. My review
of the facts of the case leads me to conclude that Trial Counsel’s representation of
Thomas was well within the requirements of the Sixth Amendment and no prejudice
has been demonstrated. His statements are insufficient to establish prejudice,
27
Mapp v. State, 1994 WL 91264, at *2 (Del. Supr.) (Citing Sullivan v. State, 636 A.2d 931, 937-938 (Del. 1994)).
28
Larson v. State, 1995 WL 389718, at *2 (del. Supr.) (citing Younger v. State, 580 A.2d 552, 556 (Del. 1990)).
15
particularly in light of the strong evidence against him. Therefore, I find Thomas’s
grounds for relief are meritless.
To the extent that Thomas alleges his plea was involuntary, the record
contradicts such an allegation. Then addressing the question of whether a plea was
constitutionally knowing and voluntary, the Court looks to a plea colloquy to
determine if the waiver of constitutional rights was knowing and voluntary.29 At the
guilty-plea hearing, the Court asked Thomas whether he understood the nature of
the charges, the consequences of his pleading, and whether he was voluntarily
entering the plea. The Court asked Thomas if he understood he would waive his
constitutional rights if he entered the plea including the right to suppress evidence;
if he understood each of the constitutional rights listed on the Truth-in-Sentencing
Guilty Plea Form (“Guilty Plea Form”); and whether he gave truthful answers to all
the questions on the form. The Court asked Thomas if he had discussed his plea and
its consequences fully with his attorney. The Court asked Thomas if he was aware
that he would waive all his constitutional rights including the right to file a motion
to suppress evidence if he pled guilty. The Court also asked Thomas if he was
satisfied with this counsel’s representation. Thomas answered each of these
questions affirmatively.30
29
Godinez v. Moran, 509 U.S. 389, 400 (1993)
30
State v. Thomas, Del. Super., I.D. no 2103016186 (March 16, 2022) Tr. at 5-15
16
Furthermore, prior to entering his plea, Thomas signed a Guilty Plea Form
and Plea Agreement in his own handwriting. Thomas’ signature on the forms
indicates that he understood the constitutional rights he was relinquishing by
pleading guilty and that he freely and voluntarily decided to plead guilty to the
charges listed in the Plea Agreement. Thomas is bound by the statements he made
on the signed Guilty Plea Form, unless he proves otherwise by clean and convincing
evidence.31 I confidently find that Thomas entered his plea knowingly and
voluntarily and that Thomas’ grounds for relief are meritless.
CONCLUSION
I find that Thomas’ counsel represented him in a competent and effective
manner as required by the standards set in Strickland and that Thomas has failed to
demonstrate any prejudice stemming from the representation. I also find that
Thomas’ guilty pleas was entered knowingly and voluntarily. I recommend that the
Court DENY Thomas’ Motion for Postconviction Relief as meritless.
/s/Andrea M. Freud
Commissioner
AMF/jan
oc: Prothonotary
cc: Resident Judge Jeffery J Clark
Kevin B. Smith, Department of Justice
Alexander W. Funk, Esq.
31
Sommerville v. State, 703 A.2d 629, 632 (Del. 1997).
17