Matthew Dante Bennett v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)

MEMORANDUM DECISION FILED
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Apr 13 2018, 8:52 am
Memorandum Decision shall not be regarded as CLERK
precedent or cited before any court except for the Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
purpose of establishing the defense of res judicata, and Tax Court
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Stephen T. Owens Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Public Defender of Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
Jonathan O. Chenoweth Michael Gene Worden
Deputy Public Defender Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Matthew Dante Bennett, April 13, 2018
Appellant-Petitioner, Court of Appeals Case No.
18A02-1711-PC-2589
v. Appeal from the Delaware Circuit
Court.
The Honorable John M. Feick,
State of Indiana, Judge.
Appellee-Respondent. Trial Court Cause No.
18C04-1405-PC-1
Sharpnack, Senior Judge
Statement of the Case
[1] Matthew Dante Bennett appeals the post-conviction court’s denial of his
petition for post-conviction relief. We affirm.
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Issues
[2] Bennett raises two issues, which we restate as:
I. Did the post-conviction court err in rejecting his claim of
ineffective assistance of trial counsel.
II. Did the post-conviction court err in rejecting his claim of
ineffective assistance of appellate counsel.
Facts and Procedural History
[3] The facts, as taken from the decision in Bennett’s direct appeal, are as follows:
On August 4, 2011, Doroteo Chavez and Abel Trejo stopped at a
gas station in Muncie where they encountered a woman named
Spring Miller. They arranged to meet Spring later that night so
that Spring could dance for them. Spring subsequently met up
with her husband Robert Miller and Bennett. Robert and
Bennett informed Spring that they planned to accompany Spring
to her meeting with Chavez and Trejo so that they could rob
them. Spring did not wish to participate in the robbery, but
because Bennett was armed with a handgun and threatened to
hurt her children, she agreed to assist the two men.
Spring texted Chavez and Trejo and asked them to come pick her
up at an apartment. When they arrived, Spring went outside to
meet them while Robert and Bennett went to the alley behind the
apartment building. Spring got in a vehicle with Chavez and
Trejo and directed them to drive a very short distance to an
address on Celia Avenue where there was a house set back from
the road. After arriving at the house, Spring led the men out of
the vehicle and to the porch of the house. It was so dark outside
that Spring used the light on her cell phone to help see where
they were going. As they were walking up the steps onto the
porch, Spring heard sticks breaking “like somebody walking . . .
coming real fast.” Tr. at 350. Spring then heard a “big woosh”
and a “big crunch” as Robert struck Trejo in the head with a
baseball bat. Id. at 350-51. Trejo immediately fell to the ground
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twitching and gasping for air. Spring then saw Bennett wrestling
with Chavez on the ground. Spring heard Bennett order Chavez
to stay on the ground. Robert and Bennett began searching
Trejo’s and Chavez’s pockets. Trejo testified at trial that the two
men took his wallet containing more than $400, along with
identification cards and driver’s licenses.
Spring ran from the scene. A few minutes later, as she was
walking on Jackson Street, Robert pulled up next to her driving
the vehicle that Chavez and Trejo had been driving earlier.
Bennett was in the passenger seat. The men ordered Spring to
get into the vehicle. Spring complied because Bennett was still
armed with the handgun. Meanwhile, Chavez and Trejo
managed to get to a nearby fast food restaurant and contacted
police to report the robbery. Officer Ron Miller of the Muncie
Police Department responded to the scene. When he arrived, he
observed that both Chavez and Trejo appeared to have suffered
head injuries and their faces were bloody. Trejo was lapsing in
and out of consciousness and, due to his injuries, was unable to
communicate with Officer Miller. Officer Miller summoned an
ambulance, and the two victims were taken to Ball Memorial
Hospital.
The State charged Bennett with five counts: count I, class B
felony aggravated battery [of Trejo]; count II, class C felony
battery [of Chavez] by means of a deadly weapon; count III, class
B felony armed robbery [of Trejo]; count IV, class B felony
armed robbery [of Chavez]; and count V, class D felony auto
theft. . . . The jury found Bennett guilty of class B felony
aggravated battery [of Trejo], class B felony armed robbery [of
Trejo], and class D felony auto theft.
Bennett v. State, Cause No. 18A02-1306-CR-515, *2-4 (Ind. Ct. App. Jan. 21,
2014), trans. denied.
[4] Bennett appealed, and he continued to be represented by his trial counsel.
Bennett argued: (1) the trial court violated his right to a speedy trial; (2) the
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evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction of aggravated battery; (3) his
convictions for aggravated battery and armed robbery violated Indiana’s
constitutional prohibition of double jeopardy; and (4) the trial court abused its
discretion in the course of instructing the jury. A panel of this Court affirmed
the trial court’s judgment.
[5] This case began when Bennett filed a petition for post-conviction relief. The
post-conviction court held an evidentiary hearing and issued findings of fact,
conclusions of law, and judgment in favor of the State. This appeal followed.
Discussion and Decision
[6] The petitioner in a post-conviction proceeding bears the burden of establishing
grounds for relief by a preponderance of the evidence. Campbell v. State, 19
N.E.3d 271, 273-74 (Ind. 2014). When appealing the denial of post-conviction
relief, the petitioner stands in the position of one appealing from a negative
judgment. Id. at 274. To prevail on appeal from the denial of post-conviction
relief, a petitioner must show that the evidence as a whole leads unerringly and
unmistakably to a conclusion opposite that reached by the post-conviction
court. Hollowell v. State, 19 N.E.3d 263, 269 (Ind. 2014).
[7] The post-conviction court made findings of fact and conclusions of law in
accordance with Indiana Post-Conviction Rule 1(6). We do not defer to a post-
conviction court’s legal conclusions, but “‘[a] post-conviction court’s findings
and judgment will be reversed only upon a showing of clear error-that which
leaves us with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made.’”
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Passwater v. State, 989 N.E.2d 766, 770 (Ind. 2013) (quoting Ben-Yisrayl v. State,
729 N.E.2d 102, 106 (Ind. 2000) (quotation omitted)).
[8] Bennett argues the post-conviction court erred by rejecting his claims of
ineffective assistance of trial and appellate counsel. The Indiana Supreme
Court has stated:
To establish a post-conviction claim alleging violation of the
Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance of counsel, a
defendant must establish the two components set forth in
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed.
2d 674 (1984). First, a defendant must show that counsel’s
performance was deficient. This requires a showing that
counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness and that counsel made errors so serious that
counsel was not functioning as ‘counsel’ guaranteed to the
defendant by the Sixth Amendment. Second, a defendant must
show that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. This
requires a showing that counsel’s errors were so serious as to
deprive the defendant of a fair trial, meaning a trial whose result
is reliable. To establish prejudice, a defendant must show that
there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s
unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have
been different. A reasonable probability is one that is sufficient
to undermine confidence in the outcome.
Passwater, 989 N.E.2d at 770 (citations and quotations omitted).
[9] The standard of review for claims of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel
is the same as for trial counsel in that the defendant must show appellate
counsel was deficient in his or her performance and that the deficiency resulted
in prejudice. Hollowell, 19 N.E.3d at 269. “If it is easier to dispose of an
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ineffectiveness claim on the ground of lack of sufficient prejudice . . . that
course should be followed.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697, 104 S. Ct. at 2069.
1. Trial Counsel
[10] Bennett argues his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to
object at the sentencing hearing. Specifically, he claims counsel should have
argued to the sentencing court that his convictions of robbery and aggravated
battery violated his statutory and common law protections against double
jeopardy. Bennett concedes that a claim that his trial counsel should have
raised a double jeopardy claim under the Indiana Constitution would be barred
by res judicata. Reply Br. p. 5. The State argues that Bennett’s other double
jeopardy claims are also barred by res judicata. We disagree and consider the
1
merits of Bennett’s statutory and common law claims.
[11] When a petitioner contends that counsel was ineffective for failing to object, to
show prejudice petitioner must prove that the court would have sustained the
objection. Passwater, 989 N.E.2d at 770. Absent such a showing, the petitioner
cannot establish the prejudice component of the Strickland test. Id.
[12] The Indiana General Assembly has enacted a statute pertaining to double
jeopardy, which provides:
Whenever:
1
Bennett is not raising a claim under the Double Jeopardy Clause of the United States Constitution.
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(1) a defendant is charged with an offense and an included
offense in separate counts; and
(2) the defendant is found guilty of both counts;
judgment and sentence may not be entered against the defendant
for the included offense.
Ind. Code § 35-38-1-6 (1983).
[13] An “included offense” is defined, in relevant part, as an offense that is
established by proof of the same material elements or less than all the material
elements required to establish the commission of the offense charged. Ind.
Code § 35-31.5-2-168 (2012). If each offense is established by proof of an
element not contained in the other, then Indiana Code section 35-38-1-6 does
not preclude conviction and sentence for both offenses. Ingram v. State, 718
N.E.2d 379, 381 (Ind. 1999).
[14] A defendant commits aggravated battery when he or she (1) knowingly or
intentionally (2) inflicts injury on a person (3) that creates a substantial risk of
death. Ind. Code § 35-42-2-1.5 (2014). Count one, the charge of aggravated
battery of Trejo, tracks the statutory language. A defendant commits armed
robbery when he or she (1) knowingly or intentionally (2) takes property from
another person or from the presence of another person (3) by using or
threatening the use of force or by putting any person in fear (4) while armed
with a deadly weapon or causing bodily injury to another person. Ind. Code §
35-42-5-1 (2014). Count three, the charge of armed robbery of Trejo, tracks the
statutory language and specifies that Bennett committed the offense while
armed with a deadly weapon.
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[15] Bennett argues that his convictions for aggravated battery of Trejo and armed
robbery of Trejo as charged violate Indiana Code section 35-38-1-6 because he
claims the same force, Robert hitting Trejo in the head with a baseball bat, was
used to accomplish both crimes. We disagree. Bennett did not touch or speak
with Trejo during the attack, and we must conclude he was liable for the crimes
2
against Trejo as Robert’s accomplice. Robert struck Trejo with the bat,
committing aggravated battery. Bennett, who had a handgun, assisted Robert
by wrestling with Trejo’s companion, Chavez, and ordering him to stay down
while Robert took Trejo’s wallet, committing armed robbery. We agree with
the post-conviction court that Bennett’s separate use of force against Chavez
while assisting Robert established separate factual bases for the offenses, and
there is no violation of the included offense statute. See Smith v. State, 881
N.E.2d 1040, 1047 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008) (convictions of robbery and
confinement did not violate Indiana Code section 35-38-1-6; State provided
evidence of force used to commit confinement that was separate from force
used to commit robbery).
[16] Next, Bennett argues his convictions for aggravated battery and armed robbery
violate Indiana’s common-law rules against double jeopardy. Indiana courts
have “long adhered to a series of rules of statutory construction and common
law that are often described as double jeopardy, but are not governed” by the
2
The trial court instructed the jury on aiding, inducing, or causing an offense. Trial Tr. Vol. 2, p. 484.
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Indiana Double Jeopardy Clause. Pierce v. State, 761 N.E.2d 826, 830 (Ind.
2002). Among other principles, Indiana courts prohibit “conviction and
punishment for a crime which consists of the very same act as an element of
another crime for which the defendant has been convicted and punished.”
Richardson v. State, 717 N.E.2d 32, 55 (Ind. 1999) (Sullivan, J., concurring).
This common law rule is not violated where “the subject behavior or harm is
either separate from or more extensive than that necessary to constitute the
element of the first crime.” Id.[17] Robert’s act of hitting Trejo in the head with the baseball bat established the
force necessary to commit aggravated battery and convict Bennett as an
accomplice. Bennett assisted Robert in robbing Trejo by wrestling Chavez to
the ground and ordering him to stay there while armed with a handgun, thus
establishing separate factual elements for armed robbery. Bennett argues the
jury likely considered the same act of violence (hitting Trejo with the bat) as the
force used in both offenses because the jury did not convict him of battering or
robbing Chavez. He reasons the jury must have disregarded any force he used
against Chavez. Speculating as to the jury’s reasoning is difficult, but we note
Trejo testified at Bennett’s trial while Chavez did not. The jury’s not guilty
verdicts as to offenses against Chavez could have reasonably been based on
Chavez’s failure to appear as much as any doubt that Bennett committed the
acts against Chavez that Spring described at trial. Bennett’s common law
double jeopardy claim must fail.
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[18] We have determined Bennett cannot prevail on his statutory and common law
claims. As a result, Bennett was not prejudiced by his trial counsel’s failure to
object, because counsel is not required to raise an objection that would have
failed. If trial counsel had objected to Bennett’s sentence on those grounds, the
outcome would not have been different, and the post-conviction court did not
err in rejecting Bennett’s claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel.
2. Appellate Counsel
[19] Bennett argues his appellate counsel rendered ineffective assistance by: (1)
failing to raise double jeopardy claims under Indiana’s included offense statute
and common law; and (2) failing to effectively present a claim of double
jeopardy under the Indiana Constitution. We have determined that Bennett’s
claims under the Indiana included offense statute and Indiana common law
must fail. Appellate counsel will not be deemed ineffective for “failing to
present meritless claims.” Vaughn v. State, 559 N.E.2d 610, 615 (Ind. 1990).
That leaves Bennett’s claim under the Indiana Double Jeopardy clause.
[20] The State argues Bennett’s Indiana double jeopardy claim is barred by res
judicata, claiming the Indiana constitutional double jeopardy issue was resolved
on direct appeal and should not be addressed again. We disagree. In Harris v.
State, our Supreme Court stated that when a petitioner raises a claim of
ineffective assistance of appellate counsel for inadequately presenting an issue,
the underlying issue must be “re-adjudicated” and is not barred by res judicata.
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861 N.E.2d 1182, 1186 (Ind. 2007). “In short, the Sixth Amendment right to
counsel trumps the state law res judicata doctrine.” Id.[21] A claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel falls into one of three
categories: (1) denial of access to an appeal; (2) waiver of issues; and (3) failure
to present issues well. Carter v. State, 929 N.E.2d 1276, 1278 (Ind. 2010).
Claims of inadequate presentation of issues are the most difficult for petitioners
to advance and for reviewing tribunals to support. Bieghler v. State, 690 N.E.2d
188, 195 (Ind. 1997). This is so because “these claims essentially require the
reviewing tribunal to re-view specific issues it has already adjudicated to
determine whether the new record citations, case references, or arguments
would have had any marginal effect on their previous decision,” thus
implicating “concerns of finality, judicial economy, and repose while least
affecting assurance of a valid conviction.” Id. Further, a “less than top notch
performance” by appellate counsel does not necessarily prevent Indiana’s
appellate courts from “appreciating the full measure of an appellant’s claim”
because we commonly perform separate legal research on cases. Id. An
ineffectiveness challenge resting on counsel’s inadequate presentation of a claim
must overcome “the strongest presumption of adequate assistance.” Id. at 196.
[22] Article I, section 14 of the Indiana Constitution provides, “No person shall be
put in jeopardy twice for the same offense.” It is well established that two
convictions violate the Indiana Double Jeopardy Clause when, “with respect to
either the statutory elements of the challenged crimes or the actual evidence used
to convict, the essential elements of one challenged offense also establish the
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essential elements of another challenged offense.” Richardson v. State, 717
N.E.2d 32, 49 (Ind. 1999) (emphasis in original).
[23] On direct appeal, Bennett’s counsel argued that Bennett’s convictions for armed
robbery and aggravated battery violated the “actual evidence” component of the
Richardson standard, claiming Robert’s single act of hitting Trejo with the bat
established essential elements of both offenses. Bennett’s counsel raised Smith,
881 N.E.2d 1040. In Smith, this Court sua sponte reversed Smith’s conviction
for Class B felony robbery, concluding that the robbery conviction and Smith’s
conviction for Class B felony aggravated battery violated Indiana’s Double
Jeopardy Clause. The Court concluded the “actual evidence” test was violated
because both offenses required proof of bodily injury, and the only injury the
State demonstrated was that Smith struck a correctional officer twice, knocking
teeth loose. Id. at 1048.
[24] In Bennett’s direct appeal, the Court disregarded his discussion of the Smith
case and ruled against him on his Indiana Double Jeopardy Clause claim.
Bennett now argues his appellate counsel rendered ineffective assistance by
discussing Smith rather than other cases that he claims more closely match the
facts of his case. He claims Smith is factually distinguishable because that case
addressed whether the same injury supported both offenses, whereas in this case
the issue is whether the same act of violence supported both offenses.
[25] We conclude Bennett’s claim is a distinction without a difference. On direct
appeal, Bennett’s counsel clearly raised a claim that the same act of violence
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supported both offenses, and his citation to Smith provided a sufficient
illustration of the “actual evidence” test for the Court to have found in
Bennett’s favor if the facts had merited that result. The Court instead
determined there were separate acts that supported each conviction, specifically
Robert striking Trejo with a bat (battery) and Bennett wrestling with Chavez
and ordering him to stay down while armed with a handgun, allowing Robert
to take Trejo’s wallet (robbery).
[26] Further, the cases Bennett claims his direct appeal counsel should have raised
are factually distinct from his case. In Burnett v. State, 736 N.E.2d 259, 262-63
(Ind. 2000), overruled in part on other grounds by Ludy v. State, 784 N.E.2d 459,
462 (Ind. 2003), the Indiana Supreme Court determined convictions for Class A
felony and Class B felony aggravated battery violated the Indiana Double
Jeopardy Clause because there was a reasonable possibility the same act (the
stabbing of the victim in the neck) supported elements of both offenses. Indeed,
the State failed to present evidence of any other violent acts by defendant. In
Richardson, 717 N.E.2d at 54, the Indiana Supreme Court determined
convictions for Class C felony robbery and Class A misdemeanor battery
violated the Indiana Double Jeopardy Clause because there was a reasonable
possibility the same act (the beating of the victim while taking his money)
supported elements of both offenses. Finally, in Troutner v. State, 951 N.E.2d
603, 611 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011), trans. denied, the Court determined Troutner’s
convictions for Class B felony robbery and Class A misdemeanor battery
violated the Indiana Double Jeopardy Clause because there was a reasonable
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possibility the same act (the beating of the victim while taking his money)
supported elements of both offenses. In contrast to those three cases, in
Bennett’s case the State presented evidence of two acts of violence that
separately supported the offenses. We cannot conclude that citing to different
cases would have led to a different result in Bennett’s direct appeal. In the
absence of prejudice, Bennett’s claim of ineffective assistance of appellate
counsel must fail, and the post-conviction court did not err in rejecting it.
Conclusion
[27] For the reasons stated above, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
[28] Judgment affirmed.
Vaidik, C.J., and May, J., concur.
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