Herbert Robertson v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)

MEMORANDUM DECISION FILED
Sep 25 2017, 10:27 am
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
CLERK
this Memorandum Decision shall not be Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
regarded as precedent or cited before any and Tax Court
court except for the purpose of establishing
the defense of res judicata, collateral
estoppel, or the law of the case.
APPELLANT PRO SE ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Herbert Robertson Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Pendleton, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
James B. Martin
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Herbert Robertson, September 25, 2017
Appellant-Petitioner, Court of Appeals Case No.
82A05-1610-PC-2303
v. Appeal from the Vanderburgh
Circuit Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable Kelli E. Fink,
Appellee-Respondent Magistrate
Trial Court Cause No.
82C01-1212-PC-27
Baker, Judge.
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[1] Herbert Robertson appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief,
arguing that the post-conviction court erroneously denied his request for an
evidentiary hearing, his motion to compel affidavits, and his motion for
interlocutory appeal. Robertson also claims that the post-conviction court
erroneously determined that he did not receive the ineffective assistance of trial
counsel. Finding no error, we affirm.
Facts
[2] The underlying facts as set forth in Robertson’s direct appeal are as follows:
During the evening of December 21, 2009, Andrea Atterberry
was working alone at a Vanderburgh County liquor store.
Robertson entered the store and purchased a half pint of vodka
and asked for change for the soda machine. About an hour later,
Robertson returned, bought another half pint of vodka, and asked
Atterberry when her shift was over. Robertson entered the store
a third time and asked Atterberry for change for a ten-dollar bill.
Atterberry opened the cash register drawer and got the change.
When she looked up, Robertson had a knife and demanded,
“[B]**ch give me the money in the drawer.” She declined and
called 911. While Atterberry was talking to the 911 operator,
Robertson screamed and stabbed at her with the knife.
Atterberry threw the money at him, and he left. The police
arrived, but Robertson was gone.
That day, Atterberry provided a description of the robber to
Evansville Police Detective Tony Mayhew that was recorded and
transcribed. Atterberry described the robber as about five feet
eight inches tall, around 220 pounds, with blue eyes and a two-
to-three-day beard growth, and wearing a black stocking cap, a
blue hooded jacket, a blue button shirt, light colored jeans, and
black shoes.
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A month or two later, Detective Mayhew was investigating an
unrelated liquor store theft and noticed that the suspect in that
case . . . fit Atterberry’s description. Detective Mayhew showed
Atterberry a photo array of six men, which included [the other
suspect] but not Robertson. Atterberry did not identify any of the
men as the actual robber, but said that of the six men, [the other
suspect] most resembled the robber. About a week later,
Detective Mayhew showed Atterberry approximately fifty
photographs, none of which were of Robertson. Atterberry said
that none of the photographs were of the man who had robbed
her.
Sometime later, Atterberry informed Detective Mayhew that she
remembered that the robber had previously come into the store
with a woman whom Atterberry would recognize. After
Atterberry identified that woman in a photo array, Detective
Mayhew showed her another photo array containing Robertson’s
picture. Atterberry immediately identified Robertson as the
robber.
The State charged Robertson with class B felony armed robbery
and with being a habitual offender.
Robertson v. State, No. 82A01-1110-CR-465, *1-*3 (Ind. Ct. App. June 21, 2012)
(internal citations omitted).
[3] Robertson’s trial began on July 5, 2011. At trial, the State called Atterberry and
Detective Mayhew to testify. During cross-examination, Robertson’s trial
counsel elicited several key facts: (1) that Atterberry had failed to inform
Detective Mayhew that the robber had been in the store on two other occasions
the night of the robbery; (2) that Atterberry had failed to tell Detective Mayhew
that she had seen the robber in the store with a woman prior to the night in
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question; (3) that her initial description of the robber to both the 911 operator
and Detective Mayhew was imprecise as to the estimated height, the estimated
weight, and the perceived hair and eye color, when comparing her description
with Robertson; (4) that she initially identified another man as looking “very
similar” to the robber in a photo array; (5) that she failed to initially mention a
purported gap in the robber’s teeth; and (6) that, based on Atterberry’s
imprecise description, the police initially suspected someone else as the robber.
Trial Tr. p. 48-55, 60-67, 134-36, 146-50, 159-69.
[4] Jury deliberations began on July 5, 2011. On the second day of jury
deliberations, one juror fell ill and was replaced by the alternate, who had been
selected earlier without objection. Following deliberations, the jury found
Robertson guilty of class B felony armed robbery, and the trial court found that
Robertson was an habitual offender. We affirmed Robertson’s conviction.
[5] On November 28, 2012, Robertson filed a pro se petition for post-conviction
relief. After one and one-half years of investigation, on January 13, 2016,
Robertson filed an amended petition for post-conviction relief and a motion for
an evidentiary hearing on his petition. The post-conviction court denied the
motion for an evidentiary hearing on January 20, 2016. On the same day, the
post-conviction court ordered the case to proceed by affidavit, giving Robertson
until March 25, 2016, and the State until May 20, 2016, to file any affidavits or
proposed findings. On March 7, 2016, the post-conviction court denied
Robertson’s certification for interlocutory appeal. On March 15, 2016, the post-
conviction court denied Robertson’s motion to compel affidavits, though the
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court noted that it was amenable to providing additional time for Robertson to
acquire additional affidavits if he made a written request.
[6] After submitting his own affidavit, Robertson was granted a continuance until
May 20, 2016, to file affidavits and proposed findings. On May 9, 2016,
Robertson filed proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. On
September 19, 2016, the post-conviction court issued its findings of fact and
conclusions of law denying post-conviction relief. Robertson now appeals.
Discussion and Decision
[7] Robertson raises six issues, which we consolidate into two: (1) whether the
post-conviction court erred by denying his motion for an evidentiary hearing,
his motion to compel affidavits, and his motion to certify for interlocutory
appeal; and (2) whether the post-conviction court erred in finding that
Robertson did not receive the ineffective assistance of counsel.
I. Standard of Review
[8] The general rules regarding the review of a petition for post-conviction relief are
well established:
“The petitioner in a post-conviction proceeding bears the burden
of establishing grounds for relief by a preponderance of the
evidence.” Fisher v. State, 810 N.E.2d 674, 679 (Ind. 2004).
“When appealing from the denial of post-conviction relief, the
petitioner stands in the position of one appealing from a negative
judgment.” Id. 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
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opposite that reached by the post-conviction court. Weatherford v.
State, 619 N.E.2d 915, 917 (Ind. 1993). Further, the post-
conviction court in this case made findings of fact and
conclusions of law in accordance with Indiana Post-Conviction
Rule 1(6). Although we do not defer to the post-conviction
court’s legal conclusions, “[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.” Ben-Yisrayl v. State, 729 N.E.2d
102, 106 (Ind. 2000) (quotation omitted).
Hollowell v. State, 19 N.E.3d 263, 268-69 (Ind. 2014).
When evaluating an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, we
apply the two-part test articulated in Strickland v. Washington, 466
U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). See Helton v.
State, 907 N.E.2d 1020, 1023 (Ind. 2009). To satisfy the first
prong, “the defendant must show deficient performance:
representation that fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness, committing errors so serious that the defendant
did not have the ‘counsel’ guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment.”
McCary v. State, 761 N.E.2d 389, 392 (Ind. 2002) (citing
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687-88). To satisfy the second prong, “the
defendant must show prejudice: a reasonable probability (i.e. a
probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome)
that, but for counsel’s errors, the result of the proceeding would
have been different.” Id. (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694).
Humphrey v. State, 73 N.E.3d 677, 682 (Ind. 2017). “A reasonable probability
arises when there is a ‘probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome.’” Grinstead v. State, 845 N.E.2d 1027, 1031 (Ind. 2006) (quoting
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694). “Failure to establish either of the two prongs will
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cause the claim to fail.” Gulzar v. State, 971 N.E.2d 1258, 1261 (Ind. Ct. App.
2012).
II. Procedural Matters
A. Evidentiary Hearing
[9] Robertson first claims error in the post-conviction court’s decision to deny his
request for an evidentiary hearing and, instead, to proceed by affidavit. Indiana
Post-Conviction Rule 1(9)(b) sets forth the rules for a pro se litigant:
In the event petitioner elects to proceed pro se, the court at its
discretion may order the cause submitted upon affidavit. It need
not order the personal presence of the petitioner unless his
presence is required for a full and fair determination of the issues
raised at an evidentiary hearing. If the pro se petitioner requests
issuance of subpoenas for witnesses at an evidentiary hearing, the
petitioner shall specifically state by affidavit the reason the witness’
testimony is required and the substance of the witness’ expected
testimony. If the court finds the witness’ testimony would be
relevant and probative, the court shall order that the subpoena be
issued.
(emphasis added).
[10] “[I]f the [post-conviction court] orders the cause submitted by affidavit under
Rule 1(9)(b), it is the court’s prerogative to determine whether an evidentiary
hearing is required, along with the petitioner’s personal preference, to achieve a
‘full and fair determination of the issues raised[.]’” Smith v. State, 822 N.E.2d
193, 201 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005) (quoting P-C.R. 1(9)(b)). We will reverse only if
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“its decision is against the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances before
it.” Pannell v. State, 36 N.E.3d 477, 486 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015), trans. denied.
[11] Robertson’s motion to set an evidentiary hearing failed to specifically state, by
affidavit, the reasons why the testimony of the named parties was necessary and
what the substance of that testimony would be. Instead, Robertson simply
made conclusory statements in the motion such as “Petitioner intends to call
trial counsel . . . to show . . . that [trial counsel] was ineffective, unprepared,
and failed to test the States [sic] case . . .” and “[W]itnesses will offer Material
Facts that were not heard by the jury, and are required for the petitioner to
carry his burden of proof . . . .” Appellant’s App. Vol. III p. 16 (original
emphasis omitted). As such, Robertson failed to meet his burden under Post-
Conviction Rule 1(9)(b).
[12] While he did not submit an affidavit in support of his request for an evidentiary
hearing,1 Robertson contends that his petition for post-conviction relief
adequately informed the post-conviction court of what he intended to elicit
from the proposed witnesses. Rule 1(9)(b) explicitly requires an affidavit
containing sufficient information for the post-conviction court to determine if a
hearing is needed. Robertson’s post-conviction petition itself does not suffice.
1
Robertson submitted his own affidavit in support of his petition for post-conviction relief, but it fails to
specifically state which parties Robertson would like to have testify—except, perhaps, his trial counsel—or
why their in-court testimony would be required.
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[13] Without any affidavits or other clear evidence of the substance of the proposed
testimony, it would have been next to impossible for the post-conviction court
to determine the necessity of holding an evidentiary hearing. Thus, we cannot
say that the post-conviction court’s denial of the request for an evidentiary
hearing was erroneous.
B. Motion to Compel Affidavits
[14] The post-conviction court has discretion to rule on a petitioner’s request for a
subpoena and it will only be reversed if the decision “is against the logic and
effect of the facts and circumstances before the court.” Johnson v. State, 832
N.E.2d 985, 994 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). In his motion to compel affidavits,
Robertson requested the post-conviction court to compel the following
witnesses to submit affidavits: his trial counsel, a detective, the 911 operator,
the other suspect’s former girlfriend, and the alternate juror. Robertson claims
that he attempted to procure affidavits and was ignored by all proposed affiants
twice. The post-conviction court attempted to accommodate Robertson, first by
extending the deadline for submission of Robertson’s affidavits to May 20,
2016, and then by leaving open the possibility of further extension, if Robertson
made a written request to the court. Nevertheless, Robertson filed his proposed
findings of fact and conclusions of law nearly two weeks early, and made no
requests for additional time to acquire the affidavits.
[15] Robertson fails to cite to any evidence that corroborates his allegation that he
was being ignored, such as copies of his requests to the proposed affiants.
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Further, Robertson’s argument does not address the fact that the post-
conviction court was willing to give Robertson more time to gather facts—an
opportunity of which Robertson failed to take advantage. The post-conviction
court acted reasonably by granting Robertson more time to either build his case
or prove that he was being ignored, rather than granting him the specific relief
he sought. Thus, we cannot say that the post-conviction court’s denial of the
motion to compel affidavits was erroneous.2
III. Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel
A. Impeachment of Atterberry
[16] Robertson first claims that trial counsel’s performance was deficient because
trial counsel’s impeachment of Andrea Atterberry, the store clerk who was the
sole eyewitness to the crime, did not utilize police reports, her sworn
statements, or the recording of her 911 call to more fully impeach and attack
her credibility. Specifically, Robertson focuses on trial counsel’s alleged failure
to emphasize Atterberry’s earlier inconsistent statements and identifications
regarding the robber. The post-conviction court found that trial counsel
“conducted extensive cross-examination” of Atterberry and that “the
information that [trial counsel] did not elicit would not have resulted in
prejudice to Petitioner in light of the fact that [Atterberry] identified Petitioner
2
Robertson also contends that the post-conviction court should have granted his motion to certify some of
these issues for discretionary interlocutory appeal. See Ind. Appellate Rule 14. However, he failed to
specifically address this issue in his briefs. Accordingly, he has waived this argument.
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at trial and in an earlier photo array as the person who committed the robbery.”
Appellant’s App. Vol. II p. 31.
[17] As stated above in the facts section, there is ample evidence in the record that
trial counsel vigorously and skillfully cross-examined Atterberry and did, in
fact, attempt to undercut her credibility by pointing to her inconsistent past
statements. See Waldon v. State, 684 N.E.2d 206, 208 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997)
(noting that “the nature and extent of cross-examination is a matter of trial
strategy delegated to trial counsel.”). Nothing in the record leads us to
conclude that the post-conviction court erred by finding that trial counsel was
not ineffective for deciding not to use the specific pieces of evidence highlighted
by Robertson. We decline to reverse on this basis.
B. 911 Call
[18] Robertson next contends that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to provide
a copy of the 911 call to Robertson3 and for not offering it into evidence at trial
so that the jury might have compared the voice in the call to his own.
Robertson alleges that a comparison of this recording to his own voice would
have convinced the jury of his innocence and further impeached Atterberry.
Robertson’s assertions are meritless. As noted above, trial counsel thoroughly
highlighted these issues during the cross-examination of Atterberry and
3
Robertson fails to cite to any relevant authority or make any cogent argument for the proposition that trial
counsel had a duty to present Robertson with a copy of the 911 call or that counsel had a duty to consult with
him on whether to seek a voice recognition expert. Accordingly, he has waived these arguments.
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Detective Mayhew. These points were also emphasized to the jury in
Robertson’s closing statements. Therefore, nothing in the record establishes
either that trial counsel’s performance was deficient or, even if it was, that
Robertson was prejudiced as a result. We find that the post-conviction court
did not err in concluding that Robertson did not receive the ineffective
assistance of trial counsel on this issue.
C. Witness Issues
[19] Robertson next alleges that trial counsel’s failure to file a defense witness list
and his decision not to call certain witnesses rendered his assistance ineffective.
Specifically, Robertson claims that, had a witness list been filed, trial counsel
could have called four additional witnesses, including: the other suspect; the
other suspect’s former girlfriend; the 911 operator; and a detective.
[20] The record shows that none of these witnesses were excluded because of a
witness list. The trial court excluded testimony from the other suspect because
the testimony did not comply with rules regarding the use of evidence to
establish that someone else committed the crime at issue. None of the
remaining witnesses were excluded at all—because trial counsel chose not to
call them. There is no evidence that his decision was based on the lack of a
witness list. Therefore, Robertson cannot demonstrate prejudice because none
of the proposed witnesses were excluded because of a failure to file a witness
list.
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[21] Robertson also contends that counsel’s decision not to call these witnesses
rendered his performance ineffective. We note that “[a] decision regarding
what witnesses to call is a matter of trial strategy which an appellate court will
not second-guess.” Brown v. State, 691 N.E.2d 438, 447 (Ind. 1998). The post-
conviction court concluded in part that:
Petitioner has not presented any affidavits of these possible
witnesses to allow this Court to make a determination of whether
or not there [sic] testimony would have been relevant. If the
testimony would have been relevant, the Court then would have
needed to make a determination as to whether or not trial
counsel’s failure to call the witnesses was ineffective. Without
additional information, this Court is unable to determine if the
failure to call these witnesses was ineffective or if the result of the
proceeding would have been different if these witnesses would
have been called to testify at trial.
Appellant’s App. Vol. II p. 35. We echo the post-conviction court’s sentiment.
There is no evidence as to the substance of any testimony beyond Robertson’s
conclusory speculations. Therefore, it is impossible to determine the value or
relevance of any of these potential witnesses’ testimony and it is impossible to
determine if not calling them went beyond poor trial tactics and otherwise
resulted in discernible prejudice. Accordingly, we cannot say that we are left
with a definite and firm conviction that the post-conviction court erred in
finding that trial counsel was not ineffective on this issue.
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D. Alternate Juror Instruction
[22] Before jury deliberations began, the trial court instructed all jurors, including
the alternate, as follows:
To return a verdict, each of you must agree to it. Each of you
must decide the case for yourself, but only after considering the
evidence with the other jurors. It is your duty to consult with
each other. You should try to agree on a verdict, if you can do so
without compromising your individual judgment. Do not
hesitate to re-examine your own views and change your mind if
you believe you are wrong. But do not give up your honest belief
just because the other jurors may disagree, or just to end the
deliberations. After the verdict is read in court, you may be
asked individually whether you agree with it.
Trial Tr. p. 473. After the jury left the courtroom to deliberate, the alternate
juror was permitted to return home, so long as he did not impair his judgment.
When the trial court excused the sick juror, the alternate returned and joined
the jury. The post-conviction court found “no evidence . . . that [Robertson]
was prejudiced by the replacement . . . or that [trial counsel] had any basis to
object to the alternate juror returning for deliberations.” Appellant’s App. Vol.
II p. 33. Robertson was not present or consulted when the juror was replaced.
He contends that he was prejudiced because: (1) he had a right to be present for
the decision to use the alternate juror and (2) the jury should have begun
deliberations anew or should have been given specific new instructions for the
alternate juror to properly participate.
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[23] With respect to his first claim, Robertson fails to cite to any authority
suggesting that participation in the placement of an alternate juror is in any way
a decision that is fundamental to his defense. See Dew v. State, 843 N.E.2d 556,
565 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006) (noting that a defendant has a constitutional right to
participate in making decisions which are “fundamental” to his or her defense).
There were no objections to the selection of the alternate juror during voir dire
and there is no reason to conclude that there would have been a meritorious
basis for challenging the placement of the alternate juror once the other juror
became ill. As such, Robertson has failed to establish either that trial counsel
acted below the standard of care or that Robertson suffered any material
prejudice by it.
[24] With respect to his second claim, Robertson has failed to allege any prejudice
from the use of the alternate juror. Specifically, Robertson has not alleged, in
any way, that the use of the alternate juror impacted the decision of the jury
beyond bald guesses that group deliberations did not occur and that the rest of
the jury had already decided Robertson’s guilt before the alternate juror joined.
As he has shown no prejudice, Robertson’s claim on this issue fails.
E. Alibi Instruction
[25] Finally, Robertson claims that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to
request a jury instruction encompassing an alibi defense. Specifically,
Robertson focuses on trial counsel’s pre-trial notice to use an alibi defense and
subsequent decision not to seek it. Robertson’s sole alibi witness was Lisa
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White. White testified that she and Robertson stayed with each other from
December 19 through December 21, 2009, at the Knight’s Inn on East 21st
Street in Indianapolis. However, at trial, the State impeached White’s
testimony in two ways. First, the State introduced the Knight’s Inn’s business
records, which indicated that no one named Robertson or White had stayed at
that location on the dates testified to by White. Second, Detective Mayhew
testified that there were no records at the Knight’s Inn of either White or
Robertson staying there. Moreover, the jury submitted questions to White,
including whether White could produce a receipt from her alleged stay, which
she could not.
[26] It is apparent that trial counsel may have reasonably and strategically opted for
the defense of misidentification by Atterberry, rather than an alibi defense, after
White’s testimony was so severely undercut by the State. “Counsel is afforded
considerable discretion in choosing strategy and tactics, and we accord that
decision deference.” Connor v. State, 711 N.E.2d 1238, 1248 (Ind. 1999).
Considering the deference given to counsel on matters of trial strategy, and
considering the impeachment of White’s testimony and the jury’s own inquiries
about White, we cannot say that trial counsel’s decision to decline to request an
alibi instruction was a failure of his duty of care or that any prejudice resulted
from his decision to forgo this instruction. Thus, Robertson’s claim must fail.
[27] The judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.
Mathias, J., and Pyle, J., concur.
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