Quentin J. Abbott v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Oct 07 2015, 10:05 am
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this
Memorandum Decision shall not be regarded as
precedent or cited before any 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
Quentin J. Abbott Gregory F. Zoeller
Carlisle, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
Michael Gene Worden
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Quentin J. Abbott, October 7, 2015
Appellant-Petitioner, Court of Appeals Case No.
34A05-1412-PC-604
v. Appeal from the Howard Circuit
Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable Lynn Murray, Judge
Appellee-Respondent.
Cause No. 34C01-1203-PC-57
Najam, Judge.
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Statement of the Case
[1] Quentin Abbott appeals the post-conviction court’s denial of his amended
petition for post-conviction relief. Abbott raises four issues for our review:
1. Whether the trial court denied him due process of law.
2. Whether the prosecutor committed misconduct that
denied him due process of law.
3. Whether he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel.
4. Whether he received ineffective assistance of appellate
counsel.
[2] We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
[3] The facts underlying Abbott’s conviction for murder, a felony, were set out in
this court’s decision on his direct appeal:
Mark Methene, a crack cocaine dealer recently released from
prison, owed Abbott approximately $800. Abbott complained of
this debt to others. On June 6, 2001, Marcus Herron picked up
Abbott and Dariel Jones and drove around Kokomo. Abbott
asked Herron to stop at another person’s home, where he
retrieved a shotgun and a box of shells. As the trio neared
Studebaker Park, Abbott loaded the shotgun with a single shell.
Methene was playing dice in the park when Abbott exited the car
with the shotgun. Herron told Abbott not to do anything stupid.
Abbott approached Methene, who had money in his hand, and
demanded repayment of the debt. Methene refused, argued with
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Abbott, and fled. Methene then turned and faced Abbott,
stating, “[B]itch, you gonna have to fight me for this money now,
because you done approached me with a gun; you don’t—you a
ho, you a bitch[.]” Tr. at 406. Methene ran back toward the dice
game area. Abbott aimed the shotgun at Methene and fired,
striking him in the back at close range. Methene later died from
this wound.
Abbott fled and flagged down his companions. Abbott
remarked, “I told him to stop playing my money.” Id. at 411.
Shortly thereafter, Abbott told another person, “I just shot that
nigger, Mark G, in the back.” Id. at 416. At Abbott’s request,
Herron drove him to Marion.
Abbott v. State, No. 34A04-0307-CR-322, slip op. at *2-*3 (Ind. Ct. App. Jan. 30,
2004) (“Abbott I”).
[4] The State charged Abbott with murder and sought life imprisonment without
parole. At the jury trial, the State elicited testimony that, on June 6, 2001,
witnesses saw Abbott at the crime scene pointing a gun at Methene, heard a
gunshot, and subsequently saw Methene with a gunshot wound. One
eyewitness, Derrick Green, testified that he saw Abbott shoot Methene.
Another witness, Dariel Jones, recanted his prior out-of-court sworn statement
to police wherein he identified Abbott as the shooter. Jones said his prior
statement was false and coerced. Jones’ prior statement was read to the jury
pursuant to Indiana Rule of Evidence 803(5) as a “recorded recollection”
exception to the rule against hearsay.
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[5] The jury found Abbott guilty of murder. The jury recommended against a
sentence of life without parole, and the trial court entered an order denying that
sentence. On June 4, 2003, after weighing aggravating and mitigating factors,
the trial court sentenced Abbott to sixty years1 executed. The court based the
five-year enhancement on several aggravating factors, including Abbott’s
extensive juvenile record and criminal history and his continued criminal
behavior even after receiving extensive rehabilitation services through the
juvenile and probation systems. The trial court noted that those aggravating
factors demonstrated an “escalating pattern of non-compliance with society’s
laws and rules” and found that Abbott was “in need of rehabilitative and
correctional treatment that can best be provided by commitment to a penal
facility.” Direct Appeal App. at 251.
[6] Abbott appealed his conviction on the sole ground that the State failed to negate
the presence of “sudden heat” beyond a reasonable doubt.2 This court affirmed
the trial court’s judgment. Abbott I, slip op. at *5. On March 15, 2012, Abbott
filed his Petition for Post-Conviction Relief, which he subsequently amended.
In his amended petition, Abbott raised numerous allegations of prosecutorial
misconduct, trial court abuse of discretion, ineffective assistance of trial
1
The statutory sentence for murder at the time of Abbott’s sentencing was “a fixed term of fifty (50) to fifty-
five (55) years, with not more than ten (10) years added for aggravating circumstances and not more than ten
(10) years subtracted for mitigating circumstances.” Ind. Code § 35-50-2-3 (2000).
2
“The existence of sudden heat is a mitigating factor that reduces what otherwise would be murder . . . to
voluntary manslaughter.” Ind. Code § 35-42-1-3(b) (2000).
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counsel, and ineffective assistance of his direct-appeal counsel. A hearing on
Abbott’s petition was held on September 26, 2014. On December 1, 2014, the
post-conviction court denied Abbott’s petition. This appeal ensued.
Discussion and Decision
Standard of Review
[7] Abbott appeals the post-conviction court’s denial of his amended petition for
post-conviction relief. Our standard of review is clear:
[The petitioner] bore the burden of establishing the grounds for
relief by a preponderance of the evidence. Ind. Post-Conviction
Rule 1(5). Because he is now appealing from a negative
judgment, to the extent his appeal turns on factual issues, [the
petitioner] must convince this Court that the evidence as a whole
leads unerringly and unmistakably to a decision opposite that
reached by the post[-]conviction court. Harrison v. State, 707
N.E.2d 767, 773 (Ind. 1999) (citing Spranger v. State, 650 N.E.2d
1117, 1119 (Ind. 1995)). We will disturb the decision only if the
evidence is without conflict and leads only to a conclusion
contrary to the result of the post[-]conviction court. Id. at 774.
Post[-]conviction procedures do not afford a petitioner with a
super-appeal, and not all issues are available. Rouster v. State, 705
N.E.2d 999, 1003 (Ind. 1999). Rather, subsequent collateral
challenges to convictions must be based on grounds enumerated
in the post[-]conviction rules. P C.R. 1(1); Rouster, 705 N.E.2d at
1003. If an issue was known and available, but not raised on
direct appeal, it is waived. Rouster, 705 N.E.2d at 1003. If it was
raised on appeal, but decided adversely, it is res judicata. Id.
(citing Lowery v. State, 640 N.E.2d 1031, 1037 (Ind. 1994)). If not
raised on direct appeal, a claim of ineffective assistance of trial
counsel is properly presented in a post[-]conviction proceeding.
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Woods v. State, 701 N.E.2d 1208, 1215 (Ind. 1998). A claim of
ineffective assistance of appellate counsel is also an appropriate
issue for post[-]conviction review. As a general rule, however,
most free-standing claims of error are not available in a post[-
]conviction proceeding because of the doctrines of waiver and res
judicata. Some of the same contentions, to varying degrees, may
be properly presented in support of a claim of ineffective
assistance of trial or appellate counsel.
Timberlake v. State, 753 N.E.2d 591, 597-98 (Ind. 2001).
Issue One: Precluded Claims
[8] Because both the claims of prosecutorial misconduct and trial court abuse of
discretion were known and available, but not raised, in Abbott’s direct appeal,
those claims are waived. Id. at 597 (citing Rouster v. State, 705 N.E.2d 999, 1003
(Ind. 1999)). However, Abbott’s claims of ineffective assistance of trial and
appellate counsel are properly before us for review. Id.
Issue Two: Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel
[9] Abbott argues that his trial counsel was ineffective. As our supreme court has
noted:
This Court reviews claims of ineffective assistance of counsel
under the two components set forth in Strickland v. Washington,
466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). First, the
defendant must show that counsel’s performance was deficient.
Id. at 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052. This requires a showing that counsel’s
representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness,
id. at 688, 104 S. Ct. 2052, and that the errors were so serious that
they resulted in a denial of the right to counsel guaranteed the
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defendant by the Sixth Amendment, id. at 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052.
Second, the defendant must show that the deficient performance
prejudiced the defendant. Id. 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. Id. at 694, 104 S. Ct. 2052. A
reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine
confidence in the outcome. Id.
Wentz v. State, 766 N.E.2d 351, 360 (Ind. 2002).
[10] We will not second-guess trial counsel’s strategy and tactics unless they are so
unreasonable that they fall outside objective standards. See, e.g., Benefield v.
State, 945 N.E.2d 791, 797 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011). Isolated mistakes, poor
strategy, inexperience, and instances of bad judgment do not necessarily render
representation ineffective. Wentz, 766 N.E.2d at 361. And if a claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel can be disposed of by analyzing the prejudice
prong alone, we will do so. Benefield, 935 N.E.2d at 797 (citing Wentz, 766
N.E.2d at 360).
[11] Abbott’s ineffective assistance of trial counsel claims allege that his counsel was
ineffective for failing to object at certain points in the trial. Specifically, he
claims his trial counsel was ineffective for: (1) failure to object to the admission
of Jones’ out-of-court statement; (2) failure to object to the trial court’s
identification of aggravating factors; (3) failure to object to the identification of
the aggravator that Abbott needed treatment in a penal facility; (4) failure to
object to the State questioning alluding to robbery; and (5) failure to object to
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the prosecutor’s statements in closing argument. “In order to prove ineffective
assistance of counsel due to the failure to object, a defendant must prove that an
objection would have been sustained if made and that he was prejudiced by the
failure.” Wrinkles v. State, 749 N.E.2d 1179, 1192 (Ind. 2001).
1. Failure to Object to Admission of Out-of-Court Statement
[12] Abbott alleges that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to thoroughly and
properly argue his objection to what Abbott refers to as Exhibit 213, which is an
audio recording of State’s witness Dariel Jones’ out-of-court, sworn statement
given to the police on June 20, 2001. However, we need not address whether
his counsel’s objection was ineffective because Abbott cannot show that he was
prejudiced by any such alleged error. In Jones’ June 20 statement he said that
he saw Abbott pointing a gun at Methene, heard a gunshot, and then saw
Methene fall to the ground. But there were several other eye-witnesses who
testified to these same facts. And, although no one but Jones said they heard
Abbott say that Abbott shot Methene, one eye-witness testified that he actually
saw Abbott shoot Methene. Thus, there was ample evidence to support the jury
verdict, and it is highly unlikely, much less probable, that the result of the trial
3
Although both parties and the post-conviction court refer to Jones’ June 20, 2001, out-of-court statement as
“Exhibit 21,” it was not actually admitted as an exhibit; rather, it was read into evidence without either the
recording or a transcription of the recording being admitted as an exhibit.
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would have been different but for trial counsel’s alleged failure to properly
object to Jones’ June 20 out-of-court statement.
2. Failure to Object to Trial Court Findings of Aggravating Factors
[13] Abbott argues that his counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the trial
court’s enhancement of his sentence based on aggravating factors not found
beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury as required by Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530
U.S. 466 (2000). 4 The United States Supreme Court held in Apprendi that any
fact that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed statutory
maximum must be submitted to a jury, and proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
Id. at 490. Four years later, in Blakely v. Washington, the Court clarified the
Apprendi rule by stating that “statutory maximum” means
the maximum sentence a judge may impose solely on the basis of
the facts reflected in the jury verdict or admitted by the
defendant. . . . In other words, the relevant “statutory
maximum” is not the maximum sentence a judge may impose
after finding additional facts, but the maximum he may impose
without any additional findings.
4
Abbott also cites Article 1, Section 19 of the Indiana Constitution as support for this argument. Article 1,
Section 19 provides: “In all criminal cases whatever, the jury shall have the right to determine the law and
facts.” Abbott provides no record evidence or legal authority relating to this state constitutional claim, nor
does he provide any cogent argument as to how this provision applies to his sentencing. Therefore, his claim
under Art. 1, § 19 is waived. Ind. Appellate Rule 46(A)(8)(a) (“Each contention must be supported by
citations to the authorities, statutes, and the Appendix or parts of the Record on Appeal relied on.”); Pierce v.
State, 29 N.E.3d 1258, 1267 (Ind. 2015) (noting failure to support arguments with appropriate citations to
legal authority and record evidence waives those arguments for our review).
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[14] 542 U.S. 296, 303-304 (2004) (internal citations omitted). Thus, under Blakely,
the trial court would not have been permitted to enhance Abbott’s sentence
beyond fifty-five years unless such enhancement was based on facts found by
the jury beyond a reasonable doubt.5
[15] Here, however, the trial court did not engage in impermissible fact-finding
when it enhanced Abbott’s sentence. A defendant’s juvenile record and
criminal history need not be found by a jury to be utilized by a trial court as an
aggravating circumstance. Freeze v. State, 827 N.E.2d 600 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005);
see also Teeters v. State, 817 N.E.2d 275, 279 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004) (holding that
prior criminal convictions “have already been proven beyond a reasonable
doubt and are thus exempt from the Apprendi rule”), trans. denied. Likewise, the
sentencing aggravator that Abbott was in need of correctional or rehabilitative
treatment that could best be provided by commitment to a penal facility was
derivative of the criminal history aggravator; thus, it also did not implicate
Apprendi and Blakely. Teeters, 817 N.E.2d at 279; see also Gillem v. State, 829
N.E.2d 598, 606 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005) (holding that the aggravating factor of
need for corrective treatment that can best be provided in a penal facility did not
5
However, prior to Blakely, Apprendi had not been interpreted to prohibit a trial court from finding additional
facts to enhance a sentence within the statutory maximum, which was sixty-five (65) years with enhancement
in Abbott’s case. Smylie v. State, 823 N.E.2d 679, 682-683 (Ind. 2005). And the Indiana Supreme Court has
held Blakely only applies retroactively to cases that were pending at the trial court or on direct appeal at the
time Blakely was decided, i.e., June 24, 2004. Id. At that time, Abbott had already been convicted and
sentenced, and his direct appeal had already been decided against him. Thus, Apprendi/Blakely would not
have prohibited the trial court from finding additional facts to enhance Abbott’s sentence by up to ten years
in any case. But, for the sake of argument, we nonetheless address Abbott’s Apprendi/Blakely claim.
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implicate Blakely because it was derived from the defendant’s criminal history),
trans. denied. Thus, the Apprendi/Blakely cases are not implicated here, and trial
counsel was not ineffective for failing to object on the basis of that authority.6
3. Failure to Object to Use of Aggravator that Abbott Needs
Treatment in a Penal Facility
[16] Abbott claims that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the
trial court’s finding as an aggravator that Abbott was in need of rehabilitative
and correctional treatment best provided by commitment to a penal facility. 7 In
support of this proposition Abbott cites Prickett v. State, 856 N.E.2d 1203 (Ind.
2006), in which our supreme court held that a trial court finding that a
defendant will best be served by treatment in a penal facility must include an
explanation as to how the enhancement relates to and would achieve the goal
of correctional and rehabilitative treatment. Id. at 1208.
[17] But, contrary to Abbott’s assertions, the trial court’s sentencing statement here
contains exactly such an explanation. The trial court found the aggravator of
need for treatment in a penal facility only after (1) detailing Abbott’s extensive
juvenile record and criminal history and his probation violations; (2) noting that
6
Moreover, our supreme court has held that Blakely created a new rule of criminal procedure such that
neither a trial nor appellate lawyer would be “ineffective for proceeding without making a Blakely claim
before Blakely was decided.” Smylie, 823 N.E.2d at 690.
7
Abbott also alleges, incorrectly, that the trial court improperly identified the aggravator that the imposition
of a lesser sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the crime. The trial court identified no such
aggravator.
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“[e]fforts to dissuade the Defendant from committing offenses and crimes
[have] failed, despite he [sic] having received intensive services in probation,
juvenile detention, and Boys[’] School, and having been incarcerated in jail”;
and (3) observing that Abbott has an “escalating pattern of non-compliance
with society’s laws and rules.” Direct Appeal App. at 251. Given this detailed
explanation of the facts justifying the use of the aggravator, the trial court did
not err and, thus, trial counsel did not err in failing to object.8 See Gillem, 829
N.E.2d at 604 (holding that the trial court had properly used the aggravator of
need for treatment in a penal facility where the court noted that the prior
attempts of probation and court ordered counseling had been unsuccessful).
4. Failure to Object to State Questioning Alluding to Robbery
[18] Abbott argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing “to object to the
State repeatedly pursuing a line of questioning that alluded to robbery.”
Appellant’s Br. at 19. Abbott claims this line of questioning was improper
because he was never charged with robbery and/or felony murder. However,
Abbott provides no citation to the record or authority to support his allegation.
An argument on appeal “must contain the contentions of the appellant on the
issues presented, supported by cogent reasoning. Each contention must be
supported by citations to the authorities, statutes, and the Appendix or parts of
8
Moreover, Abbott’s enhanced sentence would have been proper based on his extensive juvenile delinquent
and criminal history alone. “[O]nly one valid aggravating circumstance is necessary to support an enhanced
sentence.” Johnson v. State, 725 N.E.2d 864, 868 (Ind. 2000).
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the Record on Appeal relied on.” Ind. Appellate Rule 46(A)(8)(a). Failure to
support arguments with appropriate citations to legal authority and record
evidence waives those arguments for our review. Pierce v. State, 29 N.E.3d
1258, 1267 (Ind. 2015). Although we prefer to resolve cases on the merits
instead of procedural grounds like waiver whenever possible, Abbott’s complete
lack of citation to anything at all renders his non-compliance with Appellate
Rule 46(A)(8)(a) so substantial as to prevent our consideration of the issue. Id.
Abbott has waived this claim.
5. Failure to Object to Prosecutor’s Statements in Closing Argument
[19] Finally, Abbott alleges that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object
to four statements made by the prosecutor in his closing and reply arguments.
While the prosecutor certainly engaged in zealous advocacy here, none of his
statements constituted misconduct. And, even if they did, Abbott has provided
no evidence of prejudice to him from the failure to object to these statements.
[20] In his initial closing statement, the prosecutor implied that some witnesses
recanted their earlier statements because “they have to live under the worry and
threat from repercussions of their testimony here today.” Tr. at 474. Abbott
claims this statement was impermissible and constitutes prosecutorial
misconduct to which his counsel should have objected. However, a
prosecutor’s final argument may “state and discuss the evidence and reasonable
inferences derivable therefrom so long as there is no implication of personal
knowledge that is independent of the evidence.” Hobson v. State, 675 N.E.2d
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1090, 1096 (Ind. 1996) (emphasis added). Here, there was evidence in the
record that some witnesses were reluctant to testify, that some witnesses had to
be reminded of prior sworn statements, and that at least one witness had been
“threatened on the streets” and was afraid of “being known as a snitch.” Tr. at
424-25. The prosecutor’s statement was a reasonable inference derived from
that evidence.
[21] In his closing argument, the prosecutor also stated that Abbott had acted
“coldly, brazenly, [and] calculatingly” in shooting Methene, id. at 476; that
Abbott had “calculate[d] his move,” id. at 486-87; and that “[t]his is a cold
blooded murder, period,” id. at 487. Abbott claims it was impermissible for the
prosecutor to state his opinion in this way. Yet, a final argument “need not
consist of a bland recitation of the evidence devoid of thought-provoking
illustration.” Clark v. State, 597 N.E.2d 4, 10 (Ind. Ct. App. 1992), trans. denied.
Here, the prosecutor was using dramatic language to restate the intent
requirement for murder, i.e., that the murder was done knowingly and
intentionally. It is the prosecutor’s job to present a persuasive final argument.
See, e.g., Bowles v. State, 737 N.E.2d 1150, 1154 (Ind. 2000) (holding trial court
did not abuse its discretion in allowing prosecutor, in his closing argument, to
read a poem about a cockroach and compare the defendant to the cockroach);
Mahal v. State, 496 N.E.2d 568, 572 (Ind. 1986) (finding prosecutor’s closing
statement to jury that they should “not allow [defendant] to prey upon others”
and “not allow [defendant] to get to Jason or any other children” was “within
the ambit of reasonable prosecutorial advocacy”). Moreover, “statements of
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opinion are not prohibited” in closing arguments. Gregory v. State, 885 N.E.2d
697, 708 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008), trans. denied. Trial counsel was not ineffective for
failing to object to these statements by the prosecutor.
[22] In his rebuttal closing argument, the prosecutor told the jury, “if you buy the
power point presentation and you find Quentin Abbott guilty of Voluntary
Manslaughter, you have just rendered a verdict that says that he is excused for
murdering Mark Methene, that he had a reason or an excuse to shoot him
down in cold blood, period.” Tr. at 485. He also stated to the jury, “if you
asked Mark Methene whether he was voluntarily manslaughtered, I think he
would take great exception to that. He would say to you, Ladies and
Gentlemen, that June 6th Quentin Abbott knowingly and intentionally shot me
in the back and killed me, period, with no excuses.” Id. at 486. Abbott alleges
these statements constitute prosecutorial misconduct to which his counsel
should have objected. However, these statements were made in response to
Abbott’s closing argument that he should have been convicted of voluntary
manslaughter rather than murder. “Prosecutors are entitled to respond to
allegations and inferences raised by the defense even if the prosecutor’s
response would otherwise be objectionable.” Cooper v. State, 854 N.E.2d 831,
836 (Ind. 2006).
[23] Moreover, even if the prosecutor’s statements constituted misconduct, Abbott
has provided no evidence that his trial counsel’s failure to object to these
statements caused him any substantial prejudice. Abbott has not shown that
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there is a reasonable probability that, but for his trial counsel’s failure to object,
the result of his trial would have been different. Rather, the record contains
ample eye-witness testimony that could support the jury’s verdict regardless of
the prosecutor’s statements in closing argument.
Issue Three: Ineffective Assistance of Appellate Counsel
[24] Abbott raises six claims of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel: (1) failure
to raise claims of prosecutorial misconduct regarding the line of questioning
about robbery; (2) failure to raise claims of trial court abuse of discretion for
refusing to instruct the jury on lesser included offenses of reckless homicide and
involuntary manslaughter; (3) failure to raise claims regarding sentencing; (4)
failure to raise claims that Jones’ prior out-of-court statement was inadmissible
hearsay; (5) failure to raise claims of prosecutorial misconduct in closing
argument; and (6) failure to adequately argue that there was insufficient
evidence to prove Abbott did not act under “sudden heat.”
[25] The standard of review for these claims is the same as for allegations of
ineffective assistance of trial counsel; that is, the defendant must show counsel’s
performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, and, but for the
deficient performance of counsel, there is a reasonable probability that the result
of the proceeding would have been different. Hollowell v. State, 19 N.E.3d 263,
269 (Ind. 2014) (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687-88, 694). Ineffective
assistance of appellate counsel claims generally fall into one of three categories:
(1) denial of access to an appeal; (2) waiver of issues; and (3) failure to present
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issues well. Montgomery v. State, 21 N.E.3d 846, 854 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014), trans.
denied.
[26] Five of Abbott’s ineffective assistance of appellate counsel claims fall into the
second category, waiver of issues. “Ineffectiveness [under this category] ‘is very
rarely found’ because ‘the decision of what issues to raise is one of the most
important strategic decisions to be made by appellate counsel,’
and . . . ‘reviewing courts should be particularly deferential to counsel's
strategic decision to exclude certain issues in favor of others, unless such a
decision was unquestionably unreasonable.’” Id. (quoting Bieghler v. State, 690
N.E.2d 188, 193-94 (Ind. 1997)). In analyzing a waiver-of-issues claim, the
court first must determine whether the unraised issues were significant and
obvious upon the face of the record. Id. If so, the court then compares these
unraised obvious issues to those raised by appellate counsel, finding deficient
performance only when ignored issues are clearly stronger than those presented.
Id. The court “should not find deficient performance when counsel’s choice of
some issues over others was reasonable in light of the facts of the case and the
precedent available to counsel when that choice was made.” Bieghler, 690
N.E.2d at 194. And, of course, appellant counsel will not be faulted for failing
to raise what would have been a meritless claim. Overstreet v. State, 877 N.E.2d
144, 167 (Ind. 2007).
1. Failure to raise claim of prosecutorial misconduct regarding line of
questioning about robbery
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[27] Abbott again alleges that it was error for the prosecutor to ask questions about
robbery because Abbott was not charged with robbery. As noted previously,
Abbott has waived this claim by failing to provide citation to any authority or
record evidence as support. Pierce, 29 N.E.3d at 1267; App. R. 46(A)(8)(a).
[28] However, in his ineffective assistance of appellate counsel claim (unlike in his
claim regarding trial counsel), Abbott does cite to his “6th Amendment right to
be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him and to
prepare a defense,” claiming he had no notice of being charged with robbery.
Appellant’s Br. at 23. He also alleges that the “5th Amendment guarantees the
accused that he will not be tried for offenses not presented in the charging
information,” and that this right was violated when he was “convicted of a
crime different than that charged.” Id.
[29] Abbott’s claims regarding “robbery” all stem from Abbott’s mistaken belief that
he was convicted of robbery and/or felony murder. Abbott provides no citation
to the record in support of this belief and, in fact, the record contains no
showing that Abbott was ever accused of, charged with, or convicted of
robbery. The State did question witnesses about Abbott holding money in his
hand after the shooting of Methene. However, such questioning relates to
Abbott’s motive for shooting Methene, not to a separate crime of robbery. Of
course, motive is always relevant for proof of a crime. See, e.g., Turner v. State,
953 N.E.2d 1039, 1057 (Ind. 2011). Abbott’s appellate counsel was not
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ineffective for failing to argue prosecutorial misconduct relating to claims of
robbery.
2. Failure to raise claim of trial court abuse of discretion for refusing to instruct jury
on lesser included offenses of reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter.
[30] Abbott alleges that his appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to claim on
direct appeal that the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to instruct the
jury on reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter as lesser included
offenses of murder. The Indiana Supreme Court has developed a three-part test
that trial courts are to use when asked to instruct a jury on a lesser included
offense of the crime charged:
First, the trial court must compare the statute defining the crime
charged with the statute defining the alleged lesser included
offense to determine if the alleged lesser included offense is
inherently included in the crime charged. Id. at 566. Second, if a
trial court determines that an alleged lesser included offense is
not inherently included in the crime charged under step one, then
it must determine if the alleged lesser included offense is factually
included in the crime charged. Id. at 567. If the alleged lesser
included offense is neither inherently nor factually included in
the crime charged, the trial court should not give an instruction
on the alleged lesser included offense. Id. Third, if a trial court
has determined that an alleged lesser included offense is either
inherently or factually included in the crime charged, “it must
look at the evidence presented in the case by both parties” to
determine if there is a serious evidentiary dispute about the
element or elements distinguishing the greater from the lesser
offense and if, in view of this dispute, a jury could conclude that
the lesser offense was committed but not the greater. Id. “[I]t is
reversible error for a trial court not to give an instruction, when
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requested, on the inherently or factually included lesser offense”
if there is such an evidentiary dispute. Id.
Webb v. State, 963 N.E.2d 1103, 1106 (Ind. 2012) (citing and quoting Wright v.
State, 658 N.E.2d 563, 566-67 (Ind. 1995)).
[31] Involuntary manslaughter is not an inherently included lesser offense of
murder, as Abbott claims. See e.g., Ketcham v. State, 780 N.E.2d 1171, 1177
(Ind. Ct. App. 2003), trans. denied. However, it may be a factually included
lesser offense if the charging information alleges that a battery9 accomplished
the killing. Id. It is within the State’s “discretion to draft the information in a
manner that foreclose[s] the opportunity for [the defendant] to seek a conviction
on a lesser offense” that is not inherently included. Norris v. State, 943 N.E.2d
362, 369 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011), trans. denied; see also Jones v. State, 966 N.E.2d
1256, 1258 (Ind. 2012) (noting that, although the State cannot foreclose through
its drafting of the charging information an instruction on an inherently lesser
included offense, it may foreclose an instruction on a factually lesser included
offense). Here, the charging information contains no reference to battery; it
alleges only that Abbott “did knowingly and intentionally kill [a] human
being.” Appellant’s App. at 1. Therefore, involuntary manslaughter was not a
9
Battery is a knowing or intentional touching of another person in a rude, insolent, or angry manner. I.C. §
35-42-2-1 (2000)
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factually lesser included offense in this case, and appellate counsel did not err in
failing to raise such a claim.
[32] Reckless homicide is an inherently lesser included offense of murder. See, e.g.,
Lane v. State, 997 N.E.2d 83, 87-88 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013), trans. denied. The only
difference between a reckless homicide10 and a murder11 is that the latter
requires knowing or intentional conduct, while the former requires only reckless
conduct. Webb, 963 N.E.2d at 1106. Therefore, we must determine if the
evidence presented at trial by both parties created a serious evidentiary dispute
about whether Abbott knowingly12 or recklessly killed Methene. Wright, 658
N.E.2d at 567.
[33] Here there is no serious evidentiary dispute that Abbott acted knowingly and
intentionally. The evidence shows that he went to a friend’s house to get a gun,
got the gun, loaded the gun on the way to confront Methene about money, took
the gun with him when he got out of the car to confront Methene, got in an
argument with Methene, and shot Methene in the back as Methene walked
away from him after the argument. There is no evidence in the record to show
that Abbott shot Methene with anything less than an awareness of a high
10
“A person who recklessly kills another human being commits reckless homicide, a Class C felony.” I.C. §
35-42-1-5 (2000).
11
“A person who knowingly or intentionally kills another human being . . . commits murder, a felony.” I.C.
§ 35-42-1-1(1) (2000).
12
“A person engages in conduct ‘knowingly’ if, when he engages in the conduct, he is aware of a high
probability that he is doing so.” I.C. § 35-41-2-2(b) (2000).
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probability that he was engaged in killing. See, e.g., Lane, 997 N.E.2d at 89
(finding no serious evidentiary dispute that defendant acted knowingly when
evidence showed he shot victim in the back after a botched drug transaction).
Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to instruct the jury
on reckless homicide, and appellate counsel did not err in failing to raise such a
claim.
3. Failure to raise claims regarding sentencing
[34] Abbott alleges that his appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to appeal his
sentence under Indiana Appellate Rule 7(B).13 However, Abbott cites no
authority or record evidence in support of his Rule 7(B) claim. Nor does he
present any cogent argument as to why the sentence is inappropriate in light of
the nature of the offense and his character, let alone why a Rule 7(B) issue
would have been obviously stronger than the issues actually raised in his direct
appeal. See Montgomery, 21 N.E.3d at 854. Therefore his Rule 7(B) claim is
waived. App. R. 46(A)(8)(a); see Pierce, 29 N.E.3d at 1267.
[35] Abbott also alleges that the sentence was “unreasonable” because the jury, not
the judge, should have weighed the aggravating and mitigating factors.
13
Rule 7(B) allows us to revise a sentence if we find that the sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature
of the offense and the character of the offender. However, “sentencing is principally a discretionary function
in which the trial court’s judgment should receive considerable deference.” Cardwell v. State, 895 N.E.2d
1219, 1222 (Ind. 2008).
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Appellant’s Br. 28-29. For the reasons noted above, this apparent
Apprendi/Blakely claim fails.
[36] Finally, Abbott alleges that his appellate counsel erred by not arguing that the
trial court abused its discretion in considering the aggravating factor that Abbott
is in need of treatment best provided in a penal facility. This claim fails for the
same reason it failed as to the alleged ineffective assistance of trial counsel, i.e.,
the trial court’s sentencing statement explained why Abbott’s extensive juvenile
record and criminal history justified the use of this aggravator and, therefore,
the trial court did not err.
[37] Abbott’s ineffective assistance of appellate counsel claims related to sentencing
are without merit.
4. Failure to raise claim that Jones’ prior out-of-court statement was
inadmissible hearsay
[38] Abbott claims his appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise the
alleged inadmissibility of Jones’ January 20, 2001, prior out-of-court statement.
However, as noted above, Abbott has not demonstrated prejudice as a result of
the alleged error in the admission of Jones’ out of court statement. Abbott
cannot show that, but for that error, there is a reasonable probability that the
result of the proceedings would have been different. See, e.g., Bethea v. State, 983
N.E.2d 1134, 1139 (Ind. 2013) (holding that, even if appellate counsel’s failure
to raise a claim was unreasonable, the defendant still must demonstrate a
reasonable probability that the outcome of the direct appeal would have been
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different). Thus, his appellate counsel was not ineffective for failing to raise this
argument.
5. Failure to raise claim of prosecutorial misconduct in closing argument
[39] As noted previously, none of the prosecutor’s statements in closing argument
constituted misconduct; therefore, appellate counsel cannot be faulted for
failing to raise this claim on direct appeal. Moreover, even if one or all of the
prosecutor’s statements constituted misconduct, Abbott has failed to show
prejudice from those statements. The record contains ample evidence upon
which the jury could have relied for its verdict, regardless of the propriety of the
prosecutor’s closing arguments.
6. Failure to adequately argue that there was insufficient evidence to prove Abbott
did not act under “sudden heat”
[40] Abbott’s final claim of inadequate assistance of appellate counsel derives from
the third category for such claims, i.e., failure to present issues well.
Montgomery, 21 N.E.3d at 854. As our supreme court has noted, claims in this
category are the most difficult for defendants to advance and for reviewing
tribunals to support. Bieghler, 690 N.E.2d at 195. “[T]his is so because such
claims essentially require the reviewing court to reexamine and take another
look at 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.’” Hollowell v. State, 19 N.E.3d 263, 270 (Ind.
2014) (quoting Beighler, 690 N.E.2d at 195).
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[41] Abbott claims that, had his appellate counsel argued that Jones’ June 20, 2001,
out-of-court statement was inadmissible hearsay, there would have been no
basis for the finding that Abbott acted intentionally instead of “with sudden
heat.” As we have previously explained, Abbott is mistaken that the decision in
this case would have been any different had that statement been excluded.
There was ample evidence in the record besides the June 20 statement to
support the finding that Abbott acted intentionally and not “with sudden
heat.”14
Conclusion
[42] In sum, neither Abbott’s trial nor appellate counsel was ineffective in his
representation of Abbott; therefore, we affirm the judgment of the post-
conviction court.
[43] Affirmed.
Kirsch, J., and Barnes, J., concur.
14
Moreover, Abbott’s only claim as to why he acted with sudden heat is because Methene insulted him and
then walked away from him in front of other people. However, as we held in the direct appeal, mere words
or gestures of disrespect are not sufficient provocation to precipitate sudden heat. Abbott I, slip op. at *4-5
(citing Gregory v. State, 540 N.E.2d 585, 593 (Ind. 1989)).
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