Ronnie Rice v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any May 30 2017, 9:07 am
court except for the purpose of establishing
CLERK
the defense of res judicata, collateral Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
estoppel, or the law of the case. and Tax Court
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Stephen T. Owens Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Public Defender of Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
Joanna Green James B. Martin
Deputy Public Defender Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Ronnie Rice, May 30, 2017
Appellant-Petitioner, Court of Appeals Case No.
45A05-1608-PC-1951
v. Appeal from the Lake Superior
Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable Diane R. Boswell,
Appellee-Respondent Judge
The Honorable Natalie Bokota,
Magistrate
Trial Court Cause No.
45G03-1410-PC-18
Altice, Judge.
Case Summary
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[1] Ronnie Rice appeals from the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief
(PCR Petition). He presents four issues for our review, which we reorder and
restate as follows:
1. Was Rice’s guilty plea knowingly, voluntarily, and
intelligently made?
2. Did the post-conviction court err in rejecting his claim of
ineffective assistance of trial counsel?
3. Did the post-conviction court err in rejecting his claim of
ineffective assistance of appellate counsel?
4. Did the trial court abuse its discretion in sentencing him to life
without the possibility of parole (LWOP)?
[2] We affirm.
Facts & Procedural History
[3] Maxine Urbanczyk arrived to work at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Merrillville at
around 8:30 a.m. on December 10, 2007. A store surveillance video shows Ms.
Urbanczyk going to the back door, looking through a peephole, opening the
door, and appearing to be familiar with the person on the other side. She
handed the person a cordless telephone and then placed a piece of cardboard
such that the door would not completely close, thus allowing access to the
restaurant. A short time later, the video shows Rice, who worked at the
restaurant, entering through the back door wearing a grey colored sweatshirt.
Another surveillance camera captured Rice crouching down behind the front
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counter where the safe is located and taking items from the safe. A few minutes
later, Rice is seen exiting the back door. Our Supreme Court, in considering
the nature of the offense upon review of Rice’s direct-appeal challenge to his
LWOP sentence, summarized what transpired while Rice was inside the
restaurant.
Rice arrived at work to rob the safe, but he needed Ms.
Urbanczyk’s help to do it. Not wanting to leave any witnesses to
his crime, he attacked Ms. Urbanczyk from behind with both a
chair and a hammer. She sustained 15 head injuries including
facial lacerations, cranial factures, brain contusions, and cranial
hemorrhaging; a fractured rib cage; and a bruised left lung. She
died from “extensive head injuries with chest injuries caused by
blunt force trauma.”
Rice v. State, 6 N.E.3d 940, 947 (Ind. 2014) (record citation omitted).
[4] A short time later two employees arrived at the restaurant but were unable to
gain access through the front door. Rice came from the back of the building,
approached one of his coworker’s cars, took off his “greyish looking”
sweatshirt, and put it in the back of her car. Sentencing Transcript at 67-8. Rice
then asked his other coworker if he could wear his black sweatshirt.
[5] During one of his interviews with police, Rice admitted that after he took the
money from the safe, he approached Ms. Urbanczyk from behind and pushed
her down and then hit her with a chair. At some point he grabbed a hammer
and “just went berserk.” Sentencing Hearing Exhibit 75A at 29.
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[6] During the investigation, police located a hammer behind a filing cabinet at the
crime scene. Swabs of blood taken from Rice’s grey sweatshirt and jeans
matched Ms. Urbancyzk’s DNA profile. Ms. Urbanczyk’s store keys were
found at the police station where Rice had hidden them while being
interviewed. Ms. Urbancyzk’s jacket and bags of cash totaling $3667.89 were
recovered from a dumpster near the area from where Rice appeared as he
approached the front of the restaurant and encountered his coworkers.
[7] On December 12, 2007, Rice was charged with murder, a felony, and murder in
the perpetration of a robbery, a felony. Rice’s family hired an attorney to
represent Rice.1 On February 5, 2008, the State amended the charging
information to include a charge of robbery as a class B felony. The State also
filed a request to seek a sentence of LWOP. The LWOP designation listed one
aggravator—Rice killed the victim while committing or attempting to commit
robbery.
[8] On September 18, 2008, Rice filed a motion to suppress his statements to police
and evidence gathered during a warrantless search of his home. The trial court
conducted a suppression hearing over three days and issued an order denying
Rice’s motion to suppress on February 24, 2009. Rice’s belated motion for
1
Attorney King testified at the post-conviction hearing that his first order of business in representing Rice
was to meet with the prosecutor and try to dissuade the State from seeking the death penalty.
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certification for interlocutory appeal was granted by the trial court, but this
court denied his motion to accept jurisdiction.
[9] On February 2, 2010, the trial court granted Rice’s motion to continue the trial
to afford his mitigation expert additional time to investigate and prepare a
report. On February 16, 2010, the trial court granted Rice’s petition for public
fund payment and reimbursement for mitigation-expert expenses.
[10] On January 18, 2011, six days before his scheduled jury trial, Rice pled guilty as
charged without the benefit of a plea agreement. Rice submitted a statement of
facts to serve as the factual basis for his guilty plea and therein acknowledged
that he faced a sentence of LWOP and that sentencing would be left to the
discretion of the trial court. After several continuances, a sentencing hearing
was held January 9 through 12, 2012. The State requested that the court
impose a sentence of LWOP. As mitigating evidence, Rice’s trial counsel
called his mother and sister as witnesses and submitted three exhibits. At the
conclusion of the hearing, the trial court sentenced Rice to LWOP.
[11] Rice exercised his right to directly appeal to our Supreme Court. On appeal,
Rice argued that the trial court erred in considering non-statutory aggravating
circumstances in imposing a sentence of LWOP and that his sentence of
LWOP was inappropriate. After holding oral argument, the Supreme Court
issued an order directing the trial court to revise its sentencing order to comport
with case law and to clarify whether it had relied upon non-statutory
aggravating factors in imposing a sentence of LWOP. Rice v. State, No. 45S00-
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1206-CR-343, Order Remanding for Revised Sentencing Order (Ind. Feb. 12,
2013). The trial court issued a revised sentencing order imposing a sentence of
LWOP. Rice again appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the sentencing
order remained deficient. See Rice v. State, 6 N.E.3d 940, 942 (Ind. 2014). In
the alternative, Rice requested that the Court revise his sentence to a term of
years. Id. at 946. The Court found no abuse of discretion by the trial court in
identifying aggravating factors and concluded that neither the nature of the
offense nor the character of the offender warranted a revision of Rice’s
sentence. Id. at 946-47.
[12] Rice, pro se, filed a PCR Petition on October 8, 2014. This petition was later
amended by counsel on May 15, 2015. The post-conviction court held an
evidentiary hearing on January 13, 14, and 15, 2016. The post-conviction court
denied Rice’s PCR petition on August 2, 2016. Rice now appeals. Additional
facts will be provided as necessary.
Discussion & Decision
[13] In a post-conviction proceeding, the petitioner bears the burden of establishing
grounds for relief by a preponderance of the evidence. Bethea v. State, 983
N.E.2d 1134, 1138 (Ind. 2013). “When appealing the denial of post-conviction
relief, the petitioner stands in the position of one appealing from a negative
judgment.” Id. (quoting Fisher v. State, 810 N.E.2d 674, 679 (Ind. 2004)). In
order to prevail, the petitioner must demonstrate that the evidence as a whole
leads unerringly and unmistakably to a conclusion opposite the post-conviction
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court’s conclusion. Id. Although we do not defer to a post-conviction court’s
legal conclusions, we will reverse its findings and judgment only upon a
showing of clear error, i.e., “that which leaves us with a definite and firm
conviction that a mistake has been made.” Id. (quoting Ben-Yisrayl v. State, 729
N.E.2d 102, 106 (Ind. 2000)).
1. Guilty Plea
[14] Rice argues that his guilty plea was not knowing, voluntary, and intelligent. 2
Specifically, he asserts that he did not understand that by pleading guilty he was
also waiving his right to have a jury determine his sentence. He claims that his
trial counsel misled him into thinking that pleading guilty with no benefit in
exchange for his plea was in his best interest.3
[15] With regard to sentencing, a guilty-plea defendant may waive his or her Sixth
Amendment right to have a jury determine, beyond a reasonable doubt, all facts
legally essential to the sentence so long as the defendant either stipulates to the
relevant facts or consents to judicial factfinding. Averitte v. State, 824 N.E.2d
2Rice is correct that post-conviction review is the appropriate mechanism by which to challenge the validity
of his guilty plea. See Prowell v. State, 687 N.E.2d 563, 564 n.1 (Ind. 1997) (“when a defendant pleads guilty,
he may challenge only sentencing errors on direct appeal, not alleged errors involving his guilty plea or
conviction”) (citing Tumulty v. State, 666 N.E.2d 394 (Ind. 1996)) (emphasis in original). The post-conviction
court erred in finding that Rice had waived his right to challenge the validity of his guilty plea by not raising
such argument in his direct appeal. The post-conviction court also concluded, however, that even if the issue
was not waived, Rice’s claim was meritless.
3
Rice does not dispute that he was advised of and understood that by pleading guilty he waived his right to
trial by jury, his right to confrontation, and his right against self-incrimination. See Griffin v. State, 617 N.E.2d
550, 552 (Ind. Ct. App. 1993) (noting that before a guilty plea may be considered voluntary and intelligent,
the record must disclose that the defendant knew he was waiving these particular constitutional rights).
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1283, 1287 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005) (citing Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296, 310-
312 (2004)). At the post-conviction relief hearing, Rice’s trial counsel testified
that he advised Rice that he could have a jury determine his sentence if he did
not plead guilty. Rice did not present any evidence to dispute this fact.
[16] Additionally, we note that at the guilty plea hearing, the trial court advised Rice
of his constitutional rights and Rice indicated his understanding that he still
faced a sentence of LWOP. Rice also submitted a document titled
“Defendant’s Statement of Facts Re: Guilty Plea” that set forth the factual basis
for the guilty plea and further provided:
I [referring to Rice] further understand that I will still face the
possible penalty for my crimes of life without parole and that by
pleading guilty, I am giving up my right to have a jury consider
evidence and recommend the appropriate penalty to the Court.
Rather, I understand that the Court will conduct a sentencing
hearing at a future date and that the Court alone will have
authority to determine my sentence for the crimes I am pleading
guilty to.
Direct Appeal Appendix Vol. One at 159-60. During the guilty-plea hearing, Rice
acknowledged his agreement with this statement and also affirmed that he had
read, understood, and signed the document. Rice was fully aware that even by
pleading guilty he faced a possible sentence of LWOP and that he was putting
himself at the mercy of the trial court rather than having a jury determine his
sentence.
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[17] To the extent Rice also claimed that he was misled by his trial counsel into
believing that he would benefit from pleading guilty, the post-conviction court
disagreed. The post-conviction court first noted that there was no evidence that
the State was willing to offer Rice a plea agreement with a different outcome.
Second, the post-conviction court also noted that Rice’s trial counsel explained
that, in his experience with cases of such a brutal nature, Rice stood a better
chance of avoiding a sentence of LWOP if he accepted responsibility and
submitted himself to the mercy of the trial court rather than asking a jury to
decide his fate. As noted by the post-conviction court, simply because the trial
court ultimately imposed a sentence of LWOP, does not establish that Rice was
misled into pleading guilty.
[18] We agree with the post-conviction court. Rice did not establish that he did not
knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently enter his guilty plea. The record
demonstrates that Rice was fully aware of his rights and made the decision to
follow counsel’s advice to accept responsibility by pleading guilty. He was not
misled. Rather, he expressly acknowledged that even with pleading guilty and
leaving sentencing to the trial court’s discretion, he still faced the possibility of
LWOP.
2. Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel
[19] A petitioner will prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel only
upon a showing that counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness and that the deficient performance prejudiced the petitioner.
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Bethea, 983 N.E.2d at 1138. To satisfy the first element, the petitioner must
demonstrate deficient performance, which is “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.” Id.
(quoting McCary v. State, 761 N.E.2d 389, 392 (Ind. 2002)). To satisfy the
second element, the petitioner must show prejudice, which is “a reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s errors, the result of the proceeding would
have been different.” Id. at 1139. Failure to satisfy either element will cause an
ineffectiveness claim to fail. Carrillo v. State, 982 N.E.2d 461, 464 (Ind. Ct. App.
2013). Thus, if a petitioner cannot establish prejudice, we need not evaluate the
reasonableness of counsel’s performance. Id.[20] There is a “strong presumption” that counsel rendered adequate service. Myers
v. State, 33 N.E.3d 1077, 1089 (Ind. 2015) (quoting Bethea, 983 N.E.2d at 1139).
“We afford counsel considerable discretion in choosing strategy and tactics, and
‘[i]solated mistakes, poor strategy, inexperience, and instances of bad judgment
do not necessarily render representation ineffective.’” State v. Hollin, 970
N.E.2d 147, 151 (Ind. 2012) (quoting Timberlake v. State, 753 N.E.2d 591, 603
(Ind. 2001)) (alteration in original). Indeed, “strategic choices made after
thorough investigation of law and facts relevant to plausible options are
virtually unchallengeable; and strategic choices made after less than complete
investigation are reasonable precisely to the extent that reasonable professional
judgments support the limitations on investigation.” Strickland v. Washington,
466 U.S. 668, 690-91 (1984).
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[21] Rice argues that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance when he
advised him to plead guilty and waive his right to have a jury determine his
sentence. In the context of a guilty plea, a petitioner must establish a
reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s errors, he would not have pled
guilty and would have instead insisted on going to trial. Scott v. State, 986
N.E.2d 292, 296 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013). “A reasonable probability is one that is
sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Kubsch v. State, 934
N.E.2d 1138, 1147 (Ind. 2010) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694).
[22] The evidence against Rice was overwhelming. Rice’s trial counsel testified at
the post-conviction hearing and explained that his strategy in advising Rice to
plead guilty without the benefit of a plea agreement was for Rice to receive
some consideration for having wholly accepted responsibility for the crimes.
Trial counsel further explained that in his experience, presenting a case of this
nature to a jury would have created a “greater challenge to avoid the ultimate
penalty sought than going directly to the Court.”4 Post-Conviction Transcript at
13. Trial counsel stated that he believed that “any consideration that would be
given was likely to come from a professional, a judge, [rather] than a jury.” Id.
at 14.
4
Trial counsel noted that a trial court was without discretion if a jury recommended LWOP. See Ind. Code §
35-50-2-9(e) (providing that “[i]f the jury reaches a sentencing recommendation [with regard to LWOP], the
court shall sentence the defendant accordingly”) (emphasis supplied).
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[23] Trial counsel’s opinion was based on the circumstances of the crime and the
evidence thereof, which would have painted a horrific picture of the last
moments of Ms. Urbancyzk’s life as Rice brutally attacked her with first a chair
and then a hammer in order to make sure there were no witnesses to his theft of
money. We agree with the post-conviction court that trial counsel’s decision to
advise Rice to plead guilty and give up his right to have a jury decide his
sentence was clearly a strategic decision and wholly reasonable given the
circumstances and brutal nature of the crime.
[24] Rice also asserts that the post-conviction court failed to address his argument
that trial counsel was ineffective because he advised Rice to plead guilty rather
than further pursue a challenge to the voluntariness of his confession at trial,
which would have, in turn, preserved the issue for review. Rice, however, does
not explain how he was prejudiced. Indeed, even if we assume that Rice’s
confession was obtained in violation of his constitutional rights and therefore
excluded, there was overwhelming independent evidence of his guilt. That
evidence clearly incriminated Rice in Ms. Urbanczyk’s death and would have
included details of how Rice bludgeoned her to death with a hammer as well as
gruesome pictures of the aftermath. Given the circumstances of the crime and
the overwhelming evidence, Rice would be hard pressed to make a plausible
argument that by not pleading guilty, the result of a trial would have been any
different.
[25] Rice argues that the post-conviction court failed to address his claim that trial
counsel’s argument that a sentence of LWOP would be disproportionate and
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racially-based was unreasonable and poorly presented. Trial counsel testified
that he spent a significant amount of time accumulating information about
other murder cases in Lake County in order to show a racial bias as it
concerned the decision to seek sentences of death or LWOP. Trial counsel put
into evidence the probable cause affidavit and charging information from thirty-
nine other murder cases in Lake County occurring in a five-year period ending
in August 2011. Trial counsel sought to show that the State pursued the death
penalty or LWOP in Lake County only when the victim was Caucasian and the
defendant was a minority, with very few exceptions. Trial counsel testified that
he was trying to point out that Rice’s crime was “not a particularly heinous
offense” as compared with other murder cases where the State sought only a
term of years. Post-Conviction Transcript at 34. In light of the information he had
gathered, trial counsel argued that a sentence of LWOP was therefore
inappropriate, especially if based only on the fact Rice is a minority.
[26] As noted by Rice, the trial court and the State attempted to refute trial counsel’s
argument by pointing to capital or LWOP cases not included in trial counsel’s
evidence. Rice faults his trial counsel for not “stand[ing] by the evidence he
presented and argue its mitigating effect.” Appellant’s Brief at 30. We have
reviewed the record and reject Rice’s claim that counsel performed deficiently
in this respect. Rice’s trial counsel adequately presented this argument to the
court and was able to get his point across even though he did not explicitly
distinguish those cases referenced by the trial court or the State. Indeed, as
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acknowledged by Rice, the cases mentioned by the trial court and the State did
not disprove trial counsel’s point.
[27] Rice argues that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance in failing to
adequately investigate and present available mitigation during the penalty
phase. At the sentencing hearing, Rice’s trial counsel called two witnesses on
his behalf and presented the evidence in support of his disproportionate-
sentence argument. Rice’s mother testified that Rice came from a broken home
and that his father had been violent at times. She further detailed that Rice had
been very close with his grandmother and that after her death he became
depressed and seemed to withdraw. She described her son as a kind-hearted,
loving person who was never violent. Rice’s sister echoed their mother’s
sentiments about Rice’s nature and disposition and explained that Rice was
under stress and was depressed at the time he committed the crimes. Both
noted that Rice had a gambling problem and money-related issues associated
therewith. Trial counsel did not present evidence from the mental health expert
he had retained.
[28] Rice called several witnesses at the post-conviction hearing—his sister, who
testified in greater detail about their dysfunctional family, and five additional
lay witnesses who each testified as to Rice’s non-violent nature, his rough
upbringing, and/or his dysfunctional family. Each witness claimed they would
have testified on Rice’s behalf at his sentencing hearing had his trial counsel
asked them. Rice also presented the testimony of Dr. Bart Ferraro, a clinical
psychologist, who evaluated Rice in 2015. Based on a review of the case file
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and interviews with family members, Dr. Ferraro concluded that Rice suffered
from a depressive disorder not otherwise specified and a mixed personality
disorder. He further explained the impact Rice’s upbringing had on him
generally and on the day of the crime. Rice asserts that had trial counsel
offered the testimony of the lay witnesses and Dr. Ferraro at the sentencing
hearing, there was a reasonable probability that he would have been sentenced
to a term of years rather than LWOP.
[29] When questioned at the post-conviction hearing, Rice’s trial counsel explained
he had reservations about the impact some of the potential witnesses would
have had at sentencing,5 so he did not call them to testify on Rice’s behalf. He
further explained that he did not call his mitigation expert as a witness because
he believed that Rice’s mother, who he found to be a “very bright, very
articulate woman,” would portray the substance of the expert’s findings in a
“very credible manner” with a measure of emotion that only a mother who
loves her son could provide. Post-Conviction Transcript at 22. Trial counsel
believed Rice’s mother “would be impactive in terms of defining Mr. Rice
beyond the four corners of the charges against him.” Id. at 23. He also noted
that Rice’s lack of criminal history was a crucial mitigating factor.
5
Trial counsel expressed particular concern for calling Rice’s father, noting that after meeting with Rice’s
father, he “did not form a positive impression” of him and found him to be “verbally combative.” Post-
Conviction Transcript at 22.
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[30] The post-conviction court summarized the testimony of the various witnesses
Rice submitted as providing possible mitigating evidence for sentencing
purposes. With regard to Dr. Ferraro’s testimony, the post-conviction court
noted that although Dr. Ferraro believed Rice suffered from the specified
disorders, he could not say that Rice was under the influence of an extreme
mental or emotional disturbance at the time of the crime or that Rice’s capacity
to conform his conduct was substantially impaired as a result of mental disease
or defect at the time of the crime.
[31] The post-conviction court also noted trial counsel’s efforts in terms of
investigating and presenting mitigating evidence at the sentencing hearing.
Specifically, Rice’s trial counsel had sought to hire a psychiatric expert without
beneficial results. Further, the post-conviction court noted that although trial
counsel did not call the mitigation expert as a witness on Rice’s behalf for
purposes of sentencing,6 trial counsel was privy to all of the information
gathered by the expert, including interviews with fourteen of Rice’s family
members and friends, and his conclusions based thereon. Finally, the post-
conviction court noted that trial counsel had personally met with several
individuals associated with or related to Rice. Ultimately, the post-conviction
6
Rice’s trial counsel retained Dr. George Savarese, a mitigation expert, who researched Rice and Rice’s
family and consulted with trial counsel. Trial counsel attempted to use Dr. Savarese’s assessment of Rice in
support of the motion to suppress Rice’s confession to police. Based on his research of Rice and Rice’s
family, Dr. Savarese concluded that Rice had cognitive deficits manifesting in a propensity for dissociation,
susceptibility to contrasting extremes, and memory deficits. Dr. Savarese also concluded that Rice suffered
from depression, dependent personality disorder, and bipolar disorder.
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court concluded that Rice’s trial counsel adequately investigated mitigating
circumstances and made a “tactical decision” with regard to how such
circumstances were presented to the court for its consideration in sentencing.
Appellant’s Appendix at 112. We have reviewed the record and cannot say that it
supports a conclusion opposite that reached by the post-conviction court.
Rice’s trial counsel was not ineffective with regard to his investigation and
presentation of mitigating circumstances for purposes of sentencing.
3. Ineffective Assistance of Appellate Counsel
[32] We review claims of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel using the same
standard applicable to claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Henley v.
State, 881 N.E.2d 639, 644 (Ind. 2008). Accordingly, to prevail on his claim,
Rice was required to show both that counsel’s performance was deficient and
that the deficiency resulted in prejudice. Id. Judicial scrutiny is highly
deferential regarding a claim that counsel was ineffective in failing to raise an
issue on appeal thus resulting in waiver for collateral review, and the defendant
must overcome the strongest presumption of adequate assistance. McKnight v.
State, 1 N.E.3d 193, 204 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013) (citing Reed v. State, 856 N.E.2d
1189, 1195 (Ind. 2006)).
[33] On direct appeal to our Supreme Court, appellate counsel challenged whether
the trial court impermissibly relied on non-statutory aggravators and whether a
sentence of LWOP was inappropriate for Rice. Rice argues that his appellate
counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to sufficiently state the
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appellate claims in terms of federal constitutional violations, thus failing to
preserve them for federal habeas review.
[34] The post-conviction court concluded that Rice failed to prove that he was
prejudiced by appellate counsel’s advocacy. Rice, citing Wilson v. Corcoran, 562
U.S. 1, 5 (2010), correctly asserts that federal habeas review exists only for
violations of federal law. (providing that “it is only noncompliance with federal
law that renders a State’s criminal judgment susceptible to collateral attack in
the federal courts”) (emphasis in original)). Specifically, Rice maintains that
appellate counsel should have argued that his right to due process and equal
protection under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States
Constitution were violated when the trial court considered and weighed non-
statutory aggravating factors in violation of state law.
[35] Rice’s argument itself sets forth why habeas review is not available. Rice
clearly states that his argument is based on a violation of state law. The United
States Supreme Court has repeatedly held that “‘federal habeas corpus relief
does not lie for errors of state law.’” Estelle v. McGuire, 502 U.S. 62, 67 (1991)
(quoting Lewis v. Jeffers, 497 U.S. 764, 780 (1990)). “[I]t is not the province of a
federal habeas court to reexamine state-court determinations on state-law
questions.” Estelle, 502 U.S., at 67-68.
[36] Further, the United States Supreme Court’s holding in Wilson, supra, actually
cuts against his argument. The Supreme Court granted certiorari and vacated
an opinion of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals granting habeas relief on a
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claim the Seventh Circuit characterized as whether “the Indiana trial court
considered non-statutory aggravating circumstances … in contravention of state
law.” Wilson, 562 U.S. at 5. The Supreme Court noted that the Seventh Circuit
opinion “contained no hint that it thought the violation of Indiana law it had
unearthed also entailed the infringement of any federal right.” Id. As noted
above, Rice’s argument is based on alleged violation of state law. Rice does not
articulate any specific violation of federal law with regard to his sentencing.
Rather, he simply reiterates the arguments he made on direct appeal to our
Supreme Court regarding the trial court’s consideration of non-statutory
aggravating factors in sentencing Rice to LWOP with a cursory suggestion that
such violated his right to due process and equal protection under the Fifth and
Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution.
[37] In light of the Supreme Court’s holding in Wilson, any attempt by appellate
counsel to “federalize” the argument that his sentence was in violation of state
law would not have preserved a meritorious claim for habeas review. The post-
conviction court did not err in concluding that appellate counsel was not
ineffective.
4. Sentencing
[38] Rice argues that the trial court abused its discretion in imposing a sentence of
LWOP. Rice acknowledges that our Supreme Court reviewed his allegations
that the trial court improperly considered non-statutory aggravating factors and
concluded that the trial court did not abuse its discretion. Rice now claims that
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our Supreme Court “side-stepped the fact the trial court explicitly considered
Rice’s future dangerousness in [the] revised sentencing order.” Appellant’s Brief
at 37.
[39] As a general rule, when a court decides an issue on direct appeal, the doctrine
of res judicata applies, thereby precluding its review in post-conviction
proceedings. Ben-Yisrayl, 738 N.E.2d at 258. The doctrine of res judicata
prevents the repetitious litigation of that which is essentially the same dispute.
Sweeney v. State, 704 N.E.2d 86, 94 (Ind. 1998). Our Supreme Court has
already reviewed the sentence imposed and held that the trial court did not
abuse its discretion in sentencing Rice to LWOP. Rice’s argument is barred by
res judicata.
[40] Judgment affirmed.
Riley, J. and Crone, J., concur.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A05-1608-PC-1951 | May 30, 2017 Page 20 of 20