State v. Sowell

[Cite as State v. Sowell, 2020-Ohio-2938.]
COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
STATE OF OHIO, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
No. 108018
v. :
ANTHONY E. SOWELL, :
Defendant-Appellant. :
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: May 14, 2020
Civil Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CR-09-530885-A
Appearances:
Mark A. Stanton, Cuyahoga County Public Defender,
Jeffrey M. Gamso and Erika B. Cunliffe, Assistant Public
Defenders, for appellee.
Michael C. O’Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecuting
Attorney, and Christopher D. Schroeder, Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney, for appellant.
EILEEN T. GALLAGHER, A.J.:
Defendant-appellant, Anthony E. Sowell, appeals from the judgment
of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas denying his petition for
postconviction relief. He raises the following assignments of error for review:
1. The trial court erred when it concluded that grounds one through
eleven of Sowell’s petition for postconviction relief were barred by the
doctrine of res judicata.
2. Sowell’s eleventh claim for relief, raising ineffective assistance of
counsel due to co-counsel’s lack of preparation and involvement, was
supported by evidence outside the trial record and required an
evidentiary hearing.
3. The trial court erred when it rejected Sowell’s third, fourth, and fifth
claims for relief based on its mistaken belief that they challenged the
state’s determination to seek the death penalty in this case for improper
reasons.
4. The trial court erred in rejecting the eighth and ninth claims for relief
based on the mistaken conclusion that mitigation evidence is only
proper if it is a cause of a defendant’s criminal behavior.
5. The trial court erred in failing to allow discovery and the
appropriation of funds for testing it had previously allowed but trial
counsel failed to undertake.
6. Sowell’s claims for postconviction relief presented sufficient
operative facts to merit relief or, at a minimum, an evidentiary hearing.
After careful review of the record and relevant case law, we find
Sowell’s petition for postconviction relief failed to set forth sufficient operative facts
to establish substantive grounds for relief. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s
judgment denying Sowell’s petition for postconviction relief without a hearing.
I. Procedural and Factual History
On October 28, 2009, a member of the Cleveland Police Department,
investigating a rape complaint filed by L.B., obtained warrants to arrest Sowell and
to search his home at 12205 Imperial Avenue in Cleveland. When officers executed
the search warrant the next evening, Sowell was not at home. In a room on the third
floor of the house, however, police found two decomposed female corpses lying on
the floor, that DNA analysis later confirmed were the bodies of Diane Turner and
Telacia Fortson.
Police obtained another warrant the next day and resumed searching
Sowell’s house, this time accompanied by personnel from the county coroner’s office
and a cadaver dog. They located a body beneath the basement staircase covered by
a large mound of dirt and two more on the third floor, one inside a black plastic bag
and one in a crawlspace concealed beneath more dirt. DNA analysis identified the
body in the basement as Janice Webb, the body in the plastic bag as Nancy Cobbs,
and the body in the crawlspace as Tishana Culver.
In the backyard, the cadaver dog alerted to a spot near the back porch,
where police located another body buried in a shallow grave. DNA analysis
identified the body as Tonia Carmichael.
The next day, on October 31, Sowell was seen on Mount Auburn
Avenue by a member of the public who had recognized him from news broadcasts.
Police were alerted and Sowell was arrested.
On November 3, police obtained another search warrant for Sowell’s
residence and this time arranged for a backhoe to be brought to the property. They
uncovered four more corpses and from DNA analysis eventually identified them as
the bodies of Michelle Mason, Kim Smith, Amelda Hunter, and Crystal Dozier. In
addition, a human skull, that DNA analysis eventually identified as belonging to
Leshanda Long, was found in a black plastic bag inside a red bucket in the basement.
No other parts of her body were located.
Autopsy results showed that Culver had suffered a fractured hyoid
bone in her neck, suggesting manual strangulation. Seven bodies — Carmichael,
Cobbs, Dozier, Fortson, Hunter, Mason, and Webb — had ligatures around their
necks, and the coroners concluded that their deaths had been caused by ligature
strangulation. The coroners further concluded that Long, Smith, and Turner were
killed by “homicidal violence” of “undetermined” type. Other evidence showed that
six bodies — Carmichael, Cobbs, Culver, Dozier, Smith, and Webb — had bindings,
or the remains of bindings, around their wrists and/or ankles.
Following the investigation, a grand jury returned an 85-count
indictment against Sowell. Counts 1 through 66 dealt with the 11 murder victims.
Regarding each victim, the grand jury indicted Sowell on two counts of aggravated
murder: one for prior calculation and design, R.C. 2903.01(A), and one for felony
murder, R.C. 2903.01(B), predicated on kidnapping.
Each aggravated-murder count carried 15 death-penalty
specifications. Two felony-murder specifications pursuant to R.C. 2929.04(A)(7)
were attached to each count — the first was predicated on kidnapping to terrorize or
inflict serious physical harm on the victim, and the second was predicated on
kidnapping to engage in sexual activity with the victim against the victim’s will.
In addition, each aggravated-murder count had 13 course-of-conduct
specifications pursuant to R.C. 2929.04(A)(5), alleging that the murder was part of
a course of conduct involving the purposeful killing of or attempt to kill two or more
victims. Each course-of-conduct specification cited one of the other murders or
attempted murders in this case as part of the course of conduct engaged in by Sowell.
Each aggravated-murder count and most of the noncapital counts
also included a sexual-motivation specification pursuant to R.C. 2941.147, a sexually
violent predator specification pursuant to R.C. 2941.148, a repeat-violent-offender
specification pursuant to R.C. 2941.149, and a prior-conviction specification
reflecting a prior conviction of attempted rape.
With respect to each murder victim, the indictment charged two
counts of kidnapping: one under R.C. 2905.01(A)(3) (having a purpose to terrorize
or to inflict serious physical harm) and another under R.C. 2905.01(A)(4) (having a
purpose to engage in sexual activity with the victim against the victim’s will).
Finally, the indictment charged one count of abuse of a corpse and one count of
tampering with evidence with respect to each aggravated murder victim.
Counts 67 to 85 charged Sowell with crimes against L.B., S.M., and
G.W., each of whom survived their encounters with Sowell. As to these victims,
whom the state identified as Jane Does in the original indictment, Sowell was
charged with two counts of kidnapping, pursuant to R.C. 2905.01(A)(3) and (A)(4),
and one count of attempted murder, pursuant to R.C. 2923.02 and 2903.02(A).
Sowell was also charged with two counts of rape committed against both L.B. and
S.M. and one count of attempted rape committed against G.W. In addition, Sowell
was charged with two counts of felonious assault pertaining to L.B. and one count
each with regard to S.M. and G.W. Finally, he was indicted for one count of the
aggravated robbery of G.W.
The matter proceeded to trial on June 26, 2011. After the state’s
presentation of evidence during the guilt phase of the trial, the defense moved for
acquittal. The trial court granted the motion as to Counts 38, 39, and 40 (felony-
murder and kidnapping of Long) and specifications 1, 2, and 16 (felony murder and
sexual-motivation specifications) to Count 37 (aggravated murder of Long with
prior calculation and design).
The defense did not call any witnesses in its case-in-chief, but it
submitted a number of exhibits into evidence before it rested. The jury returned
verdicts finding Sowell not guilty of Count 85 (aggravated robbery of G.W.) but
guilty of all other counts and specifications.
Prior to the penalty phase of trial, the trial court merged the
aggravated-murder counts for sentencing purposes. The state elected to proceed
under R.C. 2903.01(A), and thus, the jury considered 11 counts of aggravated
murder. Pursuant to the state’s election, the counts based on R.C. 2903.01(B) were
not submitted to the jury during the penalty phase of the trial.
The penalty phase of trial began on August 1, 2011. At the conclusion
of its penalty-phase deliberations, the jury unanimously recommended death
sentences for each of the 11 aggravated murders. The trial court accepted the
recommendations and sentenced Sowell to death on each of the 11 counts.
Sowell appealed from his capital convictions and sentences of death
to the Ohio Supreme Court as a matter of right pursuant to Article IV, Section
2(B)(2)(c), of the Ohio Constitution. On December 8, 2016, the Ohio Supreme Court
affirmed Sowell’s convictions and death sentences. State v. Sowell, 148 Ohio St. 3d
554, 2016-Ohio-8025, 71 N.E.3d 1034, ¶ 131, cert. denied, Sowell v. Ohio, __U.S.__,
138 S. Ct. 101, 199 L. Ed. 2d 63 (2017).
On August 13, 2012,1 Sowell filed a petition for postconviction relief
pursuant to R.C. 2953.21. In the petition, Sowell raised the following grounds for
relief:
1. Petitioner’s conviction and death sentence are void or voidable
because the trial court erred when it denied his repeated motions for a
change of venue, despite the fact that there was an overwhelming
amount of publicity surrounding the crimes.
2. Petitioner’s conviction and death sentence are void or voidable
because he received, and was prejudiced by, ineffective assistance of
counsel. Trial counsel were ineffective because they failed to attach
relevant evidence to their amended motions for change of venue.
3. Petitioner’s conviction and death sentence are void or voidable
because the death penalty is being selected, administered, and carried
out in an arbitrary, capricious, and discriminatory manner in Cuyahoga
County.
4. Petitioner’s conviction and death sentence are void or voidable
because his trial attorneys failed to argue and present evidence that the
death penalty is applied in an arbitrary manner by prosecutors
motivated by bias within the confines of a broken criminal justice
system in Cuyahoga County.
1
The postconviction proceedings were held in abeyance pending the Ohio
Supreme Court’s resolution of Sowell’s direct appeal.
5. Petitioner’s conviction and death sentence are void or voidable
because the death penalty law in Ohio is being abused in Cuyahoga
County, resulting in arbitrary, capricious, and discriminatory
application of death as punishment.
6. Petitioner’s conviction and death sentence are void or voidable
because his trial attorneys failed to present evidence that the death
penalty law of Ohio is being abused within the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga
County.
7. Petitioner’s constitutional rights to due process and a fair trial were
violated when the trial court allowed the state to impeach a defense
witness without proper grounds.
8. Petitioner’s conviction and death sentence are void or voidable
because he received, and was prejudiced by, ineffective assistance of
counsel. Counsel were ineffective because they failed to obtain a
positron emission tomography (“PET”) scan.
9. Petitioner’s sentences are void or voidable because he was denied
effective assistance of counsel at the penalty phase of his capital trial by
failing to hire a forensic psychologist with expertise in mitigation
evaluations.
10. The death sentence imposed on petitioner is void or voidable
because he did not receive the effective assistance of counsel during the
penalty phase of his capital trial. Trial counsel’s failure to retain
appropriate experts and properly supervise them led to a failure to
investigate and a failure to present available, relevant, and compelling
mitigating evidence to the jury, which prejudiced petitioner.
11. Petitioner’s judgment and sentence are void or voidable because he
was denied effective assistance of counsel during his capital trial due to
co-counsel’s lack of involvement and preparation.
12. Petitioner’s conviction and death sentence are void or voidable
because the trial court judge failed to recuse himself after he organized
a social event prior to the conclusion of petitioner’s case denying
petitioner due process and a fair trial.
13. Petitioner’s conviction and death sentence are void or voidable
because Ohio’s postconviction procedures do not provide an adequate
corrective process, in violation of the Constitution.
14. Petitioner’s judgment and sentence are void or voidable because,
assuming arguendo that none of the grounds for relief in his
postconviction petition individually warrant the relief sought from this
court, the cumulative effects of the errors and omissions presented in
the petition have been prejudicial and denied petitioner rights secured
by the United States Constitution and Ohio Constitution.
On November 26, 2018, the trial court issued findings of fact and
conclusions of law denying Sowell’s petition for postconviction relief without a
hearing. The trial court held, in relevant part:
Defendant’s first ground of relief — that the trial court erred when it
denied Sowell’s repeated motions for a change of venue — is barred by
res judicata and is otherwise not supported.
***
Defendant’s second, fourth, sixth, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh
grounds for relief — that he received ineffective assistance of trial
counsel — fail to satisfy the test set forth in Strickland v. Washington,
[466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984)] are
substantially without merit, and additionally are barred by res judicata.
***
Defendant’s third and fifth grounds for relief — that the death penalty
is being selected, administered, and carried out in an arbitrary,
capricious, or discriminatory manner in Cuyahoga County and that the
death penalty law of Ohio is being abused in Cuyahoga County,
resulting in the arbitrary, capricious, and discriminatory application of
death as punishment — is barred by res judicata and is otherwise
unsupported.
***
Defendant’s seventh ground for relief — that defendant’s rights to due
process and a fair trial were violated when the trial court allowed the
state to impeach a defense witness without proper grounds * * * is
barred by res judicata * * *. In addition, were this claim not barred by
res judicata, it * * * was harmless.
***
Defendant’s twelfth ground for relief — that defendant’s right to a fair
trial was violated because the trial court judge failed to recuse himself
after organizing a social event prior to the conclusion of defendant’s
case — is improper and not supported with any facts.
***
Defendant’s thirteenth ground for relief — that Ohio’s postconviction
procedures do not provide an adequate corrective process, in violation
of the constitution — is without merit and is denied.
***
In this case * * * there were no instances of error and therefore this
Court cannot apply cumulative error to grant defendant the relief he
seeks.
Sowell now appeals from the trial court’s judgment.2
II. Law and Analysis
Collectively, Sowell’s first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth
assignments of error challenge the trial court’s denial of his petition for
postconviction relief without a hearing. For the purposes of this appeal, we address
Sowell’s assignments of error out of order when appropriate.
A. Standard of Review
Postconviction relief is governed by R.C. 2953.21, which provides in
relevant part as follows:
(A)(1)(a) Any person who has been convicted of a criminal offense * * *
and who claims that there was such a denial or infringement of the
person’s rights as to render the judgment void or voidable under the
Ohio Constitution or the Constitution of the United States * * *, may
2 The appeal does not challenge the trial court’s resolution of Sowell’s twelfth and
fourteenth grounds for relief.
file a petition in the court that imposed sentence, stating the grounds
for relief relied upon, and asking the court to vacate or set aside the
judgment or sentence or to grant other appropriate relief. The
petitioner may file a supporting affidavit and other documentary
evidence in support of the claim for relief.
***
(D) Before granting a hearing on a petition filed under division (A) of
this section, the court shall determine whether there are substantive
grounds for relief. In making such a determination, the court shall
consider, in addition to the petition, the supporting affidavits, and the
documentary evidence, all the files and records pertaining to the
proceedings against the petitioner, including, but not limited to, the
indictment, the court’s journal entries, the journalized records of the
clerk of the court, and the court reporter’s transcript. * * *
***
(F) Unless the petition and the files and records of the case show the
petitioner is not entitled to relief, the court shall proceed to a prompt
hearing on the issues even if a direct appeal of the case is pending.
***
The postconviction relief process is a civil collateral attack on a
criminal judgment, in which the petitioner may present constitutional issues to the
court that would otherwise be impossible to review because the evidence supporting
the issues is not contained in the record of the petitioner’s criminal conviction. State
v. Calhoun, 86 Ohio St. 3d 279, 281, 714 N.E.2d 905 (1999); State v. Carter, 10th
Dist. Franklin No. 13AP-4, 2013-Ohio-4058, ¶ 15. Postconviction review is not a
constitutional right but, rather, is a narrow remedy that affords a petitioner no rights
beyond those granted by statute. Id. at 281-282. A postconviction relief petition does
not provide a petitioner a second opportunity to litigate his or her conviction. State
v. Hessler, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 01AP-1011, 2002-Ohio-3321, ¶ 32.
A petitioner is not automatically entitled to an evidentiary hearing on
a petition for postconviction relief. State v. Jackson, 64 Ohio St. 2d 107, 110-113, 413
N.E.2d 819 (1980). Rather, to warrant an evidentiary hearing on a petition for
postconviction relief, a petitioner bears the initial burden of providing evidence that
demonstrates a cognizable claim of constitutional error. R.C. 2953.21(D); Hessler at
¶ 33.
Thus, a trial court has a statutorily imposed duty to ensure a
defendant presents evidence sufficient to warrant a hearing. State v. Cole, 2 Ohio
St.3d 112, 113, 443 N.E.2d 169 (1982). The evidence must show “there was such a
denial or infringement of the person’s rights as to render the judgment void or
voidable under the Ohio Constitution or the Constitution of the United States.” R.C.
2953.21(A)(1)(a); Calhoun at 282-283. Pursuant to R.C. 2953.21(D), a defendant’s
petition for postconviction relief may be denied by a trial court without holding an
evidentiary hearing “where the petition, the supporting affidavits, the documentary
evidence, the files, and the records do not demonstrate that the petitioner set forth
sufficient operative facts to establish substantive grounds for relief.” Id. at
paragraph two of the syllabus. When making such a determination, a trial court has
the discretion to weigh the credibility of any affidavits submitted with the petition.
Id. at 284. In doing so, the trial court should consider the following relevant factors:
(1) whether the judge reviewing the postconviction relief petition also
presided at the trial, (2) whether multiple affidavits contain nearly
identical language, or otherwise appear to have been drafted by the
same person, (3) whether the affidavits contain or rely on hearsay, (4)
whether the affiants are relatives of the petitioner, or otherwise
interested in the success of the petitioner’s efforts, and (5) whether the
affidavits contradict evidence proffered by the defense at trial.
Moreover, a trial court may find sworn testimony in an affidavit to be
contradicted by evidence in the record by the same witness, or to be
internally inconsistent, thereby weakening the credibility of that
testimony.
Id. at 285, citing State v. Moore, 99 Ohio App. 3d 748, 754-756, 651 N.E.2d 1319 (1st
Dist.1994). “Depending on the entire record, one or more of these or other factors
may be sufficient to justify the conclusion that an affidavit asserting information
outside the record lacks credibility.” Id.
We review the trial court’s ruling on a postconviction petition for an
abuse of discretion. State v. Gondor, 112 Ohio St. 3d 377, 2006-Ohio-6679, 860
N.E.2d 77, ¶ 45. An abuse of discretion connotes more than an error of law or
judgment, it entails a decision that is unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable.
Blakemore v. Blakemore, 5 Ohio St. 3d 217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983).
B. Application of Res Judicata – Ground Nos. 1-11
In his first assignment of error, Sowell argues the trial court erred
when it concluded that grounds 1-11 of his petition for postconviction relief were
barred by the doctrine of res judicata.
A petition for postconviction relief may be dismissed without an
evidentiary hearing when the claims raised are barred by the doctrine of res judicata.
State v. Perry, 10 Ohio St. 2d 175, 226 N.E.2d 104 (1967), paragraphs seven, eight,
and nine of the syllabus. Under the doctrine of res judicata,
a final judgment of conviction bars a convicted defendant who was
represented by counsel from raising and litigating in any proceeding
except an appeal of that judgment, any defense or any claimed lack of
due process that was raised or could have been raised by the defendant
at the trial which resulted in that judgment of conviction, or on an
appeal from that judgment.
Id. at paragraph nine of the syllabus. Thus, issues properly raised in a petition for
postconviction relief are those that could not have been raised on direct appeal
because the evidence supporting such issues is outside the record. State v. Dowell,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 86232, 2006-Ohio-110, ¶ 10, citing State v. Durr, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 65958, 1994 Ohio App. LEXIS 3758 (Aug. 25, 1994). If an issue was,
or could have been raised on direct appeal, the trial court may dismiss the petition
on the basis of res judicata. State v. Cody, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 102213, 2015-
Ohio-2764, ¶ 16, citing State v. Tucker, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 84595, 2005-Ohio-
109, ¶ 11, citing State v. Edwards, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 73915, 1999 Ohio App.
LEXIS 894 (Mar. 11, 1999).
Generally, “the introduction of evidence in an R.C. 2953.21 petition
outside the record is sufficient, if not to mandate a hearing, at least to avoid
dismissal on the basis of res judicata.” Cole, 2 Ohio St. 3d at 114, 443 N.E.2d 169.
However, the evidence submitted in support of the petition “must meet some
threshold standard of cogency; otherwise it would be too easy to defeat the holding
of Perry by simply attaching as exhibits evidence which is only marginally
significant and does not advance the petitioner’s claim beyond mere hypothesis and
a desire for further discovery.” State v. Lawson, 103 Ohio App. 3d 307, 659 N.E.2d
362 (12th Dist.1995), quoting State v. Coleman, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-900811,
1993 Ohio App. LEXIS 1485, 21 (Mar. 17, 1993). “The evidence submitted with the
petition must be competent, relevant, and material and not merely cumulative of or
alternative to evidence presented at trial.” State v. Jackson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
104132, 2017-Ohio-2651, ¶ 16, citing State v. Combs, 100 Ohio App. 3d 90, 98, 652
N.E.2d 205 (1st Dist.1994).
With the foregoing principles in mind, we now address grounds 1-11
of Sowell’s petition for postconviction relief.
1. Change of Venue — Ground Nos. 1 and 2
In his first ground for relief, Sowell argues the trial court deprived him
of the constitutional right to a fair trial by an impartial jury “when it denied the
repeated motions for a change of venue, despite the fact that there was an
overwhelming amount of publicity surrounding the crimes.”
In this case, Sowell filed a motion for change of venue based on
adverse pretrial publicity on January 27, 2010. The motion included an appendix
containing 161 pages of various news article that intended to show the extent of the
media coverage. The trial court denied the motion on January 29, 2010.
Subsequently, Sowell filed an amended motion for change of venue based on adverse
pretrial publicity. On June 2, 2010, the trial court denied the amended motion.
However, the court stated that it would reconsider Sowell’s motion “should it be
determined during voir dire that it would be impossible for the defendant to receive
a fair trial in Cuyahoga County.” Sowell filed a second amended motion for change
of venue on May 16, 2011. Again, the trial court stated that it would reserve
judgment until the commencement of voir dire. At the conclusion of individual voir
dire, Sowell orally renewed his motion for change of venue. (Tr. 5168.) Upon
consideration, the trial court denied the request, stating:
Again, and in response to that, I’ll just state, even though the jurors did
indicate a knowledge of this case through media sources, those that
were passed through that will be part of the general voir dire all have
certainly expressed the view to the Court that they would be able to put
that knowledge aside, afford the defendant the presumption of
innocence to which he is entitled and decide this case based solely on
the evidence submitted in this courtroom.
(Tr. 5168.)
In his direct appeal before the Ohio Supreme Court, Sowell’s first
proposition of law argued “that prejudicial pretrial publicity denied him a fair trial,
that the publicity was so pervasive that the trial court should have presumed
prejudice, and that the court erred by denying his requests for a change of venue.”
Sowell, 148 Ohio St. 3d 554, 2016-Ohio-8025, 71 N.E.3d 1034, at ¶ 54. Ultimately,
the Ohio Supreme Court determined that the trial court did not abuse its discretion
in denying Sowell’s motions for change of venue. The court found “the publicity
prior to Sowell’s trial was not so pervasive that Sowell was denied a fair trial.” Id. at
¶ 57-60.
Sowell now reiterates the arguments previously raised on direct
appeal. In support of his first ground of relief, Sowell attached approximately 149
additional news articles that were issued after the initial change of venue motion
was filed in January 2010. Sowell contends that the additional news articles
demonstrate the alleged prejudicial scope of the adverse publicity and media
coverage in his case.
After careful review, we find the doctrine of res judicata bars Sowell’s
attempt to relitigate the merits of the trial court’s judgment under the first ground
for relief. As stated, Sowell explicitly argued on direct appeal that the trial court
erred by overruling his motion to change venue. The Ohio Supreme Court
unambiguously rejected Sowell’s claim, and Sowell’s inclusion of additional media
reports does not negate the application of res judicata in this instance.
Unquestionably, the substance of the articles attached to Sowell’s petition for
postconviction relief were merely cumulative to the articles that were originally
attached to his motion to vacate before the trial court. In addition, the majority of
the additional news articles were available to defense counsel at the time of trial and,
therefore, could have been submitted in support of the renewed motion for a change
of venue. See State v. McKnight, 4th Dist. Vinton No. 07CA665, 2008-Ohio-2435,
¶ 26, citing State v. Campbell, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 03AP-147, 2003-Ohio-6305,
¶ 18 (noting that petitioner submitted over 50 newspaper articles published about
the crime before his trial in attempt to overcome res judicata bar); State v. Palmer,
7th Dist. Belmont No. 96BA70, 1999 Ohio App. LEXIS 4986, 17 (Oct. 20, 1999)
(concluding that res judicata barred pretrial publicity claim when newspaper articles
were available at time of trial). The additional evidence, therefore, failed to meet the
“threshold standard of cogency.”
Relatedly, Sowell argues in his second ground for relief that defense
counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel by failing to attach the additional
media reports in support of the amended motions for change of venue. Sowell argues
that the additional articles would have demonstrated to the court that the “pervasive
nature of the pretrial publicity” did not end after the first amended change-of-venue
motion was filed. In Sowell’s view, a comprehensive understanding of the
prejudicial media coverage was necessary and that “had trial counsel acted
competently, the trial court would have granted his motion for change of venue.”
In finding Sowell’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim to be
without merit, the trial court applied the doctrine of res judicata because the issue
of venue was raised in Sowell’s direct appeal. Alternatively, the trial court found that
the evidence attached in support of the second ground for relief did not establish a
valid ineffective assistance of counsel claim, stating:
In light of the court’s repeated denials of defendant’s requests to change
venue, any additional or supplemental motion for change of venue by
defendant had little, if any, chance of success. The court reserved any
final decision on a change of venue until after voir dire began. When it
determined, after an extensive and time consuming voir dire, that it
was possible to seat a panel of jurors from the venire summoned on this
case, and that those jurors did not express any actual bias, the court
declined to modify its prior rulings on defendant’s successive motions
for change of venue. Any further motions for change of venue,
regardless of how many articles were included, would have been denied
on this same basis. Therefore, defendant cannot show that his trial
counsel was deficient for not including additional articles in his
[motion for change of venue].
To succeed on a claim of ineffective assistance, a defendant must
establish that counsel’s performance was deficient and that the defendant was
prejudiced by the deficient performance. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668,
687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984); State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St. 3d 136,
538 N.E.2d 373 (1989). Prejudice is established if the defendant proves the
existence of a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s errors, the result of the
trial would have been different. Bradley at 143. In evaluating a claim of ineffective
assistance of counsel, a court must give great deference to counsel’s performance.
Strickland at 689. “A reviewing court will strongly presume that counsel rendered
adequate assistance and made all significant decisions in the exercise of reasonable
professional judgment.” State v. Pawlak, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 99555, 2014-
Ohio-2175, ¶ 69.
To be entitled to a hearing on an ineffective assistance of counsel
claim in a petition for postconviction relief, the petitioner bears the initial burden of
submitting evidentiary materials containing sufficient operative facts which, if
believed, would establish defense counsel had substantially violated at least one of a
defense attorney’s essential duties to his client and that the defendant was
prejudiced as a result. Cole, 2 Ohio St. 3d at 114, 443 N.E.2d 169; Jackson, 64 Ohio
St.2d 107, 413 N.E.2d 819, at syllabus. “Generally, where evidence dehors the record
‘is merely cumulative to that presented at trial,’ it is not sufficient to establish
ineffective assistance of counsel.” State v. Frazier, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-07-1388,
2008-Ohio-5027, ¶ 57, quoting State v. Smith, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-99-1310, 2001
Ohio App. LEXIS 665 (Feb. 23, 2001), citing State v. Powell, 90 Ohio App. 3d 260,
270, 629 N.E.2d 13 (1st Dist.1993).
“[I]neffective assistance of counsel ordinarily should be raised on
direct appeal.” State v. Jones, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 83601, 2004-Ohio-3868, ¶ 6.
However, “when allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel hinge on facts not
appearing in the record, the proper remedy is a petition for postconviction relief
rather than direct appeal.” State v. Curtis, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 89412, 2008-
Ohio-916, ¶ 8. In contrast, a trial court properly dismisses a petition for
postconviction relief based on res judicata when the defendant, “represented by new
counsel upon direct appeal, fails to raise therein the issue of competent trial counsel
and said issue could fairly have been determined without resort to evidence de hors
the record[.]” Cole at syllabus.
In this instance, Sowell’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim
hinges on materials that are not part of the trial record. Nevertheless, without
addressing the trial court’s discussion of res judicata, we find the trial court did not
err in determining that the evidence attached in support of the second ground for
relief does not satisfy the requirements of Strickland. Defense counsel had
previously, yet unsuccessfully, argued the merits of the motion for change of venue
and submitted hundreds of news articles in support of counsel’s claim of prejudicial
pretrial publicity. Ohio courts have routinely held that defense counsel’s failure to
include every piece of publicity surrounding a case does not amount to ineffective
assistance of counsel when the trial court is well aware of the level of publicity.
McKnight, 4th Dist. Vinton No. 07CA665, 2008-Ohio-2435, at ¶ 31, citing State v.
Moreland, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 17557, 2000 Ohio App. LEXIS 14, 21 (Jan. 7,
2000). In this case, the trial court was well aware of the extent of pretrial publicity,
but ultimately determined that a fair trial was possible pursuant to the jurors’
responses during voir dire. As discussed, the substance of the additional news
articles was merely cumulative to those articles already presented to the trial court.
Under these circumstances, we find counsel’s failure to include the additional news
articles in its motion to change venue did not prejudice Sowell.
Based on the foregoing, we are unable to conclude that the trial court
abused its discretion in denying Sowell’s first and second grounds for relief without
a hearing.
2. Constitutionality of the Death Penalty in Cuyahoga County –
Ground Nos. 3 and 5
In his third ground for relief, Sowell argues the death penalty is being
selected, administered, and carried out in an arbitrary, capricious, and
discriminatory manner in Cuyahoga County. Sowell asserts that the unfair
application of the death penalty in this county “stems from a criminal justice system
fraught with inefficiency and a practice of uncontrolled discretion afforded to the
Cuyahoga County prosecutor.”
Similarly, Sowell’s fifth ground for relief argues the death penalty is
“being abused in Cuyahoga County,” stating that “the wide discrepancy in capital
sentencing between races in Cuyahoga County demonstrates the discriminatory
manner in which the system is operating” and “shows that the race of the defendant
plays a clear role in a prosecutor’s determination of whether or not to seek a penalty
of death.”
In support of the third and fifth grounds for relief, Sowell attached
petitioner’s Exhibit B, which purports to be a list of all capital sentences imposed in
Ohio from 1981 to the time of Sowell’s sentence. The statistical chart sets forth (1)
the name of the defendant, (2) the defendant’s race, (3) the victim’s race, (4) the
county of venue, (5) the date of the capital sentence, and (6) the status of the case.
According to Sowell, the data reflects that “since 1982, less than 10 percent of the
death sentences handed down in Cuyahoga County have actually resulted in the
execution of the sentenced defendant.” Sowell further suggests that the data shows
that “68 percent of those sentenced to death [in Cuyahoga County] have been
African-American or non-white.”
In its findings of fact and conclusions of law, the trial court considered
the third and fifth grounds for relief together. Ultimately, the trial court found the
grounds are barred by res judicata, as “the validity and operation of the death
penalty in Cuyahoga County was capable of being raised on direct appeal and, in
fact, was raised by defendant in his appeal.” In addition, the trial court determined
that petitioner’s Exhibit B failed to set forth operative facts to establish substantive
grounds for relief because it contained “an insufficient sampling of the total pool of
capital defendants in Cuyahoga County.” The court further noted that the Sowell
case involved “one of the worst, if not the worst, capital murder cases in the State of
Ohio” and, therefore, was not selected, administered, carried out, or abused by
Cuyahoga County “in this case.”
In Sowell’s direct appeal, the Ohio Supreme Court overruled various
constitutional challenges to Ohio’s death penalty statute. Sowell, 148 Ohio St. 3d
554, 2016-Ohio-8025, 71 N.E.3d 1034, at ¶ 149-152. In particular, the Ohio Supreme
Court conducted a proportionality review of Sowell’s sentence, and rejected his
position that Ohio’s death penalty statute allows for the imposition of the death
penalty in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner. Id. Sowell now attempts to
relitigate his constitutional claims by narrowing his argument to the application of
the death penalty in Cuyahoga County. We are unpersuaded. The statistical data
submitted in support of his claims sets forth information relating to all capital
punishment cases in Ohio since 1981. Such statistical data was available to Sowell
at the time of trial and his direct appeal. Under nearly identical circumstances, Ohio
courts have applied the doctrine of res judicata to analogous constitutional
challenges to the death penalty in a postconviction petition. See State v. Hale, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 103654, 2016-Ohio-5837, ¶ 42-45; State v. Foust, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 83771, 2005-Ohio-5331, ¶ 20 (Statistical evidence of the death
penalty in Cuyahoga County “was available to [the petitioner] at the time of his direct
appeal and accordingly, this claim is barred by res judicata.”); Frazier, 6th Dist.
Lucas No. L-07-1388, 2008-Ohio-5027, ¶ 68 (Applying res judicata to claim that the
death penalty is arbitrarily and discriminatorily applied in Lucas County, Ohio);
State v. Lynch, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-010209, 2001 Ohio App. LEXIS 5765, 9
(Dec. 21, 2001) (applying res judicata to claim that the death penalty is arbitrarily
applied in Hamilton County, Ohio); State v. Jones, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-990813,
2000 Ohio App. LEXIS 6197, 8 (Dec. 29, 2000) (applying res judicata to claim that
the death penalty is arbitrarily applied in Hamilton County, Ohio).
Nevertheless, even if this court were to accept Sowell’s position that
res judicata does not apply because his claims rely on statistical data dehors the
record, we find his claims are without merit.
Regarding Sowell’s contention that the death penalty is arbitrarily
applied in Cuyahoga County, the Ohio Supreme Court has previously rejected the
argument that the death penalty is unconstitutional because it is applied at the
discretion of prosecutors. State v. Jenkins, 15 Ohio St. 3d 164, 169-170, 473 N.E.2d
264 (1984). The rationale for this position is that, “‘[a]bsent facts to the contrary, it
cannot be assumed that prosecutors will be motivated in their charging decision by
factors other than the strength of their case and the likelihood that a jury would
impose the death penalty if it convicts.’” Id. at 169, quoting Gregg v. Georgia, 428
U.S. 153, 225, 96 S. Ct. 2909, 49 L. Ed. 2d 859 (1976). To conclude otherwise would
represent “an indictment of our entire criminal justice system which must be
constitutionally rejected.” Id. at 170.
Similarly, the Ohio Supreme Court “has repeatedly held that Ohio’s
death-penalty procedures are not unconstitutional or imposed in a racially
discriminatory manner.” State v. Kirkland, 140 Ohio St. 3d 73, 2014-Ohio-1966, 15
N.E.3d 818, ¶ 120. In addition, both the United States Supreme Court and the
Supreme Court of Ohio have declined to accept statistics that purport to show a
racial disparity in the imposition of the death penalty as grounds for finding the
death penalty to be unconstitutional. McClesky v. Kemp, 481 U.S. 279, 294, 107
S. Ct. 1756, 95 L. Ed. 2d 262 (1987); State v. Steffen 31 Ohio St. 3d 111, 124, 509 N.E.2d
383 (1987). Rather than make a general showing of disparity, a defendant “must
show that racial considerations affected the sentencing process in his case” for equal
protection to be implicated. Steffen at id. See also McClesky at 292.
While Sowell has submitted statistical information relating to the
application of the death penalty in Ohio and Cuyahoga County, he has presented no
evidence to demonstrate that the death penalty was applied in an arbitrary or
discriminatory manner in his case. Accordingly, we are unable to conclude that the
trial court abused its discretion in denying Sowell’s third and fifth grounds for relief
without a hearing.
3. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel and the Death Penalty in
Cuyahoga County – Ground Nos. 4 and 6
In his fourth and sixth grounds for relief, Sowell argues defense
counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel by failing to present evidence that
the death penalty is being abused and applied in an arbitrary and discriminatory
manner in Cuyahoga County. Sowell contends that counsel’s failure to research and
present available statistical data fell below the Strickland standard of effectiveness
and was prejudicial. Again, Sowell’s fourth and sixth grounds for relief relies on the
statistical data contained in petitioner’s Exhibit B.
In rejecting these grounds for relief, the trial court found Sowell’s
ineffective assistance of counsel claims were barred by res judicata to the extent
arguments concerning the constitutionality of the death penalty in Ohio had been
raised and rejected in Sowell’s direct appeal. Alternatively, the trial court
determined that the statistical data submitted in support of the ineffective assistance
of counsel claims failed to set forth sufficient operative facts, stating:
Defendant’s [E]xhibit B purports to demonstrate the corruptness of the
Cuyahoga County criminal justice system by analyzing the number of
death sentences that have been reversed by a higher court since 1982.
The record attached by defendant appears to list 328 cases where the
defendant was sentenced to death. In 66 of those cases the jurisdiction
was Cuyahoga County. According to defendant, 53% of those cases
have been reversed by a higher court. Defendant points to no other
facts, other than this statistic, to conclude that the criminal justice
system in Cuyahoga County is therefore corrupt and that the death
penalty is applied in an arbitrary manner. Cases are affirmed, reversed
and/or modified on appeal for multiple reasons. Without considering
the facts and applicable law to each case, it is difficult to make a general
assertion about all cases and why they were reversed on appeal.
Moreover, the trial court noted that defense counsel had, in fact, filed
a motion to dismiss the death penalty specification on grounds that “the imposition
of the death penalty is arbitrary in this county, in this state and in this country.” The
motion was denied on November 10, 2010.
Without applying res judicata to the instant ineffective assistance of
counsel claims, we find the statistical data set forth in petitioner’s Exhibit B failed to
prove that the actions of defense counsel fell below an objective standard of
reasonable representation and that Sowell was prejudiced by such action. While the
evidence sets forth certain relevant statistics relating to the death penalty in
Cuyahoga County, the statistical evidence, standing alone, is insufficient to infer that
the death penalty statute is arbitrarily or discriminatorily applied systematically or
in this particular case. See State v. Keene, 81 Ohio St. 3d 646, 652, 693 N.E.2d 246
(1998). Moreover, we agree with the trial court that the statistical data submitted
by Sowell lacks context and is not persuasive evidence of a constitutional violation.
Notwithstanding our conclusion that the trial court properly resolved
Sowell’s third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grounds for relief, Sowell argues in his third
assignment of error that the plain language of the court’s decision demonstrates that
the court did not fully comprehend his constitutional challenges to the application
of the death penalty in Cuyahoga County. Sowell contends that the trial court
mistakenly focused on the application of the death penalty in his specific case, rather
than addressing his broader arguments concerning “the systemic flaws in the capital
punishment system in Cuyahoga County.”
Here, the trial court’s resolution of Sowell’s third, fourth, fifth, and
sixth grounds for relief briefly referenced the appropriateness of the death penalty
under the particular facts of this case, stating that Sowell’s case was one of the “worst
of the worst” capital cases in the history of this state. The trial court further noted
that statistical data attached to Sowell’s petition failed to demonstrate that the
prosecutor in this case acted with a discriminatory purpose. While Sowell contends
that the court’s analysis failed to focus on the “systemic flaws” in Cuyahoga County
itself, we are unable to conclude that the trial court’s resolution of the assigned
grounds for relief suggests that the trial court misunderstood the specific nature of
Sowell’s constitutional claims.
In short, the trial court’s discussion of the state’s application of the
death penalty to the circumstances of Sowell’s particular case was not only
appropriate, but necessary. As discussed, a constitutional challenge to the
administration of the death penalty must address the considerations that affected
the sentencing process in a defendant’s individual case. Regarding Sowell’s
contention that Cuyahoga County prosecutors have unfettered discretion, the Ohio
Supreme Court has rejected similar constitutional arguments, explaining that,
absent specific facts to the contrary, there is an assumption that a prosecutor’s
discretion will be motivated by particular facts at issue in that case. See Jenkins, 15
Ohio St. 3d at 169-170, 473 N.E.2d 264. And, as previously stated, the Ohio Supreme
Court has held that in order to sustain an equal protection claim in a capital
punishment case, a “defendant must show that racial considerations affected the
sentencing process in his case.” (Emphasis sic.) Steffen, 31 Ohio St. 3d 111, 124, 509
N.E.2d 383 (1987), cert. denied, Steffen v. Ohio, 485 U.S. 916, 108 S. Ct. 1089, 99
L. Ed. 2d 250 (1988).
Accordingly, we find the trial court properly examined the
circumstances of Sowell’s individual case in assessing his constitutional challenges
to the death penalty in Cuyahoga County and the related claims of ineffective
assistance of counsel. Sowell’s third assignment of error is without merit.
Sowell’s ineffective assistance of counsel claims are without merit.
Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing the fourth and
sixth grounds for relief without a hearing.
4. Impeachment of Defense Witness Twyla Austin – Ground No. 7
In his seventh ground for relief, Sowell argues his constitutional
rights to due process and a fair trial were violated when the state elected to impeach
defense witness, Twyla Austin.
Austin, who is the mother of Sowell’s child, testified on Sowell’s behalf
during the penalty phase of trial. Austin described the positive relationship she
shared with Sowell and his family in an effort to provide insight into Sowell’s young
adulthood. Austin testified that she and her child lived with members of Sowell’s
family while he was serving in the Marine Corps. Austin expressed her opinion that
Sowell was not the same person when he returned home from his military service.
She stated that Sowell was quiet, often stayed in his bedroom, and developed a drug
habit. During her cross-examination, Austin was questioned about her own drug
activity. She maintained that she never had a drug problem. The state then
impeached Austin by asking her if she had pleaded guilty to a drug offense in 1997.
Over defense counsel’s objection, Austin admitted that she had a prior conviction
for “attempted possession of drugs.”
In his postconviction petition, Sowell argued the trial court erred in
permitting the state to impeach Austin because evidence of her prior drug conviction
“should have been inadmissible since it did not meet the requirements for
admissibility under Ohio Rule of Evidence 609.”
Evid.R. 609 governs the impeachment of a witness’s credibility
through the admission of evidence pertaining to a prior criminal conviction.
Pursuant to Evid.R. 609(A)(1), evidence that a witness other than the accused has
been convicted of a crime is admissible, subject to Evid.R. 403, if the crime was
punishable by imprisonment in excess of one year pursuant to the law under which
the witness was convicted.
However, evidence of a conviction under this rule is not admissible if
a period of more than ten years has elapsed since the latter of the date of conviction
or completion of sentence. Evid.R. 609(B). There is an exception to this ten-year
exclusion rule — the trial court must determine, in the interest of justice, that the
probative value of the conviction supported by specific facts and circumstances
substantially outweighs its prejudicial effect, and the proponent gives the adverse
party written notice of its intent to use the evidence. Id. See also State v. Triplett,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97522, 2012-Ohio-3804, ¶ 38, citing State v. Shepherd, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 81926, 2003-Ohio-3356, ¶ 23 (if a conviction is more than ten
years old, Evid.R. 609(B) requires a trial court to set forth “specific facts” on the
record that reflect the facts and circumstances justifying the admission of the “stale”
conviction).
In support of his claim that the trial court improperly admitted
testimony concerning Austin’s prior conviction, Sowell attached a copy of the
common pleas docket in Austin’s 1997 criminal case, marked petitioner’s Exhibit C.
The exhibit reflects that Austin pleaded guilty to a first-degree misdemeanor drug
offense in August 1997, and was ordered to serve a suspended sentence of six-
months in jail.
In finding no merit to Sowell’s seventh ground for relief, the trial court
stated as follows:
This claim is barred by res judicata because it is an evidentiary issue
based exclusively on the record and was either raised or could have
been raised of direct appeal. In addition, were this claim not barred by
res judicata, it would be insufficient as a ground for relief as any error
in the admission of this mitigation witness’s prior drug conviction was
harmless. In light of the jury’s finding the defendant guilty of the
murders of eleven woman during the initial phase of trial, defendant
has failed to demonstrate any prejudice, during the mitigation phase,
resulting from the admission of an ex-girlfriend’s plea to a drug offense
14 years earlier.
Having reviewed Austin’s testimony in its entirety, we find an
evidentiary challenge to the impeachment of Austin could not have been raised on
direct appeal because the record does not contain sufficient information regarding
Austin’s criminal conviction. State v. Menton, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 07MA70,
2009-Ohio-4640, ¶ 115-117 (finding on direct appeal that defendant’s argument
under Evid.R. 609 could not be reviewed because the record did not contain
sufficient information about the details of the prior conviction.). Thus, the trial
court improperly applied the doctrine of res judicata. With that said, however, we
find the trial court accurately determined that the admission of Austin’s prior
conviction was not prejudicial and, therefore, harmless in light of the remaining
evidence adduced during the mitigation phase. Crim.R. 52(A).
In this case, the admission of Austin’s 1997 drug conviction did not
comport with the requirements of Evid.R. 609. However, viewing the penalty phase
testimony collectively, we cannot say the evidentiary error contributed to Sowell’s
capital sentence. As determined by the Ohio Supreme Court in Sowell’s direct
appeal, “the aggravating circumstances in this case are entitled to significant
weight,” while “the mitigating factors that are present, however, are entitled to
modest, nominal, some, and little weight, respectively.” Sowell, 148 Ohio St. 3d 554,
2016-Ohio-8025, 71 N.E.3d 1034, at ¶ 202. Moreover, this court is not persuaded
that the introduction of Austin’s prior conviction necessarily negated the credibility
of her testimony regarding the positive relationship she shared with Sowell and his
family before he went to prison in 1990. In fact, the trial court acknowledged that
the testimony from Sowell’s family, including Austin, was “entitled to some weight”
in mitigation. (Tr. 11624.)
Under the foregoing circumstances, we find the evidence attached to
Sowell’s postconviction petition failed to set forth sufficient operative facts to
support Sowell’s claim that the evidentiary error deprived him of due process and a
fair trial. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying Sowell’s seventh
ground for relief without a hearing.
5. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel during Penalty Phase —
Ground Nos. 8-103
In his eighth, ninth, and tenth grounds for relief, Sowell argues that
defense counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel during the penalty phase
of trial. Sowell reiterates these ineffective assistance of counsel claims in his fourth
assignment of error on appeal. He contends that the trial court’s denial of his eighth
and ninth grounds for relief improperly focused on the strength of the disputed
mitigating evidence, as opposed to whether the evidence is relevant under R.C.
2929.04(B).
The imposition of the death penalty requires that one of ten specific
statutory factors is laid out in the indictment and proven beyond a reasonable doubt
at trial. R.C. 2929.04(A). After one of the R.C. 2929.04(A) factors is found to have
been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, the court or jury
shall consider, and weigh against the aggravating circumstances
proved beyond a reasonable doubt, the nature and circumstances of the
offense, the history, character, and background of the offender, and all
of the following factors:
(1) Whether the victim of the offense induced or facilitated it;
(2) Whether it is unlikely that the offense would have been committed,
but for the fact that the offender was under duress, coercion, or
strong provocation;
(3) Whether, at the time of committing the offense, the offender,
because of a mental disease or defect, lacked substantial capacity to
appreciate the criminality of the offender’s conduct or to conform
the offender’s conduct to the requirements of the law;
3 In resolving the eighth, ninth, and tenth grounds for relief, the trial court’s
analysis did not discuss the application of res judicata. Rather, the court focused on the
merits of the claims and the sufficiency of the supporting exhibits.
(4) The youth of the offender;
(5) The offender’s lack of a significant history of prior criminal
convictions and delinquency adjudications;
(6) If the offender was a participant in the offense but not the principal
offender, the degree of the offender’s participation in the offense
and the degree of the offender’s participation in the acts that led to
the death of the victim;
(7) Any other factors that are relevant to the issue of whether the
offender should be sentenced to death.
R.C. 2929.04(B).
The existence of any mitigating factors does not preclude imposition
of the death penalty. However, these factors shall be weighed against the aggravating
factors. R.C. 2929.04(C).
In this case, defense counsel’s theory of mitigation pursued a
comprehensive range of evidence that was intended to establish the presence of
several mitigating factors. As referenced in the trial court’s sentencing opinion, the
defense introduced extensive testimony regarding Sowell’s social history, character,
and background. Specifically, Sowell presented testimony from family members,
schoolteachers, social workers, employers, jail personnel, a military records expert,
and a mitigation specialist in an effort to demonstrate that Sowell “had a troubled,
unstable upbringing characterized by abuse, neglect and sexual abuse.” See Sowell,
148 Ohio St. 3d 554, 2016-Ohio-8025, 71 N.E.3d 1034, at ¶ 160-174. This testimony
included allegations of sexual molestation and emotional abuse during Sowell’s
childhood.
In addition, the defense presented expert testimony concerning
Sowell’s capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct or to conform his
conduct to the requirements of the law. R.C. 2929.04(B)(3). In this regard,
Dr. George Woods, a neuropsychiatrist, interviewed Sowell three times
for a total of about six or seven hours and testified that Sowell lacked
the substantial capacity to conform his conduct to the requirements of
the law. Dr. Woods diagnosed Sowell with the following conditions: (1)
obsessive-compulsive disorder (“OCD”), which Dr. Woods described as
severe, chronic, and sexual in nature; (2) posttraumatic stress disorder
(“PTSD”) essentially consisting of two types, one resulting from “type-
two trauma,” a “chronic ongoing trauma” such as would result from
“ongoing childhood abuse” and another from “type-one trauma,” a
single traumatic event such as a heart attack; (3) psychosis not
otherwise specified; and (4) cognitive disorder not otherwise specified.
Dr. Woods explained that childhood abuse causes anxiety, which leads
to compulsive behavior stemming from a desire to control that anxiety.
He described an obsessive-compulsive “cycle”: obsessive thoughts lead
to anxiety; anxiety leads to attempts to control the anxiety by means of
compulsive behavior; compulsive behavior brings temporary relief, but
then the anxiety returns. For OCD sufferers, “control is everything”; if
the sufferer loses control, “the response is completely out of proportion
to the stimulus.” A structured setting helps the OCD sufferer control his
compulsions, by reducing anxiety.
Dr. Woods testified that Sowell performed well in the structured setting
of the military; in civilian life after his discharge, he worked for a time,
then his obsessions got the better of him and he was convicted of
attempted rape. He then performed well in the structured environment
of prison. After Sowell’s release from prison, his work provided
structure, and he was successful at his job, but after his heart attack, he
lost his job. This removed the structure that, according to Dr. Woods,
helped him control his obsessions. Depression impaired his ability to
think.
Dr. Woods also observed that OCD and PTSD “augment each other,”
creating “both atypical and more severe symptoms” than if only one
disorder is present. PTSD can cause dysregulation, which is a tendency
to overreact or underreact; Sowell’s tendency was to overreact. If one
is dysregulated and at the same time is attempting to control anxiety,
the resulting compulsive behavior can be “very terrible.”
Sowell at ¶ 181-184. Similarly, Dr. Dale Watson, a clinical and forensic
neuropsychologist, offered substantial testimony regarding Sowell’s brain function.
Dr. Watson opined that Sowell likely suffered “a neurological event” that resulted in
a traumatic brain injury, impairing his cognitive function. (Tr. 9596-9598.) The
Ohio Supreme Court summarized Dr. Watson’s testimony as follows:
Dr. Watson performed a comprehensive set of neuropsychological
evaluations on Sowell, administering between 45 and 50 tests,
including tests designed to detect malingering, over three sessions
totaling 19 hours.
Dr. Watson concluded that Sowell showed “probably * * * a moderate
degree of [brain] dysfunction or impairment.” Dr. Watson concluded
that Sowell had “had some sort of neurological event that affected his
processing speed.” He noted that “a heart attack where there’s not
adequate oxygenation” could “impact brain function.” Dr. Watson
further concluded that Sowell’s results did not indicate malingering.
Dr. Watson testified that Sowell claimed that after his heart attack, he
had auditory hallucinations. Specifically, Sowell reported hearing a
voice, which he called “Arnie.” However, when Dr. Watson raised this
subject again, Sowell denied having had such hallucinations. Dr.
Watson believed Sowell’s initial claim and questioned his later denial.
Id. at 175-177.
Within his eighth, ninth, and tenth grounds for relief, Sowell suggests
that the investigation, preparation, and presentation, of the foregoing mitigation
evidence was inadequate and, therefore, prejudicial. We address each mitigation
argument separately.
a. PET Scan
In his eighth ground for relief, Sowell argues defense counsel
rendered ineffective assistance of counsel by failing to obtain a Positron Emission
Tomograph scan (“PET scan”) prior to trial. Sowell contends that the PET scan,
which the trial court had approved requested funding to obtain, was “necessary” for
a “true understanding of [his] neuropsychiatric strengths and weaknesses.” Thus,
Sowell asserts that counsel’s failure to obtain the brain scan was unreasonable and
prejudicial. In explaining the prejudicial scope of counsel’s inaction, Sowell states:
Petitioner was prejudiced by counsel’s failure to obtain brain scans to
corroborate the possibility of an organic inability to regulate his
actions. A PET scan of Petitioner’s brain would have given the jury
some explanation for his violent behavior. Counsel’s major mitigation
theme suggested a brain impairment caused by a cardiac event. It is
inexcusable not to obtain scans that would have lent credence to that
theory. An image of Petitioner’s brain would have undoubtedly been
persuasive evidence to show the jury.
In support of this ineffective assistance of counsel claim, Sowell
attached affidavits from private investigator, Rebecca Ohler, and lead defense
counsel, John P. Parker. In relevant part, Investigator Ohler made the following
averments:
I feel that the funding and preparation time that we received in this case
were completely inadequate and contrary to what is necessary under
U.S. Supreme Court case law and the ABA Guidelines. As a team, we
spent a lot of our time trying to get more time and more funding to
continue investigating and to prepare a mitigation theory.
***
Trial counsel ran out of time to get a brain scan completed. Dr. George
Woods had advised us that he needed the data from imaging to inform
his conclusions.
Similarly, defense counsel Parker averred, in relevant part:
I was responsible for obtaining the brain scan but ran out of time. I was
scrambling to get the details finalized to have the scan performed and
read by an appropriate expert (Dr. Ruben Gur). In April 2011, I had
another aggravated murder trial. This was a non-capital case, although
it was indicted as a capital case and the death penalty specifications
were removed. [The trial court] would not continue the pretrial
because I was in trial, and would not continue Sowell’s case because I
spent 2-3 weeks in trial on this other case * * *. Had I more time, I am
confident that I would have obtained the appropriate brain scan.
In determining that Sowell failed to set forth a cognizable claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel, the trial court found that the decision to forego the
PET scan was an “appropriate trial strategy * * * given the expert testimony that was
presented at trial.”
On appeal, Sowell reiterates his position that defense counsel’s failure
to acquire a PET scan of his brain precluded the trier of fact from considering
persuasive, mitigating evidence.
Generally, the presentation of mitigating evidence is a matter of trial
strategy. State v. Maxwell, 139 Ohio St. 3d 12, 2014-Ohio-1019, 9 N.E.3d 930, ¶ 189,
citing State v. Lang, 129 Ohio St. 3d 512, 2011-Ohio-4215, 954 N.E.2d 596, ¶ 74. In
many criminal cases, the decision not to seek expert testimony “‘is unquestionably
tactical because such an expert might uncover evidence that further inculpates the
defendant.’” State v. Krzywkowski, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga Nos. 83599, 83842, and
84056, 2004-Ohio-5966, ¶ 22, quoting State v. Glover, 12th Dist. Clermont No.
CA2001-12-102, 2002-Ohio-6392, ¶ 95.
Defense counsel has a duty to investigate mitigating circumstances in
order to make informed tactical decisions about which information would be most
helpful to a client’s case. State v. Jackson, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 01AP-808, 2002-
Ohio-3330, ¶ 84, citing State v. Johnson, 24 Ohio St. 3d 87, 90, 494 N.E.2d 1061
(1986). However, out-of-record evidence that is merely cumulative of, or alternative
to, other mitigation evidence defense counsel presented does not provide
substantive grounds for a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel at mitigation.
Combs, 100 Ohio App. 3d 90, at 98, 652 N.E.2d 205. In Ohio, it is within the purview
of counsel to determine whether additional expert testimony or other information
regarding a defendant’s background is cumulative in nature. State v. Cunningham,
3d Dist. Allen No. 1-04-19, 2004-Ohio-5892, ¶ 38, citing State v. Yarbrough, 3d
Dist. Shelby No. 17-2000-10, 2001-Ohio-2351. To demonstrate prejudice, a
petitioner must show not only that there was mitigating evidence that counsel failed
to present, but also that “there is a reasonable probability that the evidence would
have swayed the jury to impose [a lesser sentence].” State v. Keith, 79 Ohio St. 3d
514, 536, 684 N.E.2d 47 (1997), cert. denied, Keith v. Ohio, 523 U.S. 1063, 118 S. Ct.
1393, 140 L. Ed. 2d 652 (1998).
In this case, the affidavits attached in support of the eighth ground for
relief attempt to explain the significance of the PET scan and the circumstances that
led to defense counsel’s failure to secure the images prior to the penalty phase of
trial. Because the evidence, particularly lead counsel’s affidavit, set forth
information that was outside the record and not available for Sowell’s direct appeal,
we are unable to conclude that this claim was barred by res judicata.4
Nevertheless, we find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
determining that Sowell failed to present sufficient evidence to enable the court to
conclude that defense counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel by
foregoing a PET scan of Sowell’s brain. We recognize that lead counsel states in his
affidavit that the decision to forego the brain imaging was not the product of trial
strategy. Rather, lead counsel states that he simply “ran out of time” to obtain the
appropriate brain scan. Even accepting these averments as true and accurate
statements, we are unable to conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in
finding no cognizable claim of prejudice.
In this case, defense expert, Dr. Watson, was specifically questioned
about the relevance of the disputed brain imaging during his cross-examination. Dr.
Watson testified that a PET scan would be relevant to corroborate his “battery of
neuropsychological tests,” but explained that behavioral techniques are more
valuable when assessing how brain dysfunction affects behavior. (Tr. 9656.)
Similarly, defense expert, Dr. Woods, testified that obtaining a PET scan of Sowell’s
brain “was not a top priority given Dr. Watson’s neuropsychological testing, because
neuropsychological testing is really the * * * standards of neuropsychological
functioning * * *.” (Tr. 10676.) Such testimony is inconsistent with Investigator
4 The affidavit of lead counsel provides further insight into the factors supporting
Sowell’s claim that counsel was ineffective for failing to obtain the PET scan than that
discussed in open court during pretrial proceedings. (Tr. 922.)
Ohler’s averments concerning the information necessary to the formation of Dr.
Woods’s expert conclusions.
Under these circumstances, images of Sowell’s brain, at most, would
have been cumulative to the extensive expert testimony provided by Drs. Watson
and Woods regarding Sowell’s brain functioning. State v. Johnson, 2d Dist.
Montgomery No. 16803, 1998 Ohio App. LEXIS 3592, 19 (Aug. 7, 1998) (“Failure to
put on cumulative evidence is not indicative of ineffective assistance of counsel.”),
citing Combs, 100 Ohio App. 3d at 105, 652 N.E.2d 205 (1st Dist.1994); Jackson, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104132, 2017-Ohio-2651, at ¶ 42. See also Forrest v. Steele,
W.D.Mo. No. 09-8002-CV-W-ODS, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 66304, 4 (May 11, 2012)
(“The PET scan would have confirmed the experts’ testimony, but would not have
added anything to it.”); Walls v. McNeil, N.D.Fla. No. 3:06cv237/MCR, 2009 U.S.
Dist. LEXIS 95764, 32—33 (Sept. 30, 2009) (denying ineffective claim based on
failure to conduct PET scan where “any results that the PET scan might have
revealed were already presented to the jury by the defense experts,” including
testimony suggesting that defendant had “significant neuropsychological deficits”).
As stated, there was extensive expert testimony presented at trial regarding defense
counsel’s position that Sowell’s brain dysfunction and cognitive impairments
prevented him from conforming his conduct to the requirements of law. Images of
Sowell’s brain could have only corroborated such testimony, and therefore, would
not have overcome the significant aggravating factors present in this case. Thus, we
find no merit to Sowell’s contention that the trial court erred in referencing the
evidentiary value of the requested PET scan. Given the aggravated nature of Sowell’s
crimes in this case, we are unable to conclude that there is a reasonable probability
that the PET scan images would have swayed the jury to impose a lesser sentence.
b. Forensic Psychologist
In his ninth ground for relief, Sowell argues defense counsel rendered
ineffective assistance of counsel by failing to “hire a forensic psychologist with
expertise in mitigation evaluations.” Sowell contends that a forensic psychologist
would have provided testimony regarding “substantial mitigating factors” that were
not developed at trial.
In support of this ineffective assistance of counsel claim, Sowell
attached the affidavit of forensic psychologist, Dr. Bob Stinson, Psy.D., J.D.,
A.B.P.P.; and the expert report of Dr. Howard Fradkin, Ph.D., L.I.C.D.C.
In his affidavit, Dr. Stinson opined that Sowell’s experts failed to
“perform and complete a thorough mitigation evaluation.” Specifically, Dr. Stinson
stated that the shortfalls of the experts’ evaluation
resulted in a failure to fully develop and present what was arguably the
most relevant and persuasive mitigation available: Anthony’s extensive
history of trauma (which began in early childhood and included
emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; neglect; and exposure to
violence), which contributed to the development of depression and
multiple substance dependence. The trauma history, depression, and
multiple substance dependence were intimately related to the
underlying offenses.
Based on his review of all relevant records and his own evaluation of
Sowell, Dr. Stinson concluded, in part, as follows:
It is my opinion, given a reasonable degree of psychological certainty,
that Anthony Sowell was traumatized in his childhood, he experienced
re-traumatization through various relationships, he developed a
recurrent depressive disorder, he initially attempted to cope effectively
but he ultimately turned to drugs and alcohol — becoming addicted to
both in maladaptive attempts to cope, and it was while under the heavy
influence of drugs and alcohol and when triggered by flashbacks to his
traumatization that he offended.
It is further my professional opinion that without the presentation of
the information identified in this affidavit, the trier of fact was deprived
of the opportunity to fully consider the history, character, and
background of Anthony Sowell in weighing the mitigating factors
against the aggravating circumstances.
***
It is my professional opinion * * * that there were substantial mitigating
factors that were not discovered or testified to at Anthony’s trial. Those
mitigating factors would have been based on a psychological mitigation
evaluation of Anthony and an application of the relevant scientific
literature, which is * * * an area of expertise that is distinguishable from
the types of expertise Dr. Woods and Dr. Watson proclaim. Had a
forensic psychologist with expertise in mitigation evaluations
evaluated Anthony and testified at his trial, the jury could have heard
and weighed those mitigating factors. Because a forensic psychologist
with expertise in mitigation evaluations (as opposed to neuro
evaluations) did not evaluate Anthony or testify at his trial, the jury was
deprived of the opportunity to consider and give weight to those
mitigating factors.
Dr. Fradkin’s report reflects that it was created in an attempt to
provide the court with additional mitigating facts to “put into clearer context the
psycho-emotional background for the heinous crimes [Sowell] committed.” Dr.
Fradkin’s report summarizes the information he gathered from Sowell following a
two-hour interview performed in August 2012. The report provides details of
Sowell’s background, including specific instances of emotional abuse, physical
abuse, childhood sexual abuse, depression, rejection, betrayal, and parental neglect.
In rejecting Sowell’s ineffective assistance claim, the trial court found
that “counsel’s decision not to hire an additional forensic psychologist was not
deficient performance where the mental experts that were retained were both
qualified to testify in a forensic setting.” The court further found that “there was
extensive testimony about the mitigating factors defendant now claims should have
been further developed.” The court’s analysis did not rely on the doctrine of res
judicata.
After careful consideration, we find the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in determining that Sowell’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim is
unsupported by the record. In this case, defense counsel made the strategic decision
to focus its presentation of mitigating factors on expert testimony concerning
Sowell’s perceived mental-health disorders and impaired brain function. Drs.
Watson and Woods each carefully described the nature of their evaluations and
explained the impact Sowell’s diagnoses would have on his capacity to conform his
conduct to the requirements of the law. Because the presentation of mitigating
evidence is a matter of trial strategy, “the decision to forgo the presentation of
additional mitigating evidence does not itself constitute proof of ineffective
assistance of counsel.” Keith, 79 Ohio St. 3d at 536, 684 N.E.2d 47.
While the opinions of Drs. Stinson and Fradkin have “the benefit of
perfect hindsight, the distorting effect of which must be avoided,” Sowell provides
no sound rationale to conclude that defense counsel’s mitigation strategy was
unreasonable. State v. Post, 32 Ohio St. 3d 380, 388, 513 N.E.2d 754 (1987), cert.
denied, Post v. Ohio, 484 U.S. 1079, 108 S. Ct. 1061, 98 L. Ed. 2d 1023 (1988).
“[D]efendants are not entitled to perfect mitigation hearings.” State v. Landrum,
4th Dist. Ross No. 98 CA 2401, 1999 Ohio App. LEXIS 71, 41 (Jan. 11, 1999). “When,
as here, counsel has presented a meaningful concept of mitigation, the existence of
alternate or additional mitigation theories does not establish ineffective assistance.”
Combs, 100 Ohio App. 3d at 105, 652 N.E.2d 205 (1st Dist.1994).
Finally, the evidentiary materials attached in support of Sowell’s
ineffective assistance of counsel claim do not set forth sufficient operative facts
showing that Sowell was prejudiced by trial counsel’s mitigation strategy. In this
case, the defense presented significant evidence of Sowell’s social history, including
testimony from defendant’s mitigation expert, Dr. Lori James-Towns, regarding
Sowell’s depression and reports of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse as a child.
While further or alternative expert testimony regarding Sowell’s past trauma may
have been relevant, Sowell has not demonstrated that there is a reasonable
probability that further expert evaluation would have resulted in a lesser sentence.
As noted by the Ohio Supreme Court, courts have “‘seldom given decisive weight to’
a defendant’s unstable or troubled childhood.” Sowell, 148 Ohio St. 3d 554, 2016-
Ohio-8025, 71 N.E.3d 1034, at ¶ 198, quoting State v. Perez, 124 Ohio St. 3d 122,
2009-Ohio-6179, 920 N.E.2d 104, ¶ 245. Likewise, depression and substance abuse
have routinely been characterized as weak mitigating factors that are entitled to
modest weight under R.C. 2929.04(B). State v. Cunningham, 105 Ohio St. 3d 197,
2004-Ohio-7007, 824 N.E.2d 504, ¶ 138 (defendant’s severe depression was a weak
mitigating factor); State v. Slagle, 65 Ohio St. 3d 597, 614, 605 N.E.2d 916 (1992)
(“mere alcoholism or other addictions, voluntary drunkenness and drug use are not
mitigating factors.”); State v. Goff, 82 Ohio St. 3d 123, 143, 694 N.E.2d 916 (1998)
(“[W]e give little weight to defendant’s voluntary substance abuse.”).
Based on the foregoing, we find the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in discounting the credibility of the affidavit and expert report submitted
in support of his ninth ground for relief.
c. Retention and Supervision of Defense Experts
In his tenth ground for relief, Sowell argues defense counsel rendered
ineffective assistance of counsel by failing to retain appropriate experts and by
failing to properly oversee the mitigation investigation and presentation. Sowell
contends that defense counsel bears responsibility for the performance of the hired
investigators who, in Sowell’s view, failed to complete an “adequate” investigation
into “important mitigating factors.” Sowell further suggests that counsel did not
adequately prepare the defense witnesses, as evidenced by counsel’s failure to advise
Sowell’s sister, Tressa Garrison, to not discuss Sowell’s prior rape conviction.
In support of his claims, Sowell relies on the affidavits of Dr. Stinson,
Dr. Fradkin, and Investigator Ohler. In relevant part, Investigator Ohler averred
that (1) the funding and preparation time needed in this case were completely
inadequate to investigate and prepare a mitigation theory, (2) she was not able to
complete an adequate investigation to present an effective mitigation theory, (3) she
did not have the opportunity to interview Sowell before trial, (4) she was unable to
fully explore the sexual abuse committed against Sowell as a young child, (5) she was
unable to adequately investigate Sowell’s prior conviction, and (6) she was not
guided by defense counsel on how to prioritize investigation.
The trial court found Sowell’s claim to be unsupported by the record,
stating:
There was sufficient evidence presented to the jury to make a
recommendation to the court as to whether or not the death penalty
should be imposed. The suggestion that had there been more time and
different evidence presented, the result would have been different is a
fiction based on unsupported speculation.
The court further denied Sowell’s claim regarding defense counsel’s preparation of
witness, finding no prejudice. Significantly, the trial court’s assessment of this
ground for relief did not apply the doctrine of res judicata.
In a capital case, “[d]efense counsel has a duty to investigate the
circumstances of his client’s case and explore all matters relevant to the merits of
the case and the penalty, including the defendant’s background, education,
employment record, mental and emotional stability, and family relationships.” State
v. Pickens, 141 Ohio St. 3d 462, 2014-Ohio-5445, 25 N.E.3d 1023, ¶ 219, quoting
Goodwin v. Johnson, 632 F.3d 301, 318 (6th Cir.2011). Counsel’s “investigations
into mitigating evidence ‘should comprise efforts to discover all reasonably available
mitigating evidence and evidence to rebut any aggravating evidence that may be
introduced by the prosecutor.’” Wiggins v. Smith, 539 U.S. 510, 524, 123 S. Ct. 2527,
156 L. Ed. 2d 471 (2003), citing ABA Guidelines for the Appointment and
Performance of Counsel in Death Penalty Cases 11.4.1(C), p. 93 (1989). “An
attorney’s failure to reasonably investigate the defendant’s background and present
mitigating evidence to the jury at sentencing can constitute ineffective assistance of
counsel.” Pickens at id., citing Wiggins at 521-522. The burden of demonstrating
that counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to conduct an adequate
investigation is placed on the petitioner. State v. Hunter, 131 Ohio St. 3d 67, 2011-
Ohio-6524, 960 N.E.2d 955, ¶ 104, citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S. Ct.
2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674.
The Supreme Court of Ohio has specifically recognized that “‘the
finding as to whether counsel was adequately prepared does not revolve solely
around the amount of time counsel spends on the case or the numbers of days which
he or she spends preparing for mitigation. Instead, this must be a case-by-case
analysis.’” State v. Hand, 107 Ohio St. 3d 378, 2006-Ohio-18, 840 N.E.2d 151, ¶ 227,
quoting State v. Lewis, 838 So. 2d 1102, 1114, (Fla.2002), fn. 9.
After careful consideration of the record and the evidence attached
to Sowell’s petition, we find Sowell’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim is
unsupported by the record. Here, defense counsel hired highly qualified and
experienced mitigation investigators, who were afforded substantial funding and
multiple continuances to complete an appropriate mitigation investigation. While
the evidence submitted in support of Sowell’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim
describe certain obstacles that were confronted by the investigators in this case,
Sowell has failed to demonstrate that counsel’s oversight of the mitigation
investigation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. Based on the
information contained in the record, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
affording little weight to Investigator Ohler’s characterization of the mitigation
investigation.
Regarding Sowell’s brief reference to counsel’s alleged failure to
retain “appropriate experts,” we reiterate that the decision of what mitigating
evidence to present during the penalty phase of a capital trial is a matter of trial
strategy. Keith, 79 Ohio St. 3d at 530, 684 N.E.2d 47. While Sowell disparages
defense counsel’s decision to predicate the theory of mitigation on Sowell’s mental
health and brain dysfunction, the existence of alternative or additional mitigation
theories generally does not establish ineffective assistance of counsel. Combs, 100
Ohio App. 3d at 105, 652 N.E.2d 205 (1st Dist.1994); State v. Cornwell, 7th Dist.
Mahoning No. 00-CA-217, 2002-Ohio-5177, ¶ 46; State v. Roseborough, 5th Dist.
Ashland Nos. 09 COA 003 and 09 COA 004, 2010-Ohio-1832, ¶ 17; State v. Turner,
10th Dist. Franklin No. 04AP-1143, 2006-Ohio-761, ¶ 35; State v. Tenace, 6th Dist.
Lucas No. L-05-1041, 2006-Ohio-1226, ¶ 26 (“The mere existence of an alternative
theory of defense, however, is insufficient to establish ineffective assistance of
counsel.”).
Finally, we agree with the trial court that Sowell was not prejudiced
by counsel’s alleged failure to adequately prepare the defense witnesses. While
Sowell’s sister, Tressa Garrison, referenced Sowell’s prior rape conviction during her
cross-examination, the record reflects that the trial court sustained defense
counsel’s objection to the state’s attempt to question Garrison about the details of
the prior conviction. Her testimony was limited and not prejudicial given the
overwhelming nature of the aggravating circumstances in this case.
Based on the foregoing, we find the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in denying Sowell’s eighth, ninth, and tenth grounds for relief. Sowell
failed to meet his burden to show substantive grounds for relief which would entitle
him to a hearing.
6. Ineffective Assistance of Co-Counsel – Ground No. 11
Sowell argues in his eleventh ground for relief that he received
ineffective assistance of counsel “because trial co-counsel was uninvolved in the
litigation and was wholly unprepared.” Sowell asserts that co-counsel’s deficient
performance impaired the representation of lead counsel and prevented the jury
from gaining a complete and proper understanding of all mitigating evidence.
Specifically, Sowell maintains that co-counsel’s lack of involvement contributed to
lead counsel’s failure to obtain a PET scan prior to trial, and prevented lead counsel
from adequately investigating Sowell’s family and social history.
In support of his claim, Sowell attached affidavits from five
individuals who were part of his defense team, including Dr. George Woods,
Investigator Rebecca Ohler, paralegal Ashley Ciresi, forensic analyst Linda Luke,
and lead counsel John Parker. Collectively, the defense team averred that co-
counsel (1) was unfamiliar with the mitigation theory in this case, (2) did not
participate in the preparation and investigation of the mitigation theory, (3) was
unfamiliar with the defense witnesses, (4) was unfamiliar with the extensive
discovery provided by the state, (5) was unprepared for trial, and (6) did not
significantly discuss the case before trial with the defense experts, investigators, or
paralegal.
The trial court found Sowell’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim
was “unsupported by the record,” stating, in relevant part:
Throughout the case, the court granted multiple requests by defense
counsel for the funding of paralegals, interns, investigators and experts
to assist with the preparation of the case for trial. The court was never
made aware of any impairment of co-counsel that was affecting trial
preparations. * * * According to an August 18, 2011, fee bill submitted
by co-counsel, he devoted 602.3 hours working on defendant’s case.
This alone would be considered constitutionally adequate under the
standards annunciated in Strickland, supra. In addition, co-counsel’s
name and signature appeared on numerous court filings, indicating
that he was intimately involved in the preparation of the case for trial.
On appeal, Sowell asserts in his second assignment of error that the
trial court’s reliance on co-counsel’s signature on court filings and the number of
hours allegedly devoted by co-counsel was misplaced, and “flies in the face of
observations made under oath” by individuals involved in Sowell’s defense. Sowell
contends that “at the very least, the information appended to the petition for post-
conviction relief warranted an evidentiary hearing to determine what [co-counsel]
did or did not do, what specific effect his lack of participation and preparation had
on the investigation, preparation, and presentation of every phase of the case.”
Within his eleventh ground for relief, Sowell attempts to raise a
constitutional claim that pertains to the performance of one particular member of
his legal defense. However, when considering an ineffective assistance of counsel
claim based upon the rights afforded by the constitution, the resolution of whether
a defendant was afforded competent legal representation must contemplate the
complete legal services provided by the defense team representing him. As noted by
the United States Supreme Court, “the object of an ineffectiveness claim is not to
grade counsel’s performance.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80
L. Ed. 2d 674. Rather, “the ultimate focus of inquiry must be on the fundamental
fairness of the proceeding whose result is being challenged.” Id. at 696.
On appeal, Sowell’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim concedes
that the crux of the case from the defense perspective was the “development,
investigation, and presentation of the * * * mitigation theory.” Contrary to Sowell’s
characterization of his mitigation evidence as “grossly inadequate and lacking,” we
find the mitigation evidence presented on Sowell’s behalf was thorough and
comprehensive. As noted by the trial court, “[Sowell’s] mitigation presentation
involved 24 witnesses and more than a week of trial time.” The trier of fact was
provided with testimony from a neuropsychologist, a neuropsychiatrist, a social
worker, a military records expert, and individuals familiar with Sowell, including his
sixth-grade teacher, his coworkers, a jail Chaplain, and several family members. The
information provided the trier of fact with an understanding of Sowell’s medical
history, educational history, employment history, family and social history, and
other relevant inferences, including his past trauma and his capacity to conform his
conduct to the requirements of the law.
Viewing the transcript of the proceedings in its entirety, we are unable
to conclude that Sowell was deprived of effective assistance of counsel. While the
Ohio Supreme Court found the aggravating circumstances far outweighed the
paucity of the mitigating factors, there is nothing beyond speculation to suggest that
the performance of lead and co-counsel contributed to this determination.
Moreover, even if this court were to scrutinize co-counsel’s individual
contributions to Sowell’s defense throughout the entire trial, we agree with the trial
court that the record does not support Sowell’s allegations of deficient performance.
In this case, co-counsel indicated that he had devoted 602.3 hours working on
Sowell’s defense, including 313 hours that were spent working outside the
courtroom. In addition, there is no dispute that co-counsel’s signature appears on
the pleadings and various filings submitted in this case. Co-counsel was responsible
for the cross-examination of numerous state witnesses during the guilt phase, and
conducted the direct examination of several defense witnesses during the penalty
phase. Finally, co-counsel argued on behalf of Sowell’s motion for new trial, setting
forth arguments relating to potential juror bias. Co-counsel’s participation in the
trial proceedings, is therefore, supported by the record. While the affidavits
attached to Sowell’s petition raise vague concerns with the quality of co-counsel’s
participation and preparation, they fail to articulate that co-counsel’s performance
deprived Sowell of a constitutionally guaranteed right to a fundamentally fair trial.
Accordingly, the trial court did not err in affording the affidavits minimal weight.
Based on the foregoing, we find the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in determining that Sowell’s eleventh ground for relief was unsupported
by the record.
Sowell’s first, second, third, and fourth assignments of error are
overruled.
C. Motion for Further Discovery and Expert Funds
In his fifth assignment of error, Sowell argues the trial court
committed reversible error by failing to allow discovery and the appropriation of
funds to complete testing the court had previously allowed but defense counsel
failed to undertake.
In August 2012, Sowell filed contemporaneous motions, requesting
leave to conduct further discovery in support of his petition for postconviction relief,
and funds to complete a PET scan. Sowell argued that leave to conduct additional
discovery was appropriate “because Petitioner’s petition alleges substantive grounds
for relief that entitle him to a hearing” and, therefore, “should be granted discovery
to assist in preparing for the hearing.” In addition, Sowell reiterated his position
that funding to complete a PET scan was necessary to ensure his constitutional right
to present mitigating evidence in favor of a sentence less than death. Although the
trial court denied the petition without ruling on the pending motions, they are
deemed denied. State ex rel. Harris v. Sutula, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 107662,
2018-Ohio-5045, ¶ 11; State v. Duncan, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97208, 2012-Ohio-
3683, ¶ 4.
The long-standing rule in Ohio has been that a convicted criminal
defendant has no right to additional or new discovery during postconviction relief
proceedings. See State ex rel. Love v. Cuyahoga Cty. Prosecutor’s Office, 87 Ohio
St.3d 158, 159, 718 N.E.2d 426 (1999). See also State v. Bryan, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga
No. 93038, 2010-Ohio-2088, ¶ 45; State v. Taylor, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 80271,
2002-Ohio-2742, ¶ 19 (Courts are not required to provide petitioners discovery in
postconviction proceedings.). However, we recognize that R.C. 2953.21(A)(1)(d),
effective on April 6, 2017, now confers upon a common pleas court the discretion to
permit certain kinds of discovery by a capital petitioner upon “good cause shown.”
At the time Sowell filed his postconviction petition in this case, the
postconviction statutes did not contemplate discovery in the initial stages of a
postconviction proceeding.5 Nevertheless, even if this court were to apply the new
provisions of the statute to this case, we find no basis to conclude that good cause
was shown. Here, Sowell submitted 379 pages worth of evidence in support of his
petition for postconviction relief. Thus, it is not clear from this record that Sowell
was hampered in any way by the court’s failure to allow him to conduct additional
discovery. In fact, Sowell emphatically argued in his August 13, 2012 motion for
discovery that the evidence and materials attached in support of his petition,
standing alone, were sufficient to establish substantive grounds for relief on his
5 The discretion afforded to trial courts under R.C. 2953.21(A)(1)(d) arises “at any
time in conjunction with the filing of a petition for postconviction relief under Division
(A) by a person who has been sentenced to death[.]” Sowell’s petition was filed on August
12, 2012, well before the amendments’ effective date.
claims. Under these circumstances, we are unable to conclude that the trial court
abused its discretion by failing to allow Sowell to conduct further discovery. See
State v. Obermiller, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 101456, 2019-Ohio-1234, ¶ 16 (declining
to follow State v. Ketterer, 2017-Ohio-4117, 92 N.E.3d 21 (12th Dist.)).
Moreover, “Ohio appellate courts have consistently held that the
postconviction relief statute does not provide a right to funding or appointment of
expert witnesses or assistance in a postconviction petition.” State v. Rutherford, 4th
Dist. Pike No. 18CA894, 2019-Ohio-3827, ¶ 28, citing State v. Hicks, 4th Dist.
Highland No. 09CA15, 2010-Ohio-89, ¶ 22 (petitioner sought funding for a
handwriting examiner, a linguist, and an investigator, but R.C. 2953.21 does not
provide a right to funding or appointment of expert witnesses or assistance in a
postconviction petition); State v. Madison, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 08AP-246,
2008-Ohio-5223, ¶ 16 (R.C. 2953.21 does not provide a right to funding or
appointment of expert witnesses or assistance in a postconviction petition), citing
State v. Tolliver, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 04AP-591, 2005-Ohio-989, ¶ 25 (Neither
the postconviction statute nor the constitution warrants funding for a psychiatrist
or other expert assistance to testify regarding suicide in a postconviction petition.).
See also Jackson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104132, 2017-Ohio-2651, at ¶ 12 (noting
that there is no constitutional or statutory right to funding of an expert in aid of a
postconviction petition).
We recognize that Crim.R. 42, effective July 1, 2017, now provides
trial courts with discretion to appoint experts for indigent defendants in
postconviction reviews of capital cases. State v. Powell, 6th Dist. Lucas Nos. L-18-
1194 and L-18-1195, 2019-Ohio-4286, ¶ 48; State v. Kinley, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2016-
CA-11, 2018-Ohio-2423, ¶ 34 (noting “the rule does not expressly state whether it is
to be applied retroactively.”). However, as set forth in our resolution of Sowell’s
eighth ground for relief, the trial court correctly found that Sowell’s own experts
testified during the mitigation phase of trial that a PET scan would merely
corroborate the results gathered from the neuropsychological testing that Sowell
had undergone. Given the cumulative nature of the requested testing, we are unable
to conclude that the trial court abused its discretion by failing to grant Sowell’s
request for additional funding.
Sowell’s fifth assignment of error is overruled.
D. Postconviction Provides a Meaningful Review
In his sixth assignment of error, Sowell argues his claims for
postconviction relief presented sufficient operative facts to merit relief or, at a
minimum, an evidentiary hearing. Sowell contends that he supported his petition
with evidence outside the record, yet the trial court denied each claim “without
substantive analysis” and without making an effort to “engage with the claims or
meaningfully review the case in light of the grounds alleged and the evidence
presented.” Sowell further contends that, “in practice, Ohio’s postconviction process
allows little, if any, opportunity for factual development, so it has largely become an
empty and circular remedy.” Thus, Sowell asserts that “Ohio’s postconviction
procedures under R.C. 2953.21 et seq., [unconstitutionally] fail to provide an
individual with any meaningful opportunity to redress his or her wrongful
convictions.”
As an initial matter, we reiterate that postconviction review is a
statutory process and is not a constitutional right. State v. Workman, 3d Dist.
Auglaize No. 2-17-12, 2017-Ohio-7364, ¶ 17, citing State v. Keith, 176 Ohio App. 3d
260, 2008-Ohio-741, 891 N.E.2d 1191, ¶ 26 (3d Dist.). The Supreme Court left the
states “free to impose proper procedural bars to restrict repeated returns to state
court for postconviction proceedings.” Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 489, 120
S. Ct. 1595, 146 L. Ed. 2d 542 (2000). The Ohio General Assembly has done so, by
limiting the time for asserting a postconviction claim, by restricting the jurisdiction
of a court to entertain late or successive claims, and setting forth the requirements
for an evidentiary hearing. “[A] petitioner receives no more rights than those
granted by the statute.” Calhoun, 86 Ohio St. 3d at 281, 714 N.E.2d 905.
As stated, a petitioner seeking postconviction relief under R.C.
2953.21 is not automatically entitled to an evidentiary hearing. Id. at 282. A trial
court does not abuse its discretion in dismissing a petition for postconviction relief
without a hearing where (1) the petitioner fails to set out sufficient operative facts to
establish substantive grounds for relief, or (2) the operation of res judicata prohibits
the claims advanced in the petition. Jackson, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104132, 2017-
Ohio-2651, at ¶ 16. While Sowell contends that he pled “sufficient operative facts to
warrant a hearing,” we find the trial court carefully and meticulously considered the
evidence attached in support of Sowell’s postconviction petition and properly
determined that Sowell’s constitutional claims were either barred by res judicata or
failed to set forth sufficient operative facts to establish substantive grounds for relief.
In this case, the trial court’s 32-page findings of fact and conclusions of law was
explicit enough to sufficiently apprise the petitioner with a clear understanding of
the basis of the trial court’s decision, while simultaneously enabling this court to
review the grounds on which the trial court reached its decision.
Under these circumstances, we are unable to conclude that the trial
court denied Sowell’s claims without substantive analysis and abused its discretion
in denying Sowell’s claims without holding an evidentiary hearing. Similarly, we
find no merit to Sowell’s position that R.C. 2953.21 et seq., violates a petitioner’s
right to due process and meaningful review. See Obermiller, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
101456, 2019-Ohio-1234, at ¶ 15 (rejecting the claim that postconviction
proceedings fail to provide meaningful review because they allow for little
opportunity for factual development), citing State v. Hutton, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
76348, 2004-Ohio-3731, ¶ 25-26 (“Notwithstanding the narrow focus of the
postconviction review under R.C. 2953.21, we believe this remedy provides adequate
safeguards to protect the constitutional rights of individuals convicted of a criminal
offense.”).
Sowell’s sixth assignment of error is overruled.
Judgment affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the
common pleas court to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27
of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
EILEEN T. GALLAGHER, ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE
PATRICIA ANN BLACKMON, J., and
LARRY A. JONES, SR., J., CONCUR