Reuben Hickok Fairfield v. State of Tennessee

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT JACKSON
Assigned on Briefs March 5, 2014
REUBEN HICKOK FAIRFIELD v. STATE OF TENNESSEE
Appeal from the Circuit Court for Madison County
No. C-13-112 Roy Morgan, Jr., Judge
No. W2013-01482-CCA-R3-PC - Filed April 30, 2014
The Petitioner, Reuben Hickok Fairfield, pled guilty to second degree murder and tampering
with evidence, and he agreed to concurrent sentences of thirty-five years, at 100 percent, for
the second degree murder conviction and to six years, at 30 percent, for the tampering with
evidence conviction. The Petitioner filed a pro se petition for post-conviction relief, which
was amended by appointed counsel. The post-conviction court dismissed the petition after
a hearing. On appeal, the Petitioner asserts that the post-conviction court erred when it
dismissed his petition because his counsel was ineffective and his guilty plea was not
knowingly and voluntarily entered. After a thorough review of the record and applicable
authorities, we conclude that the post-conviction court did not err when it dismissed the
petition. The post-conviction court’s judgment is, therefore, affirmed.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court Affirmed
R OBERT W. W EDEMEYER, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which T HOMAS T.
W OODALL and J AMES C URWOOD W ITT, J R., JJ., joined.
Joseph T. Howell, Jackson, Tennessee, for the Appellant, Reuben Hickok Fairfield.
Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; Sophia S. Lee, Assistant Attorney
General; James G. Woodall, District Attorney General; and Jody Pickens, Assistant District
Attorney General, for the Appellee, State of Tennessee.
OPINION
I. Facts
A. Guilty Plea Hearing
This case arises from the beating death of the victim, Lionel Deshun Harris, on
February 7, 2012, in Madison County, Tennessee. As a result of Harris’s death, a Madison
County grand jury indicted the Petitioner on charges of first degree murder and tampering
with evidence. At the guilty plea hearing, the State informed the trial court that, had the case
gone to trial, the proof would have shown:
[O]n or about February 7th, 2012 at about 7:30, Jackson Police
Department responded to a business on North Highland just in front of
Alexander School by the name of Jamaica Beautiful Braids. In the parking lot
of the area beside there is a convenience store. Lionel Deshun Harris was
found deceased in the parking lot with a serious head trauma. He was
pronounced dead at the scene. A subsequent autopsy determined that the cause
of death was multiple blunt force trauma to the head.
During the investigation, [the Petitioner] was developed as a suspect.
. . . . [The Petitioner’s] sister dated the victim. . . . According to witnesses and
also according to a statement that [the Petitioner] later gave, that he intended
to confront the victim about an allegation concerning the victim having
touched a family member, a minor family member.
On February 7th shortly before 7:30, the victim had been at the
[Petitioner’s] home and borrowed $50 from the [Petitioner’s] mother. Just
before the victim left the home, the [Petitioner] left and intercepted the victim
as he was waiting at the bus stop there in the area – or proceeding to the bus
stop in the area of Alexander School. He was talking – the victim was talking
on the cellphone. [The Petitioner] approached the victim. The victim crossed
the street to get away. [The Petitioner] subsequently in an altercation struck
the victim approximately six times in the head with a hammer that he had
taken from his home prior to his going to meet the victim.
[The Petitioner] fled the scene, threw the hammer in the alley between
Division and Wisdom Street. The hammer was subsequently recovered and
was found to have the victim’s DNA in the form of blood.
The Petitioner agreed that the statement of fact as given was substantially correct. The trial
court informed the Petitioner that he was taking a “higher range and a higher sentence” as
a result of a negotiated plea to second degree murder. The Petitioner acknowledged his
understanding of this. The trial court then went on to question the Petitioner and ensure that
he was entering his plea knowingly and voluntarily. In that vein, the trial court ensured the
Petitioner was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, ensured that he had not been
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forced or pressured to enter a guilty plea, and confirmed that the Petitioner was not promised
anything in exchange for his plea. The trial court then accepted the Petitioner’s guilty pleas
and entered the negotiated sentence.
B. Post-Conviction Petition
The Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief alleging that he had received
the ineffective assistance of counsel and that his guilty pleas were not knowingly and
voluntarily entered.
At a hearing on the petition, the parties presented the following evidence: The
Petitioner testified that he had been charged with first degree murder and tampering with
evidence. He said that he “never” denied his role in that offense. His appointed counsel
(“Counsel”) represented him when he entered a guilty plea to the charges. He said that he
was “misguided by the plea,” he “didn’t understand nothing of it,” and it was “fast and [he]
wasn’t thinking properly.” The Petitioner acknowledged that the trial court questioned him
during the hearing about whether he understood what he was doing and whether he was
satisfied with Counsel’s representation. He said that he answered these questions
affirmatively because he “was rushed” and “wasn’t thinking.” He felt he was under a lot of
pressure and was coerced into taking a plea by Counsel’s telling him that he could receive
life in prison or the death penalty. The Petitioner said that, at the time, he did not know the
law and did not have access to tools to help him do legal research. Since he had been
incarcerated, however, he had researched the law and felt that entering a plea was not “the
way to go.”
The Petitioner informed the post-conviction court that the “basis of [his] claim” was
that Counsel “rushed [him]” and “kinda coerced [him]” into taking the plea. He said that
Counsel did not offer a defense strategy, and Counsel told him, “Ain’t nothing we really can
do.” The Petitioner said he wanted to plead to a “lesser charge like voluntary manslaughter
or reckless homicide.” Counsel, however, repeatedly told him to take the plea offered by the
State, which was to second degree murder. The Petitioner said he was under “a lot of
pressure” and felt “scared” because this was his first time “getting into any violent . . . stuff
like this.” He said he had no previous criminal record.
The Petitioner testified that he was charged with first degree murder, pled to second
degree murder, and agreed to an out-of-range sentence of thirty-five years. The Petitioner
said he did not realize he agreed to an out-of-range sentence because he “really kn[e]w
nothing about the charge.” The Petitioner said his plea was not knowingly and voluntarily
entered because it “wasn’t really talked over with me . . . correctly.”
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The Petitioner testified that Counsel only came to visit him three times, usually
staying for only five minutes. The Petitioner said that Counsel should have negotiated for
a plea to a lesser charge based upon the fact that the Petitioner had “a mental issue.” He said
he had been going to “Pathways” since he was a young child, and he was supposed to be on
medicine because he had been diagnosed with psychosis, bipolar, and “something else.” He
said he was not taking any medication on the day of this murder, and he should have been.
The Petitioner said that, when he was medicated, he was not “so quick to act off impulse.”
He would have been “mellowed down” and would not have reacted so quickly to what his
niece had told him. The Petitioner said that, shortly before the murder, his niece had
informed him that the victim had been touching her and “messing with her,” so the Petitioner
wanted to fight him. The Petitioner said he never intended to kill the victim, and, when the
victim fell to the ground, “it just went from there.” The Petitioner asserted that he was not
a bad person but that he just made a mistake.
The Petitioner testified that he informed Counsel of these facts but that Counsel did
not discuss them with him. He told the Petitioner that he would have to prove these facts and
then the charges might be dropped to manslaughter. Counsel then repeatedly advised him
to take the plea agreement.
The Petitioner said that he asked Counsel if Counsel could negotiate for a reduced
sentence or get him parole because the Petitioner was a “good person” and had not been in
any other trouble. Counsel told him that the State denied this request and informed the
Petitioner that he would be required to serve his full sentence.
During cross-examination, the Petitioner conceded that he had been involved in a
homicide as a juvenile. He said he was charged with homicide, but the charge was later
reduced. He said he was also charged with civil rights intimidation related to this homicide
because he had written a note threatening a Middle Eastern shopkeeper, and then someone
else shot the shopkeeper. The Petitioner denied that he was present during these events.
The Petitioner said he did not remember the trial court’s questioning him at the guilty
plea hearing about the voluntariness of his plea. He did not remember the trial court’s telling
him he could interrupt the proceedings if he did not understand anything. Even after reading
a transcript of the guilty plea hearing, he still did not recall this. The Petitioner said he did
not recall the trial court’s informing him that he was pleading “outside of [his] range.” The
Petitioner similarly did not recall informing the trial court that he did not understand what
this meant or the trial court’s informing him of the ramifications of pleading outside of his
range.
The Petitioner agreed that the facts of his case were that the Petitioner armed himself
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with a hammer and chased down the victim. The Petitioner then struck the victim multiple
times with the hammer. He said, however, he “didn’t think a hammer could do that much
damage.” The Petitioner said that he wanted to put the victim in the hospital, in intensive
care, because he was touching his niece. He explained that he was going “off impulse” and
his “emotions.” He agreed that he intentionally armed himself with the hammer before the
incident.
The Petitioner said that Counsel never looked into the allegation that the Petitioner
had learned shortly before this killing that the victim was molesting the Petitioner’s niece.
The Petitioner agreed that Counsel had told him that he could not find anything to
substantiate the Petitioner’s claims.
The Petitioner agreed that Counsel had the Petitioner evaluated before the guilty plea
by Dr. Woody Kennon. The Petitioner said Counsel never informed him that the doctor
concluded:
Throughout the evaluation [the Petitioner] demonstrated purposeful
attempts to portray himself in a negative light. He demonstrated classic
features of malingering to include not only Gasner-type responses but
complaints of inconsistent symptomatology and dramatization of his alleged
psychological problems, and [the Petitioner] was observed to be highly
manipulative.
Counsel testified that he was an assistant public defender and was appointed to
represent the Petitioner. He said that the Public Defender, George Googe, attended the first
meeting that Counsel had with the Petitioner. Counsel said that he met with the Petitioner
on several occasions. Shortly after meeting with the Petitioner, Counsel met with the
Petitioner’s mother and uncle at their home. He met with the Petitioner again after he had
filed a motion for expert services. Counsel said that, after the two had met several times,
there “came a time that we started talking about offers and negotiation.” Counsel said he
talked with the Petitioner about the first offer and then also about subsequent offers.
Counsel testified that he did not have any difficulty communicating with the
Petitioner. The Petitioner never displayed a lack of understanding. Counsel recalled that he
and the Petitioner discussed some lesser-included offenses that the Petitioner thought would
be more appropriate. Counsel explained to him that they could present this to the jury, but
they would need evidence to substantiate the Petitioner’s claims. Counsel said he talked to
the Petitioner’s family specifically about the Petitioner’s contention that he had just learned
that the victim was molesting the Petitioner’s niece, and all of his family members denied any
knowledge of any alleged sexual abuse. In any event, Counsel opined that the State could
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still present sufficient evidence to prove first degree murder.
Counsel said that he and the Petitioner discussed the possible consequences of the
Petitioner’s being tried and convicted of first degree murder. Counsel informed the
Petitioner that the State had not yet filed a notice seeking the death penalty, but he explained
that the State still had time to so do. He explained to the Petitioner that, in the event that the
State did not seek the death penalty, the Petitioner would face a sentence of life in prison
with the possibility of parole or life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted
of first degree murder.
Counsel testified that the State offered to allow the Petitioner to plead guilty to second
degree murder if he agreed to an out of range thirty-five year sentence. He explained that this
was more than the twenty-five year maximum sentence for second degree murder but it was
less than a sentence of life with parole. Based upon Counsel’s experience, and also in Public
Defender Googe’s opinion, this was an offer that the Petitioner should consider accepting,
and they recommended as much to him.
Counsel said that the expert who examined the Petitioner indicated that the Petitioner
was malingering. The report further indicated that the Petitioner was exaggerating his
problems. Counsel said he was not going to be able to use the expert’s report in defense of
the Petitioner.
Counsel said that he was present during the guilty plea hearing. He had no indication
that the Petitioner had any difficulty understanding the proceedings. Counsel said he would
have stopped the proceedings if he thought the Petitioner was not fully comprehending his
guilty plea and the consequences. Counsel said the Petitioner indicated after the guilty plea
hearing that he thought that he “got a good deal” with the offer of thirty-five years.
During cross-examination, Counsel testified that he hired the expert because the file
he received from the State about the Petitioner indicated that he had mental health issues.
Counsel himself, however, never noted that the Petitioner had any mental health problems.
Counsel said that, to investigate the Petitioner’s allegations of sexual molestation, he
asked the Petitioner who could substantiate the Petitioner’s claims. The Petitioner told him
that his mother and his sister could do so. When Counsel interviewed the Petitioner’s
mother, she indicated that she did not know anything of that nature. Counsel said that the
niece or nieces who were allegedly molested were “particularly young,” and he did not speak
to them directly. It was his understanding that they had been spoken to by a representative
of the State in the past. He was certain that the State’s file would have contained any
indication of abuse.
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Based upon this evidence the post-conviction court dismissed the Petitioner’s petition
for post-conviction relief. It is from this judgment that the Petitioner now appeals.
II. Analysis
On appeal, the Petitioner contends that the post-conviction court erred when it
dismissed his petition because his Counsel was ineffective and his guilty plea was not
knowingly and voluntarily entered. The State counters that the Petitioner has failed to prove
either of his claims. We agree with the State.
When denying the Petitioner relief, the post-conviction court found:
The Court has certainly reviewed the Petitioner’s claims, and it is based
upon the claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.
If you listen carefully to the testimony of [the] Petitioner, you would
note that in here he said, “I really want my time cut.” He wants the time cut
from what he agreed to at the time of his plea bargain, is his basis for his post-
conviction. Now I’ve reviewed the entire record, not just the testimony. He
testified that he was under pressure, he was rushed, that his attorney rushed
him, that he thought it was the right thing to do at the time but now he’s
studied the law, and I learned today they have Westlaw in TDOC. He changed
his mind is what it amounts to in that respect. He felt like that it wasn’t talked
over with him and he was rushed. But after all that testimony again, he
indicated he really wants a cut in his time.
I want to note that the Court got the first degree murder case on
arraignment day of July 9th, 2012. Most of you that know me know that I will
set cases along the way without a lot of delay, but certainly on a case like this,
I will give ample time for discovery and preparation.
So on July 9th the [Petitioner] was arraigned and counsel was
appointed. That’s when [Counsel] came on board. On September the 17th,
2012 we continued it to November 13th to hear any motions, and we put a plea
cutoff of December 10th and a trial date of February 5th. So there was not a
rush at all to pressure anyone to do anything as far as [the Petitioner] entering
into any plea agreement. And on December 11th, he did enter into a plea
agreement. It was one day later. In fact, he came in on December 10th. He
was here and I believe I continued it to the next morning to even give him that
extra time to think about it, if y’all will recall, according to my docket sheet,
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to make sure everyone was in agreement and had a clear understanding. So I
note all that for the record.
The Court also notes from the testimony and the record that the charge
was reduced from first degree murder to second degree murder. The Court
notes for the record that it’s very clear that the [Petitioner] was advised by the
plea form he signed as well as by the Court as evidenced by the transcript in
this case which is Exhibit 1[,] I believe[,] as to him pleading outside of his
range.
It’s the Court’s job today to judge the credibility of each and every
witness in this case, and I have to do that as I considered the testimony of the
Petitioner . . . and [Counsel]. And one thing that speaks volumes, the guilty
plea transcript, Exhibit 1, dated December 11th, 2012, it’s very clear the
questions asked and the responses given. In great detail the [Petitioner] is
advised of all of his rights, including pleading outside his range. He responds
very clearly. The Court notes today that the [Petitioner] had no problems
communicating December the 11th, 2012 and he had no problems
communicating today as he testified and responded to the questions.
The Court further finds as evidenced by Exhibit 2 and the testimony that
defense counsel went so far as to get ex parte orders signed to get an
evaluation done in this case to be assured that his client was in a proper state
to proceed on . . . a plea or trial. The Court finds that defense counsel
reviewed everything with the [Petitioner]. He’s testified to that effect. The
Court reviewed with the [Petitioner] in his plea. But all options were
discussed according to [Counsel’s] testimony today. It was very clear from
[Counsel’s] testimony that the [Petitioner] . . . even made his own offer to the
State to try to settle the case by agreement, and that was rejected and then
ultimately an agreement was reached.
The [Petitioner] communicated very well today. He has a twelfth grade
education. He dropped out in the twelfth grade, but he certainly quickly
followed up with his GED, and he had logical and clear answers as he
responded today. No trouble at all did he indicate in understanding not even
one question.
All that having been noted, the Court finds that the [Petitioner] at the
time of his plea again freely, voluntarily, knowingly, intelligently and
personally entered that plea on that occasion, that he has failed to carry the
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burden today by clear and convincing evidence as to any issue on ineffective
assistance of counsel.
In order to obtain post-conviction relief, a petitioner must show that his or her
conviction or sentence is void or voidable because of the abridgment of a constitutional right.
T.C.A. § 40-30-103 (2012). The petitioner bears the burden of proving factual allegations
in the petition for post-conviction relief by clear and convincing evidence. T.C.A. § 40-30-
110(f) (2012). Upon review, this Court will not re-weigh or re-evaluate the evidence below;
all questions concerning the credibility of witnesses, the weight and value to be given their
testimony, and the factual issues raised by the evidence are to be resolved by the trial judge,
not the appellate courts. Momon v. State, 18 S.W.3d 152, 156 (Tenn. 1999) (citing Henley
v. State, 960 S.W.2d 572, 578-79 (Tenn. 1997)). A post-conviction court’s factual findings
are subject to a de novo review by this Court; however, we must accord these factual findings
a presumption of correctness, which can be overcome only when a preponderance of the
evidence is contrary to the post-conviction court’s factual findings. Fields v. State, 40
S.W.3d 450, 456-57 (Tenn. 2001). A post-conviction court’s conclusions of law are subject
to a purely de novo review by this Court, with no presumption of correctness. Id. at 457.
The right of a criminally accused to representation is guaranteed by both the Sixth
Amendment to the United States Constitution and article I, section 9, of the Tennessee
Constitution. State v. White, 114 S.W.3d 469, 475 (Tenn. 2003); State v. Burns, 6 S.W.3d
453, 461 (Tenn. 1999); Baxter v. Rose, 523 S.W.2d 930, 936 (Tenn. 1975). The following
two-prong test directs a court’s evaluation of a claim for ineffectiveness:
First, the [petitioner] must show that counsel’s performance was deficient.
This requires showing that counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not
functioning as the “counsel” guaranteed the [petitioner] by the Sixth
Amendment. Second, the [petitioner] must show that the deficient
performance prejudiced the defense. This requires showing that counsel’s
errors were so serious as to deprive the [petitioner] of a fair trial, a trial whose
result is reliable. Unless a [petitioner] makes both showings, it cannot be said
that the conviction or death sentence resulted from a breakdown in the
adversary process that renders the result unreliable.
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984); see also State v. Melson, 772 S.W.2d
417, 419 (Tenn. 1989).
The Petitioner contends that Counsel was ineffective because he did not develop a
theory of defense and only briefly met with him on three occasions. The Petitioner asserts
that this made him feel compelled to accept the negotiated plea, rendering his guilty plea
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unknowingly and involuntarily entered.
In reviewing a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, this Court must determine
whether the advice given or services rendered by the attorney are within the range of
competence demanded of attorneys in criminal cases. Baxter, 523 S.W.2d at 936. To prevail
on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, “a petitioner must show that counsel’s
representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.” House v. State, 44
S.W.3d 508, 515 (Tenn. 2001) (citing Goad v. State, 938 S.W.2d 363, 369 (Tenn. 1996)).
When evaluating an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the reviewing court
should judge the attorney’s performance within the context of the case as a whole, taking into
account all relevant circumstances. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690; State v. Mitchell, 753
S.W.2d 148, 149 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1988). The reviewing court should avoid the “distorting
effects of hindsight” and “judge the reasonableness of counsel’s challenged conduct on the
facts of the particular case, viewed as of the time of counsel’s conduct.” Strickland, 466 U.S.
at 689-90. In doing so, the reviewing court must be highly deferential and “should indulge
a strong presumption that counsel’s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable
professional assistance.” Burns, 6 S.W.3d at 462. Finally, we note that a defendant in a
criminal case is not entitled to perfect representation, only constitutionally adequate
representation. Denton v. State, 945 S.W.2d 793, 796 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996). In other
words, “in considering claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, ‘we address not what is
prudent or appropriate, but only what is constitutionally compelled.’” Burger v. Kemp, 483
U.S. 776, 794 (1987) (quoting United States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648, 665 n.38 (1984)).
Counsel should not be deemed to have been ineffective merely because a different procedure
or strategy might have produced a different result. Williams v. State, 599 S.W.2d 276, 279-
80 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1980). “The fact that a particular strategy or tactic failed or hurt the
defense, does not, standing alone, establish unreasonable representation. However, deference
to matters of strategy and tactical choices applies only if the choices are informed ones based
upon adequate preparation.” House, 44 S.W.3d at 515 (quoting Goad, 938 S.W.2d at 369).
If the petitioner shows that counsel’s representation fell below a reasonable standard,
then the petitioner must satisfy the prejudice prong of the Strickland test by demonstrating
“there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of
the proceeding would have been different.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694; Nichols v. State,
90 S.W.3d 576, 587 (Tenn. 2002). This reasonable probability must be “sufficient to
undermine confidence in the outcome.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694; Harris v. State, 875
S.W.2d 662, 665 (Tenn. 1994). To demonstrate prejudice in the guilty plea context, the
petitioner must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s deficient
performance, he would not have pleaded guilty and would have insisted on going to trial.
Calvert v. State, 342 S.W.3d 477, 486 (Tenn. 2011).
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After reviewing the record in this case, we conclude, as did the post-conviction court,
that Counsel’s performance was not deficient and, in any event, the Petitioner did not prove
he was prejudiced. Counsel, along with Public Defender Googe, met with the Petitioner and
then met with the Petitioner’s family. The Petitioner claimed he killed the victim in anger
over allegations that the victim molested his niece or nieces. The Petitioner informed
Counsel that his mother and sister could substantiate his claims. Counsel interviewed the
Petitioner’s mother and sister and neither claimed to have any knowledge of these
allegations. Counsel noted that, in the Petitioner’s file, it mentioned he may have a history
of mental health treatment. Counsel hired an expert, ex parte, to interview the Petitioner.
The expert reported to Counsel that the Petitioner displayed signs of malingering. Lacking
any sort of plausible defense, Counsel negotiated a plea agreement on the Petitioner’s behalf,
which reduced his conviction to second degree murder if the Petitioner agreed to an out of
range sentence. The Petitioner agreed, and, at the time, he was satisfied with the agreement.
We conclude that the Petitioner has not proven that Counsel was in any way deficient.
We further conclude that the Petitioner cannot show that Counsel’s performance in
any way prejudiced him. The Petitioner has not proven that, but for Counsel’s alleged
deficient performance, he would not have pled guilty. The Petitioner sought a plea
agreement, expressed a total understanding of the plea agreement at the time it was entered,
and was satisfied with the plea agreement. The agreement reduced the charge he was facing,
despite the strength of the State’s case, in exchange for an out of range sentence. The out of
range sentence of thirty-five years was significantly less than the possible life sentence if the
Petitioner were convicted of first degree murder. The Petitioner is not entitled to relief on
this issue.
II. Conclusion
After a thorough review of the record and the applicable law, we affirm the post-
conviction court’s judgment.
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ROBERT W. WEDEMEYER, JUDGE
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