NOEL L. HILLMAN, District Judge.
This matter is presently before the Court pursuant to the submission of a Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus under Title 28 U.S.C. § 2254 [Doc. No. 1], by the Petitioner Audberto Egipciaco ("Petitioner"). For the reasons stated below, the Petition will be denied.
Petitioner is presently confined at New Jersey State Prison, in Trenton, New Jersey. (Pet. at 1.) He is imprisoned after conviction by a jury in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Camden County on May 6, 2003, for: three counts of armed robbery (first degree), in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1; one count of aggravated assault (third degree), in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(2); one count of burglary (second degree), in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C-18(2); two counts of aggravated assault (fourth degree), in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(4); two counts of endangering the welfare of a child (third degree), in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a; and three counts of criminal restraint (third degree), in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:13-2a. (Pet. at 4; Answer at 2-3 [Doc. No. 9.])
On June 20, 2003, Petitioner was sentenced to an aggregate 65-year sentence with a parole ineligibility term of 29 years, 9 months and 3 days. (Answer at 3; June 20, 2003 Sentencing Transcript ("Rta11") at 25 [Doc. No. 10-11]; Judgment of Conviction ("Ra3") [Doc. No. 9-5.] Petitioner filed a direct appeal, and his conviction was affirmed on February 7, 2006, but the case was remanded for resentencing. (Pet., ¶ 9.)
Petitioner filed a petition for post-conviction relief in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Camden County ("PCR Court"), alleging the following:
(Pet., ¶ 11);
In the present Petition, Petitioner raised all of the same grounds that he raised in his post-conviction brief, using the same numbering. (Pet., ¶ 12, Ground One).
Respondents asserted two affirmative defenses in their Answer: (1) Petitioner failed to establish a prima facie case of ineffective assistance of counsel; and (2) Petitioner's claims in Ground One, Subpoints 1C, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 are procedurally defaulted. (Answer at 13.)
Petitioner filed a reply entitled "Petitioner Audberto Egipciaco's Memorandum in Support of Habeas Corpus Relief." ("Petr's Mem.")[Doc. No. 14]. Petitioner reasserted his claims and contended he had set forth an ineffective assistance of counsel claim upon which relief may granted:
(
Petitioner also asserted a claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel, claiming that counsel was ineffective for failing "to raise the important issues raised in the PCR Petition filed by Petitioner." (
Respondents objected to Petitioner's submission of evidence outside of the state court record, including a cover letter from the prosecutor regarding discovery information, and a letter to an investigator from Petitioner's co-defendant's counsel. (Letter at 2)[Doc. No. 17.] "[R]eview under § 2254(d)(1) is limited to the record that was before the state court that adjudicated the claim on the merits."
A state prisoner must exhaust the remedies available in state courts before bringing his federal habeas petition, unless "there is an absence of available state corrective process[] or. . . circumstances exist that render such process ineffective.")) The exhaustion requirement gives the state courts "0314the opportunity to pass upon and correct alleged violations of its prisoners' federal rights.'"
A habeas petitioner exhausts his state court remedies by presenting his federal constitutional claims at each level of state court empowered to hear such claims, including direct appeal and post-conviction proceedings. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(c);
Procedural default may be excused and a federal habeas court may address the claim if the petitioner shows cause and prejudice for the default or that a fundamental miscarriage of justice will occur if the claim is not addressed.
Procedural default may also be excused if a "fundamental miscarriage of justice" will occur if the habeas court does not address the merits of the claim.
Respondents contended Petitioner's claim that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to a jury instruction (Ground One, 1C) is procedurally defaulted under state law. When Petitioner raised the issue in the PCR Court, the court found the claim was procedurally defaulted, because Petitioner could have raised it on direct appeal without expanding the record. (PCR Motion Transcript ("Rta14") at 40-41 [Doc. No. 10-14]. New Jersey Court Rule 3:22-4 bars from post-conviction proceedings grounds for relief not raised in appeal of proceedings resulting in the conviction (with limited exceptions not applicable here). The Superior Court affirmed on appeal. (
Indeed, Petitioner could have raised the claim on direct appeal without expanding the record. He was present at trial and knew counsel had not objected to the jury instruction. Therefore, the claim is procedurally defaulted under N.J.Ct.R. 3:22-4. This Court will deny Ground 1C.
Respondents contended that Ground One, Subpoint 4, whether the trial court erred by failing to grant a mistrial based on an alleged discovery violation, is also procedurally defaulted albeit for a different reason. The Superior Court denied the claim on direct appeal, and the PCR Court thus ruled the claim was procedurally defaulted under state law, pursuant to N.J.Ct.R. 3:22-5. (Rta14 at 41.) The PCR Court was affirmed on appeal. (Ra21 at 11.)
New Jersey Court Rule 3:22-5, governing post-conviction relief, provides:
Thus, this habeas claim is procedurally defaulted because the state appellate court reviewing the PCR petition dismissed the claim on a state procedural ground. The Court will deny Ground One, Subpoint 4.
In Ground One, Subpoint 3, Petitioner alleged the trial court erred by admitting improper identification evidence. Respondents argued the claim is procedurally defaulted because Petitioner could have brought the claim in his direct appeal but did not. Petitioner was, of course, aware of the identification evidence that was admitted at trial, and he could have raised any constitutional claims regarding admission of the evidence on direct appeal. This claim is procedurally defaulted, pursuant to N.J.Ct.R. 3:22-4. The Court will also deny Ground One, Subpoint 3.
Petitioner has not asserted an external cause that prevented him from bringing Ground 1C or Ground One, Subpoint 3 at the appropriate time in the state courts, nor has he offered new evidence to show actual innocence that would excuse procedural default of these habeas claims. Thus, none of his procedurally defaulted habeas claims discussed above will be addressed on the merits.
Respondents contended the claims Petitioner raised in Ground One, Subpoints 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 are claims about trial court rulings which Petitioner should have brought on direct appeal, but he instead brought the claims under the guise of ineffective assistance of counsel in the PCR Court. Respondents asserted the claims are procedurally defaulted because Petitioner could have proceeded on direct appeal and failed to do so.
It is true that Petitioner brought these claims as ineffective assistance of counsel claims in a post-conviction proceeding. (Supp. Brief in Further Supp. of Audberto Egipciaco Application for Post-Conviction Relief ("Ra12") at 4)[Doc. No. 9-15.] The PCR Court did not find the claims procedurally barred, however, and addressed the claims on the merits, although only to state that they would be dismissed because they were no more than bald assertions. (PCR Court Order, July 17, 2009 ("Ra16")[Doc. No. 9-19]; Ra21 at 44-45). The claims might have been stated differently and brought on direct appeal, but the PCR Court addressed the merits of the claims, and this Court will do the same, giving proper deference to the PCR Court decision under § 2254.
28 U.S.C. § 2254(d) provides:
"Contrary to clearly established Federal law" means the state court applied a rule that contradicted the governing law set forth in Supreme Court precedent or that the state court confronted a set of facts that were materially indistinguishable from Supreme Court precedent and arrived at a different result than the Supreme Court.
When this occurs, the habeas petitioner can only satisfy the "unreasonable application" clause of § 2254(d) by showing that "there was no reasonable basis" for the state court's decision.
Here, Petitioner has not presented any Supreme Court cases that are materially indistinguishable from his own case and were wrongfully applied. Petitioner acknowledged the state courts correctly identified
The facts, as stated by the Superior Court on direct appeal, are as follows. In the evening of January 23, 2001,
In the meantime, upstairs, Petitioner threw Carmen to the floor, hit her, and took her jewelry.
Maria Morales ("Morales") was on her way to visit Julio and Carmen, and Carmen yelled out the window of the apartment that they had just been robbed and the robbers were leaving the building.
Petitioner was a longtime friend of Carmen and Julio, and had been at their apartment earlier on the day of the robbery, as had Morales.
Another officer, Frank Colon, was also dispatched to the scene of the crime, and Carmen and Julio told him they had recognized Petitioner's voice.
At trial, Petitioner presented testimony from an alibi witness, Maria Concepcion ("Concepcion").
Petitioner moved for a mistrial based on surprise testimony by Carmen, Julio, and Officer Colon, that Carmen and Julio identified Petitioner on the night of the crime.
On appeal, Petitioner argued he had relied on the police reports in forming the misidentification defense.
A PCR hearing was held on July 17, 2009, and the court read its findings into the record at the end of the hearing. (Rta14 at 26-50.) The Superior Court affirmed the PCR Court, and held:
(Ra21 at 11.)
The Superior Court added that Judge Natal, who conducted the PCR hearing, did not find Petitioner to be a credible witness, and there was no basis in the record to disturb this finding.
The test announced by the Supreme Court in
The first prong of the test "requires a defendant to show `that counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.'"
In cases where the record does not explicitly disclose trial counsel's actual strategy or lack thereof . . . the presumption may only be rebutted through a showing that no sound strategy posited [by the Respondent] could have supported the conduct.
The second prong of the
Respondents contended the PCR Court properly applied the
Petitioner admitted to the PCR Court that he was really only concerned with trial counsel's failure to call two of his alibi witnesses, Michael and Luciano Concepcion. (Rta14 at 23-24.) However, Petitioner admitted they were not with him at the Pathmark store, which was the alibi he presented at trial. (
The Superior Court affirmed, noting Petitioner testified in the PCR hearing that he told his counsel about Michael and Luciano Concepcion, but counsel told him their testimony was not necessary, and Petitioner did not dispute this at the time. (Ra21 at 5.) Petitioner said he was not thinking straight because he was on medication, but the Superior Court noted he did not produce any evidence that he was on medication. (
Petitioner contended the state court decision was based on an unreasonable application of the test announced by the Supreme Court in
When counsel focuses on some issues to the exclusion of others, "there is a strong presumption that he did so for tactical reasons rather than through sheer neglect."
Petitioner did not present testimony from his trial counsel at the PCR hearing, thus, the Court has only the trial record from which to glean counsel's trial strategy. Petitioner's trial counsel presented an alibi defense that he was with Maria Concepcion in a Pathmark store at the time of the robbery. (Trial Transcript ("Rta8") at 32-33, 40-44)[Doc. No. 10-8.] Counsel may well have chosen to pursue this alibi because it was supported by video evidence, purporting to show Petitioner was with Maria Concepcion at the Pathmark store very close to the time of the robbery. Any alibi without corroborating evidence, such as Michael and Luciano's testimony that they were with Petitioner later that night, would force the jury to weigh the credibility of the multiple eyewitnesses to the crime against the credibility of the alibi witnesses, whom had a relationship with Petitioner, giving them a motive to lie to protect him.
Ms. Concepcion's testimony was that Petitioner was with her all night, and he stayed overnight at her house because she was too tired to drive him home, and she needed him to drive her to work the next morning, since he was going to borrow her car during the day. (Trial Transcript ("Rta7") at 26-37, 46-51, 66) [Doc. No. 10-7.] Also, because one of her sons was using her other car, she and Petitioner had to share the one car. (
There is, therefore, a sound strategy that might have supported trial counsel's decision to call only Maria Concepcion; she could provide the strongest possible alibi defense, corroborated by video evidence. This Court, therefore, finds the state courts did not unreasonably apply
Moreover, even if counsel had presented testimony from Michael and Luciano Concepcion, the jury may not have found the testimony credible, given that they rejected Maria Concepcion's testimony that he was with her all night. The jury had to choose between the credibility of multiple eyewitnesses, at least one of whom knew Petitioner very well, and his alibi witness, and they chose to believe the eyewitnesses. The Court cannot conclude that if Michael and Luciano also testified they were home with Maria and Petitioner later that evening, the outcome of the trial would have been different. Therefore, this Court will deny Petitioner's ineffective assistance of counsel claim based on failure to call additional alibi witnesses (Ground 1A).
The PCR Court found that Petitioner's remaining claims, Grounds 1A, 1B, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G and Subpoints 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the habeas petition, were no more than bald assertions, unsupported by affidavits or certifications. (Rta14 at 44-45). Nonetheless, the PCR Court addressed Petitioner's claim that counsel did not allow him to testify in court. (Ground 1F of the habeas petition).
When Petitioner testified at the PCR hearing, he admitted that his trial counsel warned him that if he testified the jury would learn about his prior convictions and choose not to believe him. (Rta14 at 8-9, 15-18.) The PCR Court noted it was Petitioner himself who told the trial court he did not wish to testify. (
With respect to Ground 1E of the petition, Petitioner's trial counsel failed to consult with him, Petitioner testified at the PCR hearing that trial counsel met with him a few times. (Rta14 at 7-8.) Petitioner did not feel this was sufficient, particularly because he was on medication at the time and was confused. (
In Ground One, Subpoint 2 of the petition, Petitioner alleged trial counsel was ineffective for failing to crossexamine Carmen Garcia, for the purpose of impeaching her testimony based on her prior convictions. Petitioner also alleged in Ground 1B that trial counsel generally failed to cross-examine effectively.
The Superior Court noted Petitioner had not offered any support for his post-conviction claim that counsel should have impeached Carmen Garcia with her prior convictions. (Ra21 at 12.) Respondents argued Petitioner made contradictory statements in his brief, alleging ineffective assistance for failure to cross-examine Carmen Garcia, but also acknowledging that his trial counsel vigorously cross-examined the State's witnesses. (Answer at 40)(citing Ra12 at 36, 40-50.) With regard to the prejudice prong of the
In this case, even if trial counsel could have impeached Carmen Garcia based on her prior convictions, the outcome of the trial would not likely have been different because Carmen Garcia was not the only eyewitness who identified Petitioner as one of the robbers; there were several other eyewitnesses who identified Petitioner. (Rta8 at 51-70.) Therefore, the jury was not as likely to discredit her identification of Petitioner based on her criminal record, and the outcome of the trial was not likely to have been different if counsel had attempted to impeach the witness. Additionally, given the deference owed to state court decisions on habeas review, even when the state court summarily denied a claim, Petitioner cannot establish trial counsel was generally ineffective in cross-examination without explaining how counsel was deficient. For this reason, this Court will deny Ground 1B, and Ground One, Subpoint 2 of the petition.
Petitioner also claimed counsel should have hired an expert witness (Ground 1D), and the PCR Court dismissed this claim. (Petr's Mem. at 14-15.) The Superior Court affirmed the PCR Court's dismissal of this claim, noting Petitioner failed to provide any affidavit describing the proposed expert testimony. (Ra21 at 7-8.)
Here, Petitioner alleged an expert witness could have undermined certain of the eyewitness identifications of Petitioner by attacking the identification procedures used by police. (Petr's Mem. at 14.) Petitioner did not further describe the proposed expert testimony or how it would have undermined the identifications; therefore, he did not establish that counsel's performance was somehow deficient for failing to obtain an expert. Even if the jury called into question the identification procedures used by police, several eyewitnesses identified Petitioner as the robber in the courtroom, and they testified that they recognized his voice, eyes and ponytail. (Rta8 at 51-70.) Thus, the outcome of the trial would not likely have been different if expert witness testimony had been presented. The Court will deny Ground 1D of the petition.
Petitioner also claimed trial counsel failed to investigate and prepare for trial, and that counsel failed to consult with Petitioner. (Ground 1G of the habeas petition.) The PCR Court rejected Petitioner's claim, noting Petitioner had not established what additional investigation would have revealed. (Rta14 at 43, 45.) Here, Petitioner has likewise failed to establish how counsel's pretrial investigation was deficient or why the result of the proceeding might have altered if counsel had prepared for trial any differently.
On habeas review, it is not enough to generally allege that if things had been done differently, the outcome might have been affected. It is clear from the trial court record that counsel conducted an investigation that included Petitioner's alibi, corroborated with video evidence, and that counsel had knowledge of the content of the police records. Petitioner has not established that the state court decision unreasonably applied the
Respondents argued Ground One, Subpoints 5, 6, and 7 are without merit, as found by the PCR Court without further discussion. When a state court summarily denies a claim "a habeas court must determine what arguments or theories . . . could have supporte[d] the state court's decision; and then it must ask whether it is possible fairminded jurists could disagree that those arguments or theories are inconsistent with the holding in a prior decision of this Court."
In Ground 1, Subpoint 5, Petitioner alleged counsel should have objected to evidence regarding endangering the welfare of a child or counsel should have sought dismissal of these counts, as contrary to the weight of the evidence and prejudicial to Petitioner. The evidence showed Petitioner robbed the inhabitants of an apartment at gunpoint, an apartment that contained several minors. (Rta8 at 56-57.) Trial counsel would very likely have been unsuccessful in dismissing these counts. "[C]ounsel cannot be deemed ineffective for failing to raise a meritless claim.
In Ground 1, Subpoint 6, Petitioner alleged trial counsel was deficient for not mentioning in opening statements that the defense would present videotape evidence establishing Petitioner's alibi. Respondent correctly asserted that the videotape had not been ruled admissible at the time of opening statements because the court did not have the special equipment needed to view it at the pretrial conference. (Answer at 43, citing Transcript of Pretrial Conference ("Rta3") at 7-8.) Defense counsel stated he was aware that mentioning the videotape in opening statements would be done at his own peril, given there was no ruling on its admissibility. (Rta3 at 7.) The Pathmark video was shown to the jury during trial, in support of Petitioner's defense that he was in the store with Maria Concepcion at the time of the robbery, and counsel discussed the video in closing arguments. (Rta7 at 26-27, 46-51, Rta8 at 32-33, 40-44.)
There are many reasons why trial counsel may have decided to hold that argument until closing including: a) it was not deemed admissible before opening statements; b) presenting the evidence in a manner consistent with the burden of proof; c) not promising too much since the video only showed a person and relied on supplemental testimony to prove it was petitioner; and d) holding the evidence to the end might maximize its impact on deliberations. Under the circumstances, it was reasonable for the state court to conclude Petitioner did not show the outcome of the trial would likely have been different if counsel had also mentioned the video in opening statements or that the decision to hold it to the end was an unreasonable decision.
In Ground One, Subpoint 7, Petitioner claimed that counsel should have objected to a jury instruction that constituted an ultimatum. In his PCR brief, Petitioner explained that during jury deliberations, the judge received a note from the jury, asking to watch the Pathmark video and the direct and cross examinations of Maria Morales, Julio, Carmen, Norma, and Officer [Ruben] Alicea. (Ra15, Doc. No. 9-15 at p. 88 of 102). The judge explained that it would take a long time to replay all of the requested videotape, and while the jury could watch whatever they wished, they would need to end at 3:30 that day and come back after the weekend to watch any further testimony. (
The jury came back that afternoon and asked to see only part of Julio's testimony on direct, all of Norma's testimony, all of Officer Alicea's testimony, and the Pathmark video. (
The record shows that that trial court assured the jury they could watch anything they wished, and the jury watched the videotaped testimony they wanted to see before reaching a verdict. (Trial Transcript ("Rta9") at 3-14)[Doc. No. 10-9.] The jury did not reach its verdict on the day they were told they would have to end at 3:30 p.m.; they returned after the weekend and finished deliberations. (Trial Transcript ("Rta10") at 1-12 [Doc. No. 10-10.] There is no indication that the jury believed it could not watch all of the video playback that it wanted to see before reaching a verdict. Thus, Petitioner has not established that the state court unreasonably applied the prejudice prong of
In Ground One, Subpoint 8, Petitioner contended trial counsel's cumulative errors constituted ineffective assistance. Respondents argued that none of the alleged deficiencies by trial counsel, singly or in combination, denied Petitioner a fair trial. (Answer at 44.) Respondents cited the PCR Court's findings that trial counsel was diligent and vigorous in Petitioner's defense, doggedly pursuing a mistrial and presenting an elaborate alibi defense. (Answer at 45)(citing Rta14 at 28, 48.)
After reviewing all of the state court records and the arguments Petitioner presented in support of his ineffective assistance of counsel claims, this Court finds the state court could reasonably have determined that Petitioner was not denied a fair trial due to counsel's alleged cumulative errors. The State simply had a strong case with multiple eyewitnesses to the robbery, at least one of whom knew Petitioner well, and who identified Petitioner as one of the robbers. Counsel was persistent in pursuing a mistrial and went to great lengths to present an alibi defense. Thus, the Court will deny Ground One, Subpoint 8.
Petitioner claimed that appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise Petitioner's pro se claims on direct appeal (Ground One, Subpoint 9). The Superior Court affirmed the PCR Court's dismissal of this claim on the merits because none of the arguments would have succeeded on direct appeal. (Ra21 at 14.)
Petitioner cannot show that he was prejudiced by appellate counsel's failure to raise claims on direct appeal because Petitioner was allowed to bring those claims in his postconviction proceeding, and the PCR Court addressed and denied the claims. Therefore, this Court will deny Ground 1, Subpoint 9 for failure to establish the state court unreasonably applied the prejudice prong of
Petitioner alleged the trial court's cumulative errors violated the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution and the New Jersey Constitution. (Ground One, Subpoint 10). The PCR Court denied this claim as meritless, without further discussion. (Rta14 at 44-45.) First, there is no remedy for claims asserting a violation of state law on federal habeas review.
Finally, in Ground 1, Subpoint 11, Petitioner alleged that he was denied an evidentiary hearing in support of his motion for post-conviction relief. Petitioner was allowed a limited evidentiary hearing, but the PCR Court did not allow Petitioner to address claims that he had failed to support with affidavits and certifications in his submissions to the court. (Rta14 at 45-50.)
"The federal courts are authorized to provide collateral relief where a petitioner is in state custody or under a federal sentence imposed in violation of the Constitution or the laws or treaties of the United States."
For the reasons set forth above, the Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus under Title 28 U.S.C. § 2254 [Doc. No. 1] will be denied. Grounds 1C and Ground One, Subpoints 3 and 4 are denied because they are procedurally defaulted. Grounds 1A, 1B, 1D-1G, and Ground One, Subpoints 1, 2, and 5-11 are denied on the merits. An appropriate order follows.
This Court must determine whether Petitioner is entitled to a certificate of appealability in this matter. Third Circuit Local Appellate Rule 22.2. The Court will issue a certificate of appealability if the petitioner "has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right." 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). The discussion of Petitioner's claims above demonstrates that Petitioner has not made such a showing, and this Court will not issue a certification of appealability.
