Opinion
No. CV 13-0305-TUC-DCB (LAB)
07-22-2014
Stanford Lamar Ferrell, Petitioner, v. Charles L. Ryan, et al., Respondents.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
Pending before the Court is the Petition Under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 For a Writ of Habeas Corpus by A Person in State Custody (Non-Death Penalty) filed by Stanford Lamar Ferrell, an inmate confined in the Arizona State Prison Complex in Eloy, Arizona. (Doc. 1). Petitioner asserts claims based on trial error, newly discovered evidence, and ineffective assistance of counsel. Respondents have filed a Limited Answer (Doc. 19-21), and Petitioner has filed a Reply. (Doc. 26).
Pursuant to the Rules of Practice of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, this matter was referred to Magistrate Judge Bowman for a report and recommendation. LRCiv 72.2(a)(2).
The Magistrate Judge recommends that the District Court, after its independent review of the record, enter an order denying the Petition. All but one of Petitioner's claims are either procedurally defaulted or not federally cognizable. The cognizable claim of ineffective assistance of counsel should be denied on the merits.
Summary of the Case
Petitioner was convicted in Cochise County Superior Court of two counts of child molestation involving separate victims under the age of fifteen. (Doc. 19, Ex. A, pp. 1-2). The state trial court sentenced Petitioner to consecutive slightly mitigated 15-year terms of imprisonment. (Id. at p. 2).
Proceedings Relevant to Petitioner's Motion to Vacate Judgment
On February 3, 2009, Petitioner pro se filed a Motion to Vacate the Judgment - Conviction (motion to vacate judgment) under Rule 24.2, Ariz. R. Crim. P. (Doc. 19, Ex. E). Petitioner alleged the following grounds: (1) Based on information in a police report, the presentence report, and the testimony of victim B's father at sentencing, newly discovered evidence demonstrated that victim B's father committed perjury by lying about the date victim B disclosed the molestation and whether victim B's father had financial motives to falsely accuse Petitioner. (2) The prosecutor committed misconduct by suborning victim B's father's alleged perjury at trial. (3) Trial counsel was ineffective in failing to interview and call witnesses, failing to present evidence at trial, and failing to move for a new trial based on perjury and newly discovered evidence. (Id.)
Victim A refers to Anthony M. Victim B refers to Kenneth R. (Doc 19, Ex. G, p. 1). Victim B's father is Karl R. and his uncle is Frank R. (Id., pp. 1-2). The molestation as to Victim A allegedly occurred in June 2007. (Id., p. 1). The molestation as to Victim B allegedly occurred during the Fall of 2003. (Id.)
On May 29, 2009, the trial court filed an Order finding that the third ground was precluded because ineffective assistance of counsel must be raised in post-conviction proceedings, not in a motion to vacate under Rule 24.2. (Doc. 19, Ex. F). The court held a three-day hearing on the other two grounds and then denied those grounds on the merits in a Decision and Order filed on July 16, 2009. (Doc. 19, Ex. G). The court found that Petitioner had not demonstrated that victim B's father committed perjury because he had not shown inconsistencies between the father's in-court statement that he learned of the alleged molestation in 2003 and the father's out-of-court statement as reported in Frank R.'s affidavit that he told Frank in March 2004 that he intended to report the incident to the police. (Doc. 19, Ex. G, pp. 2-3). The trial court noted that Kenneth R. was the victim and had testified that he reported the incident in July 2004. (Id.) The trial court also found no inconsistencies between Karl R.'s testimony - that he quit his job to move to Missouri but the move did not occur - and Karl R.'s statement as contained in Petitioner's presentence report - that the family was emotionally, psychologically and financially affected by Petitioner's actions, that he and his wife had quit their jobs to relocate to Missouri to take their son away from Petitioner, and that he and his wife had lost one year of salary and were seeking $90,000 in restitution. (Id., p. 3). The trial court determined that any inconsistencies were not so significant that impeachment evidence probably would have changed the verdict or sentence. (Id.)
On August 17, 2009, Petitioner moved for reconsideration of the trial court's July 16, 2009 ruling. (Doc. 21, Ex. NN). Petitioner asserted the following separate claims: (1) Based on police reports, the presentence report, testimony at trial, and testimony at the presentence hearing, victim B's father committed perjury by lying about the date victim B disclosed the molestation. (2) Based on police reports, the presentence report, testimony at trial, and testimony at the presentence hearing, victim B's father committed perjury by lying about whether he had financial incentives to falsely accuse Petitioner. (3) Based on testimony at trial, photographs taken at Petitioner's daughter's birthday party, and "forthcoming affidavits," victim B committed perjury at trial by lying about the circumstances relevant to a gift (electric scooter) he received from Petitioner. (4) Affidavits from the parents of children unrelated to the case stating that Petitioner disclosed he had been accused of molestation and excerpts from the MySpace page of victim A's mother constituted newly discovered evidence demonstrating that victim A's mother committed perjury at trial by denying Petitioner told her he had been accused of molestation in the past. (Id.) On August 26, 2009, the trial court denied the motion for reconsideration, finding that "[n]othing in the motion for rehearing presents a valid reason for rehearing or reconsidering" the court's July 16, 2009 ruling. (Doc. 19, Ex. I). On September 9, 2009, Petitioner moved for reconsideration of this order, but according to Respondents the file does not contain a ruling on this motion. (Doc. 19, Ex. H; see Doc. 19, p. 4, n. 2).
On September 25, 2009, Petitioner filed a petition for review of the trial court's rulings in the Arizona Court of Appeals. (Doc. 19, Ex. J). On March 3, 2010, the court of appeals dismissed the petition for review as untimely but granted Petitioner permission to file for a delayed appeal in the trial court. (Doc. 19, Ex. K). Petitioner's motion for reconsideration of this order was denied. (Doc. 19, Ex. L & Ex. M).
Petitioner filed in the trial court for a delayed appeal, the motion was granted on March 30, 2010, and Petitioner filed a notice of delayed appeal. (Doc. 19, Ex. N). On April 30, 2010, the trial court forwarded Petitioner's pleadings to the Arizona Court of Appeals. (Id.) On May 5, 2010, the state court of appeals reinstated the appellate proceedings and accepted the petition for review it had previously dismissed on March 3, 2010. (Doc. 19, Ex. O). Petitioner asserted the following grounds in the reinstated petition for review: (1) The trial court erred in denying Petitioner's claims of perjury by injecting a materiality component into the perjury statute. (2) The trial court erred by considering responsive pleadings from the State that were unsupported by affidavits, records, or other documentation; (3) The trial court failed to properly consider evidence presented during the three-day hearing on the motion to vacate the judgment. (4) The trial court was biased against Petitioner. (Doc. 19, Ex. J).
On May 7, 2010, Petitioner filed for review in the Arizona Supreme Court of the court of appeals' March 3, 2010 dismissal of the petition for review. (Doc. 19, Ex. P). There is no ruling on this petition in the file. (Doc. 19, pp. 5-6).
On July 30, 2010, the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's ruling on the motion to vacate the judgment. (Doc. 19, Ex. Q, State v. Stanford Lamar Ferrell, No. 2 CA-CR 2009-0313 PR, Memorandum Decision). It found as to the first ground concerning perjury that, even if the trial court had not properly interpreted the perjury statute, the trial court had appropriately considered the evidence under the standard for newly discovered evidence and had not abused its discretion in denying the motion to vacate. (Id., p. 3 ¶ 4). It denied the second ground on the merits, finding that Petitioner could have raised the issue in the trial court and had not shown fundamental error and prejudice on appeal. (Id., p. 4 ¶¶ 5-6). It found that the third ground was not supported by the record and that Petitioner had not provided sufficient authority in support of the fourth ground. (Id., p. 5 ¶ 7). The state court of appeals noted that it had recently considered Petitioner's separate direct appeal of his conviction and sentence and that his delayed appeal and direct appeal were not consolidated due to oversight. (Id., p. 2, n.1).
According to Respondents, on October 20, 2010, Petitioner sought review of the court of appeals' ruling in the Arizona Supreme Court. (Doc. 19, p. 6; Doc. 19, Ex. R). Review was denied on February 17, 2011. (Doc. 19, Ex. S). Respondents have not found any record showing that Petitioner sought review of this ruling in the United States Supreme Court. (Doc. 19, p. 6).
Petitioner's Direct Appeal
On December 4, 2008, Petitioner filed a notice of appeal from his conviction and sentence. (Doc. 19, Ex. B). On January 27, 2010, appellate counsel filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), stating that she could find no colorable issues to raise but noting a "potentially arguable" issue concerning Petitioner's unsuccessful pretrial motion to sever the charges as to each victim. (Doc. 19, Ex. T). On February 25, 2010, Petitioner filed a supplemental opening appellate brief asserting the following issues: (1) Victim B's testimony at a pretrial hearing, as compared to his trial testimony, demonstrated that victim B committed perjury when he testified about the location where Petitioner gave him a gift (electric scooter). (2) The prosecutor committed misconduct by (a) failing to correct victim B's testimony about the location of the gift which he knew was false; (b) cross-examining Petitioner using unspecified argumentative, demeaning, and improperly suggestive questions; and (c) "intentionally [trying] to demonize" Petitioner, misrepresenting the law and evidence, and improperly appealing to the jurors' emotions during closing arguments. (Doc. 19, Ex. A, pp. 2-6 & Ex. U).
On May 14, 2010, the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed Petitioner's conviction and sentence. (Doc. 19, Ex. A, State v. Stanford Lamar Ferrell, No. 2 CA-CR 2008-0411, Memorandum Decision). It found that the trial court had not erred in denying the motion to sever. (Id., pp. 3-4). If further found that Petitioner had not objected to the prosecutor's conduct in the trial court and that none of the grounds asserted amounted to fundamental error. (Id., pp. 4-6).
On July 27, 2010, Petitioner filed a petition for review of the court of appeals' decision in the Arizona Supreme Court. (Doc. 21, Ex. MM). Review was denied on December 6, 2010. (Doc. 19, Ex. V). According to Respondents, Petitioner did not seek further review of that decision. (Doc. 1, p. 3; Doc. 19, p. 7).
Petitioner's First Post-Conviction Proceeding
On December 10, 2008, Petitioner filed a Notice of Post-Conviction Relief (PCR). (Doc. 19, Ex. C, First PCR Notice). On December 23, 2008, Petitioner filed a pro se Petition for Post-Conviction Relief. (Doc. 19, Ex. D). The state trial court entered an order that this pro se PCR Petition was not properly before it because Petitioner had been appointed PCR counsel and Petitioner's direct appeal remained pending. (Doc. 19, Ex. W, pp. 1-2). On March 10, 2011, appointed counsel filed a Petition for PCR relief stating that he could find no colorable issues to raise. (Doc. 19, Ex. X, pp. 1-2). PCR counsel requested leave to withdraw and an extension of time so Petitioner pro se could file a PCR petition. (Id., p. 2). On July 27, 2011, Petitioner filed a pro se petition for post-conviction relief (First pro se PCR Petition) in which he asserted the following grounds: (1) Trial counsel provided ineffective assistance based on the following allegations:
(a) Counsel failed to interview Allen Dome pretrial or call him as a witness even though Dome had information that allegedly impeached victim A's testimony.(2) Newly discovered evidence warranted a new trial based on an alleged inconsistency showing victim B lied at trial regarding the date the molestation was reported, which Petitioner discovered when he reviewed the file on July 10, 2011, and the trial court's ruling regarding his claim that victim B's father committed perjury as compared with victim B's trial testimony. (3) The newly discovered evidence of victim B's alleged perjury demonstrated a violation of Petitioner's right to a fair trial. (Doc. 20, Ex. Y, First pro se PCR Petition).
(b) Counsel failed to interview Frank R. pretrial or call him as a witness even though Frank R. had information that impeached the testimony of victim B's father (Karl R.) and demonstrated that another person in victim B's family previously had been convicted of child molestation in another state.
(c) Counsel failed to impeach victim A's mother with evidence of her past criminal convictions.
On March 23, 2012, the trial court denied Petitioner's First pro se PCR petition. (Doc. 20, Ex. W). The trial court noted that Petitioner's First pro se PCR Petition was not an of-right proceeding but that it had conducted a review of the file under Rule 32.6 (c), Ariz.R Crim.P. (Id., p. 2). It ruled that the perjury allegations in grounds (1)(b) and (2) were precluded under Rule 32.2, Ariz.R.Crim.P., based on the court's previous ruling denying Petitioner's motion to vacate the judgment. (Id., p. 3). It found that the perjury alleged in ground (2) regarding contradictory testimony of Kenneth R. and Karl R. was not newly discovered evidence and that the inconsistencies Petitioner alleged in grounds 2 and 3 had been presented to the jury at trial and were not newly discovered evidence. (Id., p. 10)
The trial court denied the claims of ineffective assistance of counsel asserted in grounds (1)(a) through (c) on the merits. (Id., pp. 3-10). It noted that Petitioner had presented Dome's affidavit with his March 5, 2012 Reply and that Dome stated in the affidavit that he was present when Victim A was allegedly molested but that the incident did not occur. The trial court found that defense counsel knew of the information in Dome's affidavit and perhaps had not called Dome as a witness based on evidence suggesting that Petitioner had provided financial motivation to Dome to testify favorably for the defense and that Dome might be perceived as mentally disabled, confused, or frustrated during hostile questioning. (Id., pp. 3-9). The trial court found that evidence that Victim B's grandfather possibly had molested Frank R. and-Victim B's father (Karl R.) and was convicted of child molestation in New Mexico was irrelevant to the charges involving Victim B. (Id., p. 9). The court found that counsel was not ineffective for failing to impeach Victim A's mother with her past misdemeanors because none of her convictions involved dishonesty or false statement and some charges against her had been dismissed. (Id., p. 10). On April 10, 2012, Petitioner requested review of the trial court's ruling in the Arizona Court of Appeals. (Doc. 20, Ex. Z). On June 29, 2012, the state court of appeals granted review but denied relief based on its adoption of the trial court's ruling. (Doc. 20, Ex. AA, State v. Stanford Lamar Ferrell, No. 2 CA-CR 2012-0090-PR, Memorandum Decision June 29, 2012). Petitioner moved for reconsideration which the court of appeals denied on July 25, 2012. (Doc. 20, Ex. BB & Ex. CC).
Second Post-Conviction Proceedings
On August 13, 2012, Petitioner filed a Second pro se Petition for PCR relief. (Doc. 20, Ex. EE, Second pro se PCR Petition). Petitioner asserted the following grounds for relief: (1) Trial counsel was ineffective (a) by failing to interview or call as a witness Allen Dome who possessed information that allegedly impeached victim A's testimony and (b) by failing to interview or call as a witness Frank R. who possessed information that allegedly impeached victim B's testimony about when he disclosed the alleged molestation. (2) Petitioner was denied a fair trial because the prosecutor knowingly presented victim B's perjurious testimony about the date victim B disclosed the molestation. (3) The impeachment information possessed by Dome and Frank R. concerning victims A and B was newly discovered evidence that warranted a new trial. (4) The trial court was unfairly biased and prejudiced against him. (Doc. 20, Ex. EE, Second pro se PCR Petition; Doc. 29, Ex. FF).
On September 20, 2012, the trial court ruled that grounds (1) through (3) regarding newly discovered evidence, perjury by a State's witness, and ineffective assistance of counsel for not calling witnesses were precluded under Rule 32.2(a), Ariz.R.Crim.P., and that it had rejected similar claims in its March 23, 2012 order and the Arizona Court of Appeals had affirmed that decision. (Doc. 20, Ex. FF, pp. 1, 3). The trial court found that Petitioner's claim of bias asserted in ground (4) was meritless. (Id., pp. 1-4). The trial court denied Petitioner's motion for rehearing on October 2, 2012. (Doc. 20, Ex. GG, p. 2). Petitioner's petition for review of the trial court's ruling was denied by the Arizona Court of Appeals because his petition did not comply with state procedural law:
Although Ferrell identifies the claims he wishes us to address in this summary fashion, he has failed to identify with sufficient specificity the issues the trial court addressed and has neither summarized the facts material to the consideration of those issues, nor specified the reasons we should grant his petition for review and grant him relief, as required by Rule 32.9(c)(1)(ii)-(iv), Ariz. R. Crim. P. Instead, Ferrell has attempted to incorporate by reference his petition for post-conviction relief and motion for rehearing, a procedure not permitted by the rule. See Ariz. R. Crim. P. 32.9(c)(1) (petition for review must contain "reasons why the petition should be granted" and either appendix or "specific references to the record"); State v. French, 198 Ariz. 119, ¶ 9, 7(Doc. 20, Ex. GG, State v. Stanford Lamar Ferrell, No. 2 CA-CR 2012-0432-PR, Memorandum Decision, Jan. 31, 2013).
P.3d 128, 131 (App. 2000) (finding petition for review incorporating trial court filings "utterly fails to comply with Rule 32.9" and therefore rejecting summarily claims raised), disapproved on other grounds by Stewart v. Smith, 202 Ariz. 446, ¶ 10, 46 P.3d 1067, 1071 (2002); see also State v. Carriger, 143 Ariz. 142, 146, 692 P.2d 991, 995 (1984) ("Petitioners must strictly comply with Rule 32 or be denied relief."); cf. State v. Bolton, 182 Ariz. 290, 298, 896 P.2d 830, 838 (1995) (insufficient argument waives claim on review).
On February 28, 2013, Petitioner filed a motion for reconsideration in which he raised, in addition to the issues previously asserted, that he was entitled to appointed counsel after his first PCR counsel was allowed to withdraw, that the trial court abused its discretion when it denied his request for appointment of an investigator, that the trial court erred based on equitable or judicial estoppel in its analysis of his claim of perjury by Kenneth R., and that the trial court's ruling denying him a hearing on his ineffective assistance of counsel claim should be reversed based on equitable or judicial estoppel. (Doc. 20, Ex. HH, pp. 2, 13-16). On March 12, 2013, the court of appeals denied Petitioner's motion for reconsideration. (Doc. 20, Ex. HH & Ex. II). Petitioner did not seek review of this decision. (Doc. 20, Ex. JJ; Doc. 19, p. 10).
Petitioner referred to a Motion for Appointment of Investigator he filed on June 22, 2011 that he claimed was necessary for preparation of his supplemental memorandum for post-conviction relief. (Doc. 20, Ex. HH, p. 15). Petitioner has submitted what appears to be an unfiled copy of his Motion for Appointment of Investigator with his Reply. (Doc. 26, Ex. B).
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Petitioner's Federal Habeas Petition
Petitioner filed his § 2254 habeas petition by placing it in the prison mailing system on April 30, 2013. (Doc. 1, p. 14). Respondents do not contend that Petitioner's federal habeas petition was not timely filed.
Petitioner asserts the following grounds in his petition: (1) Claim One: Trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by not investigating his case and calling two key eye witnesses, (a) Allen Dome or (b) Frank R., to testify at trial. (2) Claim Two: Petitioner's rights to due process and a fair trial were violated when the State used perjured testimony at trial; State's witness victim B testified at trial that he disclosed the molestation incident on July 13, 2004, the date of the police report, but the trial court determined at a post-trial hearing that the disclosure occurred a year earlier in 2003; victim B's testimony was contradicted by his father's testimony and information provided by an eye witness (Frank R.) in a sworn affidavit. (3) Claim Three: Petitioner presented evidence of perjury in his state post-conviction proceedings based on the affidavits of Allen Dome and Frank R. that contradicted the testimony of the two victims; the trial court violated Petitioner's rights to due process and a fair trial by procedurally denying the assertion without an evidentiary hearing. (4) Claim Four: Petitioner's Sixth Amendment right to counsel was violated when the trial court refused to appoint a second attorney to represent Petitioner in the post-conviction proceedings after his first appointed counsel withdrew. (5) Claim Five: Petitioner's rights to due process and a fair trial were violated when the trial court refused to appoint an investigator during post-conviction proceedings. (6) Claim Six: The trial court violated Petitioner's right to a fair proceeding when it denied hearing Petitioner's claim of perjured testimony by Kenneth R. based on the court's erroneous finding that it had already decided the issue. (7) Claim Seven: The trial court abused its discretion and violated Petitioner's right to due process when it failed to conduct an evidentiary hearing on Petitioner's claim of ineffective assistance of counsel even though the trial court had ordered the hearing in a prior proceeding. (Doc. 1, pp. 6-12). Discussion - Legal Standards
The writ of habeas corpus affords relief to persons in custody in violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United States. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a). If the petitioner is in custody pursuant to the judgment of a state court, the writ will not be granted unless prior adjudication of the claim - - (1) resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States; or (2) resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the State court proceeding. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). The petitioner must shoulder an additional burden if the state court considered the issues and made findings of fact.
In a proceeding instituted by an application for a writ of habeas corpus by a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court, a determination of a factual issue made by a State court shall be presumed to be correct. The applicant shall have the burden of rebutting the presumption of correctness by clear and convincing evidence.28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1).
A decision is "contrary to" Supreme Court precedent if the "state court confronted a set of facts that are materially indistinguishable from a decision of the Supreme Court and nevertheless arrived at a result different from Supreme Court precedent." Vlasak v. Superior Court of California ex rel. County of Los Angeles, 329 F.3d 683, 687 (9th Cir. 2003). A decision is an "unreasonable application" if "the state court identified the correct legal principles, but applied those principles to the facts of [the] case in a way that was not only incorrect or clearly erroneous, but objectively unreasonable." Id. If the state court denied on the merits but did not explain its reasoning, this court must independently review the record to determine whether the state court clearly erred in its application of Supreme Court law. Pirtle v. Morgan, 313 F.3d 1160, 1167 (9th Cir. 2002), cert. denied, 539 U.S. 916 (2003). If the higher state court fails to explain its decision, this court looks to the last reasoned state court decision. See Brown v. Palmateer, 379 F.3d 1089, 1092 (9th Cir. 2004).
Federal habeas review is limited to those issues that have been fully presented to the state court. This so-called "exhaustion rule" reads in pertinent part as follows:
An application for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court shall not be granted unless it appears that - - (A) the applicant has exhausted the remedies available in the courts of the State ...28 U.S.C. § 2254(b)(1)(A). This rule permits the states "the opportunity to pass upon and correct alleged violations of its prisoners' federal rights." Duncan v. Henry, 513 U.S. 364, 365 (1995) (internal punctuation removed).
To be properly exhausted, the federal claim must be "fairly presented" to the state courts. Picard v. Connor, 404 U.S. 270, 275 (1971). In other words, the state courts must be apprised of the issue and given the first opportunity to rule on the merits. Id. at 275-76. Accordingly, the petitioner must "present the state courts with the same claim he urges upon the federal courts." Id. "The state courts have been given a sufficient opportunity to hear an issue when the petitioner has presented the state court with the issue's factual and legal basis." Weaver v. Thompson, 197 F.3d 359, 364 (9th Cir. 1999).
In addition, the petitioner must explicitly alert the state court that he is raising a federal constitutional claim. Duncan v. Henry, 513 U.S. 364, 366 (1995); Casey v. Moore, 386 F.3d 896, 910-11 (9th Cir. 2004), cert. denied, Casey v. Moore, 545 U.S. 1146 (2005). The petitioner must make the federal basis of the claim explicit either by citing specific provisions of federal law or federal case law, even if the federal basis of a claim is "self-evident," Gatlin v. Madding, 189 F.3d 882, 888 (9th Cir. 1999), cert. denied, 528 U.S. 1087 (2000), or by citing state cases that explicitly analyze the same federal constitutional claim, Peterson v. Lampert, 319 F.3d 1153, 1158 (9th Cir. 2003) (en banc).
If the petitioner is in custody pursuant to a judgment imposed by the State of Arizona, he must present his claims to the state appellate court for review. Castillo v. McFadden, 399 F.3d 993, 998 (9th Cir. 2005), cert. denied, 546 U.S. 818 (2005); Swoopes v. Sublett, 196 F.3d 1008 (9th Cir. 1999), cert. denied, 529 U.S. 1124 (2000). If state remedies have not been exhausted, the petition may not be granted and ordinarily should be dismissed. See Johnson v. Lewis, 929 F.2d 460, 463 (9th Cir. 1991). In the alternative, the court has the authority to deny on the merits rather than dismiss for failure to exhaust. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(b)(2).
A claim is "procedurally defaulted" if the state court declined to address the issue on the merits for procedural reasons. Franklin v. Johnson, 290 F.3d 1223, 1230 (9th Cir. 2002). Procedural default also occurs if the claim was not presented to the state court and it is clear the state would now refuse to address the merits of the claim for procedural reasons. Id. Procedural default may be excused if the petitioner can "demonstrate cause for the default and actual prejudice as a result of the alleged violation of federal law, or demonstrate that failure to consider the claims will result in a fundamental miscarriage of justice." Boyd v. Thompson, 147 F.3d 1124, 1126 (9th Cir. 1998).
Discussion - Procedurally Defaulted and Non-Cognizable Claims
Claim One (b) - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel - Frank R. Issue
Petitioner contends in Claim One that trial counsel was ineffective because counsel did not investigate his case beyond the police report and failed to call two key eye witnesses, (a) Allen Dome or (b) Frank R., to testify at trial. Respondents argue that the Frank R. issue in Claim One (b) is procedurally defaulted and that the Dome issue in Claim One (a) should be denied on the merits. (Doc. 19, pp. 13-14, 26-35). The Court discusses here Claim One (b) concerning counsel's failure to call Frank R. as a witness. Claim One (a) concerning counsel's failure to call Allen Dome as a witness is discussed infra in the merits analysis section.
Petitioner did not raise trial counsel's failure to interview Frank R. and discover information concerning the date the alleged molestation was reported until in his Second pro se PCR Petition. (Doc. 1, p. 6); (Doc. 1-1, p. 20); (Doc. 20-3, pp. 26-27, Ex. EE);. The trial court found this claim precluded under Arizona law. (Doc. 20, Ex. FF, pp. 1, 3). The state court of appeals denied review of this claim because Petitioner had not complied with Arizona law in asserting it. (Doc. 20, Ex. GG, pp. 1-3). The state courts applied a procedural bar to the claim. Petitioner did not "fairly present" the Frank R. portion of Claim One (b) in a procedurally appropriate manner. Claim One (b) is procedurally defaulted.
Claim Two
Petitioner contends in Claim Two that the State used perjured testimony at trial. (Doc. 1, p. 7) Petitioner alleges that State's witness victim B (Kenneth R.) testified at trial that he disclosed the molestation incident on July 13, 2004, the date of the police report, but the trial court determined at a post-trial hearing that the disclosure occurred a year earlier in 2003. Id. Petitioner alleges that victim B's testimony was contradicted by the testimony of his father (Karl R.) and information provided by an eye witness (Frank R.) in a sworn affidavit. Id.
Respondents contend that Petitioner's Claim Two is based on a factual determination made by the trial court in its July 16, 2009 ruling denying Petitioner's motion to vacate the judgment that Petitioner contends allegedly demonstrates victim B's perjury. Respondents further argue that Claim Two is procedurally defaulted. (Doc. 19, pp. 14-16). The respondents are correct. Ferrell cannot provide a factual basis for Claim Two. That is, he cannot show that the state's witnesses committed perjury. And even if he could, he did not raise this issue in a procedurally appropriate manner.
In its July 16, 2009 ruling denying Petitioner's motion to vacate the judgment, the trial court determined that Petitioner's assertion that victim B's father had committed perjury was not newly discovered evidence under State law. The court found, based on the July 14, 2004 police report, victim B's father's testimony at trial, and Frank R.'s affidavit stating he had discussed the abuse allegations with victim B's father in March 2004, that victim B's father could have learned of the abuse in 2003, discussed it with Frank R. in March 2004, and decided to take his son to the police in July 2004. (Doc. 19, Ex. G, pp. 2-3).
Petitioner asserted in the First pro se PCR Petition that victim B lied at trial, claiming that he discovered this newly-discovered evidence on July 10, 2011 when he reviewed the file and the trial court's ruling on whether victim B's father had committed perjury. (Doc. 20, Ex. Y, pp. 4-8). Petitioner there alleged that he had compared the trial court's ruling with victim B's trial testimony. (Id.)
The trial court found regarding this ground that it had already ruled against Petitioner on whether victim B or victim B's father had committed perjury and that information discovered in the case file was not newly discovered evidence. (Doc. 20, Ex. W, pp. 3, 10). It further found that any contradictory testimony had been presented to the jury and thus was not newly discovered. (Doc. 20, Ex. W, p. 10). The state court of appeals adopted the trial court's ruling without modification, noting that the trial court had applied Ariz.R.Crim.P. 32.2 and found the claim precluded. (Doc. 20, Ex. AA, pp. 2-3).
In Claim Two, Ferrell takes this perjury issue and uses it to create a separate but related constitutional claim. He argues the state's use of perjured testimony violates his right to due process. He has not, however, raised this constitutional claim in a procedurally appropriate manner.
As Respondents point out, in Arizona, a claim of due process violation based on the knowing use of perjury is an issue for direct appeal. See State v. Perez, No. 2 CA-CR 2013-0205-PR, 2013 WL 4609360, at *2 (Ariz. App. Aug. 27, 2013) (claim of perjury independent of claim of newly discovered evidence is precluded under Ariz.R.Crim.P. 32.2(a)(3) because petitioner did not raise the issue on direct appeal). The issue generally is precluded from collateral review. Rule 32.2(a)(1), (3), Ariz.R.Crim.P. The courts may reach the merits of the claim in collateral proceedings if the defendant can demonstrate that the claim of perjury is based on newly discovered evidence. Rules 32.1(e), 32.2(b), Ariz.R.Crim.P.
Here, Ferrell raised the issue of perjury in his First PCR petition and accused the state of using perjured testimony in his Second PCR petition. (Doc. 20, Ex. Y); (Doc. 20-1, pp. 5, 9-10); (Doc. 20-3, p. 19) This was procedurally improper because the claim was not based on newly discovered evidence. Accordingly, the state courts found the claim precluded by applying Rule 32.2. (Doc. 19, Ex. W, pp. 1, 10); (Doc. 20, Ex. AA, pp. 2-3); (Doc. 20-3, p. 35). The state courts applied a procedural bar to the claim rendering it procedurally defaulted.
Claim Three
Petitioner contends in Claim Three that he presented evidence of perjury in his state post-conviction proceedings based on the affidavits of Allen Dome and Frank R. that contradicted the testimony of the two victims, and that the trial court violated Petitioner's rights by procedurally denying the assertion without an evidentiary hearing. (Doc. 1, p. 8) Respondents contend that Claim Three is not a cognizable federal claim. (Doc. 19, pp. 23-24). They are correct.
The post-conviction review process is not mandated by the federal Constitution. Pennsylvania v. Finley, 481 U.S. 551, 557, 107 S.Ct. 1990, 1994 (1987). Accordingly, any errors in that process do not violate the Constitution, and are not cognizable through a federal habeas corpus proceeding. Ortiz v. Stewart, 149 F.3d 923, 939 (9th Cir. 1998), cert. denied, 526 U.S. 1123 (1999); see also Franzen v. Brinkman, 877 F.2d 26, 26 (9th Cir. 1989) ("[A] petition alleging errors in the state post-conviction review process is not addressable through habeas corpus proceedings."), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 1012 (1989).
Claim Four
In Claim Four, Petitioner contends that his right to counsel was violated during the first post-conviction proceedings because the trial court refused to appoint a second attorney to represent him after his first attorney was allowed to withdraw. (Doc. 1, p. 9) Petitioner raised this claim in his motion for reconsideration filed in the Arizona Court of Appeals after it had denied review of the trial court's ruling denying his Second pro se PCR Petition. (Doc. 20, Ex. HH & Ex. II). Respondents argue that Claim Four is not a cognizable federal claim because there is no constitutional right to appointed counsel in post-conviction proceedings. (Doc. 19, pp. 24-25). They are correct.
"There is no constitutional right to an attorney in state post-conviction proceedings." Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 752-53 (1991); see Reyes v. Ryan, No. CV-13-01499-PHX-NVW, 2014 WL 1901111, at *9 (D. Ariz. May 13, 2014) (same, quoting Coleman). To the extent that Petitioner relies on Martinez v. Ryan, 132 S.Ct. 1309 (2012), the Supreme Court there made clear that it was not altering Coleman's constitutional ruling that there was no constitutional right to effective PCR counsel.
As Coleman noted, this makes the initial-review collateral proceeding a prisoner's "one and only appeal" as to an ineffective-assistance claim, and this may justify an exception to the constitutional rule that there is no right to counsel in collateral proceedings. This is not the case, however, to resolve whether that exception exists as a constitutional matter.Martinez, 132 S.Ct. at 1315. Claim Four does not present a cognizable federal claim on habeas review.
Claims Five, Six, and Seven
Petitioner asserts a violation of his rights based on the trial court's refusal to appoint an investigator during post-conviction proceedings (Claim Five); the trial court's denial of a hearing on his claim of perjured testimony by Kenneth R. (Claim Six), and the trial court's failure to hold an evidentiary hearing on his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel when it had ordered a hearing in a prior proceeding (Claim Seven). (Doc. 1, pp. 10-12) Respondents contend that Petitioner did not "fairly present" Claims Five through Seven to the state courts and that Claims Five and Seven are not cognizable. (Doc. 19, pp. 16-17, 25-26).
Petitioner raised Claims Five through Seven before the Arizona Court of Appeals in his motion for reconsideration after that court denied his request for review of the trial court's denial of his Second pro se PCR Petition. (Doc. 20, Ex. HH). Raising an issue in a motion for reconsideration, however, does not constitute "fair presentation" because the claim is presented "in a procedural context in which its merits will not be considered absent special circumstances." Roettgen v. Copeland, 33 F.3d 36, 38 (9th Cir. 1994); see, e.g., Rivas v. Schriro, 2006 WL 987990, * 9 (D. Ariz. 2006) (Habeas claim was not fairly presented because the petitioner did not make its federal nature explicit until his motion for reconsideration filed with the Arizona Court of Appeals.).
In the alternative, the claims were not "fairly presented" because Ferrell did not support any of these claims with federal law. Although Petitioner now asserts a violation of his right to due process or a fair proceeding in his federal habeas petition, a habeas petitioner may not "transform a state-law issue into a federal one merely by asserting a violation of due process." Langford v. Day, 110 F.3d 1380, 1389 (9th Cir. 1996), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 881 (1997).
In addition, with respect to Claim Five, Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-4013(b) provides for appointment of an investigator in a criminal felony case based on a showing that the defendant is financially unable to pay for such service and that the service of an investigator is reasonably necessary to present a defense. Whether a petitioner may obtain the appointment of an investigator in post-conviction proceedings is a matter of state law not cognizable on federal habeas review. "[I]t is not the province of a federal habeas court to reexamine state-court determinations on state-law questions." Estelle v. McGuire, 502 U.S. 62, 67 (1991). See Lewis v. Jeffers, 497 U.S. 764, 780 (1990) ("federal habeas corpus relief does not lie for errors of state law"). Petitioner has not referred to any authority that provides for the right to the appointment of an investigator in state post-conviction proceedings. Compare Williams v. Stewart, 441 F.3d 1030, 1053-54 (9th Cir.2006) (as amended) ("Due Process Clause requires, when necessary, the allowance of investigative expenses or appointment of investigative assistance for indigent defendants[.]" (internal quotation marks and citation omitted)), cert. denied, 549 U.S. 1002 (2006); cf. Carson v. Adams, No. CV 09-9194-CAS (AGR), 2012 WL 6864593, at *26 (C.D.Cal. Sept.11, 2012) (rejecting petitioner's claim that investigator provided ineffective assistance because no Supreme Court precedent required "reasonably competent investigator"), accepted by 2013 WL 169845 (C.D.Cal. Jan.14, 2013); Brown v. Carey, No. C 06-0264 WHA (PR), 2011 WL 5444251, at *8-9 (N. D. Cal. Nov.9, 2011) (finding no Supreme Court authority establishing or recognizing constitutional right to effective assistance of investigator).
Regarding Claim Seven, Petitioner cites no authority holding that the state court must hold an evidentiary hearing on post-conviction claims as a constitutionally protected right. In Arizona, "[s]ummary dismissal of a Rule 32 petition is appropriate if, after reviewing the petition, the court determines that 'no ... claim presents a material issue of fact or law which would entitle the [petitioner] to relief. Ariz. R.Crim. P. 32.6(c).'" State v. Ramon, No. 2 CA-CR 2008-0011-PR, 2008 WL 3892255, at *1 (Ariz. App. Aug. 22, 2008). The state trial court determined it could resolve Petitioner's ineffective assistance of counsel claim without an evidentiary hearing. (Doc. 20, Ex. W). The issue is one of state law and thus not cognizable on federal habeas review. Claims Five through Seven were not "fairly presented" to the state court as federal claims and they are procedurally defaulted. Claims Five and Seven are not cognizable federal claims.
Application of Procedural Default
Regarding the procedurally defaulted claims, any attempt by Petitioner to return to state court to present those claims would be futile. The time has passed to seek post-conviction relief in state court under Ariz.R.Crim.P. 32.4(a) and Petitioner has not shown any of the exceptions to the time limits under Rule 32.1(d), (e), (f), (g) or (h) apply to him.
Petitioner makes no claim of "cause and prejudice" or "fundamental miscarriage of justice" in his federal habeas petition or in his Reply. Rather, Petitioner contends that he satisfied the exhaustion requirement and reargues the merits of his claims. Petitioner has not established "cause" for the procedural default or resulting prejudice. He does not contend he is actually innocent and has not shown a miscarriage of justice. Petitioner has not demonstrated circumstances to overcome the procedural default.
Dismissal of Claims One (b) and Two Through Seven
Claim One (b) based on the Frank R. issue, Claim Two, and Claims Five through Seven are procedurally defaulted and should be dismissed. Claims Three and Four are not cognizable for federal habeas review and they should be dismissed. Alternatively, Claims Five and Seven are not cognizable federal claims and should be dismissed on that basis. Discussion - Merits Analysis Claim One (a) - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel - Allen Dome Issue
Petitioner contends in Claim One (a) that counsel was ineffective in not interviewing or calling Allen Dome as a witness. Dome stated in an affidavit that he was present when Petitioner was alleged to have molested Victim A and that the offending incidents did not occur. Respondents argue that this claim should be denied on the merits. (Doc. 19, pp. 30-35).
"Clearly established Supreme Court precedent provides a framework for examining Sixth Amendment ineffective assistance of counsel claims." Miles v. Ryan, 713 F.3d 477, 486-87 (9th Cir. 2013) (citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984)), cert. denied 134 S.Ct. 519 (2013). "To establish ineffective assistance of counsel under Strickland a prisoner must demonstrate both: (1) that counsel's performance was deficient, and (2) that the deficient performance prejudiced his defense." Id.
"The first prong of the Strickland test - deficient performance - requires a showing that counsel's performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness or was outside the wide range of professionally competent assistance." Id. "The test is highly deferential, evaluating the challenged conduct from counsel's perspective at the time in issue." Id. "This inquiry should begin with the premise that under the circumstances, the challenged actions might be considered trial strategy." Id.
"The second prong of the Strickland test - prejudice - requires the petitioner to demonstrate a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the trial would have been different." Id. "A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome." Id.
This court's review of the state court's denial of the petitioner's claim is "doubly deferential." Miles, 713 F.3d at 487. "The issue is not whether we believe the state court's determination under the Strickland standard was incorrect but whether that determination was unreasonable - a substantially higher threshold." Id.
Petitioner asserted in his First pro se PCR Petition that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to interview Allen Dome prior to trial or call him as a witness even though Dome had information that allegedly impeached victim A's testimony. (Doc. 20, Ex. Y). The trial court considered the claim on the merits, noting that Petitioner had presented Dome's affidavit stating that he was present when Victim A was allegedly molested by Petitioner but that the incidents did not occur. The trial court found that defense counsel knew of the information in Dome's affidavit and perhaps had not called Dome as a witness based on evidence suggesting that Petitioner had provided financial motivation for Dome to testify favorably for the defense and Dome might appear mentally disabled, confused, or frustrated during hostile questioning. (Doc. 19-4, Ex. W, pp. 3-9). The state court of appeals granted Petitioner's request for review but denied relief based on its adoption of the trial court's ruling. (Doc. 20, Ex. AA). Petitioner moved for reconsideration, which the court of appeals denied. (Doc. 20, Ex. BB & Ex. CC). The trial court's ruling is the last reasoned decision on the issue.
The decision of the state court denying relief is not an unreasonable application of clearly established federal law. Ferrell has established neither deficient performance nor prejudice.
First, counsel was not ineffective for allegedly failing to interview Dome. Counsel was well aware of Dome and the testimony that he could have offered. (Doc. 19-4, p. 33) Accordingly, counsel's alleged failure to formally interview Dome did not cause Ferrell prejudice.
Counsel's decision not to call Dome as a witness was not deficient performance because there were sound strategic reasons for not calling him. If he were called as a defense witness, the state would have been able to introduce evidence on cross-examination that Ferrell had "provided financial motivations to Mr. Dome to testify favorably for the defense." (Doc. 19-4, p. 34) Moreover, Dome had a disability that made it difficult for him to communicate. Id. He could have been perceived as mentally disabled and "definitely could be confused or frustrated under hostile questioning." Id. "Such a witness could not be expected to do well on cross-examination." Id. As the trial court stated, "[a] competent, experienced trial counsel could well have determined that calling Mr. Dome as a witness would do more harm than good." Id.
Finally, Ferrell has presented nothing except his unsupported opinion that the results of the trial would have been different had counsel called Dome to testify. Id. Ferrell can establish neither deficient performance nor prejudice. The state court's decision on this issue was not unreasonable.
RECOMMENDATION
The Magistrate Judge recommends that the District Court, after its independent review of the record, enter an order Denying the petition for writ of habeas corpus. (Doc. 1) All but one of Petitioner's claims are either procedurally defaulted or not federally cognizable. The cognizable claim of ineffective assistance of counsel should be denied on the merits.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §636 (b), any party may serve and file written objections within 14 days of being served with a copy of this report and recommendation. If objections are not timely filed, they may be deemed waived. The Local Rules permit a response to an objection. They do not permit a reply to a response.
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Leslie A. Bowman
United Suites Magistrate Judge