Jones v. State

870 P.2d 1, 125 Idaho 294, 1994 Ida. App. LEXIS 27

• Court: Idaho Court of Appeals
• Decided: February 25, 1994
• Docket: 20151
• Status: Published

Opinions

PERRY, Judge.

This is an appeal from the summary dismissal of an application for post-conviction relief. For the reasons stated below, we affirm.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On July 27, 1989, Rex Jones was found guilty by a jury of sexual abuse of a minor under the age of sixteen. I.C. § 18-1506. He was sentenced to a unified term of twelve years’ incarceration with a minimum period of confinement of four years. This Court previously affirmed Jones’ sentence in State v. Jones, 118 Idaho 720, 800 P.2d 116 (Ct. App.1990). In March of 1992, Jones filed an application for post-conviction relief. On motion by the state, the application was summarily dismissed by the district court, and Jones filed a motion for reconsideration. The motion to reconsider was granted only for the purpose of reviewing additional affidavits, and the district court ultimately affirmed its original dismissal. Jones then filed this appeal. Jones contends the district court erred in summarily dismissing his application. More specifically, Jones claims there was a material issue of fact whether the district court should have inquired if he had received and reviewed a copy of the presentence investigation report prior to sentencing. Jones also claims a material issue of fact exists as to whether he was afforded effective assistance of counsel at trial.

ANALYSIS

I. STANDARD OF REVIEW

Idaho Code § 19-4906(b) provides that the district court may dismiss an application for post-conviction relief unless the application contains allegations which, if proved, would entitle the applicant to the remedy sought. Griffith v. State, 121 Idaho 371, 825 P.2d 94 (Ct.App.1992). On review of a dismissal of a post-conviction application without an evidentiary hearing, we must determine whether there are genuine issues of material fact. I.C. § 4906(c); State v. Goodrich, 104 Idaho 469, 472, 660 P.2d 934, 937 (1983); Olds v. State, 122 Idaho 976, 978, 842 P.2d 312, 314 (Ct.App.1992). As we do with a motion for summary judgment under I.R.C.P. 56, we determine whether a genuine issue of fact exists based on the pleadings, depositions and admissions on file, together with any affidavits. Moreover, the court will liberally construe the facts in favor of the party opposing the motion, together with all reasonable inferences to be drawn from the evidence in favor of the non-moving party. Loomis v. City of Hailey, 119 Idaho 434, 807 P.2d 1272 (1991); Bonz v. Sudweeks, 119 Idaho 539, 808 P.2d 876 (1991); Mitchell v. Siqueiros, 99 Idaho 396, 582 P.2d 1074 (1978).

The Uniform Post-Conviction Procedure Act as adopted in Idaho, I.C. §§ 19-4901-19-4911, provides an appropriate mechanism for considering a variety of claims that could not be raised in trial or on direct appeal. The Act is available “to cure fundamental errors occurring at the trial which affect either the jurisdiction of the court or the validity of the judgment____” Maxfield v. State, 108 Idaho 493, 499, 700 P.2d 115, 121 (Ct.App.1985), quoting Smith v. State, 94 Idaho 469, 474-75, 491 P.2d 733, 738-39 (1971).

II. PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORT

In his application for post-conviction relief, Jones first alleges that the district court erred by not adequately inquiring whether he had seen and reviewed the presentence investigation report, thereby denying him the opportunity to correct any errors contained therein. The Idaho Supreme Court has held that in order to ensure the reliability of presentence investigation reports, a defendant must be afforded the opportunity to present favorable evidence, to examine ail materials contained in the report and to explain and rebut adverse evidence. State v. Pizzuto, 119 Idaho 742, 760, 810 P.2d 680, 698 (1991).

Jones alleges that the district court failed to “investigate” whether the report had been reviewed by him. Prior to sentencing, Jones was informed that a report would be prepared, and he would have the opportunity to review it. Furthermore, during sentencing, the presentenee report was mentioned on several occasions by the prosecuting attorney and the district judge. Jones raised no objection at that time regarding either his inability to review the report or the comments made by the court and counsel concerning the contents of the report. Without some indication that Jones had not seen the report, the district court was not required to “investigate” whether he’d actually seen it.

Furthermore, now that Jones has seen the report, he has failed to allege in his application for post-conviction relief what errors, if any, appear in the presentence investigation report and any resulting prejudice. Under the summary dismissal procedure as outlined by I.C. § 19-4906(c), the court may grant a summary dismissal if there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Even assuming the facts alleged in Jones’ affidavits are true, Jones has failed to allege any errors or corrections he would have made at sentencing. Because he has failed to indicate what errors were contained in the presentence report that resulted in prejudice, Jones is not entitled to relief. Therefore, the state, as a matter of law, is entitled to summary judgment. The district court did not err in summarily dismissing the application for post-conviction relief on these grounds.

III. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL

The second prong of Jones’ appeal is a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. As part of this claim, Jones cites the following as specific areas in which his counsel was ineffective: a general failure to communicate with Jones, failure to conduct proper pretrial investigation and discovery, failure to challenge allegedly biased jury members, failure to challenge Jones’ confession based on a lack of Miranda warnings, failure to object to introduction of prior bad acts and failure to withdraw once an attorney-client conflict arose.

In order to prove a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, an applicant must show that the attorney’s conduct fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); Aragon v. State, 114 Idaho 758, 760, 760 P.2d 1174, 1176 (1988). There is a strong presumption that trial counsel’s performance falls within the wide range of “professional assistance.” Id. An applicant must not only show incompetence, but must also show that the deficient conduct so undermined the proper functioning of the adversarial process that the trial court cannot be relied upon as having produced a just result. Ivey v. State, 123 Idaho 77, 80, 844 P.2d 706, 709 (1992). In Strickland, supra, the United States Supreme Court, advanced a two-part test to determine whether a claim of ineffective assistance could prevail. A defendant must demonstrate not only that trial counsel was deficient, but also that the deficiency led to some prejudice. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S.Ct. at 2064. The Idaho Supreme Court has also noted that “The constitutional requirement for effective assistance of counsel is not the key to the prison for a defendant who can dredge up a long series of examples of how the case might have been tried better.” Ivey, 123 Idaho at 80, 844 P.2d at 709. We will examine each allegation of the ineffective assistance claim separately.

A. Failure to Communicate

Jones alleges that his counsel failed to communicate with him both before and during the trial. Specifically, he claims that counsel failed to meet with and advise him following his arrest, failed to inform him of pre-trial procedures and the possibility of plea negotiations, failed to return his calls and letters, failed to advise him of the ramifications of testifying at trial and failed to provide him with a copy of the presentence investigation report.

Jones does not indicate, however, what effect these various allegations had on the trial or how he would have proceeded differently. In order to avoid the summary dismissal of his claim, Jones must demonstrate that he is entitled to some relief. Because these allegations of failure to communicate are in the context of an ineffective assistance claim, Jones must demonstrate that the alleged errors produced some prejudicial result. With respect to a post-arrest consultation, information regarding the trial process and failure to return letters and calls, Jones points to no prejudicial results from these claims. Although better communication between lawyer and client may have eased some of Jones’ fears, a lack of it, without allegations of prejudice, is not enough to sustain an ineffective assistance claim.

With respect to informing Jones of the ramifications of testifying at trial, Jones does not claim he would have refrained from testifying. Indeed, Jones’ entire theory of defense, that his actions were intended to frighten his stepdaughter, necessitated that he testify. As we have already discussed in Part II of this decision, Jones cites no errors in the presentence investigation report and instead merely alleges, without support in the record, that he was not permitted to review it. With no indications of prejudice set forth in Jones’ application, the state was entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Therefore, the district court did not err in granting the state’s motion for summary dismissal as to these specific claims.

B. Failure to Conduct Pre-Trial Discovery and Investigation

Jones alleged in his application that his trial counsel failed to conduct prompt and thorough discovery, failed to follow up on a motion to compel and failed to locate certain witnesses prior to trial. Jones does not, however, disclose the nature of this missing information. Because we are still within the confines of an ineffective assistance claim, Jones must show some prejudice resulting from his trial counsel’s failure.

Jones’ assertions of failure to conduct thorough and prompt discovery arise from an allegation that trial counsel failed to “follow up” on a motion to compel. Jones claims this would have produced “information that may have been used in my Defense or should have been known to me prior to trial.” Jones does not state, however, what this information was or how it would have been used in his defense. Bare assertions that discovery was not properly conducted or that all avenues of investigation were not exhausted will not, by themselves, give rise to a right to relief. An applicant must provide at least some indication of what information is missing or how it would have been used in the defense. Without such a showing, there can be no evidence of prejudice and a claim is subject to summary dismissal.

Jones faces a similar result with his claim that certain witnesses were not called to testify. One witness, a neighbor of Jones, was not called. Jones does not provide us with any information regarding the substance of her testimony or in what way it would have contributed to the defense. Although Jones does properly provide what he believed the substance of the testimony of the victim’s psychologist would have been, we cannot see how it would have aided his defense. The thrust of the psychologist’s testimony, according to Jones, would be that the victim was an unstable child with poorly developed emotional maturity, implying that she may have lied. Jones, however, never claimed that the alleged incident of improper touching did not take place, but instead he claimed the incident was only done out of hate, not for sexual gratification. The psychologist’s testimony would have been irrelevant because the incident of improper touching was never in dispute; rather, the dispute centered on Jones’ intent. With respect to these witnesses, Jones has failed to establish a right to relief.

Accordingly, we conclude that the district court did not err in summarily dismissing the application on these claims.

C. Failure to Challenge Jury Members

Jones alleges that his trial counsel failed to object to three members of the venire panel who eventually were selected to serve on the jury. These persons included one who had friends that had been raped as teenagers, one who had served prison time for an incestuous relationship with his sister and one who was on medication and also knew the court clerk.

Jones does not assert that these facts were unknown to trial counsel or that their significance was unnoticed, but rather he contends that trial counsel should have objected to these prospective jurors and failed to do so. We have held that tactical or strategic decisions of trial counsel will not be second-guessed on appeal unless those decisions are based on inadequate preparation, ignorance of relevant law or other shortcomings capable of objective evaluation. Davis v. State, 116 Idaho 401, 406, 775 P.2d 1243, 1248 (Ct.App.1989). Likewise, an applicant for post-conviction relief cannot establish a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel merely because of a disagreement with a strategic or tactical decision. An applicant must make at least some claim of inadequate preparation, ignorance of relevant law or some other objective indication of ineffective assistance in order to sustain his burden of proof. Also, as the district court noted, Jones failed to allege any prejudice by the inclusion of these persons on the jury.

Without allegations demonstrating objective failure, the district court correctly dismissed Jones’ claim regarding the failure to object to certain jury members.

D. Failure to Pursue Miranda Issues

Jones alleges that his trial counsel was inadequate because he failed to raise and pursue the fact Jones was not given Miranda warnings prior to signing a confession in November of 1988. The district court dismissed this claim, finding that Jones was not in custody at the time of the confession and, therefore, the lack of Miranda warnings were not relevant.

Prior to any “custodial interrogation,” anyone accused of a crime must be informed of various rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 444, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 1612, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966). “Custodial interrogation” means questioning initiated by law enforcement personnel after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise deprived of his or her freedom of action in any significant way. Id. Any statements obtained without properly informing an accused of his or her rights may not be used in a subsequent prosecution to prove guilt. Id.

The district court concluded that even if all the statements in Jones’ affidavit were true, it was not established that he was in custody. We agree. Jones’ affidavit indicates he went to the police station voluntarily before giving his written confession. Both this Court and the United States Supreme Court have found Miranda-based rights were not violated in situations similar to the one before us where a defendant voluntarily appeared at a police station and ended up giving an incriminating statement. California v. Beheler, 463 U.S. 1121, 103 S.Ct. 3517, 77 L.Ed.2d 1275 (1983); Oregon v. Mathiason, 429 U.S. 492, 97 S.Ct. 711, 50 L.Ed.2d 714 (1977); State v. Silva, 106 Idaho 14, 674 P.2d 443 (Ct.App.1983). Jones was not placed under arrest at that time, nor was any significant restraint on his freedom imposed. Following his interview by the police, Jones freely left the station. Jones was not placed under arrest until April of 1989. The fact that Jones may have been “coerced” to go to the police station by his ex-wife, who informed him he would not be allowed to stay in her house unless he spoke to the police, is irrelevant to our analysis here. Assuming that all the allegations in Jones’ affidavit are true, we cannot say he was in custody. Therefore, no Miranda warnings were required and counsel’s failure to pursue this issue cannot be said to be error. This claim in Jones’ application for post-conviction relief was properly denied.

E. Failure to Object to Introduction of Prior Bad Acts

Jones asserts in his application that trial counsel failed to “object to testimony regarding Defendant’s alleged prior inappropriate behavior with his stepdaughter.” Jones’ affidavit in support of his application merely restates that trial counsel “failed to object to testimony regarding my alleged prior inappropriate behavior with my stepdaughter.” These allegations are not supported by any reference to the trial transcript nor is the substance of the testimony revealed. Without specific testimony or reference to the record, Jones’ application must be dismissed. Similar to the burden on an appellant in a direct appeal, error must be affirmatively shown on the record by an applicant. Kugler v. Drown, 119 Idaho 687, 690, 809 P.2d 1166, 1169 (CtA.pp.1991). Conclusory allegations, unsubstantiated by fact, need not be accepted and are insufficient, by themselves, to entitle an applicant to an evidentiary hearing. Hays v. State, 113 Idaho 786, 747 P.2d 758 (Ct.App.1987). Jones’ claim that trial counsel failed to object to certain testimony, without more, must be dismissed. Therefore, the trial court did not err when it dismissed the application on these grounds.

F. Failure to Withdraw Because of Conflict of Interest

Jones alleges that trial counsel should have withdrawn because a conflict of interest arose. He does not, however, explain what this conflict was, other than implying that the two no longer agreed on many subjects. Without any evidence or allegations of an actual conflict of interest, the application was properly dismissed as to this claim.

CONCLUSION

It was not error for the district court to summarily dismiss Jones’ application for post-conviction relief. Jones is not entitled to any relief for the allegation that he did not see and review his presentence investigation report. On his claims of ineffective assistance, Jones has not shown any prejudice with respect to the alleged failure to communicate or the failure to conduct proper pretrial discovery. The question of challenging jury members is a strategic one and Jones’ disagreement with that decision is not enough, by itself, to establish a right to relief. For the purposes of issuing Miranda warnings, it appears that Jones was not “in custody” and counsel’s failure to pursue this issue does not give rise to a right to post-conviction relief. Jones has failed to meet his burden in establishing the failure to object to certain testimony regarding prior acts and the need for withdrawal due to a conflict of interest. Therefore, the district court was correct in summarily dismissing Jones’ application for post-conviction relief.

WALTERS, C.J., concurs.