Leroy W. Coleman, Jr. v. State of Missouri

• Court: Missouri Court of Appeals
• Decided: February 15, 2022
• Docket: ED109394
• Status: Published

Opinion

In the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District DIVISION FOUR

LEROY W. COLEMAN, JR., ) No. ED109394 ) Appellant, ) Appeal from the Circuit Court ) of St. Louis County vs. ) ) Honorable David L. Vincent III STATE OF MISSOURI, ) ) Respondent. ) FILED: February 15, 2022

Leroy W. Coleman, Jr. (“Movant”) appeals from the motion court’s judgment denying his

Rule 29.151 amended motion for post-conviction relief without an evidentiary hearing. According

to Movant, the motion court clearly erred because his trial counsel was ineffective (1) in failing to

seek dismissal of the charges on the basis that Movant’s right to a speedy trial had been violated;

(2) in improperly advising Movant regarding the State’s burden of proof, which resulted in

Movant’s decision to not testify; and (3) in failing to investigate and call three witnesses at trial.

The judgment is affirmed.

Factual and Procedural Background

On February 21, 2016, after carjacking a Mercedes in Sauget, Illinois, Movant, Tony

Bailey, Jerrod Corley and John Stith drove the vehicle to a bar in St. Louis. Cornelius Stallings

was at the bar that evening, accompanied by his girlfriend, Emma Wallace, and by Earl Henderson

1 All rule references are to the Missouri Supreme Court Rules (2017). and Marinda Feagin. Around 1:30 a.m., Stallings and his companions left the bar, and Stallings

drove them in his vehicle. Wallace sat in the front passenger seat, and Henderson and Feagin were

in the backseat.

Movant, who believed that Stallings had been involved in the death of his cousin, left the

bar around the same time with Corley, Bailey and Stith. Corley drove them in the carjacked

Mercedes. As they were traveling on Interstate 270, Movant saw Stallings’s vehicle and said

something to the effect of “there go the dude that had something to do with [my cousin] getting

killed.” Movant then said to Bailey, “[Y]ou know what time it is[?],” and Bailey responded

“[Y]eah.” Corley pulled the Mercedes alongside Stallings’s vehicle, and Bailey fired shots at it.

Wallace was killed, and Stallings, Henderson and Feagin were injured. At trial, Stallings testified

that Movant also shot at his vehicle. Bailey, who testified on behalf of the State, admitted that he

and Stith shot at the vehicle but denied that Movant had also fired shots, although he acknowledged

he was not watching Movant during the shooting.

The jury convicted Movant of one count of first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree

assault, one count of unlawful use of a weapon and five counts of armed criminal action. The trial

court sentenced him to life in prison without parole for first-degree murder and consecutive terms

of 20 and 15 years for the various remaining counts. This Court affirmed Movant’s convictions

and sentences on direct appeal. See State v. Coleman, 580 S.W.3d 11 (Mo. App. E.D. 2019).

Movant sought post-conviction relief under Rule 29.15. Appointed counsel filed an

amended motion, which the motion court denied without an evidentiary hearing. This appeal

follows.

2 Standard of Review

Appellate review of a motion court’s denial of post-conviction relief is limited to a

determination of “whether the motion court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law are clearly

erroneous.” Forrest v. State, 290 S.W.3d 704, 708 (Mo. banc 2009); Rule 29.15(k). Findings and

conclusions are clearly erroneous if, after reviewing the entire record, “there is ‘a definite and firm

impression that a mistake has been made.’” Forrest, 290 S.W.3d at 708 (quoting Goodwin v. State,

191 S.W.3d 20, 26 (Mo. banc 2006)). The movant bears the burden of proving all allegations by

a preponderance of the evidence. Meiners v. State, 540 S.W.3d 832, 836 (Mo. banc 2018).

To be entitled to an evidentiary hearing, a movant must: “(1) allege facts, not conclusions,

warranting relief; (2) raise factual matters that are not refuted by the file and record; and (3) raise

allegations that resulted in prejudice.” Johnson v. State, 406 S.W.3d 892, 898 (Mo. banc 2013).

Rule 29.15(h) mandates that an evidentiary hearing “shall not be held” in circumstances where

“the motion and the files and records of the case conclusively show that the movant is entitled to

no relief.”

Discussion

“A movant bears a heavy burden when attempting to show that counsel was ineffective.”

Giammanco v. State, 416 S.W.3d 833, 839 (Mo. App. E.D. 2013). To prevail on a claim of

ineffective assistance of counsel, a movant must demonstrate that: (1) counsel did not demonstrate

the customary skill and diligence that a reasonably competent attorney would have exercised in a

similar situation; and (2) prejudice resulted. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984).

As a general matter, prejudice occurs when “there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s

unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” Id. at 694. If a

movant fails to satisfy either the performance prong or the prejudice prong of the Strickland test,

3 his or her claim fails, and it is not necessary for a reviewing court to address the other prong.

Bradley v. State, 292 S.W.3d 561, 565 (Mo. App. E.D. 2009).

I. Right to a Speedy Trial In his first point on appeal, Movant contends the motion court clearly erred in denying his

amended motion because his trial counsel was ineffective in failing to move to dismiss the claims

against him on the basis that his right to a speedy trial had been violated. We disagree.

“The right to a speedy trial guarantees to a criminal defendant that the State will move fast

enough to assure the defendant of the early and proper disposition of the charges against him.”

Giammanco, 416 S.W.3d at 839 (quoting State v. Bell, 66 S.W.3d 157, 164 (Mo. App. S.D. 2001)).

“Deprivation of the right to a speedy trial is not considered per se prejudicial to a defendant.” Id.

When considering whether a defendant has been deprived of his or her right to speedy trial, we

consider four factors set forth by the United States Supreme Court in Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S.

514 (1972): “(1) length of the delay; (2) reason for the delay; (3) defendant’s assertion of his right

to a speedy trial; and (4) prejudice to the defendant.” Giammanco, 416 S.W.3d at 839. Courts use

these factors to “engage in a difficult and sensitive balancing process.” Barker, 407 U.S. at 533.

A finding of any one of the four factors is neither necessary nor sufficient to find a deprivation of

the right to a speedy trial. Id.

Length of the Delay

The first factor, the length of the delay, “is a triggering mechanism.” State v. Sisco, 458

S.W.3d 304, 313 (Mo. banc 2015). “Until there is some delay which is presumptively prejudicial,

there is no necessity for inquiry into the other factors.” Barker, 407 U.S. at 530. Missouri courts

have held that a delay greater than eight months is “presumptively prejudicial.” Sisco, 458 S.W.3d

at 313 (quoting State ex rel. McKee v. Riley, 240 S.W.3d 720, 729 (Mo. banc 2007)). “The delay

in bringing a defendant to trial is measured from the time of a formal indictment or information or

4 when actual restraints are imposed by an arrest.” Id. The fact that the delay is presumptively

prejudicial does not raise a presumption of prejudice under the fourth Barker factor. Doggett v.

United States, 505 U.S. 647, 652 n.1 (1992); State v. Atchison, 258 S.W.3d 914, 919 (Mo. App.

S.D. 2008). Instead, “it simply marks the point at which courts deem the delay unreasonable

enough to trigger” inquiry into the remaining factors. Doggett, 505 U.S. at 652 n.1.

Here, the parties agree the delay is presumptively prejudicial because Movant’s trial began

19 months after he was arrested. Accordingly, we proceed to analyze the remaining factors.

Reason for the Delay

The Barker Court explained how the circumstances of a case affect the analysis of the

second factor, the reason for the delay:

A deliberate attempt to delay the trial in order to hamper the defense should be weighted heavily against the government. A more neutral reason such as negligence or overcrowded courts should be weighted less heavily but nevertheless should be considered since the ultimate responsibility for such circumstances must rest with the government rather than with the defendant. Finally, a valid reason, such as a missing witness, should serve to justify appropriate delay.

Barker, 407 U.S. at 531 (footnote omitted); Sisco, 458 S.W.3d at 313-14. While “delays

attributable to the defendant weigh heavily against the defendant,” delays that are jointly requested

by the parties are neutral factors in the analysis. Sisco, 458 S.W.3d at 314 (quoting State v.

Greenlee, 327 S.W.3d 602, 612 (Mo. App. E.D. 2010)); see also State v. Vickers, 560 S.W.3d 3,

16 (Mo. App. W.D. 2018).

Movant did not allege that any of the delay was caused by a deliberate effort by the State

to hamper his defense. He conceded in his amended motion that he was responsible for two

continuances that resulted in 179 days of delay. Those delays weigh heavily against Movant. See

Sisco, 458 S.W.3d at 314. The remaining 405 days of delay, which were either clearly attributable

5 to the State or were caused by “unexplained or neutral reasons,” weigh against the State, but not

heavily. See id. Overall, this factor weighs in Movant’s favor.

Assertion of the Right to a Speedy Trial

The third factor is the defendant’s assertion of the right to a speedy trial. Although there

is no bright-line rule as to when a defendant must assert the right to a speedy trial, we consider

“the timeliness of the assertion and the frequency and force of a defendant’s objections.” Id. at

316. Here, Movant asserted his speedy trial right early and often. This factor weighs in Movant’s

favor.

Prejudice to the Defendant

The fourth and most important factor is prejudice to the defendant. State v. Howell, 628

S.W.3d 750, 759 (Mo. App. E.D. 2021). We analyze this factor in light of three concerns: “(1)

prevention of oppressive pretrial incarceration; (2) minimization of anxiety and concern of the

accused; and (3) limitation of the possibility that the defense will be impaired.” Sisco, 458 S.W.3d

at 317 (quoting State ex rel. Garcia v. Goldman, 316 S.W.3d 907, 912 (Mo. banc 2010)). The

final consideration is the most serious. Id. “Any prejudice from the delay must be actual and

apparent, or at least inferable, from the record, rather than merely speculative.” Howell, 628

S.W.3d at 759.

In his amended motion, Movant alleged three forms of prejudice. First, Movant claimed

he was prejudiced by the delay because “he suffered from oppressive pretrial incarceration and

excessive anxiety and concern.” Movant failed, however, to plead any facts showing how his

incarceration was oppressive, and “anxiety alone does not establish prejudice absent the showing

of specific instances that weighed heavily on the defendant.” Greenlee, 327 S.W.3d at 613.

6 Because Movant’s vague allegations failed to show prejudice, this argument fails. See Howell,

628 S.W.3d at 759.

Movant also claimed he was prejudiced by the delay because Stallings was unable to recall

certain events and could not remember some of his previous statements and deposition testimony.

This allegation failed to show prejudice because Movant did not indicate how any of Stallings’s

memory lapses harmed his case. See id.

Finally, Movant claimed he was prejudiced by the delay because a potential defense

witness, Tyrin Williams, died while Movant was awaiting trial. The amended motion alleged that,

had the trial not been delayed, Williams “could have testified that Tony Bailey accepted

responsibility for the shooting and admitted that the shooting was his idea alone.” The amended

motion, however, did not include the date on which Williams died, and Movant did not plead facts

indicating that he would have been prepared for trial before Williams’s death. Again, 179 days of

the delay in this case were attributable to Movant. His claim that Williams “could have testified”

before his death was therefore speculative and failed to show Movant was prejudiced. See id.

In sum, Movant’s allegations of prejudice are without merit. This factor weighs heavily in

favor of the State. See State v. Bolden, 558 S.W.3d 513, 523 (Mo. App. E.D. 2016).

Balancing of the Factors

After balancing the Barker factors, we conclude Movant’s right to a speedy trial was not

violated. See Sisco, 458 S.W.3d at 319. Although the first three factors weigh in his favor, the

fourth and most important factor weighs heavily in favor of the State. See Bolden, 558 S.W.3d at

523 (holding that the defendant’s speedy trial right was not violated after weighing the first three

factors in his favor and the fourth heavily in favor of the State). The motion court did not clearly

err in denying this claim. Point I is denied.

7 II. Advice Regarding the State’s Burden of Proof

In his second point, Movant alleges the motion court clearly erred in denying his claim that

his trial counsel was ineffective in “failing to properly advise him as to the State’s burden of proof.”

In his amended motion, Movant claimed his trial counsel unreasonably advised him that the State

could not prove that Movant instructed Bailey to shoot at the victims. Movant asserted this advice

rendered his decision to not testify involuntary and unknowing. According to Movant, had he

testified, “the jury would have had the opportunity to evaluate his testimony and credibility in

relation to that of the State’s witnesses,” and there is a reasonable probability the outcome of his

trial would have been different. We disagree.

“If it is easier to dispose of an ineffectiveness claim on the ground of lack of sufficient

prejudice, which we expect will often be so, that course should be followed.” Strong v. State, 263

S.W.3d 636, 647 (Mo. banc 2008) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697). “Mere conclusory

speculations of prejudice by Movant are not considered substantive evidence of counsel’s

ineffectiveness.” Payne v. State, 509 S.W.3d 830, 839-40 (quoting Woods v. State, 458 S.W.3d

352, 360 (Mo. App. W.D. 2014)).

The Western District rejected a nearly identical claim of prejudice in Payne. In that case,

the movant claimed his decision to waive his right to testify was based on his attorney’s

unreasonable advice. Id. at 838. The movant asserted that, if he had testified, there was a

reasonable probability that the outcome of his trial would have been different because “the jury

would have been able to assess his credibility and could have come down on the other side of this

‘close case.’” Id. at 839. The Payne court characterized the movant’s claim of prejudice as

“nothing more than speculation” because it did not show why the jury would have found the

movant more credible than the State’s witness. Id.

8 Here, the allegation of prejudice contained in Movant’s amended motion is also pure

speculation; it does not demonstrate any reason why the jury would have found Movant more

credible than the State’s witnesses. See id. Because Movant’s amended motion did not plead facts

showing prejudice, the motion court did not clearly err in denying this claim. See id. Point II is

denied.

III. Failure to Call Witnesses

In his final point, Movant asserts the motion court clearly erred in denying his amended

motion because his trial counsel was ineffective in failing to investigate and call Amber Easter,

Terry Grimes and John Stith as witnesses at trial. We disagree.

To be entitled to an evidentiary hearing on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel for

failure to call a witness, a movant must allege unrefuted facts establishing: “(1) counsel knew or

should have known of the existence of the witness; (2) the witness could be located through

reasonable investigation; (3) the witness would testify; and (4) the witness’s testimony would have

produced a viable defense.” McFadden v. State, 553 S.W.3d 289, 305 (Mo. banc 2018). Trial

counsel’s decision to not call a witness “is presumptively a matter of trial strategy and will not

support a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel unless [a movant] clearly establishes

otherwise.” Weinhaus v. State, 501 S.W.3d 523, 528 (Mo. App. E.D. 2016) (quoting McIntosh v.

State, 413 S.W.3d 320, 328 (Mo. banc 2013)).

“The failure to offer testimony that would have only impeached the testimony of a State’s

witness does not warrant relief for ineffective assistance of counsel.” Id. “Rather, ‘when the

testimony of the witness would also negate an element of the crime for which a movant was

convicted, the testimony provides the movant with a viable defense.” Id. (quoting Whited v. State,

196 S.W.3d 79, 82 (Mo. App. E.D. 2006)).

9 In his amended motion, Movant alleged the first witness, Amber Easter, would have

provided Movant with an alibi to the Illinois carjacking that preceded the shooting. Movant,

however, was not on trial for his involvement in the carjacking; the evidence relating to it was used

by the State to connect Movant and the stolen vehicle to the shooting that occurred later that

evening. Easter’s proposed testimony would only have had the effect of impeaching Bailey’s

testimony that Movant was involved in the carjacking and would not have provided a viable

defense to one of the crimes of which Movant was convicted. See id. Accordingly, Movant’s

allegation with regard to Easter is without merit.

Movant also alleged that his trial counsel was ineffective in failing to call Terry Grimes as

a witness. According to Movant, Grimes would have testified that Bailey admitted to shooting

Stallings and killing Wallace and tried to sell Grimes the firearm. This proposed testimony was

consistent with Bailey’s testimony at trial and would not have negated Movant’s guilt. Because

Grimes’s proposed testimony would not have provided a viable defense, this claim fails. See

McFadden, 553 S.W.3d at 305.

Finally, Movant alleged that John Stith would have testified that he was present at the time

of the shooting but “did not fire a firearm, let alone a .40 caliber firearm, from the vehicle in which

he was a passenger.” Movant argues this testimony “would have rebutted Bailey’s testimony that

Stith also had a firearm and shot at Stallings.” Stith’s proposed testimony, however, would not

have negated any element of the crimes of which Movant was convicted and could only have

served to impeach Bailey’s testimony that Stith was also a shooter. See Weinhaus, 501 S.W.3d at

528. Movant’s claim with regard to Stith has no merit. Point III is denied.

10 Conclusion

The motion, files and record of the case conclusively show that Movant is not entitled to

relief. See Rule 29.15(h). The motion court did not clearly err in denying Movant’s amended

motion without an evidentiary hearing. The judgment is affirmed.

___________________________________ MICHAEL E. GARDNER, Presiding Judge

James M. Dowd, J., concurs. Lisa P. Page, J., concurs.