/ / JACOB MCINNIS,
Petitioner v. DECISION AND ORDER ON PETITION FOR STATE OF MAINE, POST-CONVICTION REVIEW
Respondent
On June 27, 2008, after a three-day jury trial, the petitioner was found guilty of
class A robbery, class B conspiracy to commit robbery, class B burglary, class A
kidnapping, and class C theft. On July 11, 2008, he received a sentence of twenty-five
years incarceration, all but sixteen years suspended, and four years of probation on the
robbery offense and lesser sentences of incarceration on the other offenses, to be served
concurrently with the sentence on the robbery offense. The sentences were to be served
consecutively to a sentence imposed in York County.
The petitioner's appeal of his convictions was denied on 2118 I 10. The
petitioner's request for leave to appeal from sentence was denied on 4110109. His
motion to modify his sentence was denied on 10 I 15 I 12.
In his petition, 1 the petitioner alleges he received ineffective assistance of counsel
at trial, at sentencing, and on his direct appeal as follows:
1. the trial attorney failed to conduct adequate pretrial investigation, including failure to investigate the petitioner's alibi and present evidence of the alibi at trial;
2. the trial attorney failed to obtain an eye witness identification expert and failed to obtain a footprint expert;
1 The parties stipulated that the petitioner satisfied the jurisdictional requirement for post- conviction review. 3. the trial attorney failed to consult with the petitioner and keep him adequately apprised on developments in his case;
4. the trial attorney failed to present mitigating circumstances, character witnesses, and comparative sentences at sentencing and failed to prepare the petitioner for sentencing;
5. the trial attorney had a conflict of interest because the attorney represented the petitioner's father, who should have been an alibi witness for the petitioner;
6. the State violated Brady v. Maryland and the trial attorney should have requested more time and/ or sanctions as a result of the State's delivery of discovery the day before trial; and
7. the appellate attorney failed to discuss the appeal with the petitioner, failed to adequately prepare for the appeal, and failed to include appropriate issues on appeal.
At the hearing on the petition for post-conviction review, the petitioner and the trial
attorney testified. For the following reasons, the petition is denied.
FINDINGS
A. Trial
The petitioner was represented by two attorneys prior to his representation by his
trial attorney. The trial attorney was appointed on 11/14/07. 2
The trial attorney has represented hundreds of criminal clients and averages three
jury trials annually. After his appointment to represent the petitioner, the trial attorney
obtained the file and filed a motion to suppress and request for a Franks hearing, all
denied; a motion for funds for a DNA expert, which was granted; a motion for funds for
a psychologist, which was denied; a motion for discovery; and a motion for funds for
service of subpoenas, which was granted.
2 The petitioner testified that he had three or four attorneys before his trial attorney was appointed and testified his trial attorney was appointed four months prior to trial.
2 The petitioner stated that he wanted his trial attorney to speak to the people the
petitioner was with on the day of t.lte crimes, including his father, James Mcinnis, Sr.;
his father's wife, Dee; Dee's sister, Toni Chaett, and a friend, Larry Shumway. The
petitioner stated he was in southern Maine when the crimes were committed and not in
Windsor, where the crimes were committed. 3 The petitioner gave his trial attorney the
telephone number for James Mcinnis, Sr., the petitioner's father. Although the
petitioner had minimal conversations with his father near the time of trial, the petitioner
believed his father would have testified if called as a witness at trial that the petitioner
was with his father in Parsonfield at the time the crimes were committed.
The petitioner testified at the hearing on the petition for post-conviction review that
he had no conversation with his trial attorney regarding the attorney's representation of
James Mcinnis, Sr. The petitioner also testified that the trial attorney's civil case with
James Mcinnis, Sr. was more important than the petitioner's criminal case and if the
trial attorney called the petitioner's father to testify in the criminal case, the civil case
would have been adversely affected. The trial attorney believed the interests of the
petitioner and his father were consistent and there was no conflict.
On the day of trial, the petitioner asked his trial attorney why no witnesses were in
court. According to the petitioner, his trial attorney replied that he thought it best not
to ask the jury to choose between the petitioner and his brother, James Mcinnis, Jr., a co-
defendant who pleaded guilty and who testified at trial the petitioner committed the
crimes. Similarly, the trial attorney did not want to ask the jury to choose between the
petitioner's brother and father. Trial counsel determined to let the jury listen to the
petitioner's brother and judge his credibility. The petitioner testified that he objected to
this plan but it was "too late."
3 A demand for notice of alibi and a notice of alibi were filed.
3 The trial attorney agreed that the petitioner wanted to present alibi witnesses. The
trial attorney spoke to the petitioner's father, who was prepared to testify at trial. The
trial attorney told the petitioner the attorney "would not do it." The trial attorney made
his decision based on what he understood the petitioner's brother, James Mcinnis, Jr.,
would testify about as opposed to what the petitioner's father would testify about.
James Mcinnis, Jr. testified at the trial that after the crimes were committed, he and his
co-defendants, including the petitioner, went to Biddeford to buy drugs with the stolen
money. (Trial Tr. at 316-17.)
The trial attorney was wary of pitting one faction of the Mcinnis family against a
second faction. The trial attorney testified that during his representation of the
petitioner's father, a federal judge had not believed the testimony of James Mcinnis, Sr.,
Joshua Mcinnis, and James Mcinnis, Sr.'s wife, Dee. The trial attorney was concerned
the jury would make the same credibility determination as the judge and the jurors
would return a verdict based on whom they believed and whom they liked. The trial
attorney felt strongly about this decision and stated it was a strategic decision an
attorney must make.
After a photo lineup, a woman picked the petitioner as a person who was
involved in the crimes. (Mot. to Suppress Tr. May 8, 2008; Trial Tr. 136-78; 210-16; 221-
24; 254-55; 542-23.) The petitioner testified that he and his brother, Joshua Mcinnis, look
very much alike. Joshua Mcinnis's photo was not shown to the woman. The petitioner
testified that the woman might have picked Joshua Mcinnis if his photo had been part
of the photo lineup.
The trial attorney received a fax the day before trial. Through this fax, the State
informed the trial attorney that a detective would testify that footprints found at the
scene matched the tread of the petitioner's footwear. The trial attorney did not speak to
4 an expert regarding the footwear. The petitioner testified an expert "would have made
a difference." The trial attorney argued before trial that the evidence should be
excluded. The presiding justice did not agree. (Trial Tr. 25-30.) The testimony was not
conclusive but suggested the petitioner's footwear could have made the footprint at the
scene. (Trial Tr. at 25-30; 196-200; 220-21; 473-75; 500; 504-09.)
The petitioner did not recall discussing plea offers with the trial attorney. The
petitioner was given copies of the discovery from previous attorneys and from his trial
attorney. The trial attorney testified he discussed with the petitioner the State's offer of
a sentence of twelve years to be served. That offer was rejected by the petitioner
Sentencing
No evaluation of the petitioner was completed between his convictions and
sentencing. Prior to the sentencing hearing in July 2008, the State filed a sixteen-page
sentencing memorandum; the trial attorney filed no written materials. (Sent. Tr. at 9-
10.) At the sentencing hearing, neither the petitioner nor anyone else spoke on his
behalf. (Sent. Tr. 29.)
The petitioner testified that he discussed his significant drug problem with trial
counsel but that factor was not raised by the trial attorney. The trial attorney testified at
the hearing on the petition for post-conviction review that he discussed with the
prosecutor the petitioner's drug problem and that the motivation for the robbery was to
obtain drugs. At sentencing, the trial attorney argued that it "may not have been true"
that the petitioner was using drugs during the time period when the crimes were
committed. (Sent. Tr. at 28-29; see Sent. Tr. at 16-17.)
In contrast to the State's attorney, the trial attorney did not present a coherent
Hewey analysis. See State v. Hewey, 622 A.2d 1151, 1154-55 (Me. 1993); (Sent. Tr. 18-29,
5 32-34; see Sent. Tr. at 11-18; 29-30.) In fact, his discussion of the Hewey analysis was
incorrect. (Sent. Tr. at 19; 22.)
Finally, the State recommended the petitioner receive a sentence of hNenty-five
years, with all but twenty years suspended. The State recommended the same sentence
for co-defendant Marc Miville, who had a prior record and who pleaded guilty. (Sent.
Tr. 12.) Mr. Miville received a sentence of twenty years with all but twelve suspended.
(Sent. Tr. 32.) The two other co-defendants also pleaded guilty. James Mcinnis, Jr. had
a prior record and received an agreed upon sentence of twenty years with all but eight
suspended. (Sent. Tr. 13.) Joshua Mcinnis, who had no prior criminal record, received
an agreed upon sentence of fifteen years with all but eight years suspended. (Sent. Tr.
13; Docket in Kennebec County CR-07-663.) The three co-defendants cooperated with
law enforcement regarding the crimes. (Sent. Tr. 13-14.)
In spite of the fact that the petitioner was on probation for three separate matters
at the time of these crimes, had a conviction for a prior home invasion, and had shown
no remorse, the trial attorney asked that the petitioner receive the sentence given to Mr.
Miville, but misstated the sentence. (Sent. Tr. 12-13; 15; 18; 29; 32; 34.) In fact, the
sentence requested by the trial attorney, twelve years with all but eight years
suspended, was a lesser sentence than any of the co-defendants received. (Sent. Tr. 29.)
Appeal
The trial attorney represented the petitioner on appeal. The attorney visited the
petitioner at Warren once before the appeal. The petitioner discussed issues to be raised
on appeal. The petitioner testified that he did not know whether those issues were
raised or whether he was adequately represented on appeal. The Law Court decision
shows the petitioner challenged, among other things, the decisions on the motion to
suppress and the footprint testimony.
6 CONCLUSIONS OF LA VV
For trial issues, the petitioner must demonstrate that there has been serious
incompetency, inefficiency or inattention of counsel that falls below that which might
be expected from an ordinary fallible attorney and that the ineffective representation by
counsel has likely deprived the defendant of an otherwise available substantial ground
of defense. See State v. Brewer, 1997 ME 177,
applied on a case-by-case basis, and evaluations of ineffective assistance of counsel
claims are 'guided by the overall justness and fairness of the proceeding."' McGowan v.
State, 2006 ME 16,
A.2d 463).
"Defense counsel owes a duty to the client to conduct a reasonable investigation."
Lagassee v. State, 655 A.2d 328, 329 (Me. 1995). That duty includes a duty to interview
witnesses who have information relevant to a case. See Doucette v. State, 463 A.2d 741,
745 (Me. 1983).
Heightened deference is accorded in reviewing strategic or tactical decisions by
trial counsel. See True v. State, 457 A.2d 793, 796 (Me. 1983). The question "is whether
the strategy has been shown to be manifestly unreasonable." Id.
Sentencing is a "critical stage of a criminal proceeding" and a defendant is
entitled to effective assistance of counsel during sentencing. Francis v. State, 2007 ME
148,
First, whether there was "serious incompetency, inefficiency, or inattention of counsel
amounting to performance ... below what might be expected from an ordinary fallible
attorney" and "whether the attorney's performance likely deprived the defendant of an
otherwise available substantial ground of defense or likely affected the outcome of the
proceeding." Id.
7 A defendant also has the right to effective assistance of counsel on appeal. See
Kimball v. State, 490 A.2d 653, 659 (Me. 1985). The standard for ineffective assistance of
appellate counsel is the same standard used for evaluating trial and sentencing issues:
whether the petitioner received ineffective assistance of counsel and whether the
outcome of the appeal would have been different. See id. Counsel "need not brief
issues reasonably considered to be without merit." Francois v. Wainwright, 741 F.2d
1275, 1285 (11th Cir. 1984).
The petitioner has not sustained his burden of proving he was prejudiced at trial,
at sentencing, or on appeal by his attorney's assistance. See State v. Turek, 594 A.2d 553,
555 (Me. 1991) ("Failure to prove resultant prejudice precludes relief regardless of the
quality of counsel's performance."). For each allegation in his amended petition, the
petitioner has not shown that he was likely deprived of an otherwise available
substantial ground of defense or that the outcome of the proceeding was likely affected.
See Francis, 2007 ME 148, 1 4, 938 A.2d 10; Brewer, 1997 ME 177, 1115-17, 699 A.2d
1139; Kimball, 490 A.2d at 659. The burden of proving prejudice "requires a positive
showing rather than mere conjecture." Francis, 2007 ME 148, 18, 938 A.2d 10.
1. Pretrial Investigation I Alibi
No potential alibi witnesses testified at the hearing on the petition for post-
conviction review. The petitioner's testimony that he believed his father would have
testified the petitioner was with his father on the day the crimes were committed is not
sufficient to show prejudice.
2. Experts
No experts testified at the hearing on the petition for post-conviction review.
The petitioner's testimony that a footprint expert "would have made a difference" and
8 the woman "may have" identified Joshua Mcinnis if his photo had been included in the
photo lineup is not sufficient to show prejudice.
3. Consultation with Petitioner
The petitioner has not shown a lack of consultation or updates deprived him of
an otherwise substantial ground of defense or would have affected the outcome of the
proceeding.
4. Sentencing
The trial attorney's representation at sentencing was problematical. He filed no
sentencing memorandum, in spite of the State's filing a sixteen-page memorandum. He
presented no cogent or accurate Hewey analysis. Based on the circumstances of the
case and the four co-defendants, the trial attorney's request for a lesser sentence for the
petitioner than received by the other three co-defendants was not credible.
The petitioner has not, however, shown prejudice. He has not specified what he
or character witnesses would have said at the sentencing hearing. He has not identified
mitigating circumstances that should have been brought to the justice's attention.
Although the petitioner argues that his trial attorney should have identified the
petitioner's drug problem, the prosecutor made clear that the petitioner's drug problem
could be considered an aggravating factor because he had had the opportunity for
rehabilitation. Finally, no comparative sentences were offered at the hearing on the
petition for post-conviction review. The petitioner has failed to prove prejudice by
showing the outcome of his sentencing proceeding would have been different if the trial
attorney had performed differently.
5. Conflict of Interest
The petitioner surmised that his father's case was more important than the
petitioner's criminal case and his father's case would have been adversely affected if he
9 testified at the petitioner's trial. As discussed above, the petitioner's father did not
testify at the hearing on the petition for post-conviction review. The trial attorney
determined the interests of the father and the petitioner were consistent and there was
no conflict.
6. Late Discovery from State
The trial attomey sought to exclude the evidence he received in discovery just
prior to trial. The presiding justice did not agree with the trial attorney's argument. The
Law Court determined the trial court's admission of the police officers' testimony
concerning shoeprints was not error. See State v. Mcinnis, 2010 ME 13,
994. As discussed above, the petitioner's belief that a footprint expert would have made
a difference is conjecture.
7. Appeal
The trial attomey met with the petitioner to discuss the appeal. The Law Court
briefs were not offered as exhibits at the hearing on the petition for post-conviction
review. The petitioner admitted he did not know whether he was adequately
represented on appeal.
The entry is
The Petition for Post-Conviction Review is DENIED.
Date: January 13, 2014
10 JACOB MCINNIS SUPERIOR COURT VS KENNEBEC, ss. STATE OF MAINE Docket No AUGSC-CR-2011-00270
DOCKET RECORD
PL. ATTY: VERNE PARADIE State's Attorney: EVERT FOWLE PARADIE SHERMAN & WORDEN 11 LISBON ST SUITE 202 LEWISTON ME 04240 APPOINTED 12/12/2011 PL. ATTY: ROBERT RUFFNER ROBERT J RUFFNER ATTORNY AT LAW 415 CONGRESS STREET, SUITE 202 PORTLAND ME 04101 WITHDRAWN 12/01/2011
Filing Document: PETITION Major Case Type: POST CONVICTION REVIEW Filing Date: 04/15/2011
Charge(s)
Docket Events:
04/19/2011 FILING DOCUMENT - PETITION FILED ON 04/15/2011
04/20/2011 POST CONVIC. REVIEW - REVIEW SENT FOR REVIEW ON 04/20/2011
05/19/2011 MOTION - MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF CNSL FILED BY DEFENDANT ON 05/19/2011
06/03/2011 POST CONVIC. REVIEW - ASSIGNMENT ASSIGNED TO JUSTICE ON 05/24/2011 ROBERT E MURRAY JR, JUSTICE 06/15/2011 POST CONVIC. REVIEW - ASSIGNMENT ASSIGNED TO DOCKET ON 06/06/2011
06/16/2011 LETTER - FROM PARTY FILED ON 06/08/2011
LETTER FROM DEFENDANT REGARDING STATUS OF CASE 06/16/2011 MOTION - MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF CNSL GRANTED ON 06/13/2011 ROBERT E MURRAY JR, JUSTICE COPY TO PARTIES/COUNSEL 06/16/2011 Party{s) : JACOB MCINNIS ATTORNEY - APPOINTED ORDERED ON 06/13/2011
Attorney: ROBERT RUFFNER 08/17/2011 OTHER FILING - OTHER DOCUMENT FILED ON 08/03/2011
LETTER FROM DEFENDANT TO COURT REGARDING ATTORNEY SENT COPY TO ROBERT RUFFNER 09/19/2011 MOTION - OTHER MOTION FILED BY PETITIONER ON 09/16/2011
MOTION FOR SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL 09/29/2011 POST CONVIC. REVIEW - ASSIGNMENT ASSIGNED TO JUSTICE ON 09/29/2011 NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE AMENDED 11/09/2011 MOTION - MOTION FOR WITHDRAWAL OF CNSL FILED BY COUNSEL ON 11/08/2011 CR 200 Page 1 of 4 Printed on: 01/23/2014 STATE OF MAINE AUGSC-CR-2011-00270 DOCKET RECORD
11/30/2011 OTHER FILING - OTHER DOCUMENT FILED ON 11/29/2011
LETTER FROM DEFENDANT REQUESTING NEW LAWYER 12/05/2011 MOTION - MOTION FOR WITHDRAWAL OF CNSL FILED SY COUNSEL ON 12/05/2011
12/08/2011 MOTION - MOTION FOR WITHDRAWAL OF CNSL GRANTED ON 12/01/2011 JOHN NIVISON , JUSTICE COPY TO PARTIES/COUNSEL 12/15/2011 MOTION - MOTION FOR WITHDRAWAL OF CNSL GRANTED ON 12/01/2011 JOHN NIVISON , JUSTICE COPY TO PARTIES/COUNSEL 12/15/2011 Party(s): JACOB MCINNIS ATTORNEY - WITHDRAWN ORDERED ON 12/01/2011
Attorney: ROBERT RUFFNER 12/15/2011 MOTION - MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF CNSL FILED BY DEFENDANT ON 12/12/2011
12/15/2011 MOTION - MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF CNSL GRANTED ON 12/12/2011 M MICHAELA MURPHY , JUSTICE COPY TO PARTIES/COUNSEL 12/15/2011 Party(s): JACOB MCINNIS ATTORNEY - APPOINTED ORDERED ON 12/12/2011
Attorney: VERNE PARADIE 10/19/2012 SUPPLEMENTAL FILING - AMENDED PETITION FILED ON 10/19/2012
10/19/2012 MOTION - OTHER MOTION FILED BY PETITIONER ON 10/19/2012
MOTION TO EXTEND DEADLINES AND ALLOW FILING OF AMENDED PETITION AND WITNESS LIST 11/05/2012 MOTION - OTHER MOTION FILED BY STATE ON 11/02/2012
DA: .BRAD GRANT MOTION FOR COURT ORDER REQUIRING ATTORNEY ATTORNEY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE STATE'S ATTORNEY 11/05/2012 POST CONVIC. REVIEW - RESPONSE TO PETITION FILED ON 11/02/2012
DA: BRAD GRANT RESPONDENT'S ANSWER TO PETITION TO AMENDED PETITION FOR POST CONVICTION REVIEW 11/15/2012 CASE STATUS - CASE FILE LOCATION ON 11/15/2012
J MILLS 11/29/2012 CASE STATUS - CASE FILE RETURNED ON 11/29/2012
11/29/2012 MOTION - OTHER MOTION GRANTED ON 11/19/2012 NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE MOTION FOR COURT ORDER REQUIRING ATTORNEY ATTORNEY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE STATE'S ATTORNEY 11/29/2012 MOTION - OTHER MOTION GRANTED ON 11/20/2012 NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE MOTION TO EXTEND DEADLINES AND ALLOW FILING OF AMENDED PETITION AND WITNESS LIST 11/29/2012 MOTION - OTHER MOTION GRANTED ON 12/01/2011 JOHN NIVISON , JUSTICE CR 200 Page 2 of 4 Printed on: 01/23/2014 STATE OF MAINE AUGSC-CR-2011-00270 DOCKET RECORD MOTION FOR SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL 02/01/2013 POST CONVIC. REVIEW- PCR CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR 02/11/2013 at 02:00p.m. NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE 02/01/2013 POST CONVIC. REVIEW - PCR CONFERENCE NOTICE SENT ON 02/01/2013
02/14/2013 POST CONVIC. REVIEW - PCR CONFERENCE HELD ON 02/11/2013 NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE Attorney: VERNE PARADIE DA: FERNAND LAROCHELLE Defendant Not Present in Court 02/14/2013 POST CONVIC. REVIEW - ORDER RESULTING FROM PCR CONF FILED ON 02/11/2013 NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE 3 HOURS IN MAY NEEDED FOR HEARING, COPY OF ORDER SENT TO PARTIES 03/25/2013 OTHER FILING - OTHER DOCUMENT FILED ON 03/25/2013
DA: FERNAND LAROCHELLE RESPONDENT ADDS THE NAME OF ALAN KELLY TO THE WITNESS LIST, AND WOULD BE DISIGNATE THE AFFIDVIT OF DET RYAN JORDAN DATED 7/13/07, AS WELL AS THE SEARCH WARRANT AND INVENTORY. 04/01/2013 HEARING- EVIDENTIARY HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 05/07/2013 at 08:30 a.m. NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE NOTICE TO PARTIES/COUNSEL 04/01/2013 HEARING - EVIDENTIARY HEARING NOTICE SENT ON 04/01/2013
04/01/2013 WRIT - HABEAS CORPUS TO PROSECUTE ORDERED ON 04/01/2013 NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE 04/01/2013 WRIT - HABEAS CORPUS TO PROSECUTE ISSUED ON 04/01/2013
CERTIFIED COPY TO SHERIFF DEPT. 05/07/2013 HEARING - EVIDENTIARY HEARING HELD ON 05/07/2013 NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE Attorney: VERNE PARADIE DA: FERNAND LAROCHELLE Reporter: JANETTE COOK Defendant Present in Court 05/08/2013 HEARING - EVIDENTIARY HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 05/21/2013 at 01:30 p.m. NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE NOTICE TO PARTIES/COUNSEL RESCHEDULED FROM 11:00 05/08/2013 HEARING - EVIDENTIARY HEARING NOTICE SENT ON 05/08/2013
05/08/2013 WRIT - HABEAS CORPUS TO PROSECUTE ORDERED ON 05/09/2013 NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE 05/08/2013 WRIT - HABEAS CORPUS TO PROSECUTE ISSUED ON 05/09/2013
CERTIFIED COPY TO SHERIFF DEPT. 05/22/2013 HEARING - EVIDENTIARY HEARING HELD ON 05/21/2013 NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE UNDER ADVISEMENT ... JUDGE MILLS HAS THE FILE 01/23/2014 CASE STATUS - DECISION UNDER ADVISEMENT ON 05/21/2013 NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE 01/23/2014 FINDING - DENIED ENTERED BY COURT ON 01/13/2014 NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE 01/23/2014 ORDER - COURT ORDER ENTERED ON 01/13/2014 NANCY MILLS , JUSTICE CR 200 Page 3 of 4 Printed on: 01/23/2014 STl'~TE OF MAINE
AUGSC-CR-2011-00270 DOCKET RECORD DECISION AND ORDER ON PETITION FOR POST CONVICTION REVIEW
A TRUE COPY JI_TTEST: Clerk
CR 200 Page 4 of 4 Printed on: 01/23/2014