MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED regarded as precedent or cited before any Jun 25 2018, 11:05 am
court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK Indiana Supreme Court the defense of res judicata, collateral Court of Appeals and Tax Court estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE Donald E.C. Leicht Curtis T. Hill, Jr. Kokomo, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana Ellen H. Meilaender Supervising Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Nathan J. Bledsoe, June 25, 2018 Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 17A-CR-3016 v. Appeal from the Howard Superior Court State of Indiana, The Honorable George A. Appellee-Plaintiff. Hopkins, Judge Trial Court Cause No. 34D04-1702-F3-28
Pyle, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 17A-CR-3016 | June 25, 2018 Page 1 of 7 Statement of the Case [1] Nathan Bledsoe (“Bledsoe”) appeals his conviction by jury of Level 5 felony
battery.1 He argues that he was denied the effective assistance of trial counsel
and that there is insufficient evidence to support his conviction. Concluding
that Bledsoe was not denied the effective assistance of counsel and that there is
sufficient evidence to support his conviction, we affirm the trial court’s
judgment.
[2] We affirm.
Issues 1. Whether Bledsoe was denied the effective assistance of trial counsel.
2. Whether there is sufficient evidence to support Bledsoe’s conviction.
Facts [3] In late February 2017, Bledsoe’s father, David (“David”), contacted the
Howard County Sheriff’s Department and asked deputies to remove an
argumentative Bledsoe from David’s home. Bledsoe asked to be taken to a
rescue mission. However, staff at the mission refused to allow Bledsoe to spend
the night because he was intoxicated. David, who did not want Bledsoe to
1 IND. CODE § 35-42-2-1.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 17A-CR-3016 | June 25, 2018 Page 2 of 7 wander the streets for the rest of the night, agreed to let Bledsoe return to his
house for the night.
[4] Later that evening, Bledsoe “went berserk, screaming and yelling” when he
could not find his medication. (Tr. 134). David’s girlfriend, Deborah Philpot
(“Philpot”) saw Bledsoe pick up a hatchet and hit David in the face with it,
creating a large laceration that bled profusely. David was able to subdue
Bledsoe and take the hatchet away from him while Philpot called the Sheriff’s
Department. When deputies arrived at the scene, Philpot told them that
Bledsoe had also slapped her face. David was immediately transported to the
local hospital and then to Indianapolis so that a plastic surgeon could stitch up
the laceration on his face.
[5] The State charged Bledsoe with Level 3 aggravated battery for striking David in
the face with the hatchet. Bledsoe was also charged with Class A misdemeanor
battery for striking Philpot in the face.
[6] At trial, Philpot testified that she saw Bledsoe strike David in the face with the
hatchet. Philpot further testified that Bledsoe did not strike her. David testified
that Bledsoe struck him in the face with the hatchet. Photos of David’s facial
laceration were introduced into evidence, and the jury was also able to see the
scar that ran the length of David’s face.
[7] After the State rested, the trial court granted Bledsoe’s motion for judgment on
the evidence and dismissed the misdemeanor battery count relating to Philpot.
In addition, defense counsel argued that David’s injury was not serious enough
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 17A-CR-3016 | June 25, 2018 Page 3 of 7 to support a Level 3 aggravated battery charge. The jury subsequently
convicted Bledsoe of the lesser included offense of Level 5 felony battery.
Bledsoe now appeals.
Decision 1. Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel
[8] Bledsoe first argues that trial counsel was ineffective. At the outset, we note the
procedural effect of Bledsoe bringing his claim of ineffective assistance of trial
counsel on direct appeal. Although this practice is not prohibited, a post-
conviction proceeding is generally “‘the preferred forum’” for adjudicating
claims of ineffective assistance of counsel because the presentation of such
claims often requires the development of new facts not present in the trial
record. McIntire v. State, 717 N.E.2d 96, 101 (Ind. 1999) (quoting Woods v. State,
701 N.E.2d 1208, 1219 (Ind. 1998), reh’g denied, cert. denied). If a defendant
chooses to raise a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel on direct appeal,
“the issue will be foreclosed from collateral review.” Woods, 701 N.E.2d at
1220. This rule should “likely deter all but the most confident appellants from
asserting any claim of ineffectiveness on direct appeal.” Id. When a claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel is based solely on the trial record, as it is on
direct appeal, “every indulgence will be given to the possibility that a seeming
lapse or error by defense counsel was in fact a tactical move, flawed only in
hindsight[,]” and “[i]t is no surprise that such claims almost always fail.” Id. at
1216 (quoting United States v. Taglia, 922 F.2d 413, 418 (7th Cir. 1991), cert.
denied).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 17A-CR-3016 | June 25, 2018 Page 4 of 7 [9] We now turn to the substance of Bledsoe’s ineffective assistance of counsel
claim. We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel under the two-
prong test set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). To
prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Bledsoe must show that
his counsel’s performance was deficient and that the lack of effective
representation prejudiced him. See Strickland. 466 U.S. at 687. To satisfy the
first prong, the petitioner must show that counsel’s representation fell below an
objective standard of reasonableness and counsel committed errors so serious
petitioner did not have “counsel” as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the
United States Constitution. Garrett v. State, 992 N.E.2d 710, 719 (Ind. 2013).
To satisfy the second prong, the petitioner must show a reasonable probability
that, but for counsel’s errors, the result of the proceeding would have been
different. Id. “A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine
confidence in the outcome.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694.
[10] Here, Bledsoe contends his trial counsel was ineffective because counsel “in
effect, told the jury that [Bledsoe] was guilty. A defense attorney should not tell
a jury that his or her client is guilty, leaving the jury to decide only the level of
guilt.” (Bledsoe’s Br. 9). In support of this contention, Bledsoe directs us to the
following excerpt from his counsel’s closing argument:
There’s not been a defense here today of mental disease or defect and there’s not been a defense today of self-defense. . . .
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED regarded as precedent or cited before any Jun 25 2018, 11:05 am
court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK Indiana Supreme Court the defense of res judicata, collateral Court of Appeals and Tax Court estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE Donald E.C. Leicht Curtis T. Hill, Jr. Kokomo, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana Ellen H. Meilaender Supervising Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Nathan J. Bledsoe, June 25, 2018 Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 17A-CR-3016 v. Appeal from the Howard Superior Court State of Indiana, The Honorable George A. Appellee-Plaintiff. Hopkins, Judge Trial Court Cause No. 34D04-1702-F3-28
Pyle, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 17A-CR-3016 | June 25, 2018 Page 1 of 7 Statement of the Case [1] Nathan Bledsoe (“Bledsoe”) appeals his conviction by jury of Level 5 felony
battery.1 He argues that he was denied the effective assistance of trial counsel
and that there is insufficient evidence to support his conviction. Concluding
that Bledsoe was not denied the effective assistance of counsel and that there is
sufficient evidence to support his conviction, we affirm the trial court’s
judgment.
[2] We affirm.
Issues 1. Whether Bledsoe was denied the effective assistance of trial counsel.
2. Whether there is sufficient evidence to support Bledsoe’s conviction.
Facts [3] In late February 2017, Bledsoe’s father, David (“David”), contacted the
Howard County Sheriff’s Department and asked deputies to remove an
argumentative Bledsoe from David’s home. Bledsoe asked to be taken to a
rescue mission. However, staff at the mission refused to allow Bledsoe to spend
the night because he was intoxicated. David, who did not want Bledsoe to
1 IND. CODE § 35-42-2-1.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 17A-CR-3016 | June 25, 2018 Page 2 of 7 wander the streets for the rest of the night, agreed to let Bledsoe return to his
house for the night.
[4] Later that evening, Bledsoe “went berserk, screaming and yelling” when he
could not find his medication. (Tr. 134). David’s girlfriend, Deborah Philpot
(“Philpot”) saw Bledsoe pick up a hatchet and hit David in the face with it,
creating a large laceration that bled profusely. David was able to subdue
Bledsoe and take the hatchet away from him while Philpot called the Sheriff’s
Department. When deputies arrived at the scene, Philpot told them that
Bledsoe had also slapped her face. David was immediately transported to the
local hospital and then to Indianapolis so that a plastic surgeon could stitch up
the laceration on his face.
[5] The State charged Bledsoe with Level 3 aggravated battery for striking David in
the face with the hatchet. Bledsoe was also charged with Class A misdemeanor
battery for striking Philpot in the face.
[6] At trial, Philpot testified that she saw Bledsoe strike David in the face with the
hatchet. Philpot further testified that Bledsoe did not strike her. David testified
that Bledsoe struck him in the face with the hatchet. Photos of David’s facial
laceration were introduced into evidence, and the jury was also able to see the
scar that ran the length of David’s face.
[7] After the State rested, the trial court granted Bledsoe’s motion for judgment on
the evidence and dismissed the misdemeanor battery count relating to Philpot.
In addition, defense counsel argued that David’s injury was not serious enough
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 17A-CR-3016 | June 25, 2018 Page 3 of 7 to support a Level 3 aggravated battery charge. The jury subsequently
convicted Bledsoe of the lesser included offense of Level 5 felony battery.
Bledsoe now appeals.
Decision 1. Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel
[8] Bledsoe first argues that trial counsel was ineffective. At the outset, we note the
procedural effect of Bledsoe bringing his claim of ineffective assistance of trial
counsel on direct appeal. Although this practice is not prohibited, a post-
conviction proceeding is generally “‘the preferred forum’” for adjudicating
claims of ineffective assistance of counsel because the presentation of such
claims often requires the development of new facts not present in the trial
record. McIntire v. State, 717 N.E.2d 96, 101 (Ind. 1999) (quoting Woods v. State,
701 N.E.2d 1208, 1219 (Ind. 1998), reh’g denied, cert. denied). If a defendant
chooses to raise a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel on direct appeal,
“the issue will be foreclosed from collateral review.” Woods, 701 N.E.2d at
1220. This rule should “likely deter all but the most confident appellants from
asserting any claim of ineffectiveness on direct appeal.” Id. When a claim of
ineffective assistance of counsel is based solely on the trial record, as it is on
direct appeal, “every indulgence will be given to the possibility that a seeming
lapse or error by defense counsel was in fact a tactical move, flawed only in
hindsight[,]” and “[i]t is no surprise that such claims almost always fail.” Id. at
1216 (quoting United States v. Taglia, 922 F.2d 413, 418 (7th Cir. 1991), cert.
denied).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 17A-CR-3016 | June 25, 2018 Page 4 of 7 [9] We now turn to the substance of Bledsoe’s ineffective assistance of counsel
claim. We review claims of ineffective assistance of counsel under the two-
prong test set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). To
prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Bledsoe must show that
his counsel’s performance was deficient and that the lack of effective
representation prejudiced him. See Strickland. 466 U.S. at 687. To satisfy the
first prong, the petitioner must show that counsel’s representation fell below an
objective standard of reasonableness and counsel committed errors so serious
petitioner did not have “counsel” as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the
United States Constitution. Garrett v. State, 992 N.E.2d 710, 719 (Ind. 2013).
To satisfy the second prong, the petitioner must show a reasonable probability
that, but for counsel’s errors, the result of the proceeding would have been
different. Id. “A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine
confidence in the outcome.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694.
[10] Here, Bledsoe contends his trial counsel was ineffective because counsel “in
effect, told the jury that [Bledsoe] was guilty. A defense attorney should not tell
a jury that his or her client is guilty, leaving the jury to decide only the level of
guilt.” (Bledsoe’s Br. 9). In support of this contention, Bledsoe directs us to the
following excerpt from his counsel’s closing argument:
There’s not been a defense here today of mental disease or defect and there’s not been a defense today of self-defense. . . . So, I, he got cut and there’s no ifs, and no buts about it, he got cut, that happened. How it happened, I don’t know. And I assume that you’re going to fill in the blanks and you’re going to decide how it happened. Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 17A-CR-3016 | June 25, 2018 Page 5 of 7 (Tr. Vol. 2 at 237, 241).
[11] We agree with the State that “counsel admits only that [David] was cut on the
face – an undeniable fact given the pictures of [David’s] face admitted into
evidence – but immediately follows that by saying, ‘How it happened, I don’t
know.’ This is not an admission that [Bledsoe] cut [David].” (State’s Br. 12).
Bledsoe has failed to meet his burden to show that counsel’s performance was
deficient and that he was denied the effective assistance of trial counsel.
2. Sufficiency of the Evidence
[12] Bledsoe also argues that there is insufficient evidence to support his conviction
of Level 5 felony battery. Our standard of review for sufficiency of the evidence
claims is well-settled. We consider only the probative evidence and reasonable
inferences supporting the verdict. Drane v. State, 867 N.E.2d 144, 146 (Ind.
2007). We do not reweigh the evidence or judge witness credibility. Id. We
will affirm the conviction unless no reasonable fact finder could find the
elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. The evidence is
sufficient if an inference may be reasonably drawn from it to support the
verdict. Id. at 147.
[13] In order to convict Bledsoe of Level 5 felony battery, the State had the burden
to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Bledsoe knowingly or intentionally
touched David in a rude, insolent, or angry manner and that serious bodily
injury resulted to David. See I.C. § 35-42-2-1. Serious bodily injury includes
serious permanent disfigurement or extreme pain. I.C. § 35-31.5-2-292.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 17A-CR-3016 | June 25, 2018 Page 6 of 7 [14] Here, our review of the evidence reveals that Bledsoe sliced David’s face with a
hatchet, creating a large laceration that bled profusely. As a result of this
injury, David has been left with a permanent scar that runs the length of his
face. This evidence is sufficient to support Bledsoe’s conviction for Level 5
felony battery.2
[15] Affirmed.
Vaidik, C.J., and Barnes, Sr. J., concur.
2 [1] Bledsoe’s argument that “the credibility of the ‘two witnesses, including David’ --- the only persons present other than Bledsoe --- have been so compromised that their lack[] of credibility, at a minimum, gives rise to reasonable doubt,” is a request that we reweigh the evidence. (Bledsoe’s Br. 9). This we cannot do. See Drane, 867 N.E.2d at 146.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 17A-CR-3016 | June 25, 2018 Page 7 of 7