State v. Covington

696 S.E.2d 183, 205 N.C. App. 254, 2010 N.C. App. LEXIS 1090

Opinions

JACKS ON, Judge.

Darrice Jamar Covington (“defendant”) appeals from his 16 June 2009 conviction of possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine.¹ For the following reasons, we hold no error.

On 23 December 2008, defendant was arrested for possession with the intent to sell or distribute cocaine. After a brief pursuit, defendant was apprehended and taken to the Raleigh Police Department where several attempts to search defendant proved unsuccessful due to defendant’s clothing, as well as physical and verbal resistance. With the aid of four or five officers, handcuffs, and leg irons, officers were able to search defendant. Their search uncovered a bag of cocaine from the waistband of defendant’s boxer shorts, a bag of marijuana, and $234.00 in cash.

On 29 December 2008, defendant waived his right to counsel and subsequently retained an attorney (“trial counsel”). On 15 June 2009, a jury was impaneled for defendant’s trial. The following day, trial counsel stated that defendant wished to address the court. Defendant stated that he desired substitute counsel. The trial court asked defendant to explain the basis for his request, and defendant stated that trial counsel had not communicated frequently enough; consequently, they had not discussed the case fully. Defendant also claimed that he was unaware that the trial was going to take place that day. Additionally, defendant explained that he was concerned with trial counsel’s trial strategy, particularly that defendant was advised not to testify. The trial court explained to defendant that trial counsel may have a reason for advising defendant not to testify and pointed out defendant’s criminal récord containing a conviction for the same crime with which he was charged in the instant case. The trial court explained to defendant that he had the right to testify notwithstanding his counsel’s advice.

The trial court refused defendant’s request to substitute counsel. Instead, the trial court presented defendant with the option to proceed with representation by trial counsel or to proceed representing himself with trial counsel as standby, noting that this course of action was not advised. Defendant chose to proceed with representation by trial counsel. He was convicted as charged by a jury, and at sentencing, defendant told the trial court, “I didn’t even know that I— the trial would be set up this quick. I didn’t even know that — that the trial [would] be set up so quick. I never knew none of this.” On 16 June 2009, the trial court entered judgment and commitment. Defendant appeals.

Defendant’s sole argument is that he is entitled to a new trial because the trial court’s denial of his request for appointment of substitute counsel constituted a violation of his right to effective assistance of counsel pursuant to Article I, Section 23 of the North Carolina Constitution and the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution.² We disagreé.

Our Supreme Court has held that

[t]he right to the assistance of counsel and the right to face one’s accusers and witnesses with other testimony are guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the Federal Constitution which is made applicable to the States by the Fourteenth Amendment, and by Article I, Sections 19 and 23 of the Constitution of North Carolina. The right to the assistance of counsel includes the right of counsel to confer with witnesses, to consult with the accused and to prepare his defense.

State v. Cradle, 281 N.C. 198, 207, 188 S.E.2d 296, 302 (1972) (citations omitted). Errors arising pursuant to the United States Constitution are presumed prejudicial unless the appellate court finds that the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1443(b) (2007). “The burden is upon the State to demonstrate, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the error was harmless.” Id. Our Supreme Court applies this principle to errors arising pursuant to the North Carolina Constitution. State v. Bunch, 363 N.C. 841, 844, 689 S.E.2d 866, 868 (2010) (quoting State v. Huff, 325 N.C. 1, 33, 381 S.E.2d 635, 654 (1989), sentence vacated on other grounds, 497 U.S. 1021, 111 L. Ed. 2d 777 (1990)).

However, “[ajbsent a showing of a sixth amendment violation, the decision of whether appointed counsel shall be replaced is a matter committed to the sound discretion of the trial court.” State v. Hutchins, 303 N.C. 321, 336, 279 S.E.2d 788, 798 (1981) (citing State v. Sweezy, 291 N.C. 366, 230 S.E.2d 524 (1976)). “Because of the potential these challenges have for disrupting the efficient dispensing of justice, appellate courts ought to be reluctant to overturn the action of the trial judge.” Id. at 337, 279 S.E.2d at 798.

To obtain substitute counsel, a defendant must show “ ‘good cause, such as a conflict of interest, a complete breakdown in communication or an irreconcilable conflict which leads to an apparently unjust verdict.’ ” State v. Sweezy, 291 N.C. 366, 372, 230 S.E.2d 524, 529 (1976) (quoting United States v. Calabro, 467 F.2d 973, 986 (2d Cir. 1972)). “ ‘In the absence of any substantial reason for replacement of court-appointed counsel, an indigent defendant must accept counsel appointed by the court, unless he desires to present his own defense.’ ” State v. Robinson, 290 N.C. 56, 65, 224 S.E.2d 174, 179 (1976) (quoting State v. McNeil, 263 N.C. 260, 270, 139 S.E.2d 667, 674 (1965)).

Denying a defendant’s request for substitute counsel based upon his current counsel’s communication and trial strategy does not automatically amount to a violation of the defendant’s constitutional rights. See State v. Thacker, 301 N.C. 348, 271 S.E.2d 252 (1980). In Thacker, a defendant requested substitute counsel because of poor “communication between [the defendant] and the [c]ourt-appointed counsel.” Id. at 351, 271 S.E.2d at 254. The defendant stated that his counsel did not understand the questions that the defendant wanted to present to the court. Id. The defendant was allowed to dismiss his counsel and represent himself; his appointed counsel remained available for assistance throughout trial. However, the defendant was not permitted to obtain substitute counsel. Both this Court and our Supreme Court affirmed this decision, holding that “the trial court must satisfy itself only that present counsel is able to render competent assistance and that the nature or degree of the conflict is not such as to render that assistance ineffective. The United States Constitution requires no more.” Id. at 353, 271 S.E.2d at 256.

In the case sub judice, defendant’s first concern is the level of communication in the attorney-client relationship. Defendant explained that he and his attorney never sat down to talk about the case and that he did not know he was going to be tried until he arrived in court the day of the trial. This argument is unpersuasive.

The trial transcript indicates that defendant and his counsel were in contact prior to the trial. Defendant stated that he had discussed with his counsel the possibility of a plea agreement, potential witnesses in the case, and his desire to avoid incarceration. Although defendant claimed that he never saw a lab report detailing the amount of cocaine he possessed, trial counsel explained to defendant the results of the lab report and the pertinent law regarding why he was charged with a particular weight of cocaine even if the entire substance was not pure. Defendant argues that he was unaware that his trial was going to take place when he appeared in court. However, his presence and trial counsel’s presentation of defendant’s case demonstrate that whatever defendant’s level of awareness may have been, his case was not prejudiced. Trial counsel was prepared for trial, as evidenced by his examination of witnesses, objections throughout the trial, and closing argument. Although defendant personally may not have been ready for trial, his case was ready to be tried and his right to counsel was not violated.

Second, defendant expressed concern regarding trial counsel’s trial tactics. Defendant explained that he wanted to take the stand to testify but was advised not to do so. Defendant’s concern does not render the assistance of his counsel ineffective, especially considering that “the type of defense to present and the number of witnesses to call is a matter of trial tactics, and the responsibility for these decisions rests ultimately with defense counsel.” State v. McDowell, 329 N.C. 363, 384, 407 S.E.2d 200, 211 (1991) (citations omitted). The trial court explained to defendant that the decision to testify ultimately was his, but noted that not testifying could be in defendant’s best interest given his criminal record. Defendant’s concern in this regard demonstrates not only that defendant’s counsel attempted to represent defendant effectively, but also that defendant and his counsel previously had communicated regarding whether defendant should testify.

As in Thacker, defendant in the instant case voiced concern at trial with his counsel’s communication and trial strategy. In both instances, the trial court heard the defendants’ concerns and denied their requests for substitute counsel. As in Thacker, the trial court here required that defendant either proceed with his present counsel or represent himself, a decision which does not violate a defendant’s constitutional right to counsel. Thacker, 301 N.C. at 351, 271 S.E.2d at 254. Because defendant’s constitutional rights were not violated, the trial court’s decision whether to allow substitute counsel was discretionary, and as explained supra, it did not abuse its discretion by denying defendant’s request.

No error.

Judge ELMORE concurs. Judge STROUD concurs in a separate opinion.

Footnotes

1

. At trial, the trial court noted that the charge should read “possession with the intent to sell and deliver cocaine” and instructed the jury in this manner. (Emphasis added). However, the jury’s verdict reads “Guilty of Possession With Intent to Sell or Deliver cocaine.” (Emphasis added). Although the charge brought against defendant reads “possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver!,]” the statutory language of the charge reads “possess with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver^]” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-95(a)(l) (2007) (emphasis added). Neither party’s brief discusses this issue, and therefore, we do not address it.

2

. We note that in the case subjudice, trial counsel was retained. However, most of the case law presented by both defendant and the State involves appointed counsel. Neither party argues that this distinction affects the instant case, and our research has disclosed no case that finds the difference significant. Therefore, we will apply case law addressing appointed counsel to the case before us.