Supreme Court
No. 2020-192-C.A. (P2/17-1272ADV)
State :
v. :
Edward Delossantos. :
NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the Rhode Island Reporter. Readers are requested to notify the Opinion Analyst, Supreme Court of Rhode Island, 250 Benefit Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, at Telephone (401) 222-3258 or Email opinionanalyst@courts.ri.gov, of any typographical or other formal errors in order that corrections may be made before the opinion is published. Supreme Court
Present: Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Robinson, Lynch Prata, and Long, JJ.
OPINION
Justice Robinson, for the Court. The defendant, Edward Delossantos,
appeals from a judgment of conviction and commitment following a jury trial in
the Providence County Superior Court. On appeal, the defendant challenges the
trial court’s decision to grant his request to represent himself at his criminal trial,
arguing that the request was untimely and that the waiver of his right to the
assistance of counsel was not made voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently. The
defendant also appeals from the trial court’s denial of his motion for a new trial.
For the reasons set forth in this opinion, we perceive no error in the trial court’s
decision to grant the defendant’s request to represent himself nor in its denial of
the defendant’s motion for a new trial.
-1- I
Facts and Travel
This case ultimately stems from an altercation that took place in
Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in October of 2016. That altercation involved
defendant and two other adults and resulted in criminal charges being brought
against defendant. The facts relative to that altercation and the eventual charges
against him will be more fully explained as we summarize the trial testimony of
the various witnesses.
On May 17, 2017, defendant was charged by information with the following
offenses: assault with a dangerous weapon, to wit, a motor vehicle (Count One);
operating a motor vehicle without the consent of its owner (Count Two); domestic
assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit, a shod foot (Count Three);
domestic simple assault (Count Four); simple assault (Count Five); and vandalism
(Count Six). A three-day jury trial was held in November of 2019. We relate
below the salient aspects of what transpired at the trial.
A
The First Day of Trial
On November 12, 2019, the first day of trial, prior to jury selection, the trial
justice asked defendant whether he wanted to accept the state’s offer regarding a
plea agreement. The defendant stated that he chose not to accept the state’s offer,
-2- and the trial justice then addressed him as follows: “So that you understand, you
could get anywhere, if you’re convicted, from zero years to serve up to six years to
serve. Do you understand that, sir?” The defendant responded: “Yes, I understand
that, your Honor.” The jury selection process then commenced.
B
The Second Day of Trial
1. The Testimony of Veronica Flores
On November 13, 2019, the second day of trial, Veronica Flores testified
that, at the time of the October 2016 incident, she had been in a relationship with
defendant since 2011 and was living in Woonsocket with him and their two
daughters. She further testified that on October 4 she and defendant had an
argument at the house where they both lived, which culminated with defendant
departing in her car. Veronica stated that the next day, October 5, her sister,
Sabrina Flores,1 picked her up and drove to BJ’s Distribution Center in Uxbridge,
Massachusetts, where both sisters were scheduled to work on the same shift.
Veronica testified that she and Sabrina returned from the Distribution Center
around 12:45 a.m. on October 6 and that Sabrina parked her car on a side street
near the home where Veronica and defendant lived. Veronica further testified that,
1 The two complaining witnesses in this case are sisters with the same last name. We shall hereinafter refer to Veronica Flores and Sabrina Flores by their first names. We do so for the sake of simplicity, and we intend no disrespect.
-3- as they were preparing to get out of the car, Sabrina warned her that defendant was
“walking down right now.” She added that she and Sabrina locked the car doors.
She further stated that defendant proceeded to punch the passenger-side window of
Sabrina’s car.
Veronica further testified that, after she and Sabrina had exited Sabrina’s
car, defendant “whipped a muffin” at Sabrina’s face and then started “throwing
punches.” She stated that defendant then returned to her car (which he had taken
on the previous day) and “got a kitchen knife.” She testified that defendant
“stabbed the knife like right into the tire of [Sabrina’s] car * * * inches away from
[Sabrina’s] leg.” She added that defendant then “shoved” Sabrina, causing her to
fall “head first * * * into the tire of her car.” Veronica testified that defendant
punched her in the head and punched Sabrina in the face. Veronica further
testified that defendant shoved her into a fence and that, while wearing sneakers,
he kicked her “all over [her] body.” Veronica stated that a man “came out of
nowhere * * * holding a stick or something and was trying to fight off him, or from
him being on top of us and still like us just fighting in general.” She added that the
man “tried to intervene;” she also testified that he said that he had called the police.
It was further Veronica’s testimony that defendant then departed in her car, without
her permission.
-4- 2. The Testimony of Sabrina Flores
Sabrina testified that she had parked her car on a side street near where
Veronica and defendant lived. She further testified that, while looking into her
rearview mirror, she saw defendant walking towards her car and that he then
started “pounding on the side of the car” with “a closed fist.” She stated that he
yelled at the sisters, telling them to “[g]et out of the car.” It was further Sabrina’s
testimony that, after the sisters exited the car, defendant threw a muffin “[v]ery
hard” at her face. She added that defendant then walked “swiftly like he was in a
rush” towards Veronica’s car, where he “opened the driver’s side door and he
pulled out * * * a kitchen knife.” Sabrina testified that defendant then “slammed
the door shut, and * * * walked faster towards my car on the driver’s side,” where
he stabbed her front left tire, causing the knife to break into three pieces. Sabrina
further testified that defendant “got even more aggravated” and then pushed her
into her car, causing her to fall to the ground.
Sabrina testified that, while lying on the ground or trying to get up, she
noticed that defendant “had pushed Veronica and punched her, and she had fell
into the black fence.” She further testified that defendant, who was wearing
sneakers, then kicked Veronica in “her torso area.” Sabrina stated that she helped
Veronica get up from the ground. She then described what happened next: “That’s
when it got more physical. We kind of took that altercation and it navigated
-5- towards the middle of the street.” She added that, during the altercation, defendant
punched the sisters with a closed fist “probably about five or six times.”
Sabrina further testified that “as we were all fighting, * * * we heard a voice
from the distance.” She added that “[i]t just happened to be a neighbor of * * *
Veronica’s that was coming down the street.” Sabrina described the neighbor as
“aggravated,” and she said that he “had a bat or like a pole of some sort in his
hand” and that he said that he had called the police.
Sabrina testified that defendant then “walked towards the car” and that she
and Veronica “tried to stop him from going.” Sabrina further stated: “[Defendant]
turned on the car, he went to go pull away, he noticed that I was in the front of it,
and he kind of -- he pressed on the gas * * *.” Sabrina further testified that she
then put her “hands on the hood” and pushed herself “to the side to step out of the
way of the vehicle.” She added that defendant then drove off “pretty quickly.”
3. The Testimony of Robert Lescault
Robert Lescault, the intervening neighbor referred to by both Veronica and
Sabrina, testified that, during the early morning hours of October 6, 2016, he was
awakened from sleep by the sound of a “loud bang.” He testified that he “got up
and ran to the window,” from which he saw two females and one male “tussling
around.” Mr. Lescault further stated: “I saw the two females trying to keep the
male from jumping into a truck. And once they started doing that, he grabbed
-6- them both and he started swinging at them and punching at them like they were
males.” He testified that he then grabbed “a wooden stick” and “ran down towards
them.” He further testified that, as he was running towards the altercation, he
witnessed defendant hit Veronica and Sabrina with a closed fist.
Mr. Lescault also testified that defendant “charged” at him and “threw three
punches” at him. He added that defendant then “went back toward the truck to try
to get back into the truck, and the females continued to keep him out of the truck.”
Mr. Lescault testified that “[t]he smallest female tried to pull [defendant] out of the
truck, and he grabbed her by the hair and started punching her in the face.” He
added that the woman whom he described as “the smallest female” “fell back
towards the fence area in front of that building, and the other taller female was like
in between the front fender of the truck and the door being opened, and she was
reaching over the door and grabbing him.” Mr. Lescault stated that defendant then
“stepped back out and he struck [the taller female] over the door, and she fell back,
she stumbled down the sidewalk and kind of into the road, and that’s when he shut
the door and tried to take off and almost ran her over.”
-7- 4. Defendant’s First Request to Represent Himself2
At that juncture, the state having rested, the trial justice asked defendant
whether he wished to testify on his own behalf.3 In response, defendant stated: “I
haven’t had time to come to an agreement to testify.” The trial justice responded:
“No, sir, you have had time. We’ve done nothing but delay, delay, delay.
“* * *
“We have wasted an inordinate amount of time today with this jury. First, with your insistence that you have your attorney verify for himself that witnesses were here. I allowed him to do that. Second, with the idea that you might possibly want to entertain a plea. Despite the fact that the time had come and gone for that, I allowed him to do that. We spent some time this afternoon going through a voir dire that you insisted on being present for. So this isn’t something new. This case was reached for trial yesterday and you’ve known about it for a month now.
“I will give you ten minutes to speak to your attorney, but we’re going to have an answer from you today because this jury is not here at your pleasure, your disposal, for you to take as long as you think is possible.
2 All of the colloquies between the trial justice and defendant or his counsel took place out of the presence of the jury. 3 Because of the special relevance of the colloquies between the trial justice and defendant to the legal issues before us, we shall quote from those colloquies verbatim more extensively than might otherwise be the case. See State v. Cruz, 109 A.3d 381, 390 (R.I. 2015) (“[T]he presence of a detailed colloquy between a trial justice and a defendant on the record assists the trial justice in ascertaining the knowing and intelligent nature of a defendant’s waiver.”).
-8- You can have a conversation with him, but I’m going to want an answer this afternoon. Do you understand that?”
The defendant replied that he understood, and he then stated: “You’re
actually trying to make me testify at the last minute, but I was never prepared for
none of this.”
In response, the trial justice stated:
“I’m not trying to make you do anything. I’m actually just trying to determine whether or not it’s your desire to testify. When you tell me you haven’t had enough time to consider it, my point to you is this. You had enough time. We went through this yesterday. We’ve been going at it all day today with really long breaks in between. The idea of you testifying is not something new, nor is the information that was testified to by the witnesses because the statements were here.
“I do understand, sir -- and I mean this with all sincerity -- that you wanted to see whether or not the witnesses were coming. That’s fair. I get that because quite often witnesses don’t appear. But, they did. They testified. You knew what they were going to testify to because you’ve had all the discovery. So, your decision as to whether or not you would testify isn’t something that’s just been thrown on you out of the blue without you having had any time to think about it. That’s the point.
“It doesn’t matter to me one way or the other whether you testify. I’m not going to force you to do a single thing, but what I am not going to allow is this continued unnecessary delay that we seem to be having. So, I’m going to give you time to talk to your attorney.”
-9- The court recessed for approximately ten minutes. The trial justice asked
defense counsel whether defendant was going “to testify or * * * waive his right to
do so.” Defense counsel stated: “I believe he wants to testify, but I would ask the
Court to engage him in colloquy.” The record reflects the following exchange
between the trial justice and defendant:
“THE COURT: * * * I don’t know whether it’s against the advice of counsel or not. You certainly don’t have to disclose that. But, Mr. Delossantos, it is absolutely your right to testify. There’s no question about it. And, I’m not going to anticipate specifically what conversations you’ve had with [the defense attorney], but more often than not counsel will advise their client to hold onto their right to remain silent because once you get up on the stand, you’re also subject to cross-examination, something that [the defense attorney] has no control over at that point in time. Knowing all this, knowing that you have the right, as I told this jury repeatedly and will again at the end, to sit there and say and do absolutely nothing, is it your desire to take the stand or your desire to remain in silence and leave the State to its burden of proof? Which do you want to do?
“THE DEFENDANT: I don’t know what I want to do.
“THE COURT: Do you want to testify or do you not want to testify?
“THE DEFENDANT: I want to start off as firing my lawyer. I don’t believe this is being processed as a fair trial on my behalf.
“THE COURT: Okay, you’re certainly allowed to discharge [the defense attorney], but you will continue representing yourself at this point. We don’t -- it’s not
- 10 - like you get to fire him and we start all over again from the beginning, okay? We’re going to finish this trial one way or the other.
“THE DEFENDANT: All right.
“THE COURT: You can do it with the assistance of [the defense attorney], who I can tell you is a more than capable attorney, someone who has -- when I practiced, I’ve had cases against him, and I found him to be one of the better ones out there. But, you’re entitled to your opinion, and I don’t know what your relationship is like with him. All I am telling you is that you can certainly discharge him, but you’re going to finish the trial by yourself. So, what’s it that you want to do, sir?
“THE DEFENDANT: I don’t know.
“THE COURT: I need an answer from you. Let’s start first with [the defense attorney]. Are you asking that he be released from representing you as counsel? That’s a yes or no.
“THE DEFENDANT: Yes.
“THE COURT: Okay, so then you’re prepared to continue this trial representing yourself?
“THE DEFENDANT: I believe so. You’re saying that’s my only choice.
“THE COURT: Well, the trial is --
“THE DEFENDANT: That’s my only choice. You’re not giving me no other choice.
“THE COURT: Okay, Mr. Delossantos, that’s the second time I told you not to interrupt me when I’m talking. The third time, I assure you, will be the last.
- 11 - You absolutely can represent yourself. I’m not telling you that you can’t. But, what I am telling you is we’ve started this trial, we have selected a jury, the State has completed the presentation of its case. We don’t now, at this point, fire counsel and start all over again. Is that what you were hoping was going to happen?
“THE DEFENDANT: No, that was never.
“THE COURT: Okay, so what was it that you were thinking when you said you wanted to fire [the defense attorney]? What did you think was going to happen if I said yes?
“THE DEFENDANT: I don’t know. I didn’t know if we were going to start all over. I didn’t know. I just feel he’s not helping me as much as I need him.
“THE COURT: Well, sometimes when counsel gives you advice, just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s not good advice, okay? So, as you just said, you were hoping you would get to start over. I’m telling you the law doesn’t allow for that, okay? The jury has been sworn, we’ve started these proceedings, we’re more than halfway done. So, you can either continue and finish this case representing yourself or [the defense attorney] will continue to represent you. What’s it going to be? Knowing full off that [the defense attorney] has a law degree, has a number of years of experience in the Public Defender’s Office, has represented murderers that I know he’s gotten acquitted, so he’s certainly capable and competent. But, if you think you know better, that’s your choice.
“THE DEFENDANT: I don’t know. I don’t know.
“THE COURT: Okay, I need an answer from you, sir.
“***
- 12 - “THE COURT: I’ve got a jury waiting, they’re going to come down, so I need a decision from you.
“THE DEFENDANT: I just told you, I don’t feel like this has been a fair trial. You’re trying to make me --
“THE COURT: You’re entitled to your opinion, sir.
“THE COURT: I need an answer from you. Do you want to proceed with [the defense attorney] or do you want to represent yourself for the remainder of the trial? There’s two options. Tell me which one you are taking.
“THE DEFENDANT: I will proceed with [the defense attorney].
“THE COURT: Fantastic. Number two, you have a right to testify in this matter. You absolutely do. You can present evidence on your own behalf and let the jury hear from you. You also have the right to remain silent. You have the right to sit there, say and do nothing, and leave the State up to their burden of proof. I know that you’ve had conversations with [the defense attorney] about it. He said, as a matter of fact, he’s had a few discussions during the day. I need an answer from you right now whether or not you want to testify or whether you want to remain silent. Which is it?
“THE DEFENDANT: I want to testify.”
5. The Testimony of Defendant
The defendant then testified that, upon arriving home from work on October
5, 2016, having been driven there by a friend, he was not able to enter the house
because he did not have his keys. He further testified that he left the house and
- 13 - “came back hours later” and saw that Veronica’s car was there. He stated that he
started to bang and kick on the door “to get in the house” and that, after fifteen to
twenty minutes, Veronica opened the door. The defendant testified that he and
Veronica started to argue and that she told him to leave the house. He stated that
he packed a bag and started to leave the house, at which point Veronica and
Sabrina tried to grab him to prevent him from leaving. The defendant also denied
taking Veronica’s car without permission; putting his hands on anyone; kicking
anyone; or using a knife to puncture a tire. At the close of defendant’s direct
testimony, the court adjourned for the day.
C
The Third Day of Trial
November 14, 2019 was the third and final day of trial. As proceedings
began on that day, defendant advised the trial justice that he now wished to
discharge his attorney and represent himself. The trial justice advised defendant
against representing himself, explaining that there are certain rules of evidence and
procedures that must be followed in the courtroom. She asked defendant if he had
attended law school or if he had ever practiced law. When defendant replied that
he had neither attended law school nor practiced law, the trial justice again pointed
out that defendant’s attorney had attended law school and had practiced law. The
trial justice again cautioned defendant against representing himself; and she
- 14 - specifically advised him that, if he did, he would be held to the same standards as
an attorney.
Next, the trial justice further explained to defendant that, if he did elect to
represent himself, he would still be subject to cross-examination and would be
responsible for apprising the court of any additional evidence that he might wish to
present. She then asked him whether he felt he was in a better position than his
attorney to give a closing argument. The defendant answered in the affirmative.
The trial justice then explained to defendant: “I’m concerned, too, about the
appearance that might make to the jury. [The defense attorney] has been with you
throughout, and to use the metaphor, to change horses midstream may not be in
your best interest.” The trial justice again repeated her concerns about defendant
representing himself and provided him fifteen minutes to meet with his attorney to
see if defendant could “iron out whatever perceived differences” he had with his
attorney.
After meeting with his attorney, defendant informed the court that he still
wished to represent himself. The trial justice stressed the “inherent disadvantage to
someone making this decision,” and she emphasized her responsibility for ensuring
that defendant was making the decision to represent himself voluntarily,
knowingly, and intelligently. In response to the trial justice’s questions, defendant
stated that: (1) he had a tenth-grade education; (2) he could read and write the
- 15 - English language; and (3) he had no “physical ailments or mental health ailments
that might affect [his] ability to participate” in the trial.
In response to a question posed by the trial justice regarding his previous
involvement with the criminal justice system, defendant said that he had been in
attendance at a trial in Massachusetts and that he also had some knowledge of the
trial process through watching television. The trial justice emphasized to
defendant that his trial was unlike the trials on television because “[t]he stakes are
real, and they’re real for you.” She asked the defendant whether he understood
this, and he answered in the affirmative.
The trial justice then asked defendant to tell her what he understood would
happen for the rest of the trial, specifically inquiring as to what defendant
understood his obligations would be. The defendant stated that he was going to
have to “[f]ight for [his] life and prove [himself] not guilty.” When the trial justice
asked defendant how he planned to do that, he replied: “With evidence.” The trial
justice then explained:
“[W]hat I’m getting at right now is that you want to represent yourself at the very end of these proceedings, and I’m concerned about your ability to do so and the fact that [you’re] making this waiver, as I said, intelligently and knowingly. And, I am just trying to point out to you that whatever you may think about [the defense attorney] personally, he does have the training and experience. He knows what the rules of evidence are. He knows how to make a closing argument. He prepared his last night. We went over the jury
- 16 - instructions. All these things, as I said, he has the training and experience to do, and I’m concerned that you don’t have that.”
The defendant replied: “I don’t.” The trial justice then sought confirmation from
defendant that, even knowing of his attorney’s training and experience and his own
lack of same, he nevertheless still wished to represent himself. The defendant once
again expressed his desire to represent himself.
The trial justice then informed defendant that she would like his attorney “to
stay as, what we call, standby counsel so [defendant] could consult him if [he had]
any questions.” When asked if that is something to which he would be agreeable,
defendant replied in the negative. The trial justice explained to defendant that the
attorney “would be available if [defendant] had a question about law or procedure
or rules of evidence.” The trial justice continued:
“I can’t force you to have him sit with you. I would advise you if you’re going to undertake this representation, which, once again, I think is a bad decision, I’ll be very candid with you. I think you’re making a mistake. But, you have the right to do that. I just need to make sure that you’re doing this voluntarily and that you know what the consequences are of representing yourself. So, if you are going to do that, and you acknowledge that [the defense attorney] has certain knowledge and experience that you don’t have, what reason do you have for him not sitting there with you to assist you if you need it?”
The defendant answered: “Just the lack of approach.”
- 17 - The trial justice then asked defendant whether anyone had forced him to
make the decision about representing himself. He replied: “No, I just see it as my
life on the line. * * * I am fighting for my life.” The trial justice continued:
“I can disagree with your decision, but it’s your decision to make. I just need to make sure that you have done it after thinking about all of the ramifications, the consequences, really the pitfalls of trying to represent yourself. You’ve indicated to me you have thought about it and that this is your desire?”
The defendant confirmed that he had thought about his decision, “from last night to
today.”
The trial justice then sought to further clarify what defendant’s
responsibilities would be. She said to him:
“[Y]ou will be responsible for doing your closing statement. You will be responsible -- you’re going to be asked questions on cross-examination, and you will be responsible for making any objections, any motions that need to be made, but I need to know whether or not you want [the defense attorney] to stay with you and assist you in that endeavor?”
The defendant ultimately changed his mind and agreed to have his attorney remain
as standby counsel.
The trial justice permitted defendant to proceed pro se, and the trial
continued with defendant (who had already testified on his own behalf) being
cross-examined by the prosecutor. After the cross-examination was completed, the
trial justice explained to the jury that defendant was now representing himself.
- 18 - During the remainder of the trial, the trial justice reminded defendant several times
that standby counsel was there to assist him, and she encouraged him to take
advantage of his standby counsel’s assistance.
Prior to the presentation of closing arguments, the trial justice granted
defendant approximately an hour to confer with his standby counsel. The trial
justice also told defendant that she would entertain a request for standby counsel to
present the closing argument if defendant so desired. The defendant declined, and
he proceeded to present his own closing argument. Thereafter, the trial justice
requested that defendant’s standby counsel assist him in reviewing the exhibits.
After closing arguments and the jury instructions, jury deliberations
commenced. At the conclusion of the deliberations, which lasted for one hour and
twenty minutes, the jury found defendant not guilty on Count One (assault with a
dangerous weapon) and guilty on the remaining counts. On November 22, 2019,
defendant filed a motion for a new trial; that motion was denied on January 3,
2020.4 On February 21, 2020, defendant was sentenced.5 He thereafter filed a
timely notice of appeal to this Court.6
4 The defendant was represented by counsel with respect to the motion for a new trial and at the sentencing hearing. 5 The defendant was sentenced as follows: on Count Two five years, with three years to serve, with probation; on Count Three six years, with three years to serve, with probation; on Count Four one year to serve; on Count Five one year to
- 19 - II
Issues on Appeal
On appeal, defendant contends that the waiver of his right to the assistance
of counsel was not valid because it was not timely and because it was not made
voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently. The defendant also contends that the
trial justice erred when she denied his motion for a new trial.
III
Standards of Review
The Standard as to the Waiver of the Right to Counsel
We have stated that “‘[w]ith respect to a trial justice’s determination as to
whether or not a criminal defendant’s waiver of his or her Sixth Amendment right
to counsel is knowing, voluntary, and intelligent,’ this Court reviews this
constitutional inquiry de novo.” State v. Cruz, 109 A.3d 381, 389 (R.I. 2015)
(quoting State v. Sampson, 24 A.3d 1131, 1139 (R.I. 2011)); see also State v.
Brumfield, 900 A.2d 1151, 1153 (R.I. 2006); State v. Laurence, 848 A.2d 238, 253
serve; and on Count Six one year to serve. The sentences were all to run concurrently. 6 The defendant filed a notice of appeal on February 25, 2020, prior to the January 28, 2021 entry of the judgment of conviction. This premature notice of appeal is considered to be timely. See State v. Franco, 225 A.3d 623, 628 n.5 (R.I. 2020).
- 20 - (R.I. 2004). However, “[e]ven when the de novo standard is applied to issues of
constitutional dimension, we still accord a hearing justice’s findings of historical
fact, and inferences drawn from those facts, great deference in conducting our
review.” Thornton v. State, 948 A.2d 312, 316 (R.I. 2008); see also State v. Eddy,
68 A.3d 1089, 1098 (R.I. 2013); Cruz, 109 A.3d at 389; Laurence, 848 A.2d at
253.
The Standard Relevant to the Motion for a New Trial
In reviewing defendant’s contention based on the “interest of justice”
provision in Rule 33 of the Superior Court Rules of Criminal Procedure, we review
the trial justice’s ruling on the constitutional issue in a de novo manner. See Price
v. Wall, 31 A.3d 995, 999 (R.I. 2011) (“This Court will * * * review a ruling
concerning a defendant’s constitutional rights de novo.”).
In reviewing the trial court’s decision concerning a new trial motion as to the
weight of the evidence, this Court affords “great weight to a trial justice’s ruling on
a motion for a new trial if he or she has articulated sufficient reasoning in support
of the ruling.” State v. Espinal, 943 A.2d 1052, 1058 (R.I. 2008); see also State v.
Muralles, 154 A.3d 925, 932 (R.I. 2017); State v. Robat, 49 A.3d 58, 71 (R.I.
2012). As such, “this Court will not disturb a trial justice’s decision on a motion
for a new trial unless ‘the trial justice committed clear error or * * * he or she
- 21 - overlooked or misconceived material and relevant evidence [relating] to a critical
issue in the case.’” Muralles, 154 A.3d at 932 (quoting State v. DiCarlo, 987 A.2d
867, 871 (R.I. 2010)).
IV
Analysis
The Waiver of the Right to the Assistance of Counsel
We have stated that “[t]he Sixth Amendment to the United States
Constitution and article 1, section 10, of the Rhode Island Constitution provide that
in all criminal prosecutions, the accused enjoys the right to the assistance of
counsel.” Laurence, 848 A.2d at 252. It should be further noted, however, that
“[t]he Sixth Amendment also allows a defendant in a criminal trial to represent
himself, provided that his waiver of counsel is valid.” Id.; see also Faretta v.
California, 422 U.S. 806, 819 (1975) (“The Sixth Amendment does not provide
merely that a defense shall be made for the accused; it grants to the accused
personally the right to make his defense.”); State v. Chabot, 682 A.2d 1377,
1379-80 (R.I. 1996).
We have stated that “a defendant may proceed pro se if he or she wishes
only so long as the waiver of his or her right to counsel is valid.” State v. Withers,
172 A.3d 765, 771 (R.I. 2017); see also State v. Segrain, 252 A.3d 1255, 1273-74
- 22 - (R.I. 2021). We have also stated that, “[i]n order for a waiver to be valid, a
defendant must waive his or her right to counsel voluntarily, knowingly, and
intelligently.” Cruz, 109 A.3d at 390. In other words, a waiver is valid only when
the defendant “knows what he or she is doing and his or her choice is made with
eyes open.” Chabot, 682 A.2d at 1380 (brackets and emphasis omitted) (quoting
Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835). When determining whether such a waiver was valid,
“this Court employs a two-prong analysis * * *.” Cruz, 109 A.3d at 390. First, the
Court must “determine whether the waiver was voluntary * * *.” Id. (internal
quotation marks omitted). Next, the Court “must determine whether the waiver
was knowing and intelligent.” Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). In
conducting the “constitutional inquiry” as to whether a waiver was valid, “this
Court examines the totality of the circumstances.” Id.
1. The Timeliness of Defendant’s Waiver
The defendant asserts on appeal that his waiver of his right to the assistance
of counsel was invalid because his request to proceed pro se was not timely made.
The defendant relies heavily on the case of United States v. Betancourt-Arretuche,
933 F.2d 89 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 959 (1991), in support of his
argument that a request to proceed pro se is timely only when such a request is
made prior to the jury being empaneled and sworn. However, this Court has never
opted to follow the First Circuit’s rather bright-line approach in that regard and has
- 23 - not adopted a strict temporal requirement as to when the waiver of the right to the
assistance of counsel must be asserted in order for it to be valid. This Court has
specifically endorsed an approach whereby we conduct a fact-specific
“examination of the totality of the circumstances, in light of the particular stage of
the proceedings at the time the waiver is proposed * * *.” State v. Spencer, 783
A.2d 413, 417 (R.I. 2001); see also Cruz, 109 A.3d at 390; Laurence, 848 A.2d at
It is our opinion, after carefully scrutinizing the trial transcript and especially
the extensive colloquies between the trial justice and defendant, that defendant’s
decision in the midst of the trial to discharge his attorney (a decision that he made
after having been unequivocally advised by the trial justice that such a decision
would be unwise) was not rendered invalid because it was made at a relatively
advanced stage of the proceedings.7 The defendant had been made aware of the
trial justice’s advice to the contrary, and yet he opted to represent himself (albeit
with standby counsel being present). Having reviewed the record in its entirety,
we perceive no error in the trial justice’s decision allowing defendant to discharge
his attorney when and as she did.
7 It should be recalled that the trial justice specifically informed defendant that, if he decided to discharge his attorney, that would not result in the trial starting all over again.
- 24 - 2. Voluntary, Knowing, and Intelligent Waiver
i. The requirement that the waiver be voluntary
The defendant further contends that his waiver of counsel was not
voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently made because the trial justice did not
“identify the specific disadvantages” that he would face by waiving his right to
counsel. It is the state’s position that “[t]he record supports the Superior Court’s
conclusion that [defendant] knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently waived his
right to counsel * * *.”
Even though defendant’s appellate argument focuses primarily on the
“knowingly” and “intelligently” requirements, we shall nonetheless first briefly
address the issue of whether defendant’s waiver was made voluntarily. See Cruz,
109 A.3d at 390. This Court has recognized that “a defendant may demonstrate a
voluntary waiver of the constitutional right to counsel by his or her actions.” State
v. Souto, 210 A.3d 409, 418 (R.I. 2019); see generally State v. Thornton, 800 A.2d
1016 (R.I. 2002).
In the instant case, the record indicates that, on the second day of trial,
defendant first requested and then ultimately declined to dismiss his attorney.
However, on the third and final day, after acknowledging the trial justice’s
numerous warnings, defendant nonetheless elected to dismiss his attorney. He
unequivocally stated: “[I]t’s my right to [waive counsel].” Furthermore,
- 25 - immediately prior to granting defendant’s request to proceed pro se, the trial
justice asked defendant in plain English: “Has anybody forced you into making
this decision?” To that question, defendant replied: “No.”
For these reasons, and taking into account the colloquies that we have
extensively quoted, we are more than satisfied that defendant’s waiver was made
voluntarily.
ii. The requirement that the waiver be knowing and intelligent
A waiver is valid only if a defendant “knows what he is doing and his choice
is made with eyes open.” Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835 (quoting Adams v. United States
ex rel. McCann, 317 U.S. 269, 279 (1942)); see also Cruz, 109 A.3d at 390.
Accordingly, a criminal defendant “should be made aware of the dangers and
disadvantages of self-representation.” Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835.
This Court in State v. Chabot, 682 A.2d 1377 (R.I. 1996), pointed to six
factors that a trial justice may use as a guide in determining whether a particular
defendant’s request for self-representation was made voluntarily, knowingly, and
intelligently. The following are the factors referred to in Chabot:
“(1) the background, the experience, and the conduct of the defendant at the hearing, including his age, his education, and his physical and mental health; (2) the extent to which the defendant has had prior contact with lawyers before the hearing; (3) the defendant’s knowledge of the nature of the proceeding and the sentence that may potentially be []imposed; (4) the question of whether standby counsel has been appointed
- 26 - and the extent to which he or she has aided the defendant before or at the hearing; (5) the question of whether the waiver of counsel was the result of mistreatment or coercion; and (6) the question of whether the defendant is trying to manipulate the events of the hearing.” Chabot, 682 A.2d at 1380; see also Segrain, 252 A.3d at 1274 n.23.
Although the Court requires the consideration of the Chabot factors only in
cases in which there is a concern about a defendant’s competence,8 it is still the
better practice for those factors to be considered in other cases involving the
waiver of counsel. See Cruz, 109 A.3d at 391 (“[W]e recommend, but do not
require, the consideration of the Chabot factors under a trial justice’s analysis of
the totality of circumstances even in cases in which a defendant is considered
competent.”); see also State v. Briggs, 787 A.2d 479, 486 (R.I. 2001) (“While not
mandatory, the factors set forth in Chabot may be used as a guide in determining a
valid waiver of counsel.”). In the instant case, while the trial justice was not
required to utilize the Chabot factors in her assessment of the totality of the
circumstances, the record reflects the conscientious and laudably patient manner in
which she took virtually all of those factors into account. As a result of the trial
justice’s several colloquies with defendant, the well-developed record makes the
following points clear.
8 No issue has been raised as to the instant defendant’s competence.
- 27 - At the time of the trial, defendant had a tenth-grade education, could read
and write the English language, and had no past or present mental health ailments.
As for defendant’s previous experience with lawyers, he was represented by his
attorney throughout the first two days of trial and had previously attended a trial in
Massachusetts. The defendant had been made aware of both the nature of the
proceedings and the potential penalties that could be imposed. Additionally, there
is no indication (and defendant does not so argue) that his waiver was the result of
mistreatment or coercion. The defendant also had the benefit of having his
previous attorney remain as standby counsel. In addition, the trial justice granted
defendant an hour to meet with his standby counsel to prepare the closing
argument that defendant would deliver; and, even though defendant at that point
was representing himself, immediately prior to the time for closing argument, the
trial justice stated that she would “at least entertain” a request that standby counsel
“do the closing argument.”9 Standby counsel also assisted defendant in reviewing
9 Immediately prior to the presentation of closing arguments, the trial justice spoke as follows to defendant:
“Okay, so before we bring the jury down * * * I just wanted to check in with you. [Standby counsel] had come before the lunch break and said -- or, I should say, he asked me that if you were to have a change of heart and you wanted him to do the closing argument, would I allow it? My original inclination was no because you have already made your decision. But, upon further consideration, I just indicated to [standby counsel] that if
- 28 - the exhibits. Although we have no way of knowing defendant’s private thoughts,
there is no indication in the record to the effect that defendant’s request to waive
his right to counsel was an attempt to manipulate the proceedings. See Chabot, 682
A.2d at 1380. On the second day of trial, following defendant’s initial request to
represent himself, the trial justice made sure that defendant understood that the trial
would proceed irrespective of whether he chose to proceed pro se or be represented
by counsel. In spite of having been made aware of this, defendant still elected to
represent himself the next day.
Significantly, the trial justice on several occasions also “made [defendant]
aware of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation * * *.” Chabot, 682
A.2d at 1380 (quoting Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835). The record reflects laudably
candid warnings by the trial justice concerning the dangers that self-represented
defendants often encounter and also about the possibility that the jury might draw a
negative inference from the fact that, in the midst of the trial, defendant’s attorney
was no longer actively representing him.10 The defendant repeatedly
that was something you wanted, I would at least entertain the request. But, I don’t know where your head is at. So, are you planning to do this closing yourself or would you like [standby counsel] to do it?”
The defendant declined, explaining that he was “planning on closing [him]self.” 10 With respect to defendant’s desire to represent himself late in the course of the trial, the trial justice went out of her way to advise him about how the jury
- 29 - acknowledged the trial justice’s warnings and nonetheless elected to waive
counsel. Accordingly, we are satisfied that defendant made his waiver “with eyes
open.” Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835 (quoting Adams, 317 U.S. at 279).
For these reasons, after careful and thoughtful de novo consideration of the
totality of the circumstances at the time of defendant’s waiver, we are satisfied that
the record establishes defendant’s voluntary, knowing, and intelligent waiver of his
right to the assistance of counsel. As such, we conclude that defendant’s waiver of
that right was valid.11
Motion for a New Trial
The defendant also asserts on appeal that the trial justice improperly denied
his motion for a new trial. He specifically argues that “[t]he interest of justice
requires that [defendant] be given a new trial because the trial justice erroneously
might react to such a decision. For example, she addressed the following observation to him:
“Mr. Delossantos, I’m concerned, too, about the appearance that might make to the jury. [The defense attorney] has been with you throughout, and to use the metaphor, to change horses midstream may not be in your best interest.” 11 The trial justice is to be commended for having engaged in numerous exceedingly careful and articulate colloquies with defendant concerning “the consequences of waiving the right to counsel and proceeding pro se.” State v. Laurence, 848 A.2d 238, 254 (R.I. 2004).
- 30 - permitted him to proceed pro se mid-trial, and did not make him aware of the
perils of doing so.”12 Earlier in this opinion (see Part IV, section A supra), we
have discussed at considerable length the following issues: (1) the timeliness of
defendant’s waiver of the right to the assistance of counsel; (2) the requirement
that the waiver of counsel be voluntary; and (3) the requirement that the waiver be
knowing and intelligent. At the end of that discussion, we concluded that
defendant’s waiver of his right to the assistance of counsel was valid. After a
careful review of what we have written in Part IV, section A of this opinion, it
continues to be our belief that our analysis and conclusions are fully consistent
with the interest of justice; and we therefore conclude that the trial justice did not
err in denying defendant’s “interest of justice” motion for a new trial. See State v.
L’Heureux, 787 A.2d 1202, 1209-10 (R.I. 2002).
We are likewise satisfied that the trial justice correctly undertook the
required analysis in addressing the defendant’s weight of the evidence challenge
pursuant to Rule 33 of the Superior Court Rules of Criminal Procedure. See State
v. Morales, 895 A.2d 114, 121 (R.I. 2006). In carrying out that responsibility, the
trial justice found Veronica Flores to be “absolutely credible” and “very strong and
intelligent.” She also found Sabrina Flores and Robert Lescault to be credible. As
12 Rule 33 of the Superior Court Rules of Criminal Procedure provides in pertinent part as follows: “On motion of the defendant the court may grant a new trial to the defendant if required in the interest of justice.”
- 31 - for the defendant’s credibility, the trial justice summarized her assessment as
follows:
“[Y]ou got up on that stand and lied, the jury thought you lied, and I certainly thought you did too. Your story didn’t make sense. It was inconsistent with the facts, the physical evidence, as well as that of any eye witnesses * * *.”
The trial justice also stated that she “absolutely agree[d] with the jury’s verdict up
to and including the acquittal on Count 1.” Nothing in the record leads us to
conclude that the trial justice was either clearly wrong or that she overlooked or
misconceived material and relevant evidence in her denial of the defendant’s
“weight of the evidence” motion for a new trial. See Muralles, 154 A.3d at 932.
V
Conclusion
For the reasons set forth in this opinion, we affirm the judgment of the
Superior Court. The record may be returned to that tribunal.
- 32 - STATE OF RHODE ISLAND SUPREME COURT – CLERK’S OFFICE Licht Judicial Complex 250 Benefit Street Providence, RI 02903
OPINION COVER SHEET
Title of Case State v. Edward Delossantos.
No. 2020-192-C.A. Case Number (P2/17-1272ADV)
Date Opinion Filed March 13, 2023
Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Robinson, Lynch Prata, and Justices Long, JJ.
Written By Associate Justice William P. Robinson III
Source of Appeal Providence County Superior Court
Judicial Officer from Lower Court Associate Justice Maureen B. Keough
For State:
Virginia M. McGinn Attorney General Department Attorney(s) on Appeal For Defendant:
Megan F. Jackson Office of the Public Defender
SU-CMS-02A (revised November 2022)