United States v. Wilson

967 F. Supp. 2d 673, 2013 WL 4804421
District Court, E.D. New York·Decided September 4, 2013·No. No. 04-CR-1016 (NGG)·Published·Cited by 1 cases

Opinion

MEMORANDUM & ORDER

NICHOLAS G. GARAUFIS, District Judge.

After a jury of his peers unanimously issued its binding recommendation that Defendant Ronell Wilson be sentenced to death, he has moved for an order setting aside that jury’s verdict and granting him a new penalty phase trial. Because each of the alleged errors in the recent trial identified by Wilson is either (1) not an error at all, or (2) not sufficiently prejudi[677]*677cial to warrant a new trial, Wilson’s motion is DENIED. The court will sentence him to death on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. in the Ceremonial Courtroom.

I. BACKGROUND

The history of this long-running case is well known. On March 10, 2003, Defendant Ronell Wilson murdered New York City Police Detectives James V. Nemorin and Rodney J. Andrews by shooting each of them once in the back of the head at point-blank range, killing them instantly. Following a trial that began in October 2006, the jury found Wilson guilty of all the crimes charged in the Second Superseding Indictment and returned a death sentence. (Jury Verdict (Dkt. 351); 1st Special Verdict Form (Dkt. 360).) On appeal, the death verdict — but not the underlying convictions — were abrogated by a divided court. United States v. Whitten, 610 F.3d 168 (2d Cir.2010).

On remand, Wilson argued that he is mentally retarded and therefore ineligible for the death penalty under the Eighth Amendment, as interpreted by Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S. 304, 122 S.Ct. 2242, 153 L.Ed.2d 335 (2002), and the Federal Death Penalty Act (“FDPA”), 18 U.S.C. § 3596(c). The court held a nine-day hearing and rejected this claim. {See Feb. 7, 2013, Mem. & Order (Dkt. 1015).)

The court then conducted seven weeks of voir dire — during which nearly 2,000 prospective jurors completed questionnaires and 419 were interviewed in person — followed by a five-week penalty phase re-trial. {See generally June 6, 2013, Mem. (Dkt. 1273).) On July 24, 2013, the second jury unanimously issued its binding recommendation that Wilson be sentenced to death. (2d Special Verdict Form (Dkt. 1437).)

Wilson now moves for a third penalty phase pursuant to the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments to the Constitution, and 18 U.S.C. § 3595(c). (New Trial Mem. (Dkt. 1461).) The Government filed its opposition (New Trial Opp’n (Dkt. 1463)), and Wilson replied (New Trial Reply (Dkt. 1464)).

II. STANDARD OF REVIEW1

A. Rule 29

After a jury recommends a sentence of death, the defendant may attack the verdict by challenging the sufficiency of evidence underlying a particular aggravating factor.2 “The standard of review with respect to sufficiency challenges is well established. The defendant bears the [678]*678heavy burden of ‘showing] that no rational trier of fact could have found’ ” the aggravating factor proven beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Praddy, 725 F.3d 147, 152 (2d Cir.2013) (citation omitted) (alteration in original). The evidence must be viewed “in the light most favorable to the government, crediting every inference that could have been drawn in the government’s favor,” id., and “choices between competing interests [and] [assessments of witness credibility ... lie solely within the province of the jury,” United States v. Payne, 591 F.3d 46, 60 (2d Cir.2010).

B. Rule 33

“Upon the defendant’s motion, the court may vacate any judgment and grant a new trial if the interest of justice so requires.” Fed.R.Crim.P. 33(a). “A defendant asserting that a prosecutor’s remarks warrant a new trial [under Rule 33] ‘facets] a heavy burden, because the misconduct alleged must be so severe and significant as to result in the denial of [his] right to a fair trial.’ ” United States v. Banki 685 F.3d 99, 120 (2d Cir.2012) (quoting United States v. Locascio, 6 F.3d 924, 945 (2d Cir.1993)) (first alteration added). “Even if a remark is deemed improper, it must cause ‘substantial prejudice’ to result in a new trial.” Id. (quoting United States v. Shareef, 190 F.3d 71, 78 (2d Cir.1999)). And to determine whether a defendant has suffered “substantial prejudice,” the court should consider “[1] the seriousness of the misconduct, [2] the measures adopted by the trial court to cure the misconduct, and [3] the certainty of conviction absent the improper statements.” United States v. Parker, 903 F.2d 91, 98 (2d Cir.1990); accord Banki 685 F.3d at 120.

III. DISCUSSION

A. Sufficiency of the Future Dangerousness Evidence

Wilson first argues that a new penalty phase is warranted because the evidence presented in support of the Government’s future dangerousness aggravating factor was legally insufficient. He is mistaken.3

Simply put, overwhelming evidence supported the jury’s future dangerousness finding. Among other things, the Government elicited testimony documenting Wilson’s pattern of violence beginning from age eleven. (See June 26, 2013, Trial Tr. at 4780:21-4800:2 (testimony of former Officer Paul Alaimo, describing how he arrested Wilson for throwing a bottle at a police van at age eleven).) This behavior persisted during adolescence and continued throughout his recent time at the Metropolitan Detention Center (“MDC”), where he verbally threatened staff and inmates, refused to obey orders knowing that use of force by staff would be necessitated, and brandished a makeshift weapon, or “shank.” (See July 3-8, 2013, Trial Tr. at 5814:21-5989:22, 5919:9-5933:17 (testimony of Inmate Kevin Johansen describing Wilson’s threats and manipulation of staff); July 9, 2013, Trial Tr. at 6179:8-6283:17 (testimony of former Inmate Anthony Rodriguez recounting how Wilson brandished a shank); Ex. PP-80 (video of Wilson’s forcible extraction from the recreation deck at the MDC).) The jury also heard extensive testimony about Wilson’s membership in the Bloods gang, including [679]*679(1) his desire to obtain higher status; (2) how he intimidated others and was capable of inciting violence because of his Bloods membership; and (3) assaults he committed that were characteristic of Bloods members. (See, e.g., June 27, 2013, Trial Tr. at 4995:11-5070:14 (testimony of Paublo Centeno, who testified that Wilson slashed his cheek with a knife, which other witnesses testified is a mark of an attack by a Bloods member); July 1, 2013, Trial Tr.

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United States v. Wilson, 967 F. Supp. 2d 673, 2013 WL 4804421 (E.D.N.Y. 2013).

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