Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_06-cv-01296/USCOURTS-casd-3_06-cv-01296-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 530
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Habeas Corpus
Cause of Action: 28:2254 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (State)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHRISTOPHER STEVEN BUTLER,

Petitioner,

CASE NO. 06-CV-1296-W (POR)

ORDER DENYING

APPLICATION FOR

CERTIFICATE OF

APPEALABILITY 

(Doc No. 38.)

vs.

L.E. SCRIBNER, Warden, et al.,

Respondent.

On June 20, 2006, Petitioner Christopher Steven Butler (“Petitioner”), a state

prisoner proceeding pro se, commenced habeas corpus proceedings pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 2254. (Doc. No. 1.) On July 22, 2008, United States Magistrate Judge Louisa

S. Porter issued a Report and Recommendation (“Report”) recommending that the

Court deny Petitioner’s habeas request on the merits. (Doc. No. 34.) On August 22,

2008, Petitioner filed Objections to the Report (“Objection”). (Doc. No. 35.) And on

October 10, 2008, the Court denied Petitioner’s habeas petition in its entirety. (Doc.

No. 36.)

Pending before the Court is Petitioner’s Application for Certificate of

Appealability (“COA”). (Doc. No. 20.) The Court decides the matter on the papers

submitted and without oral argument. See S.D. Cal. Civ. R. 7.1.(d.1). For the reasons

discussed below, the Court DENIES Petitioner’s Application. 

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I. BACKGROUND

Petitioner was tried in San Diego Superior Court on eight charges stemming from

his involvement in a bank robbery. (Report at 2.) During that proceeding, the trial court

required Petitioner to wear a stun belt under his clothing. (Report at 5.) On July 1,

2002, the jury convicted Petitioner of two counts of kidnapping for ransom, conspiracy

to kidnap the bank manager for the purpose of robbery, and robbery. (Doc. No. 1.) The

jury deadlocked on the remaining four counts of kidnapping the bank manager to

commit robbery, two counts of robbery of the bank manager, and residential burglary.

(Report at 4.) The trial court sentenced Petitioner to three consecutive life terms plus

sixty-four years. (Report at 5.) 

Following his conviction and sentence, Petitioner directly appealed to the

California Court of Appeal on three grounds: (1) that the trial court erred in failing to

instruct the jurors on the required specific intent element of conspiracy to commit

kidnapping for robbery; (2) that the trial court abused its discretion when it required

Petitioner to wear a stun belt in court; and (3) that the trial court violated Petitioner’s

Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial when it imposed an upper term sentence for his

robbery conviction based on aggravating factors not found by the jury. (Report at 5.)

The Court of Appeal reversed Petitioner’s conviction for conspiracy to commit

kidnapping based on the trial court’s failure to give proper jury instructions. (Report at

5.) The court also granted Petitioner’s claim that he was sentenced in violation of his

Sixth Amendment right in light of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in

Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296 (2004) (holding that any facts used to increase

a defendant’s sentence must be found by the jury beyond a reasonable doubt). (Report

at 5.) However, the court rejected Petitioner’s claim that the trial court denied him a

fair trial by requiring him to wear a stun belt. (Report at 5.)

Petitioner then filed a petition for review before the California Supreme Court on

the stun belt issue. (Report at 6.) The government also filed a petition for review as to

whether Blakely applied to the issuance of upper-term sentences under California’s

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sentencing scheme. (Report at 6.) The California Supreme Court denied Petitioner’s

motion for review, but granted and deferred the government’s petition pending the

disposition of two related cases involving similar Blakely issues. (Report at 6.)

On June 20, 2005, the California Supreme Court ruled that the state’s sentencing

laws did not violate the Sixth Amendment. People v. Black, 35 Cal. 4th 1238 (2005),

vacated, 127 S.Ct. 1210 (2007). (Report at 6.) On September 7, 2005, the California

Supreme Court remanded Petitioner’s case to the Court of Appeal with directions to

vacate its decision and reconsider Petitioner’s sentence in light of the Black decision.

(Report at 6.) On remand, the Court of Appeal found that Petitioner’s sentence did not

violate his Sixth Amendment right. (Report at 6.) The Court of Appeal then remanded

the matter to the trial court for re-sentencing based on its reversal of the conspiracy to

commit kidnapping charge. (Report at 6.) Petitioner filed a petition for review of the

Court of Appeal’s decision to the California Supreme Court, which was denied without

comment. (Report at 6.) On remand, the Superior Court reversed one of Petitioner’s life

sentences for the conspiracy to commit kidnapping charge but confirmed the sentences

for the remaining convictions. (Report at 6.) 

On June 29, 2006, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in San

Diego Superior Court challenging the procedure by which he was re-sentenced. (Report

at 6–7.) Petitioner claimed ineffective assistance of counsel and that the trial court

violated his right to receive notice of, and be present at, his re-sentencing hearing.

(Report at 7.) On September 1, 2006, the Superior Court rejected Petitioner’s claims

and denied his petition. (Report at 7.) Petitioner filed a second petition for writ of

habeas at the California Court of Appeal alleging the same claims, which was denied on

the merits. (Report at 7-8.) On February 9, 2007, Petitioner filed a third petition for writ

of habeas corpus at the California Supreme Court, alleging the same claims and also that

his due process rights were violated when the trial court conducted the re-sentencing

hearing in his absence. (Report at 8.) On July 11, 2007 the California Supreme Court

denied the petition without comment. (Report at 8.)

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On June 20, 2006 Petitioner filed a federal petition for writ of habeas corpus.

(Report at 8.) On September 14, 2007 Petitioner filed a First Amended Petition (the

“Petition”). (Doc. No. 25.) On October 10, 2008, the Court denied Petitioner’s habeas

petition in its entirety. (Doc. No. 36.) And on November 3, 2008, Petitioner filed the

instant request for a COA. (Doc. No. 38.)

II. LEGAL STANDARD

Under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, Pub. L. No.

104-132, 110 Stat. 1214 (1996) (“AEDPA”), a state prisoner may not appeal the denial

of a section 2254 habeas petition unless he obtains a COA from a district or circuit

judge. 28 U.S.C. § 2253 (c)(1)(A); see also United States v. Asrar, 116 F.3d 1268,

1269-70 (9th Cir. 1997) (holding that district courts retain authority to issue COAs

under the AEDPA).

In deciding whether to grant a COA, a court must either indicate the specific

issues supporting a certificate or state reasons why a certificate is not warranted. Asrar,

116 F.3d at 1270. A court may issue a COA only if the applicant has made a

“substantial showing” of the denial of a constitutional right. 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2).

The Supreme Court has elaborated on the meaning of this requirement:

Where a district court has rejected the constitutional claims on the merits,

the showing required to satisfy section 2253(c) is straightforward: The

petitioner must demonstrate that reasonable jurists would find the district court’s

assessment of the constitutional claims debatable or wrong.

Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000) (emphasis added).

III. DISCUSSION

Petitioner argues that four issues warrant a COA in this case: (1) whether the

District Court erred by failing to grant an evidentiary hearing based on his claims of

ineffective assistance of counsel in regards to his attorney’s waiver of his presence at the

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re-sentencing hearing; (2) whether that same waiver of his presence was a violation of

constitutional right of due process; (3) whether his rights to a fair trial were violated by

the stun belt requirement; and (4) whether his constitutional rights were violated by the

imposition of the upper term and consecutive sentencing in his case. (Application at 3.)

The Court will consider each issue in turn and concludes that Petitioner has not made

a substantial showing of a denial of any constitutional right. 

A. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

Petitioner claims that his constitutional rights were violated when trial counsel

waived his right to be present at his re-sentencing hearing without his consent.

(Application at 5–7.) This Court rejected that argument and found that his counsel’s

waiver was within the wide range of professional competence, and that Petitioner’s

presence would have had no effect on the outcome of the hearing. (Doc. No. 36 at 6–7.)

Petitioner objects to those findings and has requested a COA on this issue.

In the Application, Petitioner argues that the Report highlights that the

ineffective assistance of counsel claim was not completely addressed by the California

Court of Appeal and that this Court does not have jurisdiction to expand that analysis.

(Application at 5:17–27.) Specifically, Petitioner is referring to the California Court of

Appeal’s finding although Petitioner was absent from the hearing, there was no evidence

to support his claim that this was due to a waiver by counsel. (Report at 11.) In

contrast, Petitioner has now provided the Court with a letter drafted by the presiding

Superior Court judge informing him of counsel’s waiver of his presence at the resentencing hearing. (Petition Exh B.) This Court does have jurisdiction to analyze the

federal legal question presented and has examined the letter. 

To establish a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a party must prove that

“(1) his counsel’s performance was deficient and (2) the deficient performance

prejudiced the defense.” Jones v. Wood, 114 F.3d 1002, 1010 (9th Cir. 1997) (citing

Strickland Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984) A counsel’s performance is deficient if it

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falls below an objective standard of reasonableness under the circumstances, to be

determined by prevailing professional norms. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687. Competence

is presumed, and the petitioner must rebut this presumption by showing that counsel

was objectively unreasonable. Belmontes v. Ayers, 529 F.3d 834, 856 (9th Cir. 2008).

Applied to the instant case, this Court explained that while Petitioner alleged

that his trial counsel failed to inform him of his re-sentencing hearing, he had not

specifically alleged how his counsel’s representation in this regard was unreasonable, nor

how it prejudiced his defense. (Doc. No. 36 at 7:10–12.) Petitioner’s only rebuttal to

this conclusion is that he “could have pointed out the fact that the court did not have

jurisdiction to sentence him....” (Application at 6:27–28.) But the Superior Court’s

jurisdiction in this matter was never in question. In fact, the remand from the Court of

Appeal had given the Superior Court specific jurisdiction, including detailed

instructions, in regards to the re-sentencing. Thus, Petitioner’s challenge does not

implicate this Court’s Strickland analysis in regards to reasonableness.

A petitioner must also show that counsel’s performance was so deficient that it

prejudiced his defense. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694. To establish prejudice, the

petitioner must demonstrate that there is “a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s

unprofessional errors,” the proceeding would have resulted differently. Belmontes, 529

F.3d at 863 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694.). A court may reject a petitioner’s

claim upon finding that either counsel’s behavior was reasonable or that the error was

not prejudicial. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694. 

Here, this Court found that even if his counsel’s waiver was found to be

unreasonable he was still not prejudiced because his presence would have had no effect

on the outcome. (Doc. No. 36 at 7:15–17.) The California Court of Appeal made the

same finding. Specifically, the Court of Appeal cited California case law for the

proposition that “on remand with directions, after a judgment on appeal, the trial court

has jurisdiction only to follow the directions of the appellate court; it cannot modify, or

add to, those directions.” (Lodgment 15; citing People v. Oppenheimer, 236 Cal.App.2d

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863, 865–866 (1965).) And as such, it was concluded that “Butler’s presence would

have added nothing because the trial court had jurisdiction only to enter the exact

sentence as directed by this court.” (Lodgment 15.) 

Petitioner argues that he was prejudiced by not being allowed to make the

jurisdictional challenge. However, the letter Petitioner provided from Judge Weber

confirms what the Court of Appeal had already explained in regards to the resentencing. (Petition Exh B) Judge Weber wrote, in relevant part, “Only count one was

reversed by the Court of Appeal, and that count was essentially running concurrent with

the other life counts with which you were convicted.” (Id.) In sum, nothing could have

changed in regards to Petitioner’s period of incarceration. Thus, Petitioner has failed

to establish he was prejudiced.

Moreover, when viewed in the light of the relevant standard of review, Petitioner

has not made a substantial showing that reasonable jurists would find the Court’s

assessment of the constitutional claims debatable or wrong. See Slack, 529 U.S. at 484.

Accordingly, the Court DENIES Petitioner’s request for a COA on his first issue.

B. Violation of Right to be Present at Re-sentencing Hearing

Petitioner also asserts that his due process rights were violated when the resentencing was conducted outside of his presence. This Court rejected that argument

and found that Petitioner’s presence at the re-sentencing hearing was not

constitutionally required because his appearance would not have affected the outcome

of the proceeding. (Doc. No. 36 at 7–8.) Petitioner objects to that finding.

Clearly established United States Supreme Court precedent does provide that a

defendant has the right to be present at any critical stage of a criminal proceeding if his

presence would contribute to the fairness of the procedure. Campbell v. Rice, 408 F.3d

1166, 1171 (9th Cir. 2005) (citing Kentucky v. Stincer, 482 U.S. 730, 745 (1987)).

However, the privilege of presence is not required when the “presence would be useless,

or the benefit but a shadow.” Stincer, 482 U.S. at 745. A defendant’s right to be

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present is not absolute, but instead only required to the extent that fairness and justice

would be thwarted by his absence. United States v. Gagnon, 470 U.S. 522, 526 (1985).

As explained in the previous section, Petitioner’s presence would not have

affected the outcome of the re-sentencing. The trial court only had the ability to modify

Petitioner’s sentence based on the Court of Appeal’s specific instructions. Thus, it can

not be said that Petitioner’s presence would have contributed to the fairness of that

procedure. Nor can it be said that Petitioner has not made a substantial showing that

reasonable jurists would find the Court’s assessment of the constitutional claims

debatable or wrong. See Slack, 529 U.S. at 484. Accordingly, the Court DENIES

Petitioner’s request for a COA on the second issue.

C. The Stun Belt and The Right to a Fair Trial

Petitioner asserts he was denied the right to a fair trial in two ways: (1) that the

trial court abused its discretion when it allowed the bailiff to authorize the use of a stun

belt without a court order; and (2) that the trial court denied him effective assistance

of counsel by allowing counsel for the defense and the prosecution to meet outside his

presence to discuss physical restraints. This Court rejected both of these challenges and

found that the use of physical restraints was justified and reasonable and that

Petitioner’s absence from the pre-trial conference did not violate his due process rights.

(Doc. 36 at 9–13.) Citing various United States Supreme Court cases, Petitioner objects

to those findings and has requested a COA on these two related issues.

1. Use of physical restraints was justified and reasonable

Without explanation, Petitioner cites Holbrook v. Flynn, 475 U.S. 560 (1986) for

the proposition that he was denied his right to a fair trial when he was required to wear

a stun belt. In Holbrook, the Supreme Court found that a petitioner had not been

denied his constitutional right to a fair trial when the customary security force was

supplemented by four uniformed troopers sitting in the first row of the spectator section.

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Id. Justice Marshall further explained that labeling these types of specific prejudices

would have to be taken on a “case-by-case” approach. Id at 569.

In the instant case, Petitioner had attempted to escape from jail. (Report at 14.)

 Under current Ninth Circuit law, Petitioner’s attempted escape alone justifies the use

of physical restraints. See Morgan v. Bunnell, 24 F.3d 49, 51 (9th Cir. 1994)(holding

that restraints are justified by the dangerous nature of an escape attempt) Additionally,

prior to placing Petitioner in restraints, the trial judge considered the benefits and

disadvantages of various safety measures, including requiring the defendants to wear leg

chains, increasing the number of deputies, and stun belts. The judge determined that

the stun belt was the least restrictive measure because juror prejudice could result from

an increased bailiff presence or placing the defendants in visible chains. This level of

consideration can not be labeled as unreasonable or contrary to federal law. 

2. Absence from pre-trial conference did not violate due process

Petitioner also maintains that he was denied effective assistance of counsel and

the right to be present in chambers when he was excluded from the conference between

the attorneys and the judge regarding the imposition of physical restraints. This Court

also rejected this argument and found that the use of the stun belt was fair and that

Petitioner’s presence at the hearing would not have increased its fairness. Citing Federal

Rule of Criminal Procedure 43, Petitioner objects to this Court’s finding and requests

a COA. 

As a preliminary matter, this Court has already indicated that the Federal Rules

of Criminal Procedure are not applicable to Petitioner’s state court proceeding. See Fed.

R. Crim. P. 1(a)(1) ("These rules govern the procedure in all criminal proceedings in the

United States district courts, the United States courts of appeals, and the Supreme

Court of the United States."). (Doc. 36 at 9 ft.1.)

Additionally, this Court did acknowledge that a defendant has the right to be

present at any critical stage of a criminal proceeding if his presence would contribute to

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the fairness of the procedure. Campbell, 408 F.3d at 1171 (citing Stincer, 482 U.S. at

745). However, a defendant’s right to be present is not absolute, but instead only

required to the extent that fairness and justice would be thwarted by his absence.

Gagnon, 470 U.S. at 526 (1985). 

Petitioner’s absence from the in-chambers discussions regarding safety

considerations could not have had an effect on the fairness of the proceeding. Prior to

trial, the judge decided that some safety precautions would be necessary and discussed

this plan in open court. The judge gave Petitioner an opportunity to voice his concerns

about physical restraints or juror prejudice, but he did not. Furthermore, even without

Petitioner’s presence, the judge considered the possible prejudice that might be caused

by the safety restraints and chose a concealed restraint to minimize jury bias. Given this

level of consideration, it can not said Petitioner’s presence would have affected the

fairness of that procedure. This issue simply does not involve any close legal questions

on which reasonable jurists could disagree. Accordingly, the Court DENIES Petitioner’s

request for a COA on this third issue. 

D. Improper Sentence

Finally, Petitioner argues, based on the United States Supreme Court decision in

Cunningham v. California, 127 S.Ct. 856 (2007), that the upper term sentence and

consecutive sentences he received were both unconstitutionally imposed. This Court

previously rejected both of those arguments. (Doc. No. 36 at 13–15.)

1. Imposition of the Upper Term Was Constitutional

In support of his challenge of the upper term sentence, Petitioner cites Butler v.

Curry, 528 F.3d 624, 639 (9th Cir. 2008) and Cunningham, 127 S.Ct. 856 (2007) for

the proposition that “his upper term sentence was unauthorized.” (Application at 9:8.)

In Cunningham, the United States Supreme Court did declare that California’s

determinative sentencing laws violated a defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to a trial

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by a jury to the extent that they permit a judge to impose an upper term sentence based

on facts not found by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt or admitted to by a defendant.

Cunningham v. California, 127 S.Ct. 856, 868 (2007). The court found that, except

for a prior conviction, any fact that increases the penalty for the crime beyond the

proscribed statutory maximum must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury. Id.

at 864. Butler makes Cunningham retroactive in the Ninth Circuit. 528 F.3d at 639.

In Petitioner’s case, as this Court explained, the trial judge relied on seven factors

in imposing an upper term sentence. Three of the factors, specifically the “high degree

of cruelty,” “planning and sophistication,” and Petitioner’s “poor performance on

previous probation” were not submitted to and found by a jury. Reliance solely on these

factors would have violated Petitioner’s Sixth Amendment right to jury trial. However,

the trial judge also relied on Petitioner’s “use of a handgun,” “taking of items with

significant monetary value,” and Petitioner’s numerous prior convictions. These

questions were submitted to and found by the jury and can, under Cunningham, justify

an upper-term sentence.

Furthermore, the trial judge also had the independent ability to impose an upper

term sentence on Petitioner based on his prior convictions. Cunningham at 864.

Because only one of the aggravating factors on which the judge relied in sentencing has

to be consistent with the Sixth Amendment, Petitioner’s upper term sentence is more

than justified by the three factors properly considered by the trial judge (use of a gun,

“taking of items with significant monetary value,” and Petitioner’s prior convictions).

See Butler, 528 F.3d at 64. The upper terms sentence is therefore constitutional, even

when considered under Cunningham and Butler. This issue also does not involve any

close legal questions on which reasonable jurists could disagree. 

2. Consecutive sentences do not implicate the Sixth Amendment

Additionally, Petitioner’s Application includes a Sixth Amendment challenge

regarding the imposition of consecutive sentences. (Application at 9.) Citing California

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Penal Code 1170, various California cases, and Rutledge v. U.S., 517 U.S. 292 (1996),

Petitioner contends that his consecutive sentences were unauthorized. (Application at

9:18–23.) This Court rejected that argument and found that the trial court’s imposition

of consecutive sentences is a matter of California criminal procedure law and may not

be reviewed at a federal habeas proceeding. (Doc. No. 36 at 16:3–6.) 

More importantly, however, the United States Supreme Court recently confirmed

that the imposition of consecutive sentences in state courts does not implicate the Sixth

Amendment right to a jury trial. Oregon v. Ice, 129 S.Ct. 71 (2009). As such,

Petitioner is unable to make a substantial showing that reasonable jurists would find the

Court’s assessment of the constitutional claims debatable or wrong. See Slack, 529 U.S.

at 484. Accordingly, the Court DENIES Petitioner’s request for a COA on his fourth

and final issue.

IV. CONCLUSION AND ORDER

Petitioner’s Application did not raise any novel questions of law from his habeas

petition which were close calls or issues on which reasonable jurists could disagree. For

the foregoing reasons, the Court DENIES Petitioner’s request for a Certificate of

Appealability.

IT IS SO ORDERED

DATED: March 20, 2009

Hon. Thomas J. Whelan

United States District Judge

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