Source: https://caselaw.findlaw.com/al-court-of-criminal-appeals/1504456.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 05:12:09+00:00

Document:
Jeffrey LEE v. STATE of Alabama.
The appellant, Jeffrey Lee, currently a death-row inmate at Holman Correctional Facility, appeals the circuit court's summary denial of his postconviction petition filed pursuant to Rule 32, Ala. R.Crim. P.
In April 2000, Lee was convicted of two counts of capital murder for killing Jimmy Ellis and Elaine Thompson during the course of a robbery and pursuant to one act or one course of conduct. Lee was also convicted of attempting to murder Helen King. The jury, by a vote of 7 to 5, recommended that Lee be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The trial court declined to follow the jury's recommendation and sentenced Lee to death. We affirmed Lee's convictions and sentence of death on direct appeal and issued the certificate of judgment on February 6, 2004. See Lee v. State, 898 So.2d 790 (Ala.Crim.App.2001).
In February 2005, Lee filed a Rule 32, Ala. R.Crim. P., petition in the Dallas Circuit Court attacking his conviction and death sentence. Lee filed an amended petition in April 2005. The circuit court issued a 138-page order in August 2007 summarily denying Lee's petition. This appeal followed.
At trial the State's evidence tended to show that on December 12, 1998, Lee entered Jimmy's Pawn Shop in Orrville armed with a sawed-off shotgun. Lee shot Jimmy Ellis, the owner, and two employees, Elaine Thompson and Helen King. The coroner testified that Ellis died of a gunshot wound to his chest and that Thompson died of a gunshot wound to her face. King recovered from her gunshot wound and testified at Lee's trial.
King testified that on December 12, 1998, Lee entered the pawnshop and asked to see wedding rings. He told King that he did not have any money and that he would come back after he got money from his grandmother; he then left. She said that a short time later Lee entered the store and yelled: “What's up mother f----?” He pulled out a shotgun, King said, and shot Ellis, Thompson, and her. She fell to the floor and pretended to be dead. Lee left the store. King said that she got up, telephoned emergency 911, and locked the doors to the store. Lee tried to enter again, she said, but he left after discovering that the doors were locked.
Evidence also showed that Lee left his shotgun on the counter in the pawnshop. A surveillance camera videotaped the events. The videotape showed Lee shooting the victims, and it corroborated King's testimony. Lee confessed that he shot and killed the occupants of the pawnshop, but, he said, the first shot was fired accidentally.
When this Court reviewed Lee's direct appeal we applied a plain-error standard of review because Lee was sentenced to death. However, the plain-error standard does not apply to postconviction petitions attacking a death sentence. See Brooks v. State, 929 So.2d 491, 495 (Ala.Crim.App.2005). “The standard of review this Court uses in evaluating the rulings made by the trial court is whether the trial court abused its discretion. See Elliott v. State, 601 So.2d 1118, 1119 (Ala.Crim.App.1992).” Hunt v. State, 940 So.2d 1041, 1049 (Ala.Crim.App.2005).
Moreover, “when reviewing a circuit court's rulings made in a postconviction petition, we may affirm a ruling if it is correct for any reason.” Bush v. State, [Ms. CR-03-1902, May 29, 2009] --- So.3d ----, ---- (Ala.Crim.App.2009).
Ford v. State, 831 So.2d 641, 644 (Ala.Crim.App.2001).
Boyd v. State, 913 So.2d 1113, 1125 (Ala.Crim.App.2003).
Hyde v. State, 950 So.2d 344, 355-56 (Ala.Crim.App.2006).
Moore v. State, 502 So.2d 819, 820 (Ala.1986). Contrary to Lee's assertions, he was required to plead specific facts to support each of his claims in order to satisfy the pleading requirements of Rule 32.6(b), Ala. R.Crim. P.
“Lee fails to identify what specific statutory or non-statutory mitigating circumstances could have been established by Dr. Blanton's or Dr. Pineda's testimony. Further, Lee gives his trial counsel no credit for securing a life imprisonment without parole recommendation from the jury. Instead, Lee merely complains that if trial counsel had presented more information that ‘it is likely that more jurors would have voted for life in prison without the possibility of parole.’ As with so many other allegations in his amended Rule 32 petition, however, Lee fails to identify what specific facts his trial counsel could have presented. For example, Lee fails to state what specific facts his trial counsel could have presented to substantiate his contention [that] the initial shot was ‘unintentional and the remaining shots were the result of fear and panic.’ The Court finds also that the fact Lee's trial counsel were able to secure a life without parole recommendation from the jury after the jury found him guilty of gunning down three people, murdering two, during the course of a robbery is strong evidence of effective assistance. See Tarver v. Hooper, 169 F.3d 710, 715 (11th Cir.1999) (holding that ‘Tarver's lawyer's effectiveness at the sentencing stage is strongly evidenced by the jury's decision to recommend not death, but life without parole’).
“While [Lee's] life story and background provided a volume of mitigating circumstances to present, trial counsel put on only four family members to offer very brief testimony, mostly to plead for [Lee's] life, as opposed to offering evidence that would support the jury's weighing of the aggravating factor against mitigating evidence. While this testimony from [Lee's] relatives touched on some of the challenges in [Lee's] life, such as drug use and problems with school starting in about the ninth grade, these witnesses could not or did not provide details for the jury's consideration.
“Trial counsel failed to present evidence of [Lee's] use of drugs and alcohol, his lack of sleep, his feelings in response to his pregnant girlfriend's betrayal, and the pounding of his head, all of which would be probative to both statutory and non-statutory mitigating factors.
“Trial counsel failed to present evidence of [Lee's] background sufficient to humanize [Lee] or otherwise provide mitigating evidence about the difficulties in [Lee's] life, all of which would be probative of both statutory and non-statutory mitigating factors.
“Trial counsel failed to present evidence of Dr. [Winston] Pineda's diagnosis of [Lee] as having some type of psychosis and his prescribing to [Lee] of anti-psychotic medications, all of which would be probative of both statutory and non-statutory mitigating factors.
“Trial counsel failed to present evidence of [Lee's] immediate and ongoing remorse for his actions.
“Trial counsel failed to show how the initial shot could have been unintentional and the remaining shots the result of fear and panic.
“Trial counsel's failure to present mitigating evidence in the sentencing phase was unreasonably deficient and resulted in substantial prejudice to [Lee]. Baxter v. Thomas, 45 F.3d 1501 (11th Cir.1995); Cave v. Singletary, 971 F.2d 1513 (11th Cir.1992). To the extent that trial counsel did not present a meaningful mitigation phase case because trial counsel had not done an effective investigation, trial counsel's failure cannot be considered a strategic decision. Wiggins v. Smith, 539 U.S. 510, 123 S.Ct. 2527, 2541, 156 L.Ed.2d 471 (2003).
Lee pleaded mere conclusions without any factual basis. For instance, Lee asserted that counsel failed to present evidence of his background, but he did not specificity identify what that evidence consisted of or what witness or witnesses could have substantiated that evidence. “Conclusions unsupported by specific facts will not satisfy the requirements of Rule 32.3 and Rule 32.6(b). The full factual basis must be included in the petition itself.” Hyde v. State, 950 So.2d at 356. Lee “failed to allege the names of any witnesses who would have provided relevant, admissible testimony about these allegations at trial. The failure to plead the full factual basis in support of a claim warrants summary dismissal of the claim.” See Beckworth v. State, [Ms. CR-07-0051, May 1, 2009] --- So.3d ----, ---- (Ala.Crim.App.2009). We agree with the circuit court that as to this claim Lee failed to meet the specificity requirements of Rule 32.6(b), Ala. R.Crim. P.
“We can find no case where Alabama appellate courts have applied the cumulative-effect analysis to claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. However, the Alabama Supreme Court has held that the cumulative effect of prosecutorial misconduct necessitated a new trial in Ex parte Tomlin, 540 So.2d 668, 672 (Ala.1988) (‘We need not decide whether either of the two errors, standing alone, would require a reversal; we hold that the cumulative effect of the errors probably adversely affected the substantial rights of the defendant and seriously affected the fairness and integrity of the judicial proceedings.’). Also, in Ex parte Bryant, 951 So.2d 724 (Ala.2002), the Supreme Court held that the cumulative effect of errors may require reversal.
929 So.2d at 514. The circuit court's analysis was consistent with our holding in Brooks, supra, and for the reasons stated in this opinion we agree with those findings.
“[Hyde v. State,] 950 So.2d  at 371 [ (Ala.Crim.App.2006) ].
--- So.3d at ----. See also Waldrop v. State, 987 So.2d 1186 (Ala.Crim.App.2007); Madison v. State, 999 So.2d 561 (Ala.Crim.App.2006). For the reasons set out in this opinion, we find that the circuit court's findings and conclusions are not clearly erroneous.
Lee next argues that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel at both the guilt phase and the penalty phase of his capital-murder trial. Specifically, he asserts that he pleaded sufficient grounds to warrant an evidentiary hearing on this claim and that the circuit court erred in summarily dismissing this claim.
When reviewing claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, we apply the standard adopted by the United States Supreme Court in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel a petitioner must show: (1) that counsel's performance was deficient; and (2) that the petitioner was prejudiced by the deficient performance.
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. at 689.
A.G. v. State, 989 So.2d 1167, 1171 (Ala.Crim.App.2007).
Bracknell v. State, 883 So.2d 724, 727-28 (Ala.Crim.App.2003), quoting Moore v. State, 502 So.2d 819, 820 (Ala.1986).
Lee was represented at trial by attorneys Michael Jackson and Joseph Hagood III.
First, Lee argues that the circuit court erroneously relied on the fact that the jury recommended a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole to find several of his ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claims without merit.
(C. 1023-24.) The circuit court did not ignore the jury's recommendation of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
A circuit court may summarily dismiss a postconviction petition, “[i]f, assuming every factual allegation in a Rule 32 petition to be true, a court cannot determine whether the petitioner is entitled to relief․” Hyde v. State, 950 So.2d at 355. A court is not required to hold an evidentiary hearing but may consider all factual assertions raised in the petition to be true. If the court cannot determine whether the petitioner is entitled to relief after considering all of the factual assertions to be true, then the petitioner has failed to meet his burden of pleading pursuant to Rule 32.6(b), Ala. R.Crim. P. The circuit court's order was consistent with Alabama law.
Gaddy v. State, 952 So.2d 1149, 1170 (Ala.Crim.App.2006), quoting Stafford v. Saffle, 34 F.3d 1557, 1564 (10th Cir.1994).
Lee next argues that counsel's performance was ineffective because counsel failed to investigate for the guilt phase.2 Specifically he asserts that counsel failed to interview State witnesses, failed to obtain the assistance of a firearms expert, failed to investigate Lee's version of the events, and failed to investigate the physical evidence.
“Lee fails to identify a single State witness by name or proffer to the Court what beneficial information his trial counsel could have discovered through pre-trial interviews. See Thomas v. State, 766 So.2d 860, 892 (Ala.Crim.App.1998) (holding that ‘claims of failure to investigate must show with specificity what information would have been obtained with investigation, and whether, assuming the evidence is admissible, its admission would have produced a different result’).
“The Court finds that the allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel fails to meet the specificity and full factual pleading requirements of Rule 32.6(b); therefore, it is summarily dismissed.
“The Court finds that this allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel is without merit; therefore, it is denied. Rule 32.7(d), Ala.R.Crim.P.
“Lee fails to state in his amended Rule 32 petition how the surveillance videotape could have been used to support an argument that Lee did not intend to fire the first shot or could have established that he was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at the time of the shooting. After seeing the videotape, this Court found that ‘[Lee] with cold precision and premeditation using a weapon designed for the sole purpose of extinguishing human life mercilessly gunned down [three] people who were doing nothing more than trying to earn a living. As shown vividly by the surveillance video he opened fire upon entering the door. He emptied his weapon, firing as quickly as he could, shot after shot.’ (C.R.126) Lee proffers nothing in his amended Rule 32 petition that would conflict with this Court's previous findings.
“The Court finds that this allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel fails to meet the specificity and full factual pleading requirements of Rule 32.6(b); therefore, it is summarily dismissed.
“Lee also alleges that his trial counsel were ineffective for not investigating the amounts of drugs and alcohol in his system at the time of the shootings and for failing to use the surveillance videotape ‘to ascertain whether [Lee] was under the influence of drugs or alcohol’ at the time of the robbery and murders.
“The surveillance videotape showed Lee opening fire and gunning down three people as soon as he entered Ellis's store. This Court saw nothing in the videotape that raised the slightest inference that Lee was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
“The Court finds that this allegation of ineffective assistance is without merit; therefore, it is denied. Rule 32.7(d), Ala. R.Crim. P.
“Lee also alleges that his trial counsel should have obtained the records from the hotel where he spent the night before the shootings to ‘confirm [ ][his] sleep deprivation and his level of intoxication and impairment, providing some supporting evidence about the events leading up to the crime.’ Lee fails, however, to proffer a single fact in his amended Rule 32 petition that, if true, would demonstrate how a hotel receipt could have possibly been used to prove he lacked sleep or could have been used to prove he was intoxicated at the time he committed the murders and attempted robbery.
Lee claimed that counsel was ineffective for failing to interview State witnesses. However, in this section of Lee's amended petition he failed to identify one witness by name. Clearly, Lee failed to meet his burden of pleading in regard to this claim. See Beckworth v. State, supra.
Robitaille v. State, 971 So.2d 43, 72 (Ala.Crim.App.2005), quoting Aldrich v. Wainwright, 777 F.2d 630, 636-37 (11th Cir.1985).
Lee claimed that counsel was ineffective for not determining whether the trigger pull on the shotgun used in the murders could have accidently fired. Lee maintained that the first shot was fired accidentally. However, the record shows that the State's firearms expert, Cathy Richards, testified that the trigger pull on the shotgun used in the murders required six pounds of pressure, which, she testified, was the average pressure necessary to fire a similar weapon. Lee asserted nothing in his amended Rule 32 petition that disputed or discredited this testimony. Neither did Lee identify any expert who could have disputed Richards's testimony.
Lee next claimed that counsel was ineffective for not using the surveillance videotape to support his claim that the first shot was fired accidentally. The circuit judge who presided over Lee's trial and who was privy to all of the evidence specifically found that nothing in the videotape supported the claim that the shootings were accidental. “[A] circuit judge who has personal knowledge of the facts underlying an allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel may summarily deny that allegation based on the judge's personal knowledge of counsel's performance.” Partain v. State, [Ms. CR-06-0978, August 29, 2008] --- So.3d ----, ---- (Ala.Crim.App.2008).
(Trial record, p. 288.) Last, the jury viewed the videotape of the murders and could reach its own conclusions.
Lee next claimed that counsel should have investigated the amount of alcohol and drugs in his system to support his claim that he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the murders. The circuit court stated: “This Court saw nothing in the videotape that raised the slightest inference that Lee was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.” Also, in Lee's statement to police he said nothing about drugs or alcohol but instead, he said, the first shot was accidentally fired.
Last, Lee claimed that counsel should have obtained the records from the hotel where he spent the night before the shootings to confirm his sleep deprivation and his intoxication at the time of the shootings. As the circuit court correctly found, there were no assertions made in Lee's amended petition as to how a hotel receipt would establish his lack of sleep or intoxication at the time of the murders. Clearly, Lee failed to meet his burden of pleading in regard to this claim. See Rule 32.6(b), Ala. R.Crim. P.
Most importantly, the evidence presented against Lee in the guilt phase was overwhelming. An eyewitness testified that Lee shot the victims; a videotape of the robbery/murders showed Lee shooting the victims; and Lee confessed. In closing arguments counsel conceded that Lee committed the murders and argued that based on Dr. Donald Blanton's testimony Lee was mentally retarded. Clearly, the above evidence would have had no impact on the jury's verdict in the guilt phase. As the Strickland Court noted: “[A] verdict or conclusion only weakly supported by the record is more likely to have been affected by errors than one with overwhelming record support.” 466 U.S. at 696. See also Beighler v. McBride, 389 F.3d 701, 707 (7th Cir.2004) (“[The defendant] cannot demonstrate that the prosecutor's questions and comments undermined the integrity of the jury's guilty findings in light of the substantial evidence of his guilt.”); Buehl v. Vaughn, 166 F.3d 163, 172 (3rd Cir.1999) (“It is firmly established that a court must consider the strength of the evidence in deciding whether the Strickland prejudice prong has been satisfied.”); Reed v. Morris, 195 F.3d 1004, 1006 (8th Cir.1999) ( “We find it unnecessary to discuss the reasonableness of counsel's conduct because, given the overwhelming evidence of [defendant's] guilt presented at trial, we find that it would be impossible for him to demonstrate prejudice under Strickland.”); United States v. Royal, 972 F.2d 643, 651 (5th Cir.1992) (“The overwhelming evidence of Defendant's guilt further supports our conclusion that he suffered no prejudice as a result of his counsel's performance.”). Accordingly, Lee could not satisfy the requirements of Strickland.
“Lee fails to identify anyone that would have been able to testify about Lee's alleged abuse of alcohol and drugs.
“[C]laims of failure to investigate must show with specificity what information would have been obtained with investigation, and whether, assuming the evidence is admissible, its admission would have produced a different result.” Thomas v. State, 766 So.2d at 892.
Moreover, evidence of Lee's mental health and substance abuse were presented to the jury. The record of Lee's trial3 shows that counsel filed a motion for a mental evaluation and that Lee was transferred to Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility, where he was examined by Dr. Kathy Ronan, a clinical psychologist. Dr. Ronan examined Lee's mental-state at the time of the offense and his competency to waive his Miranda4 rights. She testified that she administered a mental status examination and some “items from IQ tests.” Dr. Ronan stated that it was her opinion that Lee did not suffer from a mental disease or defect nor was he mentally retarded. Van Smith, the principal at Billingsley High School where Lee had attended school, testified that Lee was taking college preparatory courses while in high school, that he made Bs and Cs, that his grades started to fall in the 11th grade, and that he did not graduate from high school. He further testified that when Lee took the high-school-graduation exit exam in the 11th grade he passed all three sections the first time.
Defense counsel presented the testimony of Dr. Blanton at the guilt phase. Dr. Blanton testified that he conducted intelligence tests on Lee and that Lee's IQ was 67, which, he said, placed him in the middle range of mental retardation.
At the penalty-phase, counsel presented the testimony of Lee's father, Lee's mother, and his uncle. Lewis Lee, Lee's father, testified that Lee was the third of six children, that he had always been helpful until he got involved with drugs in the ninth or tenth grade, that he had a drug problem and needed help, and that he voluntarily surrendered to police. Lee's mother, Betty Jean Lee, testified that Lee has two sons. She asked that the jury sentence Lee to life imprisonment without parole. Walter Jackson Lee, Lee's uncle, testified that Lee was a good child. He also asked the jury to spare Lee's life. Counsel's evidence and arguments were so persuasive that the jury recommended by a vote of 7 to 5 that Lee be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Moreover, the evidence that Lee states should have been presented in mitigation was neither strong nor compelling. We are confident that it would have had no impact on the penalty phase proceedings. See Wiggins v. Smith, 539 U.S. 510, 123 S.Ct. 2527, 156 L.Ed.2d 471 (2003).
Lee next argues that counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the circuit court's death-qualifying the prospective jurors. In his amended Rule 32 petition, Lee alleged that death-qualifying the veniremembers is not necessary in Alabama because the jury makes only a recommendation as to sentence and is not the ultimate sentencing authority.
675 So.2d at 18. Lee was due no relief on this claim.
Lee next argues that counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the State's alleged inflammatory statements during voir dire examination.
A review of Lee's amended Rule 32 petition shows that this issue was not presented in Lee's petition. Thus, it is not properly before this Court because it is raised for the first time on appeal. “ ‘[A]n appellant cannot raise an issue on appeal from the denial of a Rule 32 petition which was not raised in the Rule 32 petition.’ “ English v. State, 10 So.3d 620, 621 (Ala.Crim.App.2007), quoting Arrington v. State, 716 So.2d 237, 239 (Ala.Crim.App.1997).
However, Lee did assert in his amended Rule 32 petition that counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the “trial court's” statements during voir dire examination which, he said, mischaracterized Lee's case.
10 So.3d at 1078. The Supreme Court did not hold in Ex parte Taylor that a finding of no plain error is not relevant or cannot be considered.
Indeed, here the circuit court did not rely solely on our finding of no plain error on direct appeal but considered it as “one factor .” “[A finding of no plain error] is one factor to be assessed when determining whether counsel's performance was ineffective․” See Fortenberry v. State, 659 So.2d 194, 200 (Ala.Crim.App.1994) (Emphasis added.) The circuit court's findings do not conflict with the Supreme Court's decision in Ex parte Taylor, supra, and we agree with its findings.
Lee further argues that counsel was ineffective for failing to remove jurors who, he argues, were biased against him. He identifies the following jurors: Juror H.W.5 was robbed at gunpoint at a convenience store; juror R.M. was the victim of a crime and knew a crime victim; and juror J.B. was a Selma police officer. Lee relies on State v. Terry, 601 So.2d 161 (Ala.Crim.App.1992), to support his argument that counsel's failure to move to strike these jurors constituted ineffective assistance of counsel.
In Terry, this Court held that Terry was denied the effective assistance of counsel when his attorney failed to move to strike for cause a juror who indicated during voir dire that she would “tend to side with the State in considering the evidence.” We stated: “This error of trial counsel is clearly unjustifiable as any matter of trial strategy, and a different outcome of the trial probably would have resulted but for [counsel's] error in leaving a biased juror.” 601 So.2d at 164.
“Lee first alleges that his trial counsel were ineffective ‘for failing to make a for-cause challenge or peremptory challenge against juror [H.W.] According to Lee, [H.W.] was biased against Mr. Jackson [defense counsel] because Jackson had presided in a case in Selma Municipal Court in which [H.W.] was a party. Lee also points out that [H.W.] had been a victim of a crime of violence.
“During general voir dire of the entire venire the prosecutor asked if anyone knew Jackson and [H.W.] responded. The prosecution also asked if [H.W.] or anyone else that responded knew or had heard of Mr. Jackson, could not serve and be fair to Lee and the State. No one responded. This Court recalls nothing occurring during voir dire raising the slightest indication that [H.W.] had any animosity toward Mr. Jackson or toward Lee. There is nothing in the trial record, and Lee proffers nothing in his amended Rule 32 petition, indicating [H.W.] had any animosity toward Jackson. Further, nothing in Lee's amended Rule 32 raises the slightest inference that [H.W.] had been interviewed by anyone on behalf of Lee and had indicated his experience with Jackson had any effect on his jury service. Lee has proffered no facts his trial counsel could have presented that would have required this Court to grant a for-cause challenge against [H.W.]. Lee also fails to proffer any facts to establish he was prejudiced because his trial counsel did not exercise a peremptory strike against [H.W.].
“Lee next alleges that his trial counsel were ineffective for ‘failing to make for-cause challenge or peremptory challenge against juror [R.M.]’ Lee's only attempt to support this allegation is to point out that [R.M.]'s cousin had been a murder victim, that [R.M.] had been the victim of property crimes, and that [R.M.] knew the District Attorney and one of the victims.
“The fact that [R.M.]'s relative was murdered and that [R.M.] knew one of the victims would not have supported a challenge for-cause․ In response to Mr. Jackson's specific question, [R.M.] and all of the other veniremembers that had indicated they knew the prosecutor also indicated that they could listen to the evidence and render a fair and impartial verdict. Lee proffers no facts in his amended Rule 32 petition that his trial counsel could have presented that would have supported a for-cause challenge against [R.M.].
“Lee also alleges that his trial counsel were ineffective for ‘failing to make a for-cause challenge or peremptory challenge against juror [J.B.]’ Lee contends that [J.B.] could not fairly deliberate because he was a member of the Selma Police Department.
“[J.B.]'s occupation as a Selma police officer would not have supported a for-cause challenge․ Further, Lee proffers no specific facts in his amended Rule 32 petition that, if true, would establish his trial counsel's failure to use a peremptory strike to remove [J.B.] caused Lee to be prejudiced.
For the reasons stated in the circuit court's detailed order, Lee was due no relief on this claim.
Next, Lee argues that counsel was ineffective for eliciting testimony from a defense expert, Dr. Donald Blanton, a professional counselor and certified psychometrist, about Lee's mental health because, he argues, it was based on hearsay evidence. He further asserts that Dr. Blanton opened the door to the State's questioning Dr. Kathy Ronan, a clinical psychologist, about Lee's mental health. Lee also asserts that counsel should have presented the testimony of a qualified mental-health expert and not Dr. Blanton.
The record shows that defense counsel called Dr. Blanton to testify at the guilt phase of the trial. Dr. Blanton testified that he conducted intelligence tests on Lee and that Lee's IQ was 67, which, he said, placed him in the middle range of mental retardation. In rebuttal the State called Dr. Ronan, who testified that in her opinion Lee was not mildly retarded but had exaggerated the test results.
“Id. at 811. Even if Lee's trial counsel had objected to Ronan's opinion testimony, this Court is convinced there is no reasonable probability the outcome of Lee's direct appeal would have been different. See Ex parte Thomas, 766 So.2d 975, 979 (Ala.2000) (holding that Thomas was not prejudiced by his trial counsel's failure to preserve for appellate review the trial court's failure to instruct the jury on the lesser included offense of manslaughter because even a preserved-error review of that particular error would not have entitled him to a reversal and a new trial).
“The Court finds that the allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel are without merit; therefore, they are denied. Rule 32.7(d), Ala. R.Crim. P.
“Lee contends that his trial counsel were ineffective because, according to Lee, they ‘opened the door to Dr. Ronan testifying about mental illness' by asking Dr. Blanton to comment on this subject.
“[Defense counsel] faced a daunting task during the guilt phase of Lee's trial in light of the overwhelming evidence against him, including: 1) survivor Helen King's eyewitness testimony; 2) the fact that the murders and attempted murder were recorded by a surveillance video camera; and 3) Lee's inculpatory statement to Lt. Roy Freine. From Mr. [Michael] Jackson's guilt phase opening statement, it is obvious to this Court that he and Mr. [Joseph] Hagood were trying to convince the members of the jury to convict Lee of something less than capital murder in order to keep Lee from being exposed to a possible death sentence. Dr. Blanton administered numerous tests and testified that Lee's I.Q. score of 67 placed him in the range of mild mental retardation. Blanton also testified that Lee's skills in math, reading, and spelling were low when compared to others. Under the facts of this case, this Court finds that Jackson's and Hagood's guilt phase strategy was entirely reasonable. Lee fails to proffer any facts in his amended Rule 32 petition that, if true, would establish a psychiatrist, psychologist, or any other mental health expert would have given more favorable testimony than Dr. Blanton.
Lee, 898 So.2d at 811. We noted in our opinion on direct appeal that there was no indication that Dr. Ronan considered illegal evidence in reaching her conclusion about Lee's mental health. Thus, even if there had been an objection, there would have been no reversible error. “[B]ecause the underlying claims have no merit, the fact that [the defendant's] lawyer did not raise those claims cannot have resulted in any prejudice to [the defendant].” Magwood v. State, 689 So.2d 959, 974 (Ala.Crim.App.1996).
Moreover, Lee failed to identify in his amended petition any expert who could have refuted Dr. Blanton's testimony or testified more favorably for Lee. “We have held that a petitioner fails to meet the specificity requirements of Rule 32.6(b), Ala. R.Crim. P., when the petitioner fails to identify an expert by name or plead the contents of that expert's expected testimony.” Smith v. State, [Ms. CR-05-0561, September 26, 2008] --- So.3d ----, ---- (Ala.Crim.App.2008).
Also, it is clear that defense counsel's strategy from the beginning was to challenge Lee's mental health. At arraignment Lee pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, and he moved for a mental evaluation before trial.6 As we noted in our opinion on direct appeal: “[Lee] clearly based his defense on a contention that there was something wrong with his mental condition.” Lee v. State, 898 So.2d at 820. Lee placed his mental health at issue by pleading not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.
Lee next argues in the section of his brief addressing this argument that counsel was ineffective for admitting the incorrect school records in the guilt phase of Lee's trial.
The record shows that Van Smith, the principal of Billingsley High School where Lee had attended high school, testified for the State in rebuttal. On cross-examination, defense counsel asked Smith about Lee's scores on the Stanford Achievement Test and showed him a paper that purported to be Lee's test scores. Smith indicated that the paper did not contain Lee's test scores, and defense counsel moved to withdraw the exhibit. Counsel also indicated that the school had sent him the wrong test scores. However, Smith did testify that Lee had a low score on that test.
“Lee completely ignores that although his trial counsel may have made a mistake concerning the introduction of Lee's school records they presented other testimony and evidence about Lee's academic performance and abilities. Dr. Blanton identified numerous tests that he gave Lee and testified about his findings concerning Lee's I.Q. and his findings concerning Lee's academic abilities. Further, Van Smith, the principal of Billingsley High School, testified that Lee's 12th grade year was his worst year academically and that Lee did not finish high school.
(C.R.1087-88.) We agree with the circuit court's findings. “ ‘An accused is not entitled to error-free counsel.’ “ Strinqfellow v. State, 485 So.2d 1238, 1243 (Ala.Crim.App.1986), quoting Phelps v. State, 439 So.2d 727, 735 (Ala.Crim.App.1983). “ ‘Even if counsel committed what appears in retrospect to have been a tactical error, that does not automatically mean that petitioner did not receive an adequate defense in the context of the constitutional right to counsel.’ “ Hutchins v. State, 568 So.2d 395, 396 (Ala.Crim.App.1990), quoting Ex parte Lawley, 512 So.2d 1370, 1373 (Ala.1987). Lee was due no relief on this claim.
Lee asserts that counsel failed to object to misleading and improper jury instructions. In his brief, Lee's two-paragraph argument fails to cite to any specific jury instructions but merely references page numbers in the record.
(C.R.1096-97.) The circuit court's findings are supported by the record.
On direct appeal, we found that even if there was error in the jury instructions in the penalty phase, the error, based on the jury's recommendation, was harmless. As we stated previously: “Harmless error does not rise to the level of the prejudice required to satisfy the Strickland [v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984),] test.” Gaddy v. State, 952 So.2d 1149, 1160 (Ala.Crim.App.2006). Accordingly, Lee could not have satisfied the requirements of Strickland.
Lee next asserts that his counsel was ineffective for conceding in their arguments to the jury that Lee was guilty of murder without first obtaining Lee's consent. He asserts that there was no strategic benefit to the concession and that Lee had the right to control critical aspects of his defense. Lee further argues that defense counsel's failure to consult with him amounted to ineffective assistance of counsel per se.
“Lee's complaint appears to be that his trial counsel did not discuss with him their strategic decision of admitting his limited guilt during guilt phase closing argument in the hope of persuading the jury to convict Lee of something less than capital murder. Lee attempts to distinguish his case and the United States Supreme Court decision in Florida v. Nixon, [543 U.S. 175,] 125 S.Ct. 551 (2004). In Florida v. Nixon, the Supreme Court held that Nixon's trial counsel was not ineffective for admitting his guilt during the guilt phase of his capital murder trial after trial counsel had tried, unsuccessfully, to gain Nixon's consent.
“Unlike the case in Nixon, Lee's trial counsel did not concede during the guilt phase that Lee was guilty of capital murder-trial counsel, in the face of overwhelming evidence, attempted to establish Lee's limited guilt in order to avoid a possible death sentence. In Taylor v. State, [10 So.3d 1037] (Ala.Crim.App.2004), rev'd in part on other grounds, Ex parte Taylor, [10 So.3d 1075] (Ala.2005), the Alabama Court addressed a strikingly similar issue. In Taylor the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals specifically held that ‘it is not per se ineffective assistance for counsel to concede a client's limited guilt.’ Id. at 17. Like Taylor's defense counsel, Lee's trial counsel faced the daunting task of representing a client in the face of overwhelming evidence, which included Lee's inculpatory statement to law enforcement, the eye-witness testimony of a surviving attempted murder victim, and a surveillance videotape of Lee's actions in the pawnshop. The fact that trial counsel's strategy was unsuccessful in no way demonstrates that they were ineffective. See Payne v. State, 791 So.2d 383, 405 (Ala.Crim.App.1999) (holding that ‘[a] defense attorney is not ineffective solely because his client is sentenced to death’).
(C.R.1093-95.) The circuit court's findings are consistent with the law.
“Attorneys representing capital defendants face daunting challenges in developing trial strategies, not least because the defendant's guilt is often clear. Prosecutors are more likely to seek the death penalty, and to refuse to accept a plea to a life sentence, when the evidence is overwhelming and the crime heinous. See Goodpaster, The Trial for Life; Effective Assistance of Counsel in Death Penalty Cases, 58 N.Y.U.L.Rev. 299, 329 (1983). In such cases, ‘avoiding execution [may be] the best and only realistic result possible.’ ABA Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases § 10.9.1, Commentary (rev.ed.2003), reprinted in 31 Hofstra L.Rev. 913, 1040 (2003).
“Although Alabama has had little occasion to address whether counsel renders deficient performance by conceding guilt, we have held that it is not per se ineffective assistance for counsel to concede a client's limited guilt.” Taylor v. State, 10 So.3d at 1058. See also Commonwealth v. Steele, 599 Pa. 341, 386, 961 A.2d 786, 812 (2008) (“In Nixon, the High Court reiterated that [United States v.] Cronic, [466 U.S. 648 (1984) and the presumed prejudice standard] is limited to situations where counsel's failure is complete, i.e., where ‘counsel has entirely failed to function as the clients's advocate.’); Sage v. State, 905 So.2d 1039, 1041 (Fla.App.2005) (“[T]he defendant must show that counsel's concession strategy was ‘unreasonable.’ ”).
Contrary to Lee's assertions, this case is governed by Florida v. Nixon; thus, there was no presumption of prejudice when counsel conceded Lee's guilt. In light of the overwhelming evidence presented against Lee, counsel's strategy was not unreasonable. According to Florida v. Nixon, “no tenable claim of ineffective assistance would remain.” 543 U.S. at 192.
“Lee contends that his trial counsel ‘failed to advise and prepare [him] for the one and only opportunity that he would have to address the [C]ourt and the victims.’ However, Lee fails to proffer what testimony his trial counsel could have elicited from him at the judicial sentencing that would have been so compelling it could have caused this Court not to override the jury's recommendation.
(C.R.1102-03.) We agree with the circuit court that Lee failed to meet his burden of pleading in regard to this claim. Lee failed to not only plead sufficient facts, but also failed to plead prejudice. See Beckworth v. State, supra.
“[Defense counsel]: For the record, Judge, defense is not going-the defense suggested to the defendant that he not testify and we consulted, [defense counsel] for the record, and [counsel], consulted with him and based on our consultation, he agreed with that. You agree with what I just said, Jeffrey?
(Trial record, p. 318.) This claim is not supported by the record.
Lee next argues that the circuit court erred in denying his claim that counsel erred in failing to object to instances of prosecutorial misconduct. Lee's argument in brief consists of merely one paragraph that fails to identify any specific argument made by the prosecutor. See Rule 28, Ala. R.App. P.
“On direct appeal, Lee identified 11 instances of alleged prosecutorial misconduct. Concerning issues of prosecutorial misconduct during the guilt phase, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals found that the prosecutor's comments were either permissible comments on the evidence, were permissible comments on Lee's motive to commit murder, were appeals for law enforcement, were appropriate reply-in-kind comments, or did not amount to any error, plain or otherwise. Lee v. State, 898 So.2d at 820-830. The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals also found that any claim of prosecutorial misconduct during the penalty phase was without merit because the jury recommended that Lee be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Lee v. State, 898 So.2d at 830 (holding that ‘error, if any, in the prosecutor's actions during the penalty phase was harmless' because ‘the jury recommended a sentence of imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole’). Finally, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals found that Lee's claim that the cumulative effect of the prosecutor's alleged misconduct required reversal ‘[was] without merit.’ Id. at 830.
On direct appeal, we specifically found that if any error occurred in the prosecutor's comments, it was harmless given that the jury recommended a sentence of life imprisonment without parole. “Harmless error does not rise to the level of the prejudice required to satisfy the Strickland [v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984),' test.” Gaddy v. State, 952 So.2d 1149, 1160 (Ala.Crim.App.2006). Accordingly, Lee could not satisfy the requirements of Strickland.
Lee further argues that counsel was ineffective for not objecting to the circuit court's jury instructions on aggravating circumstances and the instructions concerning the jury's advisory role in sentencing.
These two issues are raised for the first time on appeal and are not properly before this Court. “An appellant cannot raise an issue on appeal from the denial of a Rule 32 petition which was not raised in the Rule 32 petition.” Arrinqton v. State, 716 So.2d 237, 239 (Ala.Crim.App.1997).
Lee next argues that counsel was ineffective for failing to move for the trial judge to recuse himself from the case.7 Specifically, he asserts that counsel should have moved for the trial judge to recuse himself because: (1) One of the victims had worked at the courthouse and he knew the victim; (2) it was impossible for the judge to be unbiased when he was privy to information at the suppression hearing and in the report of the doctor's mental evaluation of Lee; and (3) defense counsel had recently opposed the trial judge in his last judicial election.
“The petitioner contends that ‘one of the victims, Jimmy Ellis, worked at the courthouse essentially as an officer of the court, and thus, Mr. Ellis was frequently at the courthouse and in the presence of Judge Meigs.’ While Mr. Ellis was a bailbondsman, he did not work at the Courthouse. He did occasionally come to the Courthouse as do many citizens. If a judge were required to recuse because of being acquainted with a victim in a case, judges would not be able to hear many cases. The fact that Mr. Ellis had a bonding company and that the undersigned was acquainted with him had no effect on any ruling in the case and there is no basis for recusal.
“The petitioner contends that because the undersigned presided over the suppression hearing that recusal is required. Other than the fact that a suppression hearing was held, the undersigned recalls few details about it. Again, if recusal were required every time a judge conducted a suppression hearing, judges would not be able to hear many cases. This ground is baseless and is no reason for recusal.
“The fact that a copy of Dr. Ronan's report was received by the undersigned as a result of a court ordered evaluation, caused by the defendant's claim of a mental disease or defect, is no reason for recusal. The report was ordered and received pursuant to the Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure and had no effect on the undersigned's ability to preside over the case and continues to have no such effect. The report was rendered pursuant to Rule 11.3(c) of the Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure. That rule requires that the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation submit a report to the circuit judge containing an opinion of whether the defendant is ‘incompetent’ among other things.
The Canons do not require a judge to recuse himself or herself when the judge knows a victim. If this were true judges in small rural counties would seldom, if ever, be qualified to preside over a criminal case. See Clemmons v. State, 469 So.2d 1324, 1326 (Ala.Crim.App.1985) (“That the trial judge and victim knew each other and possibly enjoyed a friendship both professionally and socially is not reason enough to require the judge to recuse himself .”).
Also, a trial judge is not required to recuse himself or herself because the judge is privy to information not in possession of the jury. “The judge's bias must be personal and extrajudicial; it must derive from something other than that which the judge learned by participating in the case.” Stewart v. State, 730 So.2d 1203, 1240-41 (Ala.Crim.App.1996).
Because the substantive claim underlying the claim of ineffective assistance of counsel has no merit, counsel could not be ineffective for failing to raise this issue. “Counsel cannot be held ineffective for failing to raise an issue that has no merit.” Smith v. State, [Ms. CR-05-0561, September 26, 2008] --- So.3d ----, ---- (Ala.Crim.App.2008).
Lee next argues that counsel was ineffective for failing to effectively perform at the judicial sentencing hearing. In his brief, he specifically states that counsel should have challenged the introduction of victim-impact evidence introduced at the judicial sentencing hearing.
“Lee fails to identify in his amended Rule 32 petition with any specificity, i.e., citation to or quotation from the record, what testimony the prosecutor elicited that was improper. This Court will not guess or speculate as to what testimony Lee might be referring to.
We agree with the circuit court that Lee failed to plead the full factual basis to support this claim. The challenged arguments allegedly made by the prosecutor were not identified. Therefore, Lee failed to meet his burden of proof. See Rule 32.6(b), Ala. R.Crim. P.
Also, we have repeatedly held that victim-impact evidence is admissible at the penalty phase of a capital trial. See Smith v. State, [Ms. CR-97-1258, January 16, 2009] --- So.3d ---- (Ala.Crim.App.2009); Gissendanner v. State, 949 So.2d 956 (Ala.Crim.App.2006); Miller v. State, 913 So.2d 1148 (Ala.Crim.App.2004); Stallworth v. State, 868 So.2d 1128 (Ala.Crim.App.2001); Smith v. State, 797 So.2d 503 (Ala.Crim.App.2000); Williams v. State, 795 So.2d 753 (Ala.Crim.App.1999).
First, this claim was due to be dismissed because it was not sufficiently pleaded. Again, Lee failed to identify any specific prosecutor's argument that he challenged in his petition. Accordingly, Lee failed to meet his burden of pleading. See Rule 32.6(b), Ala. R.Crim. P.
(C.R.1107.) We agree with the circuit court's findings.
(3) The death penalty is unconstitutional in this case.
These claims were procedurally barred. Claims (1) and (2) were barred because they could have been, but were not, raised at trial or on appeal. See Rule 32.2(a)(3), Ala. R.Crim. P. Also, Claim (2) was raised and addressed on direct appeal and was barred pursuant to Rule 32.2(a)(4), Ala. R.Crim. P.
Lee next argues that the circuit court erred in dismissing his claim concerning the constitutionality of death by lethal injection.
In Hodges v. State, [Ms. CR-04-1226, March 23, 2007] --- So.3d ---- (Ala.Crim.App.2007), we specifically found that Hodges's claim that the change in the method of execution in Alabama from the electric chair to lethal injection was unconstitutional and that lethal injection as a mode of execution is unconstitutional was procedurally barred in a postconviction petition. The circuit court did not err in applying this procedural bar to this claim.
Lee next argues that the court erred in dismissing his claim that cumulative errors amounted to a miscarriage of justice. This argument consists of one paragraph in Lee's brief to this Court.
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the circuit court's summary denial of Lee's postconviction petition.
WISE, P.J., and WINDOM, KELLUM, and MAIN, JJ., concur.

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