Source: http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20110817_0011393.ECA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2016-10-23 14:33:37
Document Index: 360242517

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 4501', '§ 667', '§ 2254', '§ 2241', '§ 2254', '§ 2254', '§ 2254']

| Michael Foster v. Kathleen Allison
Michael Foster v. Kathleen Allison
MICHAEL FOSTER,PETITIONER,v.KATHLEEN ALLISON, RESPONDENT.
Following a jury trial in the Kings County Superior Court, Petitioner was convicted of committing battery on a non-confined person by a prisoner (Cal. Penal Code § 4501.5*fn1 ), with two prior serous felony convictions (§§ 667 & 1170.12).*fn2
On January 18, 2007, the trial court denied Petitioner's motion for a mistrial and sentenced him to prison for twenty-five years to life.*fn3
On May 1, 2007, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus (07W0081A) in the Kings County Superior Court. The petition was denied on September 14, 2007.
On October 1, 2007, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus (F053816) in the California Court of Appeal.
On April 8, 2008, the California Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment in case number F052099. (Ex. A, to Answer.) On this same date, the appellate court issued an Order to Show Cause in habeas case number F053816. The court found Petitioner made a sufficient showing to warrant an evidentiary hearing on his ineffective assistance of counsel claim and remanded the matter back to the superior court.
The Kings County Superior Court began the evidentiary hearing in case number (07W0081A) on March 3, 2009 and concluded on March 20, 2009. The Superior Court Judge George Orndoff found that Petitioner failed to establish his trial attorney, Robert Stover, rendered ineffective assistance.
On April 27, 2009, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the California Court of Appeal. The petition was denied on July 29, 2009.
On August 12, 2009, Petitioner filed a petition for rehearing (F057469) in the California Court of Appeal. The petition was denied on August 21, 2009.
On August 14, 2009, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus (F058273) in the state appellate court. The petition was denied on September 3, 2009.
On August 27, 2009, Petitioner filed a petition for review (S175801) in the California Supreme Court, which was denied on November 10, 2009.
On October 1, 2009, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus (07W0081B) in the Kings County Superior Court. The petition was denied on December 4, 2009.
On January 26, 2010, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus (F059327) in the state appellate court. The petition was on February 3, 2010.
On February 26, 2010, Petitioner filed a petition for review (S180439) in the California Supreme Court, which was denied on March 30, 2010.
On May 6, 2010, Petitioner filed another petition for writ of habeas corpus (07W0081C) in the Kings County Superior Court. The court denied the petition on July 14, 2010.
On May 10, 2010, Petitioner filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus (F060066) in the state appellate court. The petition was denied on May 13, 2010.
On May 24, 2010, Petitioner filed a petition for review in the California Supreme Court. The court denied the petition on July 7, 2010.
Petitioner filed the instant petition for writ of habeas corpus on September 16, 2010. Respondent filed an answer to the petition on February 11, 2011. Petitioner did not file a traverse.
McVay testified that he was working as a floor officer on Thanksgiving Day in 2004. He noticed that appellant was trying to gain access to the prison yard. However, appellant was not eligible for the yard that day. McVay asked another officer to call appellant back to the control building over the intercom system. Appellant was agitated. McVay told appellant to return to his cell. Appellant refused. McVay decided to verbally counsel appellant in a private setting. He and another officer took appellant to a holding cell in the program office. The other officer had to return to the yard so McVay informed his lieutenant that he had placed appellant in the holding cell and went to find another officer to assist him. McVay asked the first correctional officer that he encountered, Jeffrey Smith, to assist him and Smith agreed.
McVay and Smith stood outside the holding cell. McVay spoke to appellant for approximately five minutes. Smith told appellant to turn and face the back of the cell. McVay stepped to the right of the cage and Smith unlocked the door. The door swung all the way back against the adjoining cell. Appellant was directed to back out of the cell. Just as appellant reached the outside of the cell, he turned and punched McVay with his left fist on the side of McVay's face. The blow struck McVay between his right eyebrow and cheekbone. As the officers forced appellant to the ground, all three men fell to the floor. Appellant attempted to break free and McVay sprayed him in the face with pepper spray. Appellant was subdued, handcuffed and taken to be decontaminated.
McVay reported to the lieutenant that he was hurt and was told to go to the facility hospital. A nurse provided him with an ice pack. She directed him to seek outside medical attention. That evening, McVay noticed that he had a black eye and a bruised ankle. McVay saw a doctor five days later. He did not return to full duty until June 2005. The vision in his right eye is still blurry.
Smith testified that after appellant cleared the cell area, he grabbed appellant's left arm. Appellant took one step toward McVay and jerked his arm out of Smith's grasp. Smith saw appellant swing his arm toward McVay. Smith did not see if appellant's fist made contact with McVay's body. However, Smith heard a sound that was consistent with a fist striking someone. It sounded like a thud similar to the sound of a thump on a watermelon.
A prison nurse testified that she examined appellant shortly after the incident. Appellant did not complain about any injuries other than burning eyes. She did not notice any injuries other than redness in his eyes.
Appellant testified on his own behalf. He admitted numerous felony convictions and acknowledged that he was serving a life sentence under the Three Strikes Law when the incident occurred. Appellant admitted that he was not supposed to be on the yard on Thanksgiving Day. He said that McVay handcuffed him and left him in a holding cell for 10 to 15 minutes. McVay returned to the holding cell with Smith. His handcuffs were removed and he exited the holding cell. McVay told him to get against the wall and put his hands up. Appellant complied. McVay asked him why he was messing up his program and then repeatedly hit him on the side of his body. Appellant did not respond, but just fell to the ground. McVay kicked him while he was lying on the ground. McVay put his pepper spray canister in appellant's mouth and sprayed him. McVay also pepper sprayed him in the eyes. Smith just stood by. Appellant said that he was not injured because McVay did not hit or kick him very hard.
Smith was recalled as a defense witness. Smith acknowledged that the first time he testified about hearing the sound of appellant's fist making contact with McVay's head was at trial.
Siler was called as a defense witness at the first trial only. Siler testified that he witnessed McVay assault an inmate named Robert Milton on March 17, 2004. Milton was in the holding cage in the medical area. McVay approached Milton and told him that he was going to get him because Milton wrote an inmate complaint about him. McVay left and then returned with another officer and a sergeant. They made Milton put on handcuffs. Then they beat Milton with batons and pepper sprayed him. McVay has instigated similar incidents with other inmates. Siler admitted six prior felony convictions, including two convictions for battering correctional staff.
pursuant to the judgment of a state court if the custody is in violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United States. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a); 28 U.S.C. § 2241(c)(3); Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 375, 120 S.Ct. 1495, 1504, n.7 (2000). Petitioner asserts that he suffered violations of his rights as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The challenged conviction arises out of the Kings County Superior Court, which is located within the jurisdiction of this Court. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a); 2241(d).
Petitioner contends his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance in several different respects.
A. Evidentiary Hearing in State Court
Pursuant to the California Court of Appeal's remand, the trial court conducted a lengthy evidentiary hearing regarding Petitioner's ineffective assistance of counsel claim. At this hearing, Petitioner was represented by Mr. Hugo Gomez-Vidal. However, at the beginning of the hearing Petitioner requested to represent himself. The court granted Petitioner's request, and Mr. Gomez-Vidal stood by as "back-up" counsel.
Petitioner presented the testimony of his trial counsel, Mr. Robert Stover. Mr. Stover was questioned extensively as to his representation in Petitioner's first and second trials. When asked why counsel did not point out an inconsistency in McVay's reporting of his injuries, counsel explained that the medical report showed injuries consistent with his testimony that Petitioner struck him. Counsel also pointed out that the defense's theory was that Petitioner never touched McVay and highlighting McVay's injuries would have bolstered his testimony that he was struck.
Mr. Stover indicated that he did not call inmate Hubbard as a witness because although counsel had sent him a letter requesting communication, he never received any communication prior to the second trial.
Mr. Stover attacked McVay's credibility at the second trial by pointing out inconsistent statements from the first trial and the inconsistency between McVay's version of the incident and Officer Smith's version. Mr. Stover explained, "in the second trial the shift was toward Officer Smith and his inconsistent statements and that's where, after a discussion with you, we agreed to focus." Mr. Stover indicated that although he presented the testimony of inmate Lorezno Siler at the first trial, he did not do so at the second trial because he believed Siler's testimony may have mislead the jury from the facts he wanted them to focus on, i.e. the huge discrepancies between Officer Smith's statements. (RT 56.) Mr. Stover stated that this was a tactical and joint decision between himself and Petitioner. (RT 58.)
With regard to calling inmate Thompson as a witness, Mr. Stover explained that he did not believe Thompson to be credible after interviewing him prior to the second trial. Counsel felt that Thompson "appeared to have a real vendetta against CDC and he wanted to talk about general issues." At one point, Thompson referred to McVay as "one of the pigs that was at the prison."
Petitioner then presented the testimony of fellow inmates Eric Walker and James Thompson. In addition, Petitioner testified at the hearing and expressed his complaints about counsel's performance at the second trial. Petitioner also examined officer McVay.
Approximately half way through the hearing, Mr. Gomez-Vidal took over representation of Petitioner. Counsel recalled inmate Walker and presented testimony of inmate Eddie Hubbard. Counsel also presented testimony by Mr. Stover's private investigator Richard Martinez, and recalled officer McVay.
After argument by both parties, the trial court found:
The Court has heard the testimony of several witnesses, including the video conferencing testimony provided by Inmate Hubbard.
The Court also viewed the exhibits in the case and transcripts from the first two trials in this matter.
It's a little troubling because at the time, Mr. Foster expressed satisfaction from the first trial including Mr. Stover's performance in the first trial which resulted in a hung jury. His expressed dissatisfaction came at the time of the second trial.
A lot of things being argued in this hearing go back to before the second trial. As a matter of fact, they go back to before the first trial. In attempting to keep those two matters separate, the Court has to look at Mr. Stover's overall performance in representing Mr. Foster and the Court is not able to find that Mr. Stover's performance failed below the required legal standard of reasonable professional judgment is [sic] the basis for his change in trial tactics between Trial 1 and Trial 2. Accordingly, the Court does not find that Mr. Stover's counsel was ineffective.
(RT of Evid. Hearing at 1234-1235.)
C. Analysis of Claim
The state courts' determination of this issue was not contrary to, or an unreasonable application of, clearly established Supreme Court precedent. The evidence produced at the evidentiary hearing established Mr. Stover was not ineffective at Petitioner's second trial. At the hearing, Mr. Stover set forth his defense strategy at the second trial and the reasons underlying his tactical decisions. There is simply no showing that counsel was ineffective or that Petitioner was prejudiced. Accordingly, this claim fails under Strickland.
IV. Ineffective Assistance of Habeas Counsel
Petitioner contends that habeas counsel who presented him at the post-conviction evidentiary hearing, rendered ineffective assistance by failing to remove a biased judge, failing to obtain a transcript of the hearing, and failing to file a notice of appeal.
Petitioner has no constitutional right to counsel in these habeas proceedings, and thus bears the risk of attorney error. Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 488 (1986); Smith v. Idaho, 392 F.3d 350, 357 (9th Cir. 2004), as amended. Therefore, federal habeas relief is not available for claims based on ineffective assistance of counsel in connection with collateral proceedings. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(I); Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 756-757 (1991); Pennsylvania v. Finley, 481 U.S. 551, 555 (1987); see also Bonin v. Vasquez, 999 F.2d 425, 428-430 (9th Cir. 1993) (repeatedly noting that "the protections of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel do not extend to either state collateral proceedings or federal habeas corpus proceedings"; and rejecting the argument that, in states in which certain types of claims (such as ineffective assistance of counsel) can be raised only on habeas review rather than on direct appeal, there is a Sixth Amendment right to effective counsel in connection with the first habeas proceeding in which such claims could be raised). Therefore, this claim is not cognizable on federal habeas corpus review.
V. Double Jeopardy Claim
Petitioner contends his sentence constitutes a double jeopardy violation because the sentencing court applied the enhancements as a stiffened penalty for his prior offenses.
Petitioner raised this claim in his petition for review in the California Supreme Court.
The court summarily denied the claim. As the Supreme Court recently confirmed, such silent denials are presumptively "adjudications on the merits" and, therefore are entitled the highly deferential standard of review mandated by the AEDPA. Richter, 131 S.Ct. at 783-785.
Here, Petitioner was sentenced to twenty-five years to life based on the jury's finding that he suffered two prior serious felony convictions. The Double Jeopardy Clause guarantees that no person shall "be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb." U.S. Const. amend. V. The Double Jeopardy Clause protects against a second prosecution, and multiple punishments, for the same offense. White v. United States, 515 U.S. 389, 396 (1995); United States v. Wolfswinkel, 44 F.3d 782, 784 (9th Cir. 1995).
Prior strike convictions are not elements of the offense for purposes of double jeopardy. Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 247 (1998) (declining to adopt a rule that a recidivism enhancement significantly increasing the sentence would be considered an element of the offense). This rule is consistent with the traditional legal distinction between facts that are elements of the crime and facts that are relevant only to sentencing. See, e.g., AlmendarezTorres, 523 U.S. at 228; Witte v. United States, 515 U.S. 389, 396 (1995); United States v. Watts, 519 U.S. 148, 154 (1997) (per curiam).
Therefore, because Petitioner's sentence was enhanced by his prior convictions, there is no double jeopardy violation, and the California Supreme Court's rejection of this claim was reasonable.
Petitioner argues his sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment because it is grossly disproportionate to the crime.
Petitioner presented this claim in his petition for review filed in the California Supreme Court. The California Supreme Court summarily denied the claim. Thus, Petitioner must demonstrate there was no reasonable basis to support the state court's decision. Richter, 131 S.Ct. at 784. "The Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause prohibits the imposition of inherently barbaric punishments under all circumstances." Graham v. Florida, __ U.S. __, 130 S.Ct. 2011, 2021 (2010). In Lockyer v. Andrade, 538 U.S. 63 (2003), the Supreme Court discussed the current state of Eighth Amendment proportionality review and held that the only clearly established governing legal principle is that a "gross disproportionality" review applies to criminal sentences for a term of years. Id. at 72. Citing extensively to its past cases dealing with criminal sentencing and proportionality under the Eighth Amendment, the Court acknowledged that it has "not established a clear and consistent path for courts to follow." Id. The Supreme Court held that "the only relevant clearly established law amenable to the 'contrary to' or 'unreasonable application of'frame work is the gross disproportionality principle, the precise contours of which are unclear, applicable only in the 'exceedingly rare' and 'extreme' case." Id.
In Ewing v. California, 123 S. Ct.1179 (2003), the Supreme Court again reviewed its Eighth Amendment jurisprudence, and chose to adopt Justice Kennedy's view *fn5 that:
[There are] four principles of proportionality review-- the primacy of the legislature; the variety of legitimate penological schemes; the nature of our federal system; and, the requirement that proportionality be guided by objective factors-- that inform the final one: The Eighth Amendment does not require strict proportionality between the crime and the sentence. Rather, it forbids only extreme sentences that are 'grossly disproportionate' to the crime.
Ewing, at 1186-1187.
In this instance, because the jury found that Petitioner had suffered two prior serious felony convictions, he was sentenced to twenty-five years to life under the Three Strikes law. Petitioner has a substantial criminal history, including convictions for burglary, seven convictions for unlawful taking of a vehicle, as well as convictions for attempted robbery, robbery, escaping from prison and evading a police officer. (Lod. Doc. 8 [Under Seal], at 657-659.) At the time Petitioner was sentenced in this case, he was already serving a life sentence imposed by the Los Angeles Superior Court case number BA198921. Based on Petitioner's lengthy history, the California Supreme Court's rejection of this claim was not contrary to or an unreasonable application of United States Supreme Court authority as set forth in Ewing and Andrade.
VII. Copy of Post-Trial Evidentiary Hearing Transcripts
Petitioner contends the court erred in denying him a copy of the post trial evidentiary hearings transcripts. He also contends that counsel for the evidentiary hearing was ineffective. Petitioner's contentions are merely rephrases of the claim raised in Ground Two, discussed supra in section IV.In any event, Respondent's counsel provided Petitioner with a copy of the evidentiary hearing transcript for use in preparing his traverse. (See ECF NO. 46.) Accordingly, there is no basis for relief.
VIII. Challenge to Restitution Fine
In Ground Six, Petitioner claims the trial court abused its discretion by ordering him to pay a restitution fine of $10,000, without considering his ability to pay.*fn6
In order for habeas corpus relief, Petitioner must demonstrate "he is in custody in violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United States." 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a). There must be a nexus between a petitioner's claim and the unlawful nature of confinement. Bailey v. Hill, 599 F.3d 976, 980 (9th Cir. 2010). A challenge to a restitution order does not provide such nexus. Id. at 980-981 (claim that petitioner ordered to pay restitution in violation of Constitution does not constitute claim that petitioner is in custody in violation of Constitution). Thus, because Petitioner's challenge to the restitution fine does not affect the duration of his custody, the claim does not present a federal question.