Case Name: Jomo Rashad BAILEY, Petitioner, v. Richard BAZZLE, Warden, Perry Correctional Institution, Respondent
Court: United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2008-09-30
Citations: 628 F. Supp. 2d 651
Docket Number: Civil Action No. 4:07-CV-03646-MBS
Parties: Jomo Rashad BAILEY, Petitioner, v. Richard BAZZLE, Warden, Perry Correctional Institution, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Supplement 2d
Volume: 628
Pages: 651–674

Head Matter:
Jomo Rashad BAILEY, Petitioner, v. Richard BAZZLE, Warden, Perry Correctional Institution, Respondent.
Civil Action No. 4:07-CV-03646-MBS.
United States District Court, D. South Carolina, Florence Division.
Sept. 30, 2008.
Jomo Rashad Bailey, Pelzer, SC, pro se.
Donald John Zelenka, William Edgar Salter, III, Attorney General’s Office, Columbia, SC, for Respondents.

Opinion:
ORDER AND OPINION
MARGARET B. SEYMOUR, District Judge.
Petitioner Jomo Rashad Bailey ("Petitioner"), a pro se prisoner, seeks habeas relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Petitioner is presently confined in the Perry Correctional Institution of the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), pursuant to commitment orders from the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court.
Petitioner filed this habeas corpus petition on November 9, 2007. Richard Bazzle ("Respondent") filed a motion for summary judgment on January 14, 2008. Pursuant to Roseboro v. Garrison, 528 F.2d 309 (4th Cir.1975), the court issued an order on January 15, 2008, advising Petitioner of the summary judgment procedure and the possible consequences if he failed to respond adequately. On January 31, 2008, Petitioner filed a motion for extension of time to respond to Respondent's motion for summary judgment, which motion was granted on March 10, 2008. On May 19, 2008, Petitioner filed a response in opposition to the motion for summary judgment.
In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and Local Rule 73.02, D.S.C., the matter was referred to United States Magistrate Judge Thomas E. Rogers, III for a Report and Recommendation. The Magistrate Judge filed a Report and Recommendation on May 28, 2008. The Magistrate Judge determined that Respondent's motion should be granted. Petitioner filed objections to the Magistrate Judge's Report on June 13, 2008. Respondent has not responded to Petitioner's objections.
The Magistrate Judge makes only a recommendation to this court. The recommendation has no presumptive weight. The responsibility for making a final determination remains with this court. Mathews v. Weber, 423 U.S. 261, 270, 96 S.Ct. 549, 46 L.Ed.2d 483 (1976). The court is charged with making a de novo determination of any portion of the Report and Recommendation to which a specific objection is made. The court may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the recommendation made by the Magistrate Judge or may recommit the matter to the Magistrate Judge with instructions. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1).
I. FACTS
The facts are set forth fully in the Magistrate Judge's Report. The Spartanburg County Grand Jury indicted Petitioner at the August 2000 term of court for trafficking in cocaine (01-GS-42-2001). (App. pp. 188-89). Jennifer Johnson, Esquire, represented Petitioner on this charge. On March 26, 2002, he received a jury trial before the Honorable J. Derham Cole. The jury found him guilty as charged. Judge Cole sentenced Petitioner to twenty-five years imprisonment. (App. pp. 5-131).
Petitioner timely served and filed a notice of appeal. Assistant Appellate Defender Eleanor Duffy Ceary represented him on appeal. On April 28, 2003, Ms. Cleary filed a Final Anders Brief in the South Carolina Court of Appeals on Petitioner's behalf and petitioned to be relieved as counsel. The Final Anders Brief presented only one issue for appellate review: "Did the trial judge err by failing to suppress evidence of the cocaine seized from a bag without a search warrant and where none of the exceptions to the warrant were present?" (Final Anders Brief, at 3).
On June 17, 2003, Petitioner filed his own Pro Se Brief to the Final Anders Brief in which he presented a Fourth Amendment challenge for the Court of Appeals' review: "Did the trial judge error by failing to suppress evidence of the cocaine that was seized from a bag without unreliable, uncorroborated information from a tipster, and a invalid search incident to arrest, nor a search warrant, or voluntary consent, and a three hour investigative detention was unreasonable under The Fourth Amendment?" (Pro Se Brief, at 3). The South Carolina Court of Appeals dismissed Petitioner's appeal and granted counsel's request to be relieved in an unpublished opinion filed on December 16, 2003. State v. Bailey, 2003-UP-729 (S.C. Ct. App., Dec. 16, 2003). The Court of Appeals sent the Remittitur to the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court on January 16, 2004.
Petitioner filed a pro se PosWConviction Relief (PCR) Application (04-CP-42-836) on March 11, 2004. He alleged the following grounds for relief in his Application:
(I). Applicant contends his trial counsel was [ineffective] for failfing] to conduct a pre trial investigation, seek out potential witnesses who exited the [Greyhound] bus before Applicant and after Applicant, to question them about Applicant's arrest; [counsel also] failed to take pictures of the bus station to show the officers could not have seen Applicant exit the bus with no black bag; [counsel] failed to interview the bus driver; and [counsel] failed to point out to the court that Investigator L.D. Smith's incident report said Applicant was not arrested with the drugs on his shoulder but ten (10) feet away from applicant.
(II). Applicant contends he was denied Due Process of law in violation of his Fourteenth Amendment Federal Constitutional rights, when the State's witnesses (Investigator L.D. Smith and Sgt D. Barnwell) committed perjury by testifying they witnessed Applicant exit the Greyhound bus with a black bag and then arrested him with the same on his shoulder.
(App. pp. 139-50)
The State filed its Return on August 30, 2004. (App. pp. 151-55). The Honorable J. Mark Hayes, III held an evidentiary hearing into the matter on June 23, 2005. Petitioner was present at the hearing and was represented by Frank L. Eppes, Esquire. Assistant Attorney General Christopher Newton represented the State. Petitioner testified on his own behalf and presented testimony of trial counsel. The State did not present any witnesses. (App. pp. 156-79).
On July 14, 2005, Judge Hayes filed an Order of Dismissal in which he denied relief and dismissed the Application with prejudice. The Order of Dismissal addressed Petitioner's claims that trial counsel was ineffective because (1) counsel had only met with his trial counsel the day before his trial; (2) counsel should have gotten other witnesses, specifically other bus passengers and the driver, to testify; (3) counsel should have brought out that the incident report stated Petitioner had been arrested away from the scene; and (4) trial counsel did not introduce the drawing of the scene. (App. pp. 181-86).
A timely notice of appeal was served and filed. On May 22, 2006, Deputy Chief Attorney Wanda H. Carter filed a Johnson Petition for Writ of Certiorari on Petitioner's behalf and petitioned to be relieved as counsel. The only question presented in the Johnson Petition stated: "Trial counsel rendered ineffective legal assistance because [s]he lacked sufficient time to prepare petitioner's case prior to trial." (.Johnson Petition, at 2). On July 10, 2006, Petitioner filed "Petitioner's Response to Johnson Petition" in which he raised a second issue: "Petitioner was denied due process of law and effective assistance of counsel in violation of the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments of the federal Constitution." (Petitioner's Response to Johnson Petition, at 1). The South Carolina Court of Appeals filed an Order on August 30, 2007, in which it denied certiorari and granted counsel's petition to be relieved. The South Carolina Court of Appeals sent the Remittitur to the Spartanburg County-Clerk of Court on September 17, 2007.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Summary Judgment Standard
The federal court is charged with liberally construing the complaints filed by pro se litigants, to allow them to fully develop potentially meritorious cases. See Cruz v. Beto, 405 U.S. 319, 92 S.Ct. 1079, 31 L.Ed.2d 263 (1972); Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 92 S.Ct. 594, 30 L.Ed.2d 652 (1972). The court's function, however, is not to decide issues of fact, but to decide whether there is an issue of fact to be tried. The requirement of liberal construction does not mean that the court can ignore a clear failure in the pleadings to allege facts which set forth a federal claim, nor can the court assume the existence of a genuine issue of material fact where none exists. Weller v. Department of Social Services, 901 F.2d 387 (4th Cir.1990).
Rule 56(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that summary judgment shall be rendered when a moving party has shown "[that] the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). The evidence presents a genuine issue of material fact if a "reasonable jury could return a verdict for the non-moving party." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 251-52,106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). The moving party bears the burden of proving that there are no facts from which a jury could draw inferences favorable to the non-moving party. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). Once the moving party makes this showing, the opposing party must set forth specific facts showing there is a genuine issue for trial. Id. Summary judgment should only be granted in those cases where it is perfectly clear that there remains no genuine dispute as to material fact and inquiry into the facts is unnecessary to clarify the application of the law. McKinney v. Bd. of Trustees of Mayland Cmty. College, 955 F.2d 924, 928 (4th Cir.1992).
B. Standard of Review
Petitioner filed his petition for writ of habeas corpus after the effective date of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 ("AEDPA"). Therefore, the review of his claims is governed by 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d), as amended. Lindh v. Murphy, 521 U.S. 320, 117 S.Ct. 2059, 138 L.Ed.2d 481 (1997); Breard v. Pruett, 134 F.3d 615 (4th Cir.1998). The AEDPA provides:
An application for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a state court shall not be granted with respect to any claim that was adjudicated on the merits in State court proceedings unless the adjudication of the claim:
(1) resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States; or
(2) resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the State court proceeding.
28 U.S.C. § 2254(d) (2006).
The amendment of § 2254 limited the power of a federal habeas court to grant a state prisoner's application for a writ of habeas corpus with respect to claims adjudicated on the merits in state court. See Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 120 S.Ct. 1495, 146 L.Ed.2d 389 (2000). The United States Supreme Court has addressed procedure under § 2254(d). Id. at 412-13, 120 S.Ct. 1495. In considering a state court's interpretation of federal law, this court must separately analyze the "contrary to" and "unreasonable application" phrases of § 2254(d)(1). The effect of the amendment and Supreme Court interpretation was to shift the focus of federal habeas review to a inquiry into the application of federal law by state courts.
A. Procedural Requirements
The AEDPA also imposes a procedural bar on the jurisdiction of a federal habeas court. The statute provides that:
[a]n application for a writ of habeas corpus in behalf of a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court shall not be granted unless it appears that the applicant has exhausted the remedies available in the courts of the State, or that there is either an absence of available State corrective process or the existence of circumstances rendering such process ineffective to protect the rights of the prisoner.
28 U.S.C. § 2254(b) (2006).
The statute further provides that a prisoner will not be considered to have exhausted state remedies "if he has a right under the law of the State to raise, by any available procedure, the question presented." 28 U.S.C. § 2254(c) (2006). Therefore, a petitioner must exhaust every avenue of state relief before requesting a writ of habeas corpus in the federal courts. See Patterson v. Leeke, 556 F.2d 1168 (4th Cir.1977).
In South Carolina, a person in custody has two primary means of attacking the validity of his conviction. The first means of attacking a conviction is direct appeal pursuant to State law. The second means of obtaining relief is by filing an application for post-conviction relief. See S.C.Code Ann. § 17-27-90 (2007). A PCR applicant is also required to state all of his grounds for relief in his application. See id.
When the petition for habeas relief is filed in the federal court, a petitioner may present only those issues which were presented to the South Carolina Supreme Court through direct appeal or through an appeal from the denial of the PCR application, whether or not the Supreme Court actually reached the merits of the claim. See Patterson v. Leeke, 556 F.2d 1168, 1170 (4th Cir.1977). When any avenue of state relief is still available, the petitioner will be required to return to state court and exhaust the claim before seeking federal habeas review. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(c).
1. Procedural Bypass
Procedural bypass is the doctrine applied when a habeas petitioner has no further means to bring an issue before state court because he failed to raise the issue at the appropriate time under state law. When this occurs, a petitioner is also procedurally barred from raising the issue in a federal habeas petition. Smith v. Murray, 477 U.S. 527, 533, 106 S.Ct. 2661, 91 L.Ed.2d 434 (1986) (concluding a federal habeas petitioner defaulted his underlying constitutional claim by failing to press it in state court on direct appeal).
Federal courts are, however, empowered to look beyond a state procedural forfeiture and entertain a state prisoner's contention that his constitutional rights have been violated. Id. Ordinarily, the exercise of that power is inappropriate unless a petitioner successfully demonstrates both "cause" for noncompliance with the state rule and "actual prejudice resulting from the alleged constitutional violation." Id. Therefore, under most circumstances a federal court will decline to hear a claim if the petitioner has failed to comply with state procedural requirements and cannot show both cause and prejudice.
A petitioner may show 'cause' for failure to raise the claim in state court if he can demonstrate ineffective assistance of counsel relating to the default, show an external factor that hindered compliance with the state procedural rule, or demonstrate the novelty of a particular claim. Clozza v. Murray, 913 F.2d 1092,1104 (4th Cir.1990). Once a petitioner has demonstrated cause, he must also bear the burden of showing, "not merely that the errors at [the] trial created a possibility of prejudice, but that they worked to his actual and substantial disadvantage, infecting his entire trial with error of constitutional dimensions." United States v. Frady, 456 U.S. 152, 170, 102 S.Ct. 1584, 71 L.Ed.2d 816 (1982). Therefore, absent the occurrence of a fundamental miscarriage of justice, a federal habeas court will not review claims that are procedurally barred under state law without a showing of both cause and prejudice. See Smith v. Murray, 477 U.S. 527, 106 S.Ct. 2661, 91 L.Ed.2d 434 (1986).
B. Petitioner's First Ground
Petitioner contends that the trial court erred by failing to suppress cocaine evidence seized from a bag without a search warrant and where none of the exceptions to the warrant requirement was present. The court disagrees.
Petitioner's collateral challenge to the admission of the drug evidence is barred. Where a state has provided an opportunity for full and fair litigation of a Fourth Amendment claim, a state prisoner may not be granted federal habeas corpus relief on the ground that evidence obtained in an unconstitutional search or seizure was introduced at his trial. Stone v. Powell, 428 U.S. 465, 494, 96 S.Ct. 3037, 49 L.Ed.2d 1067 (U.S.1976). In further defining this rule, the Fourth Circuit held in Doleman v. Muncy, 579 F.2d 1258 (4th Cir.1978), that the Stone requirement of a opportunity for full and fair litigation of a Fourth Amendment claim is met when state procedures provide a meaningful vehicle for a prisoner to raise a Fourth Amendment claim. In Doleman, the requirement was met because the prisoner had an opportunity to present his Fourth Amendment claim through a motion to suppress at his state criminal trial, and through an assignment of error on appeal once the motion was denied. Id. at 1265.
In this case, Petitioner made a motion at trial to suppress the drug evidence and a evidentiary hearing was held into the matter during his state criminal trial. (Final Anders Brief). Petitioner then appealed the trial court ruling and the South Carolina Court of Appeals dismissed his appeal. (S.C. Court of Appeals Order). Thus, Petitioner was afforded the same state procedural protections that constituted a full and fair opportunity to litigate a Fourth Amendment claim as the prisoner in Doleman. Therefore, the court concludes that federal habeas review is not available on this ground. Respondent's Motion for Summary Judgment is granted as to Petitioner's Fourth Amendment claim.
C. Plaintiffs Second Ground
Petitioner further contends that he was denied the right to effective assistance of trial counsel by trial counsel's failure to conduct pretrial investigation. Specifically, Petitioner asserts that trial counsel: (1) failed to question witnesses at the bus station where Petitioner was arrested; (2) failed to take pictures of the bus station to show that officers could not have seen him exit the bus with the bag in which drugs were found; (3) failed to introduce an incident report that showed Petitioner was not arrested with the bag in which the drugs were found. The court disagrees.
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees a defendant the right to effective assistance of counsel in a criminal prosecution. To make a successful claim for ineffective assistance of counsel, a petitioner must show: (1) that his counsel committed error; and (2) a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688-94, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). In this case, a review of the transcript from the PCR hearing reveals that Petitioner admitted to telling the trial judge that he did not have any witnesses for his attorney to call at trial; that he did not have any other evidence for his attorney to introduce; that his attorney had done everything he wanted her to do; that she had not failed to do anything he wanted her to do; and, that he was satisfied with her representation. (Tr. 168).
Petitioner further admitted in his PCR hearing that he told the trial judge during sentencing that he was sorry, that the drugs were not his but that he was going to get them for somebody. (Tr. 168). This statement was corroborated by Petitioner's trial counsel who testified that Petitioner "indicated to me that basically he was bringing the drugs back from New York for his brother. That he would [be] interested in working with the police if he could get a better deal. And I told him I would check into that. But I also at the time I released him on that Monday, told him to stay close by the phone in case we needed to get in touch with him about anything." (Tr. 172-73).
Petitioner's trial counsel also testified that she did not recall Petitioner discussing anybody from the bus station as a possible witness or that there were any problems with the warrant. Moreover, she testified that she made a point during trial that no finger prints were on the bag, and that she question police regarding where they were parked in relation to the bus station. (Tr. 173). Finally, she testified the officers use of the family court warrant did not materially alter the outcome of Petitioner's case because the officers testified they stopped him based on a tip and he granted consent to search the bag. (Tr. 175). The PCR judge found that Petitioner's trial counsel was not ineffective under standard in Strickland. Accordingly, he dismissed Petitioner's claim.
Given these facts, the court finds that the PCR judge's determination was not contrary to or an unreasonable application of federal law. Respondent's Motion for Summary Judgment is granted as to Petitioner's Sixth Amendment claim.
D. Petitioner's Third Ground
Petitioner contends that he was denied due process of law by the Prosecutor's alleged introduction of perjured testimony at his trial. Petitioner asserts that two police officers testified to seeing him get off the bus with the black bag containing drugs. Petitioner further asserts that it was impossible for the two police officers to have seen him from where they were parked.
Respondent did not address the merits of the claim. Rather, Respondent asserts that Petitioner's Fourteenth Amendment claim is procedurally defaulted. Respondent contends that Petitioner did not exhaust available state remedies by presenting this allegation to the Court of Appeals on writ of certiorari from the PCR judge's decision. Respondent further contends that, to the extent Petitioner raised the Fourteenth Amendment issue on writ of certiorari, the South Carolina Court Appeals was procedurally barred from considering the claim because Petitioner failed to obtain a ruling on the issue from the PCR judge. The court disagrees.
The court further concludes that the South Carolina Court of Appeals was not procedurally barred from considering Petitioner's Fourteenth Amendment claim because he raised the claim in his pro se brief. A PCR judge is required to make specific findings of fact, and state expressly its conclusions of law, relating to each issue presented. S.C.Code Ann. § 17-27-80 (2007). As Respondent noted, the precise issue presented by Petitioner was raised to, but not ruled on by the PCR judge. Generally, a party must timely file a motion pursuant to South Carolina Rule of Civil Procedure 59(e) to preserve issues for appeal that have been raised and not ruled upon in a PCR judge's written order. The South Carolina Supreme Court, however, has not rigidly adhered to the Rule 59(e) requirement to procedurally bar state PCR applicants from presenting issues for appellate review in situations when those issues were presented in the initial PCR application, but not ruled upon by the PCR judge. See Pruitt v. State, 310 S.C. 254, 423 S.E.2d 127 (1992) (finding it necessary to vacate an order denying PCR petition when due process claim was raised and written order failed to address the issue). The court concludes that the South Carolina Court of Appeals was not procedurally barred from reviewing Petitioner's Fourteenth Amendment claim.
Turning to the question of exhaustion, the South Carolina Court of Appeals' Order of Dismissal acknowledges the receipt of Petitioner's Response to the Johnson Brief in which he purported to add the Fourteenth Amendment Claim. This order is not specific as to whether the Court of Appeals considered the claim. Rather, the order merely states that the entire record was considered. Viewing the facts in the light most favorable to Petitioner, the court concludes that Petitioner presented his Fourteenth Amendment claim to the South Carolina Court of Appeals for review.
The court now turns to the substance of Petitioner's contention that he was convicted based on perjured testimony. Denial of due process is the failure to observe that fundamental fairness essential to the very concept of justice. Lisenba v. California, 314 U.S. 219, 236, 62 S.Ct. 280, 86 L.Ed. 166 (1941). When the prosecution obtains a conviction by the use of testimony which it knows or should know is perjured, such conviction must be set aside if there is any reasonable likelihood that the testimony could have affected the judgment of the jury. To prevail on a due process claim based on use of false testimony by a prosecutor, Petitioner must show: (1) the testimony was actually false; (2) the prosecution knew or should have known that the testimony was actually false; and (3) that the false testimony was material. United States v. Zuno-Arce, 339 F.3d 886, 889 (9th Cir.2003).
In this case, Petitioner alleges that it was impossible for the officers to have seen him get off of the bus with the black bag containing drugs. Even if Petitioner's claim is taken as true, he has still failed to establish or even allege that the prosecutor was aware or should have been aware the testimony was false. Moreover, given that the record reflects that Petitioner's trial counsel cross-examined the officers on their position in relation to the bus station and the jury did not find any inconsistence persuasive, it does not appear the officer's testimony was material and Petitioner has not put forth facts to support a contrary conclusion. Therefore, based on an independent review of the record, the court concludes that the Court of Appeals denial of this claim was not contrary to or an unreasonable application of established federal law. Respondent's Motion for Summary Judgment is granted as to Petitioner's due process claim.
III. CONCLUSION
Petitioner has offered no particular factual objections to the Magistrate Judge's conclusion that his habeas petition be dismissed on all grounds. Rather, Petitioner has responded to the Magistrate Judge's analysis by essentially refiling his Memorandum in Opposition to Summary Judgment and with conclusory and generalized allegations. The court is not obligated to conduct a de novo review of the Magistrate Judge's Report "when a party makes general and conclusory objections that do not direct the court to a specific error in the magistrate's proposed findings and recommendations." Orpiano v. Johnson, 687 F.2d 44, 47 (4th Cir.1982). Nevertheless, the court has carefully reviewed the record and concurs in the recommendation of the Magistrate Judge. Accordingly, the court adopts the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation in full as to Petitioner's first and second ground for relief and incorporates it herein by reference. The court further adopts the Magistrate Judge's recommendation as to Petitioner's third ground for relief, but for the reasons stated in this order. Respondent's motion for summary judgment (Entry 13) is granted and the petition is dismissed with prejudice.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
THOMAS E. ROGERS, III, United States Magistrate Judge.
Petitioner, Jomo Rashad Bailey ("petitioner/Bailey"), a pro se prisoner, seeks habeas relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 2254. This matter is before the Court on the respondent's motion for summary judgment (document # 13).
Petitioner, Jomo Rashad Bailey, filed his habeas corpus petition on November 9, 2007. Respondent filed a motion for summary judgment on January 14, 2008. The undersigned issued an order filed January 15, 2008, pursuant to Roseboro v. Garrison, 528 F.2d 309 (4th Cir.1975), advising the petitioner of the motion for summary judgment procedure and the possible consequences if he failed to respond adequately. The petitioner filed a response to the respondent's motion for summary judgment on May 19, 2008.
I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The procedural history as set out by the respondent has not been seriously disputed by the petitioner. In fact, petitioner asserts in his response in opposition that he concedes to respondent's account of the procedural history. Therefore, the undisputed procedural history as stated by the respondent is set forth herein.
Petitioner is presently confined in the Perry Correctional Institution of the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), pursuant to commitment orders from the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court. The Spartanburg County Grand Jury indicted Petitioner at the August 2000 term of court for trafficking in cocaine (01-GS-42-2001). App. pp. 188-89. Jennifer Johnson, Esquire, represented him on this charge.
On March 26, 2002, he received a jury trial before the Honorable J. Derham Cole. The jury found him, guilty as charged; and Judge Cole sentenced him to twenty-five years imprisonment. App. pp. 5-131; 134.
Petitioner timely served and filed a notice of appeal. Assistant Appellate Defender Eleanor Duffy Ceary represented him on appeal. On April 28, 2003, Ms. Cleary filed a Final Anders Brief of Appellant on Petitioner's behalf and petitioned to be relieved as counsel. The Final Brief presented only one issue for appellate review:
Did the trial judge err by failing to suppress evidence of the cocaine seized from a bag without a search warrant and where none of the exceptions to the warrant were present?
Final Brief of Appellant at p. 3.
On June 17, 2003, Petitioner filed his own "Pro Se Brief in response. Petitioner likewise presented a Fourth Amendment challenge for the Court of Appeals' review:
Did the trial judge err by failing to suppress evidence of the cocaine that was seized from a bag without unreliable, uncorroborated information from a tipster, and an invalid search warrant, or voluntary consent, and a three hour investigative detention was unreasonable under The Fourth Amendment?
Final Brief of Appellant at p. 1.
The South Carolina Court of Appeals dismissed Petitioner's appeal and granted counsel's request to be relieved, in an unpublished Opinion filed on December 16, 2003. State v. Bailey, 2003-UP-729 (S.C. Ct. App., Dec. 16, 2003). It sent the Remittitur to the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court on January 16, 2004.
Petitioner filed a pro se Post-Conviction Relief (PCR) Application (04-CP-42-836) on March 11, 2004. He alleged the following grounds for relief in his Application:
(I). Applicant contends his trial counsel was [ineffective] for failing] to conduct a pre trial investigation, seek out potential witnesses who exited the [Greyhound] bus before Applicant and after Applicant, to question them about Applicant's arrest; [counsel also] failed to take pictures of the bus station to show the officers could not have seen Applicant exit the bus with no black bag; [counsel] failed to interview the bus driver; and [counsel] failed to point out to the court that Investigator L.D. Smith's incident report said Applicant was not arrested with the drugs on his shoulder but ten (10) feet away from applicant.
(11). Applicant contends he was denied Due Process of law in violation of his Fourteenth Amendment Federal Constitutional rights, when the State's witnesses (Investigator L.D. Smith and Sgt D. Barnwell) committed perjury by testifying they witnessed Applicant exit the Greyhound bus with a black bag and then arrested him with the same on his shoulder.
App. pp. 139-50. The State filed its Return on August 30, 2004. App. pp. 151-55.
The Honorable J. Mark Hayes, III, held an evidentiary hearing into the matter on June 23, 2005, at the Spartanburg County Courthouse. Petitioner was present at the hearing; and Frank L. Eppes, Esquire, represented him. Assistant Attorney General Christopher Newton represented the State. Petitioner testified on his own behalf and he presented the testimony of trial counsel, Ms. Johnson. The State did not present any witnesses. App. pp. 156-79.
On July 14, 2005, Judge Hayes filed an Order of Dismissal, in which he denied relief and dismissed the Application with prejudice. The Order of Dismissal addressed Petitioner's claims that trial counsel was ineffective because (1) counsel had only met with his trial counsel the day before his trial; (2) counsel should have gotten other witnesses, specifically other bus passengers and the driver; (3) counsel should have brought out that the incident report stated that he had been arrested away from the scene (the box was checked for that indicator); and trial counsel did not introduce the drawing of the scene. App. pp. 181-86.
A timely notice of appeal was served and filed. Deputy Chief Attorney Wanda H. Carter represented him in collateral appellate proceedings. On May 22, 2006, Mrs. Carter filed a Johnson Petition for Writ of Certiorari on Petitioner's behalf and petitioned to be relieved as counsel. The only Question Presented in the Johnson Petition was stated as follows:
Trial counsel rendered ineffective legal assistance because [s]he lacked sufficient time to prepare petitioner's case prior to trial.
Johnson Petition at p. 2.
Petitioner filed "Petitioner's Response to Johnson Petition" on July 10, 2006, wherein he raised the following clam:
Petitioner was denied due process of law and effective assistance of counsel in violation of the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments of the federal Constitution.
Pro Se Response at p. 1. His argument then lists seven points:
1. Petitioner did not exit the Greyhound bus with any black bag;
2. The police officers could not have seen Petitioner exit the bus, as they testified they did, because of their position they were parked in and how the bus station is built;
3. The witnesses who exited the bus before me & after me, along with the bus driver, would have testified, Petitioner didn't exit the bus with any bags;
4. The warrant for arrest was based on a Family Court failure to pay child support, which was illegally obtained because Petitioner was not supposed to be paying child [support] in the first place;
5. Trial counsel would have further notice the States documents of arrest said Petitioner was arrested away from the crime scene;
6. Trial counsel should have gotten the investigator to go to the bus station and take[ ] pictures of it to be introduced in Court;
7. Trial counsel should have gotten the investigator to speak with all the passengers & the bus driver.
Pro Se Response at p. 1. Petitioner then argued that these points support his claim that counsel did not adequately investigate and prepare his case. Pro Se Response at pp. 2-3.
The South Carolina Court of Appeals filed an Order on August 30, 2007, in which it denied certiorari and granted counsel's petition to be relieved. It sent the Remittitur to the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court on September 17, 2007.
II. PETITIONER'S GROUNDS FOR RELIEF
In his pro se Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, petitioner raises the following grounds:
GROUND ONE: The trial court erred by failing to suppress cocaine evidence seized from a bag without a search warrant and where none of the exceptions to the warrant requirement were present.
SUPPORTING FACTS: On August 3, 2000, a bench warrant was issued against Petitioner from Family Court for failing to pay child support. On October 8, 2000, Spartanburg Police Officer arrested Petitioner on this warrant. In addition to the bench warrant, the officer said they had information from an anonymous tipster that Petitioner had drugs in his posession. Thus, subsequent to his arrest the officers searched him and under the pretext of a search incident to the arrest, tore open a cereal box in his bag to find cocaine.
GROUND TWO: Petitioner was denied the right to effective assistant of trial counsel by Counsel's failure to conduct pretrial investigation.
SUPPORTING FACTS: Trial counsel failed to question witnesses at the bus station where Petitioner was arrested; Counsel failed to take pictures of the bus station to show that officers could not have seen him exist the bus with the bag in which drugs was found; Counsel failed to introduce Investigator L.D. Smith's Incident Report, which showed Petitioner was not arrested with the bag in which the drugs were found.
GROUND THREE: Petitioner was denied due process of law by the Prosecution's introduction of perjured testimony.
SUPPORTING FACTS: The prosecution introduced perjured testimony by police officer who testified they saw Petitioner exist a Grey Hound Bus with the black bag in which drugs was found when in fact it was impossible for the officer to have seen Petitioner existing the bus from where the officers were parked.
(Petition).
III. SUMMARY JUDGMENT
On January 14, 2008, the respondent filed a return and memorandum of law in support of his motion for summary judgment. Petitioner responded to the motion for summary judgment.
The federal court is charged with liberally construing the complaints filed by pro se litigants, to allow them to fully develop potentially meritorious cases. See Cruz v. Beto, 405 U.S. 319, 92 S.Ct. 1079, 31 L.Ed.2d 263 (1972), and Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 92 S.Ct. 594, 30 L.Ed.2d 652 (1972). The court's function, however, is not to decide issues of fact, but to decide whether there is an issue of fact to be tried. The requirement of liberal con struction does not mean that the court can ignore a clear failure in the pleadings to allege facts which set forth a federal claim, Weller v. Department of Social Services, 901 F.2d 387 (4th Cir.1990), nor can the court assume the existence of a genuine issue of material fact where none exists. If none can be shown, the motion should be granted. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c).
The movant has the burden of proving that a judgment on the pleadings is appropriate. Once the moving party makes this showing, however, the opposing party must respond to the motion with "specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial." The opposing party may not rest on the mere assertions contained in the pleadings. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e) and Celotex v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986).
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure encourage the entry of summary judgment where both parties have had ample opportunity to explore the merits of their cases and examination of the case makes it clear that one party has failed to establish the existence of an essential element in the case, on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). Where the movant can show a complete failure of proof concerning an essential element of the non-moving party's case, all other facts become immaterial because there can be "no genuine issue of material fact." In the Celotex case, the court held that defendants were "entitled to judgment as a matter of law" under Rule 56(c) because the petitioner has failed to make a sufficient showing on essential elements of his case with respect to which he has the burden of proof. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322-323,106 S.Ct. 2548.
IV. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Since Bailey filed his petition after the effective date of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 ("AED-PA"), review of his claims is governed by 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d), as amended. Lindh v. Murphy, 521 U.S. 320, 117 S.Ct. 2059, 138 L.Ed.2d 481 (1997); Breard v. Pruett, 134 F.3d 615 (4th Cir.1998); Green v. French, 143 F.3d 865 (4th Cir.1998). That statute now reads:
An application for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court shall not be granted with respect to any claim that was adjudicated on the merits in State court proceedings unless the adjudication of the claim — (1) resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States; or (2) resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the State court proceeding.
To a large extent, the amendment of § 2254 shifts the focus of habeas review to the state court application of Supreme Court law. See O'Brien v. Dubois, 145 F.3d 16 (1st Cir.1998) ("the AEDPA amendments to section 2254 exalt the role that a state court's decision plays in a habeas proceeding by specifically directing the habeas court to make the state court decision the cynosure of federal review."). Further, the facts determined by the state court to which this standard is applied are presumed to be correct unless rebutted by the petitioner by clear and convincing evidence. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(e)(1).
The United States Supreme Court has addressed procedure under § 2254(d). See Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 120 S.Ct. 1495, 146 L.Ed.2d 389 (2000). In considering a state court's interpretation of federal law, this court must separately analyze the "contrary to" and "unreason able application" phrases of § 2254(d)(1). Ultimately, a federal habeas court must determine whether "the state court's application of clearly established federal law was objectively unreasonable." Id. at 1521.
V. DISCUSSION AS TO PROCEDURAL BAR
A. Procedural Bar
Exhaustion and procedural bypass are separate theories which operate in a similar manner to require a habeas petitioner to first submit his claims for relief to the state courts. The two theories rely on the same rationale. The general rule is that a petitioner must present his claim to the highest state court with authority to decide the issue before the federal court will consider the claim.
1. Exhaustion
The theory of exhaustion is based on the statute giving the federal court jurisdiction of habeas petitions. Applications for writs of habeas corpus are governed by 28 U.S.C. § 2254, which allows relief when a person "is in custody in violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United States." The statute states in part:
(b) (1) An application for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a person in custody pursuant to the judgment of a State court, shall not be granted unless it appears that
(A) the applicant has exhausted the remedies available in the courts of the State; or
(B) (I) there is either an absence of available State corrective process; or (ii) circumstances exist that render such process, ineffective to protect the rights of the applicant.
(2) An application for a writ of habeas corpus may be denied on the merits, notwithstanding the failure of the applicant to exhaust the remedies available in the courts of the State.
(3) A State shall not be deemed to have waived the exhaustion requirement or be estopped from reliance upon the requirement unless the State, through counsel, expressly waives the requirement.
(c) An applicant shall not be deemed to have exhausted the remedies available in the courts of the State, within the meaning of this section, if he has the right under the law of the State to raise, by any available procedure, the question presented.
This statute clearly requires that an applicant pursue any and all opportunities in the state courts before seeking relief in the federal court. When subsections (b) and (c) are read in conjunction, it is clear that § 2254 requires a petitioner to present any claim he has to the state courts before he can proceed on the claim in this court.
The United States Supreme Court has consistently enforced the exhaustion requirement.
The exhaustion doctrine existed long before its codification by Congress in 1948. In Ex parte Royall, 117 U.S. 241, 251, 6 S.Ct. 734, 29 L.Ed. 868 (1886), this Court wrote that as a matter of comity, federal courts should not consider a claim in a habeas corpus petition until after the state courts have had an opportunity to act .
Rose v. Lundy, 455 U.S. 509, 515, 102 S.Ct. 1198, 71 L.Ed.2d 379 (1982).
In South Carolina, a person in custody has two primary means of attacking the validity of his conviction. The first avenue is through a direct appeal and, pursuant to state law, he is required to state all his grounds in that appeal, See SCAR 207 and Blakeley v. Rabon, 266 S.C. 68, 221 S.E.2d 767 (1976). The second avenue of relief is by filing an application for post-conviction relief (PCR). See S.C.Code Ann. § 17-27-10 et seq. A PCR applicant is also required to state all of his grounds for relief in his application. See, S.C.Code Ann. § 17-27-90. Strict time deadlines govern direct appeal and the filing of a PCR in the South Carolina Courts. A PCR must be filed within one year of judgment, or if there is an appeal, within one year of the appellate court decision. S.C.Code Ann. § 17-27-45.
When the petition for habeas relief is filed in the federal court, a petitioner may present only those issues which were presented to the South Carolina Supreme Court through direct appeal or through an appeal from the denial of the PCR application, whether or not the Supreme Court actually reached the merits of the claim. If any avenue of state relief is still available, the petitioner must proceed through the state courts before requesting a writ of habeas corpus in the federal courts, Patterson v. Leeke, 556 F.2d 1168 (4th Cir. 1977) and Richardson v. Turner, 716 F.2d 1059 (4th Cir.1983). However, if petitioner has failed to raise the issue before the state courts, but still has any means to do so, he will be required to return to the state courts to exhaust the claims. Rose, 455 U.S. at 515,102 S.Ct. 1198.
Respondent asserts that he "[s]ees no exhaustion issue." (Memorandum p. 5).
2. Procedural bypass
Procedural bypass is the doctrine applied when the person seeking relief failed to raise the claim at the appropriate time in state court and has no further means of bringing that issue before the state courts. If this occurs, the person is procedurally barred from raising the issue in his federal habeas petition. The United States Supreme Court has clearly stated that the procedural bypass of a constitutional claim in earlier state proceedings forecloses consideration by the federal courts, Smith v. Murray, 477 U.S. 527, 533, 106 S.Ct. 2661, 91 L.Ed.2d 434 (1986). Bypass can occur at any level of the state proceedings, if a state has procedural rules which bar its courts from considering claims not raised in a timely fashion. The two routes of appeal in South Carolina are described above, (i.e., direct appeal, appeal from PCR denial) and the South Carolina Supreme Court will refuse to consider claims raised in a second appeal which could have been raised at an earlier time. Further, if a prisoner has failed to file a direct appeal or a PCR and the deadlines for filing have passed, he is barred from proceeding in state court.
If the state courts have applied a procedural bar to a claim because of an earlier default in the state courts, the federal court honors that bar. State procedural rules promote
. not only the accuracy and efficiency of judicial decisions, but also the finality of those decisions, by forcing the defendant to litigate all of his claims together, as quickly after trial as the docket will allow, and while the attention of the appellate court is focused on his case.
Reed v. Ross, 468 U.S. 1, 10-11, 104 S.Ct. 2901, 82 L.Ed.2d 1 (1984).
Although the federal courts have the power to consider claims despite a state procedural bar,
. the exercise of that power ordinarily is inappropriate unless the defendant succeeds in showing both "cause" for noncompliance with the state rule and "actual prejudice" resulting from the alleged constitutional violation.
Smith v. Murray, supra, quoting Wainwright v. Sykes, 433 U.S. 72, 84, 97 S.Ct. 2497, 53 L.Ed.2d 594 (1977); see also Engle v. Isaac, 456 U.S. 107, 135, 102 S.Ct. 1558, 71 L.Ed.2d 783 (1982).
Stated simply, if a federal habeas petitioner can show (1) cause for his failure to raise the claim in the state courts, and (2) actual prejudice resulting from the failure, a procedural bar can be ignored and the federal court may consider the claim. Where a petitioner has failed to comply with state procedural requirements and cannot make the required showing(s) of cause and prejudice, the federal courts generally decline to hear the claim. See Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 496, 106 S.Ct. 2639, 91 L.Ed.2d 397 (1986).
S. Inter-relation of Exhaustion and Procedural Bypass
As a practical matter, if a petitioner before this court has failed to raise a claim in state court, and is precluded by state rules from returning to state court to raise the issue, he has procedurally bypassed his opportunity for relief in the state courts and in federal court. A federal court is barred from considering the filed claim (absent a showing of cause and actual prejudice). In such an instance, the exhaustion requirement is technically met and the rules of procedural bar apply. Matthews v. Evatt, 105 F.3d 907 (4th Cir.1997); cert. denied, 522 U.S. 833, 118 S.Ct. 102, 139 L.Ed.2d 57 (1997) citing Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 735 n. 1, 111 S.Ct. 2546, 115 L.Ed.2d 640 (1991); Teague v. Lane, 489 U.S. 288, 297-98, 109 S.Ct. 1060, 103 L.Ed.2d 334 (1989); and George v. Angelone, 100 F.3d 353, 363 (4th Cir. 1996).
A Cause and Actual Prejudice
The requirement of exhaustion is not jurisdictional and this court may consider claims which have not been presented to the South Carolina Supreme Court in limited circumstances. Granberry v. Greer, 481 U.S. 129, 131, 107 S.Ct. 1671, 95 L.Ed.2d 119 (1987). In order to have such claims considered, a petitioner must show sufficient cause for failure to raise the claim and actual prejudice resulting from the failure, Coleman v. Thompson, 501 U.S. at 750, 111 S.Ct. 2546, or that a "fundamental miscarriage of justice" has occurred. Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 106 S.Ct. 2639, 91 L.Ed.2d 397 (1986). A petitioner may prove cause if he can demonstrate ineffective assistance of counsel relating to the default, show an external factor which hindered compliance with the state procedural rule, or demonstrate the novelty of a particular claim. Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 106 S.Ct. 2639, 91 L.Ed.2d 397 (1986); Clozza v. Murray, 913 F.2d 1092 (4th Cir.1990), cert. denied, 499 U.S. 913, 111 S.Ct. 1123, 113 L.Ed.2d 231 (1991); and Clanton v. Muncy, 845 F.2d 1238 (4th Cir.1988), cert. denied, 485 U.S. 1000, 108 S.Ct. 1459, 99 L.Ed.2d 690 (1988).
Absent a showing of "cause," the court is not required to consider "actual prejudice." Turner v. Jabe, 58 F.3d 924 (4th Cir.1995). However, if a petitioner demonstrates sufficient cause, he must also show actual prejudice in order to excuse a default. Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. at 492, 106 S.Ct. 2639. To show actual prejudice, the petitioner must demonstrate more than plain error. He is required to prove that specific errors infected the trial and were of constitutional dimensions. United States v. Frady, 456 U.S. 152, 102 S.Ct. 1584, 71 L.Ed.2d 816 (1982).
In the case of Kornahrens v. Evatt, 66 F.3d 1350 (4th Cir.1995), cert. denied 517 U.S. 1171, 116 S.Ct. 1575, 134 L.Ed.2d 673 (1996), the Court of Appeals stated that once a claim is determined to be procedurally barred, the court should not consider the issue on its merits. The Court noted that it is always tempting to discuss the merits as an alternative reason for a con elusion, but that once a court finds an issue to be procedurally barred, all discussion which follows is only dicta. See Karsten v. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, 36 F.3d 8, 11 (4th Cir.1994). Once a court has determined that a claim is procedurally barred, it should not stray into other considerations.
Respondent asserts that even though some ground(s) are not exhausted, the exhaustion requirement is technically satisfied.
VI. ANALYSIS
As previously stated, petitioner raised the following as ground one in his habeas petition:
GROUND ONE: The trial court erred by failing to suppress cocaine evidence seized from a bag without a search warrant and where none of the exceptions to the warrant requirement were present.
SUPPORTING FACTS: On August 3, 2000, a bench warrant was issued against petitioner from Family Court for failing to pay child support. On October 8, 2000, Spartanburg Police officer arrested petitioner on this warrant. In addition to the bench warrant, the officer said they had information from an anonymous tipster that Petitioner had drugs in his possession. Thus, subsequent to his arrest the officers searched him and under the pretext of a search incident to the arrest, tore open a cereal box in his bag to find cocaine.
(Petition).
Respondent asserts that petitioner raised this allegation on direct appeal. Respondent argues that habeas corpus relief is not available for Fourth Amendment claims alleging that a conviction rests on evidence obtained through an unconstitutional arrest, search or seizure, where the prisoner had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the Fourth Amendment claim in state court.
In his response in opposition, petitioner argues that he has not had fair presentation of his Fourth Amendment claim because counsel filed a non-merit Anders brief on appeal which only allowed him the opportunity to file and raise the issue prose.
It is recommended that summary judgment be granted on this issue. Petitioner argued on direct appeal that evidence used in his trial was the product of an illegal arrest. The appeal was dismissed by the South Carolina Court of Appeals. A federal court will not grant habeas relief based on a Fourth Amendment violation if "the State has provided an opportunity for full and fair litigation" of the claim. Stone v. Powell, 428 U.S. 465, 482, 96 S.Ct. 3037, 49 L.Ed.2d 1067 (1976).
GROUND TWO
Petitioner asserts the following as ground two in his habeas petition:
GROUND TWO: Petitioner was denied the right to effective assistance of trial counsel by Counsel's failure to conduct pretrial investigation.
SUPPORTING FACTS: Trial counsel failed to question witnesses at the bus station where petitioner was arrested; Counsel failed to take pictures of the bus station to show that officers could not have seen him exist [sic] the bus with the bag in which drugs was found; Counsel failed to introduce Investigator L.D. Smith's Incident Report, which showed petitioner was not arrested with the bag in which the drugs were found.
(Petition).
Respondent does not contest that ground two is exhausted. Further, re spondent argues that petitioner is not entitled to relief as the state courts' rejection of petitioner's claim was not contrary to and did not involve an unreasonable application of clearly established United States Supreme Court precedent.
In this ground two, petitioner is asserting ineffective assistance of counsel for three reasons: that counsel failed to question witnesses at the bus station where he was arrested, failed to take pictures of the bus station to show that officers could not have seen him exit the bus with the bag in which the drugs were found, and that counsel failed to introduce L.D. Smith's incident report that allegedly showed petitioner was not arrested with the bag in which the drugs were found.
When presented with an application for habeas relief, the first inquiry by the court is to determine whether the claim raised in the petition was "adjudicated on the merits" by the state court. 28 U.S.C.A. § 2254(d). If the claim was properly presented to the state court and the state court adjudicated it, the deferential standard of review set forth in § 2254(d) applies and federal habeas corpus relief may not be granted unless the relevant state-court adjudication "was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as deter^ mined by the Supreme Court of the United States; or resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the state court proceeding." Id. § 2254(d)(1), (2); see Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. at 398, 120 S.Ct. 1495.
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees a defendant the right to effective assistance of counsel in a criminal prosecution. McMann v. Richardson, 397 U.S. 759, 771 n. 14, 90 S.Ct. 1441, 25 L.Ed.2d 763 (1970). In the case of Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984), the United States Supreme Court set forth two factors that must be considered in evaluating claims for ineffective assistance of counsel. A petitioner must first show that his counsel committed error. If an error can be shown, the court must consider whether the commission of an error resulted in prejudice to the defendant.
To meet the first requirement, "[t]he defendant must show that counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness." Strickland, at 688, 104 S.Ct. 2052 "The proper measure of attorney performance remains simply reasonableness under prevailing professional norms." Turner v. Bass, 753 F.2d 342, 348 (4th Cir.1985) (quoting Strickland, reversed on other grounds, 476 U.S. 28, 106 S.Ct. 1683, 90 L.Ed.2d 27 (1986)). In meeting the second prong of the inquiry, a complaining defendant must show that he was prejudiced before being entitled to reversal. Strickland requires that:
[T]he defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.
Strickland, at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052
The court further held at page 695 that:
[A] court deciding an actual ineffectiveness claim must judge the reasonableness of counsel's challenged conduct on the facts of the particular case, viewed as of the time of counsel's conduct . the court must then determine whether, in light of all the circumstances, the identified acts or omissions were outside the wide range of professionally competent assistance. (Emphasis added.)
In Lockhart v. Fretwell, 506 U.S. 364, 113 S.Ct. 838, 122 L.Ed.2d 180 (1993), the Supreme Court clarified its definition of prejudice quoted above, stating that "an analysis focusing solely on mere outcome determination . is defective." Instead, an appropriate analysis of prejudice should consider "whether the result of the proceeding was fundamentally unfair or unreliable." Therefore, a court analyzing the prejudice prong should not "set aside a conviction or sentence solely because the outcome would have been different but for counsel's error." See Williams v. Taylor, 163 F.3d 860 (4th Cir.1998) (quoting Lockhart, at 369-70,113 S.Ct. 838).
A review of the transcript from the PCR hearing reveals that petitioner testified that the day he got arrested he had gotten off the bus along with six other people and "there was a bag sitting in the chair." (Tr. 159). Petitioner testified that when he went to use the pay phone, Narcotics came and told him that there was a warrant for him for child support and asked him where was his bag. Petitioner testified that he told them he did not have a bag but they found the bag in the chair and opened it wherein they "found the dope." (Tr. 159). Petitioner testified at the PCR hearing that the officers told him that they had a tip that he was coming in with drugs from New York. Petitioner testified that he had never seen the bag before, that they did not have any evidence of his fingerprints on the bag, and that he was arrested on a family court warrant. Petitioner admitted in his testimony at PCR that there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest because he had been paying the child support directly instead of through the court system but testified that he was basically railroaded.
Petitioner further testified that Jennifer Johnson represented him at trial but that he only met with her the day before trial. Petitioner admitted that counsel told him that he could testify but did not have to do so. Petitioner testified at the PCR hearing that he did not see any need in testifying at trial. Petitioner testified that there was no way the officers could have seen him get of the bus as they testified at trial. PCR counsel showed plaintiff a copy of a diagram that was drawn for the case at trial which he testified accurately depicted the bus station. Petitioner testified that counsel did not make any effort to find the other six passengers that got off of the bus with him that day. Petitioner testified that "[Wjell, if Ms. Johnson would have interviewed the bus driver and interviewed all six witnesses. And if she really have the time to do it, because like I said, she didn't really have but twenty-four hours to do it, I think that I would have got acquitted of these charges." (Tr. 166). Petitioner did not put up any witnesses to testify at the PCR hearing. Petitioner admitted that he told the trial judge when questioned that: he did not have any witnesses for his attorney, Ms. Johnson, to call at trial; that he did not have any other evidence for his attorney to introduce; that his attorney, Ms. Johnson, had done everything he wanted her to do; that she had not failed to do anything he wanted her to do; and, that he was satisfied with her representation. (Tr. 168). Further, petitioner testified at PCR that he recalled the trial judge asked him a series of questions discussing his right to testify. Additionally, petitioner admitted at PCR that he told the trial judge during sentencing that he was sorry, that the drugs were not his but that he was going to get them for somebody.
Jennifer Johnson, Esquire, testified that she was appointed as public defender to represent petitioner and had sent petitioner a letter on March 14, advising him to contact her immediately so that they could discuss his case. However, Ms. Johnson testified that he did not contact her and the letter was not returned. Ms. Johnson testified that she did not have a phone number in her file so she contacted the solicitor who did have a number provided by the bondsman, but, after trying several times to contact petitioner at that number, she was unsuccessful. Therefore, counsel testified that she did not actually meet with him until he came in for roll call, the day before the trial. (Tr. 171).
Ms. Johnson testified that petitioner "indicated to me that basically he was bringing the drugs back from New York for his brother. That he would [be] interested in working with the police if he could get a better deal. And I told him I would check into that. But I also at the time I released him on that Monday, told him to stay close by the phone in case we needed to get in touch with him about anything." (Tr. 172-173). Ms. Johnson testified that she does not recall petitioner discussing with her anybody from the bus as a possible witness or that there were any problems with the warrant issued by the family court. Ms. Johnson further testified at PCR that she made the point during trial that there were no fingerprints found on the bag in question. Ms. Johnson testified that she elicited from the officers' testimony regarding where they were parked in relation to the bus and made the point in closing that the officers could not have seen petitioner from the vantage point that they described in their surveillance. Additionally, Ms. Johnson testified that she did not notice on the police report that the officer wrote down that petitioner was arrested away from the crime scene and, had she noticed, she could have questioned the officers about that. (Tr. 174). When questioned if the fact that petitioner was taken into custody and searched without a family court warrant would have materially affected the outcome of the case, Ms. Johnson asserted that the officers testified that they stopped petitioner based on a tip, asked for consent to search the bag, and that consent was given for the search.
A review of the PCR judge's order reveals he found the following:
This Court does not find the Applicant's testimony to be credible on the issues in this case. Trial counsel's testimony is found credible. This Court finds that trial counsel did attempt to contact the Applicant prior to trial, but was unable to do so through no fault of her own. Although this Court notes that it may have been better practice to request a continuance in such a situation, it does not amount to deficient performance in this case. The Applicant admitted that he had a bench warrant from family court. The bench warrant was sufficient to arrest him, even if based on "railroading" as the Applicant claims, because the police were within their authority in relying on the warrant. Further, counsel did attempt to suppress the drugs discovered in the bag, but her motion was denied. Further, if the Applicant is to be believed, the bag was not his, and thus he would have no real standing to challenge it, as he had no reasonable expectation of privacy relating to the bag. Trial counsel did cross-examine the police on their ability to see the Applicant and the bus and the lack of physical evidence linking the Applicant to the bag. The Applicant told the trial court that he had no additional witnesses that he wanted to [be] present. The Applicant admitted as well that he was involved in the drugs, to both his trial counsel and the trial court during sentencing.
Given the above findings, the Applicant has failed to carry his burden of proof. Trial counsel's performance did not fall below reasonable professional standards. Furthermore, the Applicant suffered no prejudice. The police had a facially valid bench warrant for the Applicant. They testified that the Applicant had the bag with him. The trial court found the drugs admissible. None of the witnesses the Applicant claims could have aided his case testified in the post-conviction relief hearing, nor was their alleged testimony submitted in accordance within the rules of evidence. See Bannister v. State, 333 S.C. 298, 509 S.E.2d 807 (1998). There is not reasonable probability in such a case that the result of the proceedings would have been different but for any alleged errors of trial counsel.
(Tr. 184-185).
A state court's finding on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is a combination of a finding of fact and a conclusion of law. Although applicable precedents may require this court under 28 U.S.C. § 2254, to make its own determination of both the performance and (if necessary) the "prejudice" components highlighted in Strickland, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, the historical facts decided by a court of a state in a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel remain subject to deference. See Hoots v. Allsbrook, 785 F.2d 1214, 1219 & n. 6 (4th Cir.1986) ("old" § 22254(d) standard) and Williams, supra.
The undersigned has reviewed the record and concludes that respondent's motion for summary judgment should be granted on this issue. The record supports the PCR judge's finding that the petitioner has not demonstrated that his attorney's performance was deficient by showing that her representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and, further, he has not shown that the attorney's performance actually prejudiced him. Petitioner did not submit any photographs or witnesses at the PCR hearing. Additionally, petitioner admitted to counsel and to the trial judge at the time of sentencing that he was involved with the drugs even if they, allegedly, were not directly for his use. As the PCR court's rejection of the ineffective assistance of counsel ground for relief did not result in an unreasonable application of Hill and Strickland and was not based upon an unreasonable determination of facts in light of the state court record, this ground is without merit. The state court decisions did not involve a decision that "was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States; or resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the state court proceeding." § 2254(d)(1), (2); Williams, supra. Thus, the undersigned recommends that the respondent's motion for summary judgment be granted on this issue.
GROUND THREE
Petitioner raised the following as ground three in his habeas petition:
GROUND THREE: Petitioner was denied due process of law by the Prosecution's introduction of perjured testimony.
SUPPORTING FACTS: The prosecution introduced perjured testimony by police officer who testified they saw petitioner exist[sic] a Grey Hound Bus with the black bag in which drugs was found when in fact it was impossible for the officer to have seen petitioner existing[sic] the bus from where the officers were parked.
(Petition).
Respondent argues that this issue is proeedurally defaulted in that he failed to present this allegation to the state court of appeals on writ of certiorari, and even if petitioner had submitted this issue in his petition for writ of certiorari, the state court of appeals would not have considered it on the merits since he did not obtain a ruling on this allegation from the PCR judge.
In reviewing petitioner's "response to Johnson petition" filed by petitioner on his appeal from PCR, petition raised the following claim, quoted in part: "Petitioner was denied due process of law and effective assistance of counsel." Thus, even if it was found that petitioner did raise this issue in his PCR appeal, this issue is still barred from federal review in that the issue was proeedurally defaulted in state court under Coleman, supra, because it was not ruled upon by the PCR judge and the petitioner did not obtain a ruling via a Rule 59(e) motion. Further, the petitioner has not shown sufficient cause and prejudice to excuse the default. In all cases in which a State prisoner has defaulted his Federal claims in State court pursuant to an independent and adequate State procedural rule, Federal Habeas review of the claim is barred unless the prisoner can demonstrate cause for the default and actual prejudice as a result of the alleged violation of Federal law, or demonstrate that failure to consider the claims will result in a fundamental miscarriage of justice. Petitioner has failed to meet this burden. Thus, to the extent that this claim is based upon a due process violation, it is proeedurally barred from consideration by this Court and should be dismissed. Id.; see 28 U.S.C. 2254; Rodriguez v. Young, 906 F.2d 1153, 1159 (7th Cir.1990), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 1035, 111 S.Ct. 698, 112 L.Ed.2d 688 (1991) ["Neither cause without prejudice nor prejudice without cause gets a defaulted claim into Federal Court."]; Mazzell v. Evatt, 88 F.3d 263, 269 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, 519 U.S. 1016, 117 S.Ct. 527, 136 L.Ed.2d 414 (1996) [In order to show prejudice a petitioner must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.]; Wainwright v. Sykes, supra; Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 106 S.Ct. 2639, 91 L.Ed.2d 397 (1986); Rodriguez, 906 F.2d at 1159 [a fundamental miscarriage of justice occurs only in extraordinary cases, "where a constitutional violation has probably resulted in the conviction of one who is actually innocent"] (citing Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. at 496, 106 S.Ct. 2639); Sawyer v. Whitley, 505 U.S. 333, 348, 112 S.Ct. 2514, 120 L.Ed.2d 269 (1992); Bolender v. Singletary, 898 F.Supp. 876, 881 (S.D.Fla.1995). Therefore, it is recommended that the respondent's motion for summary judgment be granted as to Grounds 3.
VII. CONCLUSION
Based on the reasons set out above, it is RECOMMENDED that respondent's mo tion for summary judgment (document # 13) be GRANTED.
May 28, 2008
Florence, South Carolina
. The Magistrate Judge notes and the record reflects that there is no dispute about the procedural history. (Report and Recommendation, at-).
. These issues being raised are relevant to the exhaustion and procedural bypass issue in ground three.
. The exhaustion requirement and procedural bypass doctrine are interrelated because if a petitioner before this court has failed to raise a claim in state court, and is precluded by state rules from returning to state court to raise the issue, the exhaustion requirement has technically been met. However, in such a circumstance, procedural bypass would apply to bar federal review of the claim. Matthews v. Evatt, 105 F.3d 907, 911 (4th Cir.1997).
. 'Material" means that there is a reasonable likelihood that the false testimony could have affected the judgment of the jury. Morris v. Ylst, 447 F.3d 735, 743 (9th Cir.2006).
. The Magistrate Judge noted that Petitioner argued facts from his Fourteenth Amendment claim in support of his Sixth Amendment claim. To the extent that Petitioner may have intended to assert his due process claim as an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, summary judgment is granted in favor of Respondent for the reasons explained in ground two.
. This habeas corpus case was automatically referred to the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 73.02, DSC. Because this is a dispositive motion, this report and recommendation is entered for review by the district judge.
. It is noted in petitioner's habeas allegation under the supporting facts in ground one that petitioner states "thus, subsequent to his arrest the officers searched him and under the pretext of a search incident to the arrest, tore open a cereal box in his bag to find cocaine." See petition, p. 6.
. In his response in opposition, petitioner argues that he can show cause and prejudice to overcome any default because counsel failed to send him a copy of the PCR order in a timely manner which prejudiced him from making a motion to alter or amend judgment. Thus, petitioner is asserting ineffective assistance of PCR counsel or error on the part of PCR counsel to show cause. However, ineffective assistance on collateral review is not cause. Joseph v. Angelone, 184 F.3d 320, 325 (4th Cir. 1999). As petitioner has no right to assistance of counsel in state habeas proceedings, a lack of such assistance is insufficient to establish cause. Id.