Opinion ID: 877465
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: dismissal on grounds of waiver and lack of merit

Text: The District Court held that five of Coleman's claims were dismissed because he failed to raise them on his direct appeal. The District Court further found that the five claims were without merit. Because the post-conviction procedure is a new civil remedy, the failure to present claims in earlier proceedings would not bar them from presentation at this time. However, we have reviewed the claims and find the same to be unmeritorious. It was not error for the court to deny them summarily. Sanders, supra; Widermyre v. State (Alaska 1969), 452 P.2d 885; State v. Richmond (1977), 114 Ariz. 186, 560 P.2d 41, cert. denied, 433 U.S. 915, 97 S.Ct. 2988, 53 L.Ed.2d 1101; People v. Trujillo (1976), 190 Colo. 497, 549 P.2d 1312; Andrews v. Morris, supra. We affirm the dismissal by the District Court of the following claims on the basis that they are without merit: SS, UU, WW, YY, and ZZ. Two hearings were held, with petitioner and his attorney present, on the following dates, June 14, 1978 and July 16 and 19, 1978. At the June 14 hearing, counsel for petitioner noted to the court that in view of the fact a presentence report had been prepared, he was not presenting an additional report. The presentence report contained the information that petitioner had never been convicted of any prior felony prior to the present charge. Counsel for petitioner noted: May the record show that on behalf of the defendant, we are not going to call this gentleman [probation officer Thomas Lofland] to the stand at this time for examination. That does not mean we agree with the report, simply that we are not going to call him as a witness. THE COURT: Very well. Now the announcement that the defense does not intend to produce any ... call any witnesses to establish any mitigating circumstances, the Court has before it all matters during the course of the trial, heard the testimony relating to the aggravating circumstances and also some mitigating circumstances... Thereafter, the court requested each side to submit proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law and briefs. Both the petitioner and the State having submitted their briefs and findings and conclusions, the court held a second hearing on July 10, 1978. At the beginning of the July 10 hearing, the trial judge submitted to petitioner's counsel and State counsel his findings and conclusions and thereafter counsel for petitioner read into the record a prepared statement in mitigation. With this record before us, we cannot fault the trial court in the sentencing of petitioner. Petitioner, at the first hearing, did not testify in mitigation, declined to examine the officer who prepared the presentence report, and was given an opportunity to submit both further briefs on the sentencing and his proposed findings and conclusions. To now allege that he was denied due process and an opportunity to present his argument is without merit. Here the trial court was faced with some forty-nine separate claims for relief. While Carter v. Illinois (1946), 329 U.S. 173, 67 S.Ct. 216, 91 L.Ed. 172, holds that states are free to devise their own systems of review of criminal cases, the system, as illustrated in this case, now allows petitioner two appeals, a result not contemplated by the legislature. The July 10 hearing indicates that the trial judge, in pronouncing sentence, stated: In pronouncing sentence I do want the parties to know that this is extremely agonizing for the court to make. I have not looked at the points that have been raised lightly, but many of the arguments raised by the defense, of course have been considered heretofore, and the jury has found from the factual standpoint that the defendant was quilty, beyond a reasonable doubt, and I do not disagree with that conclusion of the jury. One mitigating circumstance is that the defendant has not prior to this time been convicted of any felony, but in view of the enormity of the crime committed, and the court's feeling that this one circumstance does not overcome the aggravated circumstances, I have made to the effect, written findings as required by law. Also I have made conclusions and judgment which have been furnished to the defendant and the state at this time, and I will only at this time read the court's conclusions and judgment. The sentence and judgment are affirmed. The District Court is directed to schedule a new date for execution. HASWELL, C.J., WEBER, J., and W.W. LESSLEY, District Judge, [] concur.