Opinion ID: 533847
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Prosecutor's Comments Regarding Rape and Counsel's Failure to Object

Text: 32 Before Thomas' trial, his counsel submitted a motion in limine to preclude introduction of any evidence showing that Quenette Shehane had been raped, since Thomas was not charged with rape. The trial court denied defendant's motion. At trial, the state introduced evidence that on the night Quenette Shehane was killed, Thomas had stated that he was going out to pick up girls. Further, the state introduced evidence of semen stains found on the upholstery of the victim's car and pubic hair found on the victim's coat. Also, during closing argument in both the guilt and sentencing stages of trial, the prosecutor suggested that Quenette Shehane had been sexually abused before she was killed. Trial counsel for Thomas did not object to the state's references to rape. 33 Defendant contends that his trial counsel gave him ineffective assistance for failing to object to the prosecutor's introduction of evidence that a rape had occurred and allusion to rape in closing arguments. We disagree. In a habeas corpus proceeding our review of evidentiary rulings of the trial court is limited. See, e.g., High v. Kemp, 819 F.2d 988, 996 (11th Cir.1987) (contention that statement of other murders was an improper attempt to use other crimes as evidence of guilt was a question of Georgia evidentiary rules and not a basis for relief in habeas corpus proceeding), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 109 S.Ct. 3264, 106 L.Ed.2d 609 (1989); Smith v. Wainwright, 741 F.2d 1248, 1258 (11th Cir.1984) (admission of evidence of another murder not unconstitutional, although its admissibility is close and difficult question under state law), cert. denied, 470 U.S. 1087, 105 S.Ct. 1853, 85 L.Ed.2d 150 (1985); Hall v. Wainwright, 733 F.2d 766, 770 (11th Cir.1984) (per curiam) (citing Burgett v. Texas, 389 U.S. 109, 113-14, 88 S.Ct. 258, 260-61, 19 L.Ed.2d 319 (1967)) (federal courts' authority to review state evidentiary rulings in a habeas corpus action is limited; not fundamentally unfair to admit evidence of other murder), cert. denied, 471 U.S. 1107, 105 S.Ct. 2344, 85 L.Ed.2d 858 (1985). Consequently, we will accord deference to the state trial judge's order denying Thomas' motion to exclude the evidence of sexual abuse, and to the trial court's holding in the coram nobis proceeding that the pubic hair and semen stain were admissible as part of the crime scene. (Folder No. 4, Vol. 1 at 75-76); see also Morrow v. State, 52 Ala.App. 145, 290 So.2d 209 (Ala.Crim.App.1973) (evidence which is part of res gestae admissible), cert. denied, 292 Ala. 743, 290 So.2d 213 (Ala.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 853, 95 S.Ct. 97, 42 L.Ed.2d 85 (1974); Lackey v. State, 41 Ala.App. 46, 123 So.2d 186 (Ala.Crim.App.) (articles found at the scene of a crime which show the manner in which it was committed admissible), cert. denied, 271 Ala. 699, 123 So.2d 191 (Ala.1960). Furthermore, after reviewing Alabama law, we believe that the evidence and statements regarding abuse of the victim were also admissible to show Thomas' motive and intent to kill Quenette Shehane. See Garner v. State, 269 Ala. 531, 114 So.2d 385 (Ala.1959); Harris v. State, 489 So.2d 688 (Ala.Crim.App.), cert. denied, 489 So.2d 688 (Ala.1986); Akers v. State, 399 So.2d 929, 931 (Ala.Crim.App.1981); Thigpen v. State, 50 Ala.App. 176, 277 So.2d 922 (Ala.Crim.App.1973). It follows that counsel for defendant did not err in failing to object to such admissable evidence. Consequently, defendant was not denied effective assistance, since counsel's performance did not fall below an objective standard of reasonableness when counsel did not object to the evidence of sexual abuse of Quenette Shehane. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). 34