Opinion ID: 1831239
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Whether Circuit Judge Marcus D. Gordon should have recused himself.

Text: ¶ 11. Wilcher attempts a new angle of attack to convince this Court that the trial court abused its discretion by not permitting Sheriff Warren's 1989 conviction to be introduced for impeachment purposes. Wilcher asserts that Judge Gordon did not possess impartial judgment and should have recused himself from the trial. In support of his assertion, Wilcher alleges that Judge Gordon possessed personal knowledge about disputed facts. ¶ 12. Wilcher also argues that other aspects of the trial tend to show that Judge Gordon was biased in this case, such as: ex parte contact, judicial comments, and voir dire that resulted in a tainted jury. We find that these issues are procedurally barred because they were capable of being raised at trial or on direct appeal. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(1). Even if they were not procedurally barred, Wilcher is attempting to convince this Court to reevaluate the underlying claim that he should have been permitted to introduce Sheriff Warren's 1989 conviction for impeachment purposes. As stated before, this Court already discussed this issue on the merits, found no abuse of discretion by the trial court, and the issue is therefore barred. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(3). However, without waiving the procedural bar, a discussion on the merits follows. ¶ 13. Judge Gordon served as Circuit Judge of the Eighth Circuit Court Judicial District and resigned to return to the practice of law in August of 1987. Wilcher asserts that, during the period of time between Judge Gordon's resignation and his reelection to the bench, Judge Gordon represented Sheriff Warren on the federal Hobbs Act charges. Wilcher offers Sheriff Warren's Memorandum of Understanding dated April 1, 1988, and the sheriff's Entry of Guilty Plea dated April 8, 1988, both of which have Judge Gordon listed as one of Sheriff Warren's attorneys. Judge Gordon's signature does not appear anywhere on either of the two federal documents presented by Wilcher. ¶ 14. On Wilcher's direct appeal, this Court stated that Wilcher had not demonstrated anything about the sheriff's life that would have influenced the investigation of Wilcher's case. Wilcher I, 697 So.2d at 1103. In an attempt to show that the sheriff was corrupt at the time Wilcher's crimes were being investigated and that the trial judge knew it, Wilcher offers this Court a character letter written by Judge Gordon to the sheriff's sentencing court on the sheriff's behalf. The letter begins, With deep regret, I now realize that Glenn Warren was involved in corruption in Scott County, Mississippi, during the time that he served Scott County as its Sheriff. However, I feel there are a number of facts that I possess particular knowledge thereof, regarding Glenn and his involvement. Wilcher relies on the letter to show that the trial judge had personal knowledge of disputed facts. ¶ 15. Wilcher directs this Court's attention to the Code of Judicial Ethics, Canon 3(C)(1)(a), in effect during Wilcher's resentencing trial: C. Disqualification (1) A judge should disqualify himself in a proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned, including but not limited to instances where: (a) he has a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party, or personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts concerning the proceedings; (emphasis added). ¶ 16. The statements from the character letter are not conclusive of Wilcher's allegation. Judge Gordon's character letter also states: I also served with [Sheriff] Glenn [Warren] for one year while District Attorney, and served thereafter for nine years as his Circuit Judge, and I had the opportunity on many occasions to observe his efforts toward law enforcement. In my opinion, he was an outstanding sheriff. I, on many occasions, had the opportunity to observe where he would give answers from the witness chair that were harmful to his case, but he was very candid and forthright with his testimony and gave true testimony, although it was hurting his case. In addition, I heard many cases that resulted in a conviction of a guilty defendant that was a result of good law enforcement and investigation on the part of Glenn. ¶ 17. Wilcher attempts to convince this Court that Judge Gordon was biased and should have recused himself because he had personal knowledge surrounding Sheriff Warren's 1989 conviction. Wilcher contends that the very fact that Judge Gordon did not let the conviction into evidence tends to prove that Judge Gordon was biased. This Court finds that Wilcher has not shown that Judge Gordon was biased. ¶ 18. Wilcher also argues that it would be an abuse of discretion for the trial judge to exclude the sheriff's conviction solely on the basis that it transpired seven years after Sheriff Warren's 1982 testimony when the judge had personal knowledge that the sheriff's corruption occurred much closer to the sheriff's 1982 testimony because the judge represented the sheriff. ¶ 19. In response, the State offers a sworn affidavit from Judge Gordon which states: That heretofore the undersigned served as Circuit Judge of the Eighth Circuit Court Judicial District and resigned to return to the practice of law in August, 1987, and that while practicing law, Sheriff Glenn Warren was indicted on a Federal felony charge, and that he employed the Hon. Alvin Binder, Jackson, Mississippi, as his attorney to represent him in the criminal proceedings. Some great considerable time thereafter, Glenn Warren contacted the undersigned about representation, but I advised Warren that he had a competent and capable attorney and I could be of very little benefit to him. However, I did interview one or possibly two witnesses, but took no further action in representing the Sheriff. I made no Court appearances with him, filed no pleadings for him, was not involved in the plea bargaining that was handled by Alvin Binder and was not present at the time the Sheriff was sentenced. The only involvement I had was one conversation with one, possibly two witnesses. I did not consider myself an attorney representing Glenn Warren. I made no charge, nor did I receive any compensation in any form for what little service I rendered. ¶ 20. Judge Gordon's involvement in Sheriff Warren's case was very limited and, as Judge Gordon stated, he did not consider himself to represent Warren. However, we find that the test is not what Judge Gordon considered. A judge is required to disqualify himself if a reasonable person, knowing all the circumstances, would harbor doubts about his impartiality. Jenkins v. State, 570 So.2d 1191, 1192 (Miss.1990) (quoting Rutland v. Pridgen, 493 So.2d 952, 954 (Miss.1986)). ¶ 21. Wilcher's attempts to show that Judge Gordon was biased are not convincing, but his argument that Judge Gordon should have recused himself may have merit. However, the evidence surrounding Wilcher's recusal claim was capable of being discovered and raised at both the trial level and on direct appeal. Therefore, the issue is barred. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(1) & (2). ¶ 22. Wilcher cannot overcome the bar by showing actual prejudice because, despite his contention, the sheriff's testimony was not the only link to robbery as an aggravating circumstance to the capital murder charge. Throughout Wilcher's post-conviction application, he complains that the sheriff's testimony regarding Wilcher's confession is the only evidence that tends to show the aggravating circumstance of robbery. This simply is not so. ¶ 23. The State correctly points out that, other than Wilcher's confession entered into evidence through Sheriff Warren's testimony, the State introduced evidence of the robbery through Albert Harkey's (Harkey) testimony. Harkey was a constable at the time of the murders and he testified that he and Deputy Otis Kelly recovered a necklace, a watch and two rings from Wilcher's bedroom. Bill Noblin, Odell Noblin's husband, identified the jewelry items as belonging to his wife, and he testified that she had been wearing them when he last saw her on the night of the murders. Nell Boykin, Odell Noblin's daughter, also identified the jewelry items as those belonging to Odell Noblin. Additionally, Sid Salter, a journalist, testified that Wilcher confessed to taking Odell Noblin's car after he had murdered her. Therefore, even if Sheriff Warren's 1989 conviction had been admitted to impeach his testimony, there was still enough other evidence introduced to support the finding of robbery as an aggravating factor. ¶ 24. The issue concerning Judge Gordon's recusal is procedurally barred in Wilcher's post-conviction application. Miss. Code Ann. § 99-39-21(1). Wilcher cannot show prejudice to overcome that bar. Additionally, Wilcher argues all of these points to again try and convince this Court that Sheriff Warrens 1989 conviction should have been introduced into evidence. This Court addressed this issue on direct appeal, and it is procedurally barred also. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(3). Intervening case ¶ 25. Wilcher contends that there has been an intervening decision by this Court rendered between the time of his direct appeal and his post-conviction application, which would have actually adversely affected the outcome of his conviction or sentence. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-27(9). The case on which Wilcher relies is Young v. State, 731 So.2d 1145 (Miss.1999). ¶ 26. In Young, Ross was a witness for the State. On cross-examination, the defense asked Ross if he had ever been convicted of a felony, to which Ross replied, No, sir. Id. at 1149. The trial judge declared that under M.R.E. 609 and 403, the evidence of Ross's prior conviction for burglary was inadmissible. Id. This Court found that the trial judge abused his discretion. Id. at 1151. Citing the dissenting opinion of Sullivan, P.J., in Wilcher II, 697 So.2d at 1143, this Court determined that, since Ross was not a party, any prejudice to him was irrelevant and to deny Young the right to fully explore this aspect of Ross's credibility was to deny Young the right to fully confront the witness against him. Young, 731 So.2d at 1151. Wilcher asserts that M.R.E. 609 should not have prevented him from presenting evidence of Sheriff Warren's conviction since the sheriff was a non-party witness. ¶ 27. Again, on Wilcher's direct appeal after being resentenced to death for the murder of Noblin, this Court stated: The trial judge stated that the conviction had no probative value because it occurred seven years after the sheriff's original testimony. In analyzing the probative value of the 1989 conviction, it is important to consider the unique way this evidence was presented to the jury. The trial judge properly considered the fact that the testimony given at the 1994 trial was given by someone who had not been convicted of a crime at the time he originally made the statements at issue. This would tend to decrease the probative value of the sheriff's 1989 extortion conviction. Furthermore, Wilcher has not demonstrated anything about the sheriff's life that would have influenced the investigation of the case at hand. Therefore, the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in excluding the conviction. Wilcher I, 697 So.2d at 1103 (¶ 65) (emphasis added). ¶ 28. Young is distinguishable from the instant case. In the case sub judice, Sheriff Warren was convicted for extortion seven years after his testimony was given in 1982. When his testimony was given in 1982, Sheriff Warren did not have a prior felony conviction. Further, the sheriff was not present to testify against Wilcher in 1994. In Young, Ross was present to testify, and he had a prior felony conviction for burglary. Further, when Ross was asked if he had ever been convicted of a felony, Ross replied No, sir. Young, 731 So.2d at 1149. ¶ 29. Young is distinguishable from this Court's reasoning in Wilcher's direct appeal and, therefore, not an intervening case that would warrant a reversal of Wilcher's sentence of death. B. WHETHER WILCHER WAS DEPRIVED OF EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL IN THE RESENTENCING TRIAL IN VIOLATION OF HIS RIGHT TO COMPETENT COUNSEL UNDER THE SIXTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, AND HIS RIGHT TO HAVE EVIDENCE PRESENTED TO THE JURY UNDER THE EIGHTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS. ¶ 30. We have noted: Post-conviction proceedings are for the purpose of bringing to the trial court's attention [to] facts not known at the time of judgment. Smith v. State, 477 So.2d 191 (Miss.1985). The Post-conviction Collateral Relief Act provides a procedure limited in nature to review those matters which, in practical reality, could not or should not have been raised at trial or on direct appeal. Turner v. State, 590 So.2d 871 (Miss.1991); Cabello v. State, 524 So.2d 313, 323 (Miss. 1988). Procedural bars of waiver, different theories, and res judicata and exception thereto as defined in post-conviction relief statute are applicable in death penalty post-conviction relief application. Lockett v. State, 614 So.2d 888 (Miss. 1992), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 1040, 114 S.Ct. 681, 126 L.Ed.2d 649 (1994). We have repeatedly held that a defendant is procedurally barred by waiver from making a challenge to a capital sentencing scheme as a whole in a petition for post-conviction relief where the issue was capable of determination at trial and/or on direct appeal but was not raised, and defendant failed to show cause or actual prejudice for not raising the issue on direct appeal. Lockett v. State, 614 So.2d 898 (Miss.1992), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 1040, 114 S.Ct. 681, 126 L.Ed.2d 649 (1994); Smith v. State, 477 So.2d 191 (Miss.1985). Post-conviction relief is not granted upon facts and issues which could or should have been litigated at trial and on appeal. `The doctrine of res judicata shall apply to all issues, both factual and legal, decided at trial and on direct appeal.' Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(3) (Supp.1994). We must caution that other issues which were either presented through direct appeal or could have been presented on direct appeal or at trial are procedurally barred and cannot be relitigated under the guise of poor representation by counsel. Foster v. State, 687 So.2d 1124, 1129 (Miss. 1996). Further, we have stated: The benchmark for judging any claim of ineffectiveness [of counsel] must be whether counsel's conduct so undermined the proper functioning of the adversarial process that the trial cannot be relied on as having produced a just result. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 686, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 2064, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). The test is two pronged: The defendant must demonstrate that his counsel's performance was deficient, and that the deficiency prejudiced the defense of the case. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S.Ct. at 2064; Washington v. State, 620 So.2d 966 (Miss.1993). `This requires showing that counsel's errors were so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial, a trial whose result is reliable. Unless a defendant makes both showings, it cannot be said that the conviction or death sentence resulted from a breakdown in the adversary process that renders the result unreliable.' Stringer v. State, 454 So.2d 468, 477 (Miss.1984), citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S.Ct. at 2064. `In any case presenting an ineffectiveness claim, the performance inquiry must be whether counsel's assistance was reasonable considering all the circumstances.' Stringer at 477, citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688, 104 S.Ct. at 2065; State v. Tokman, 564 So.2d 1339, 1343 (Miss.1990). Judicial scrutiny of counsel's performance must be highly deferential. (citation omitted) ... A fair assessment of attorney performance requires that every effort be made to eliminate the distorting effects of hindsight, to reconstruct the circumstances of counsel's challenged conduct, and to evaluate the conduct from counsel's perspective at the time. Because of the difficulties inherent in making the evaluation, a court must indulge a strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance; that is, the defendant must overcome the presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action `might be considered sound trial strategy.' Stringer at 477; Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. at 2065. In short, defense counsel is presumed competent. Johnson v. State, 476 So.2d 1195, 1204 (Miss. 1985); Washington v. State, 620 So.2d 966 (Miss.1993). Then, to determine the second prong of prejudice to the defense, the standard is `a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.' Mohr v. State, 584 So.2d 426, 430 (Miss.1991). This means a `probability sufficient to undermine the confidence in the outcome.' Id. The question here is whether there is a reasonable probability that, absent the errors, the sentencerincluding an appellate court, to the extent it independently reweighs the evidencewould have concluded that the balance of the aggravating and mitigating circumstances did not warrant death. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 695, 104 S.Ct. at 2068. There is no constitutional right then to errorless counsel. Cabello v. State, 524 So.2d 313, 315 (Miss.1988); Mohr v. State, 584 So.2d 426, 430 (Miss.1991) (right to effective counsel does not entitle defendant to have an attorney who makes no mistakes at trial; defendant just has right to have competent counsel). If the post-conviction application fails on either of the Strickland prongs, the proceedings end. Neal v. State, 525 So.2d 1279, 1281 (Miss.1987); Mohr v. State, 584 So.2d 426 (Miss.1991). Foster, 687 So.2d at 1129-30. 1. Whether trial counsel were ineffective for failing to protect Wilcher's Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights. ¶ 31. Wilcher contends that his trial counsel allowed his Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights to be violated when they allowed him to be interviewed by the State's psychological and psychiatric experts outside the presence of counsel. He contends that the interview was a critical stage of the proceedings against him and that his counsel should have been present. The information adduced at the interview was used in rebuttal of Wilcher's mitigating evidence and showed that he was not under the influence of extreme mental or emotional disturbance at the time the murders were committed. Wilcher contends that his counsels' absence prejudiced him because they were not there to protect his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and his Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment rights to counsel and due process at crucial stages of proceedings against him. ¶ 32. As the State correctly points out, Wilcher raised the underlying issue at trial and on direct appeal when asserting that the doctors' testimony resulted from an examination that went beyond the scope of the trial court's order. In its opinion, this Court stated: The defense attorneys reviewed the order granting the State's motion for a psychiatric evaluation, which instructed the doctors to perform an examination to determine Wilcher's ability to stand trial and assist his attorneys in his own defense, as well as Wilcher's ability to know the difference between right and wrong and understand the nature of his actions at the time of the offense. The defense attorneys did not object to this type examination, and, therefore, they did not attend the doctors' interview of Wilcher.