Opinion ID: 158616
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: conflict of interest and discovery

Text: 30 Four months before being appointed to represent petitioner, trial counsel had been employed as first assistant district attorney (DA) in the office investigating the Domer homicide. Petitioner argues that he was not fully informed of counsel's involvement in the prosecution of this case before counsel left office and therefore his waiver of conflict-free counsel was not fully informed. Also, petitioner believe[s] defense counsel may have entered into a book or movie contract during his representation of petitioner. Appellant's Br. at 20-21. This allegedly was not disclosed to petitioner before he made his waiver. Additionally, petitioner urges that this court reverse the district court's denial of discovery on these conflict issues. 31 Petitioner first presented a federal conflict of interest claim in state post-conviction proceedings. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals determined the claim was procedurally barred because petitioner waived a direct criminal appeal. See Wallace, 935 P.2d at 369-70. The federal district court agreed, but nevertheless addressed the merits of the claim, determining petitioner knowingly and voluntarily waived any conflict of interest. The court further determined petitioner personally made the decision to enter guilty pleas and there was not a remote possibility that petitioner would have insisted on going to trial if counsel had more fully disclosed any potential conflicts. Accordingly, the district court denied discovery on the issue. Because the federal district court decided this claim on its merits in the first instance, we review that court's conclusions of law de novo. See LaFevers, 182 F.3d at 711. 32 Effective assistance of counsel includes the right to representation that is free from conflicts of interest. See Wood v. Georgia, 450 U.S. 261, 271 (1981); Stouffer v. Reynolds, 168 F.3d 1155, 1161 (10th Cir. 1999). A petitioner may waive his right to conflict-free counsel. See Holloway v. Arkansas, 435 U.S. 475, 483 n.5 (1978). Any waiver must be knowing, voluntary, and done with awareness of relevant circumstances and likely consequences. See Stouffer, 168 F.3d at 1162; see also Brewer v. Williams, 430 U.S. 387, 404 (1977) (determining waiver is an intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known right or privilege) (further quotation omitted). Because petitioner's competence is not in doubt, he can knowingly and intelligently waive his rights. See Medina v. California, 505 U.S. 437, 450 (1992). This court indulges every reasonable presumption against waiver, however. See Stouffer, 168 F.3d at 1162. 33 The record shows that petitioner was advised of a conflict of interest relating to counsel's former employment and that he knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently waived his right to conflict-free representation. Before petitioner entered his guilty pleas, the trial court learned of the potential conflict. The court held a hearing, advised petitioner of the conflict, and informed him that other counsel could be appointed to represent him. Petitioner indicated that counsel had discussed the possible conflict with him and that he waived appointment of other counsel. See Tr. of 2/4/91 Hr'g at 4-5 & ex. p. 7 (written waiver). Also, counsel indicated that he had informed petitioner of the possible conflict. See id. at 3. 34 Petitioner believes that this hearing and counsel's disclosure were insufficient and that he needs discovery to show that the conflict was not fully disclosed. Petitioner maintains that the federal district court abused its discretion in refusing his request for discovery. First, petitioner sought to discover counsel's involvement in the Domer murder investigation. Petitioner believes that discovery would show that the office investigator reported either to the DA or to defense counsel, who was first assistant DA. Petitioner also maintains that the DA's office did not turn over its entire file. Petitioner believes information remaining in the file would be relevant to whether his waiver of conflict-free counsel was made after full disclosure. 35 Petitioner also sought to obtain the entire trial file kept by counsel. According to petitioner, counsel removed documents from the file. Petitioner admits having no knowledge of the contents of the documents, but suspects they show the existence of a contract to sell literary rights to his case. 36 Rule 6(a) of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases in the United States District Courts permits discovery in the discretion of the trial judge upon a showing of good cause. See LaFevers, 182 F.3d at 723. Good cause is established where specific allegations before the court show reason to believe that the petitioner may, if the facts are fully developed, be able to demonstrate that he is . . . entitled to relief. Bracy v. Gramley, 520 U.S. 899, 908-09 (1997) (further quotation omitted). 37 We conclude the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying discovery. See Stouffer, 168 F.3d at 1173. Petitioner's suggestion that counsel had greater involvement in the prosecution of the Domer case than counsel originally disclosed was general and conclusory. Furthermore, the evidence presented to the trial court strongly indicated that counsel did not have a role with regard to that investigation. See Tr. of 2/4/91 Hr'g at 2-3, 5, 6 (testimony of counsel and criminal investigator; statement by prosecutor). It also appears that a book or movie contract is pure speculation, and petitioner does not actually assert that there was a contract. Thus, we conclude petitioner knew all material facts pertinent to his waiver of representation by conflict-free counsel, and he knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently made the waiver. 38 Even if we were to conclude petitioner was not fully informed of counsel's conflict, petitioner cannot show his waiver was not knowing, voluntary, and intelligent. Under the clear, unequivocal facts presented here, it is not impossible to determine how petitioner would have responded if counsel had made further disclosure, and we need not engage in unguided speculation to determine that any failure of counsel to more fully disclose was harmless. Holloway, 435 U.S. at 491. At all times, petitioner was articulate, forthright, and adamant about pleading guilty and obtaining the death penalty, even against counsel's advise. Before his return to Oklahoma, petitioner had rejected the advice of his Arkansas counsel and confessed to the Domer homicide and refused that counsel's presence during the confession. See Tr. of 4/4/91 Hr'g at ex. p. 95 (exhibits 23 & 24). The presentence report indicated petitioner was well aware of the criminal justice system as he had spent much of his adult life in prison or in the criminal justice system. See O.R. (CRF-91-1, CRF-91-2) at 89. Furthermore, petitioner consistently indicated his satisfaction with trial counsel. See, e.g., Tr. of 3/12/91 Hr'g at 13; Tr. of 4/12/91 Hr'g at 10. We conclude that further disclosure of conflict, if any, would not have affected petitioner's decision to waive his right to conflict-free counsel, because petitioner fully understood what he was doing, knew the consequences of his actions, and would never have deviated from his course to plead guilty and seek the death penalty. 39