Opinion ID: 340081
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: were blair and hurt denied the effective assistance of counsel?

Text: 160 Appellant Blair argues that although the two defense attorneys who represented all defendants at the trial were very well qualified, he did not receive effective assistance of counsel because of the inherent conflict of interest between their representation of Jackson, the kingpin or boss, and that of minor defendants such as Blair. He argues that he did not even have a fee-paying relationship with the defense attorneys, who were primarily concerned with Jackson. He also contends that conflict arose between himself and the other defendants when proof was introduced about his secret efforts to secure immunity in return for the testimony of Ruth Ann Burt. 161 However, the record reveals that in open court, Blair declined the tendered option of having his case severed from that of the other defendants, with separate counsel appointed to represent him. Blair was not present in the courtroom for the first five days of trial, and the district court granted the government's motion to sever him. On the sixth day, however, Blair appeared in court, and counsel for all the defendants stated that Blair still wished to be tried with the other defendants. Blair was questioned both by defense counsel and by the court about his willingness to waive his right to be present for the first days of the trial. He waived that right and his right to trial by jury, and agreed to the simultaneous bench trial. He was also questioned as follows: 162 Mr. Rothblatt: And you also understand on this indictment Mr. Henry and I represent a number of other defendants, as well as yourself, and it's been suggested there is a possibility there may be some confliction, because we represent some of the other defendants; we may not be representing you as effectively as we might be, since we represent other defendants. Now, you understand you have a right to have any other attorney represent you, and if you can't afford a lawyer, the Court will assign a lawyer to you free of charge; do you understand that? 163 Mr. Blair: Yes. 164 Mr. Rothblatt: And you agree that Mr. Henry and I and Mr. Halpern will continue with your representation, along with the other defendants in this case? 165 Mr. Blair: Yes. 166 Blair first made a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel in a motion for a new trial. The district court held that mere dissension or hostility between defendants does not render their representation by the same counsel inadequate. The court observed that Blair's request to be tried with the other defendants could be treated as a waiver of this objection. Finally, the court determined that his 167 allegation that his counsel had difficulty keeping his defense at heart is totally without support in the record. It shows that defendant expressly chose his counsel after the court explained his right to be represented by an attorney of his choice and that the attorney chosen ably represented him at all stages of the trial. 168 The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel in criminal proceedings, and a conflict of interest on the part of counsel representing two defendants may deprive the accused of the effective assistance of counsel. Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 62 S.Ct. 457, 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942). However, the mere fact of joint representation does not per se establish a denial of the effective assistance of counsel. United States v. Wayman, 510 F.2d 1020, 1025 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 846, 96 S.Ct. 84, 46 L.Ed.2d 67 (1975). Our court requires a party claiming that joint representation resulted in a conflict of interest to demonstrate that some actual prejudice resulted to him. United States v. Burkeen, 355 F.2d 241, 244 (6th Cir.), cert. denied sub nom. Matlock v. United States, 384 U.S. 957, 86 S.Ct. 1582, 16 L.Ed.2d 553 (1966); United States v. Cale, 418 F.2d 897 (6th Cir. 1969), cert. denied, 397 U.S. 1015, 90 S.Ct. 1250, 25 L.Ed.2d 430 (1970). 169 Here appellant identified two grounds of conflict. First, he argues that he was only a minor party, and that counsel was concerned primarily with the kingpin of the organization. The record does not bear this argument out. Blair was shown to be one of Jackson's primary aides, or lieutenants, not just a minor figure. Moreover, the district court found, and we agree, that counsel ably represented Blair. Second, Blair contends that the disclosure of his secret attempts to gain immunity drove a wedge between him and the other defendants. Although some of the other defendants may have had reason to feel that Blair had acted disloyally to them in a personal sense, he has not demonstrated that this hostility affected counsels' ability to continue joint representation. Blair's defense was not shown to be inconsistent with that of Jackson or the other co-defendants. All, for example, were equally eager to discredit the testimony of Burt, Blair's former wife. We find no actual conflict of interest preventing adequate representation of appellant Blair. Moreover, it would be especially inappropriate for us to infer prejudice from the mere fact of joint representation where, as was the case here, the defendant was advised of the possibility of a conflict of interest, and of his right to sever his case and be represented by separate appointed counsel. 170 Appellant Hurt also attacks the adequacy of his representation by counsel. Compared to appellant Blair, Hurt was a lesser figure in the conspiracy. Nevertheless, Hurt has not carried his burden of proving the existence of a conflict of interest between himself and the more important conspirators that resulted in actual prejudice to him. He had more than minimal contacts with the conspiracy, and repeatedly obtained narcotics for distribution. 171 Hurt concedes that counsel succeeded in securing acquittal for some defendants. He argues that because the trial court concluded that the evidence against him was not as overwhelming as against the other convicted defendants, truly adequate representation would have secured acquittal. But the trial court's conclusion is equally consistent with adequacy of representation insofar as it indicates that, unlike most other defendants, Hurt's defense was almost successful. 172 VI. WERE THE SENTENCES IMPOSED BY JUDGE FEIKENS IMPROPER? 173 Appellants' final contention is that the sentences imposed by Judge Feikens on the defendants tried before him were improper because they were imposed in deference to community sentiments, and to deter future violators without regard to the militating (sic mitigating?) factors in the individual cases. They also contend that the sentences imposed by Judge Feikens were harsher than those imposed by Judge Pratt for identical conduct. 174 It is well settled that except in the most exceptional circumstances, an appellate court will not disturb a sentence that is within the limits set by statute. The severity of a sentence is normally committed to the discretion of the trial court. See Dorszynski v. United States, 418 U.S. 424, 440-441, 94 S.Ct. 3042, 41 L.Ed.2d 855 (1974); United States v. Phillips, 510 F.2d 134 (6th Cir. 1975). Appellants do not contend and cannot demonstrate that the sentences imposed by Judge Feikens exceeded the maximum limits permitted by statute. Instead, they contend that the sentences were not set with proper regard for the individual circumstances of each defendant, and that they should have been more compatible with those imposed by Judge Pratt. The record, however, indicates that Judge Feikens did take the individual circumstances of the defendants and the enormity of their offenses into consideration in determining the proper sentences, and we find no abuse of his discretion. 175