Opinion ID: 1129992
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Issues Inadequately Raised

Text: A postconviction motion may be summarily denied where, as here, it does not specify the facts which constitute the basis for the unconstitutional charge. Hooker v. People, 173 Colo. 226, 228, 477 P.2d 376, 377 (1970). In his postconviction motion, Rodriguez raised many claims which did little more than allege that his conviction and sentence were illegal and unconstitutional. These claims did not set forth facts from which the court could discern any basis for unconstitutional action or inaction. See id. [13] Rodriguez reasserts many of these issues on this appeal. On appeal, Rodriguez must inform this court both as to the specific errors relied upon and as to the grounds, supporting facts and authorities therefor. See People v. Diefenderfer, 784 P.2d 741, 752 (Colo.1989). Many of the reasserted issues appear as they appeared in the motion and are likewise inadequately supported in this proceeding. Accordingly, we affirm the district court's dismissal of the following issues: Issue 21 (alleging cumulative error); Issue 25 (challenging the plea bargain given to David Martinez); Issue 34 (alleging that this court gave preferential treatment to the prosecution); Issue 37 (alleging prosecutorial misconduct surrounding Patricia Thomas' testimony); Issue 42 (challenging the admissibility of probability and reliability evidence concerning hairs and fibers); Issue 43 (challenging the admissibility of the prosecution's evidence concerning the cuts on David Martinez' hands); Issue 45 (challenging the admissibility of certain exhibits); Issue 47 (alleging prosecution's discriminatory use of peremptory strikes); Issue 60 (alleging ex parte communication between the trial court and jurors); Issue 63 (alleging defective jury summoning and selection); Issue 66 (alleging limitations on voir dire concerning the commutation of death row inmates in New Mexico); [14] Issue 94 (alleging error in the trial court's refusal to require David Martinez to cooperate with Rodriguez' investigation); Issue 97 (alleging that Rodriguez' letters and statements to Margie Marquez were involuntary statements); Issue 98 (alleging inadequate representation on the first day of jury selection); Issue 102 (alleging the trial court's failure to comply with a Supreme Court order regarding the first day of jury selection); Issue 105 (alleging prosecutorial misconduct regarding Margie Marquez); and Issue 119 (alleging that the charges and convictions were circular). Rodriguez also attempts to use his brief on this appeal to fortify a number of issues inadequately raised or supported by his motion. Because the district court can summarily dismiss claims inadequately presented to it, see Hooker, 173 Colo. at 228, 477 P.2d at 377, our consideration of such issues on appeal of the district court's order would effectively grant Rodriguez a successive 35(c) motion without also burdening him with the harsher standard of review appropriate to a successive motion. See infra at part IV. We decline to grant Rodriguez this deference and, instead, uphold the district court's dismissal of these claims, regardless of the adequacy of their presentation upon this appeal. We refuse to review the following issues because of Rodriguez' failure to adequately specify the errors and legal grounds for relief at the district court level: Issue 4 (challenging the trial court's refusal to death qualify the judge); Issue 10 (alleging bias on the part of Judge Phillips); portions of Issue 11 (those portions alleging unauthorized communication between judges regarding Rodriguez' case and error in the trial court's refusal to have a judge from another district hear the case); [15] Issue 24 (alleging discovery violations); Issue 26 (alleging police failure to obtain exculpatory evidence from David Martinez and Patricia Thomas); Issue 29 (alleging that Rodriguez was not provided with oral statements of prosecution witnesses); Issue 32 (alleging discovery violations); Issue 33 (alleging that Rodriguez was not afforded adequate opportunity to prepare or file an adequate brief on direct appeal); Issue 40 (alleging error in the trial court's refusal to allow Rodriguez to impeach Patricia Thomas with videotaped testimony); Issue 44 (alleging improper admission of testimony); portions of Issue 46 (alleging that Rodriguez was denied his right to make motions, objections, and record regarding bench conferences and penalty phase jury instructions); [16] Issue 48 (alleging unreasonable restrictions on voir dire); Issues 52 and 78 (alleging trial court error in refusing to excuse for cause prospective jurors who knew of Chris Rodriguez' conviction and sentence); Issue 53 (alleging error in the trial court's failure to appropriately swear prospective jurors); Issue 56 (alleging error in the trial court's refusal to allow individual sequestered voir dire); Issue 58 (realleging defects in procedure on the first day of jury selection); [17] Issue 59 (alleging inadequate voir dire of one panel due to defense counsel's inexperience); Issue 64 (alleging undue limitations on voir dire); Issue 76 (alleging error in the trial court's refusal to excuse potential juror G.P. for cause); Issue 77 (alleging improper excusal of potential jurors for cause due to their death penalty views); Issue 79 (alleging error in the trial court's failure to instruct jurors who were aware of Chris Rodriguez' conviction not to consider that fact); Issue 82 (alleging error in the trial court's refusal to strike the panel of prospective jurors to whom the prosecutor stated that defendants want to get sentenced right before Christmas, R., v. 20 at 133); Issue 85 (alleging trial court error in refusing to preclude the prosecution from arguing theories inconsistent with that argued in the trials of the other participants); Issue 86 (alleging error in the exclusion of evidence of David Martinez' physical condition after arrest); Issue 88 (alleging error in allowing testimony regarding photographs not admitted into evidence); Issue 89 (alleging inadequate waiver of Rodriguez' right to testify); Issue 90 (alleging erroneous admission of photographs); Issue 91 (alleging erroneous prosecutorial examination of Margie Marquez as to Rodriguez' letters); Issue 92 (alleging erroneous allowance of the prosecution's cross-examination of the jail chaplain); Issue 93 (alleging that the trial court erroneously concluded that Rodriguez' statements to police after his arrest were voluntary); Issue 99(B) (alleging judicial bias); [18] Issue 100 (alleging error in the trial court's refusal to allow the jail chaplain to wear his collar while sitting with the Rodriguez family); Issue 103 (alleging error in the scheduling of trial); Issue 104 (alleging prosecutorial violations of due process); and Issue 151 (alleging that Rodriguez was not competent to stand trial). In Issue 41, Rodriguez alleges error in the district court's dismissal of postconviction claims which he now reasserts in Issues 42, 43, 44, 45, and 88. Because we hold these underlying issues to be inadequately presented, we reject Issue 41.