Opinion ID: 2062580
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Inadequate Presentation of Pre-Trial Motions

Text: McChristion argues that his attorney ineptly handled his motions to quash the information, for separate trial and for change of judge. The motion to quash the information was filed late and dismissed, but it is not contained in the record. Hence, we cannot adequately review any error associated with it. Schuman v. State (1976), 265 Ind. 586, 357 N.E.2d 895. The essence of McChristion's claim concerning the motion for separate trial is that trial counsel should have noted a potential Bruton problem. In Bruton v. United States, 391 U.S. 123, 88 S.Ct. 1620, 20 L.Ed.2d 476 (1968), the United States Supreme Court held that the Sixth Amendment was violated by the admission at a joint trial of a non-testifying co-defendant's confession inculpating the defendant. In this case, Ingram, the co-defendant who gave the extrajudicial statement, testified at trial. The substance of that statement was never discussed in testimony or admitted at trial. Counsel was not ineffective for failing to recognize a Bruton problem when one did not exist. With regard to the motion for change of judge, trial counsel introduced it by saying that he believed the judge was not prejudiced against McChristion. Nonetheless, trial counsel presented the written motion and then questioned McChristion concerning his reasons for requesting a new judge. McChristion testified that he believed he could not be fairly sentenced by the judge. He assumed prejudice from the fact that the judge had refused to reduce his bond from $20,000, whereas Ingram's bond had been reduced to $2,000. The judge explained that the jury would be determining the sentence and that Ingram's bond reduction had been ordered by a judge pro tem who had not been presented with all the facts. Once that error was discovered, Ingram's bond was raised and he was returned to jail. McChristion has failed to demonstrate how he was prejudiced by trial counsel's presentation of the motion. The trial court properly concluded that the foundation for McChristion's motion for change of judge was invalid, and McChristion has failed to establish any other basis for a finding of prejudice. A change of judge simply was not required.