Court Opinion

ID: 2725835
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-09-08 20:54:46.093012+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:43:21.832849
License: Public Domain

Pursuant to Ind.Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
regarded as precedent or cited before
any court except for the purpose of
                                                   Dec 31 2013, 8:39 am
establishing the defense of res judicata,
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.

APPELLANT PRO SE:                                       ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE:

PAUL MISHLER JR.                                        GREGORY F. ZOELLER
Michigan City, Indiana                                  Attorney General of Indiana

                                                        JUSTIN F. ROEBEL
                                                        Deputy Attorney General
                                                        Indianapolis, Indiana

                               IN THE
                     COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

PAUL L. MISHLER, JR.,                              )
                                                   )
       Appellant-Petitioner,                       )
                                                   )
               vs.                                 )   No. 20A03-1209-PC-405
                                                   )
STATE OF INDIANA,                                  )
                                                   )
       Appellee-Respondent.                        )

                     APPEAL FROM THE ELKHART SUPERIOR COURT
                        The Honorable George W. Biddlecome, Judge
                              Cause No. 20D03-0909-PC-22

                                        December 31, 2013

                 MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION

BAILEY, Judge
                                        Case Summary

          Pro-se Appellant-Petitioner Paul L. Mishler (“Mishler”) appeals the denial of his

petition for post-conviction relief, which challenged his convictions for two counts of Child

Molesting, as Class A felonies.1 We affirm.

                                             Issues

          Mishler presents three issues for review:

          I.      Whether he received procedural due process in the post-conviction
                  court;

          II.     Whether the post-conviction court erroneously denied relief upon the
                  claims of ineffective assistance of trial and appellate counsel; and

          III.    Whether Mishler was abandoned by post-conviction counsel.

                                 Facts and Procedural History

          During September of 2007, Mishler was convicted of two counts of child molesting

for acts perpetrated upon B.P., the daughter of Mishler’s fiancée. He was sentenced to fifty

years imprisonment on each count, with the terms to be served concurrently. Mishler

appealed and this Court affirmed his convictions but remanded with instructions that his

aggregate sentence be revised to thirty-eight years. Mishler v. State, 894 N.E.2d 1095, 1104

(Ind. Ct. App. 2008).

          On September 9, 2009, Mishler filed a pro-se petition for post-conviction relief. A

public defender entered an appearance on Mishler’s behalf but subsequently filed his motion

to withdraw and certification of investigation and consultation; the motion to withdraw was

1
    Ind. Code § 35-42-4-3.

                                                2
granted on January 19, 2010. On June 6, 2011, Mishler filed an amended petition for post-

conviction relief. He filed another amended petition for post-conviction relief and supporting

memorandum on July 5, 2011. Therein, he alleged that he had received ineffective assistance

of trial and appellate counsel.

       During the pendency of the post-conviction claim, Mishler filed requests for the

issuance of subpoenas and a motion to compel production of documents. The post-

conviction court issued some, but not all, of the requested subpoenas; the denials were

accompanied by specific findings as to relevance. The post-conviction court also issued an

order that Mishler’s appellate attorney and the estate of his trial attorney produce files and

transcripts to assist Mishler in his pro-se representation.

       The post-conviction court conducted evidentiary hearings on March 13 and June 12,

2012. On August 31, 2012, the post-conviction court issued findings of fact and conclusions

of law and an order denying Mishler post-conviction relief. Mishler now appeals.

                                  Discussion and Decision

                                    Standard of Review

       The petitioner in a post-conviction proceeding bears the burden of establishing the

grounds for relief by a preponderance of the evidence. Ind. Post-Conviction Rule 1(5);

Fisher v. State, 810 N.E.2d 674, 679 (Ind. 2004). When appealing from the denial of post-

conviction relief, the petitioner stands in the position of one appealing from a negative

judgment. Id. On review, we will not reverse the judgment of the post-conviction court

unless the evidence as a whole unerringly and unmistakably leads to a conclusion opposite

                                               3
that reached by the post-conviction court. Id. A post-conviction court’s findings and

judgment will be reversed only upon a showing of clear error, that which leaves us with a

definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made. Id. In this review, findings of

fact are accepted unless they are clearly erroneous and no deference is accorded to

conclusions of law. Id. The post-conviction court is the sole judge of the weight of the

evidence and the credibility of witnesses. Id.

                                        I. Procedural Due Process

        Mishler asserts he was deprived of adequate means to establish his claims of

ineffective assistance of trial and appellate counsel. He claims that the post-conviction court

declined to issue subpoenas for necessary witnesses and failed to provide him with sufficient

documentation to support his claims.2

        When determining whether to issue subpoenas, the post-conviction court has broad

discretion, and we will reverse its decision only for an abuse of that discretion. Johnson v.

State, 832 N.E.2d 985, 994 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005), trans. denied. “An abuse of discretion has

occurred if the court’s decision is against the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances

before the court.” Id.

2
  Mishler also suggests that he was deprived of due process when the post-conviction court did not grant him
leave to withdraw his petition during the second evidentiary hearing. He does not articulate a separate issue or
develop an argument with supporting and relevant authority. However, we observe that Indiana Post-
Conviction Rule 1(4)(c) provides in relevant part: “At any time prior to entry of judgment the court may grant
leave to withdraw the petition.” We will overturn a post-conviction court’s grant or denial of a motion to
withdraw a petition only when the court reached an erroneous conclusion and judgment, one clearly against the
logic and effect of the facts and circumstances before the court or the reasonable inferences to be drawn
therefrom. Thomas v. State, 965 N.E.2d 70, 74-75 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), trans. denied. The task of the post-
conviction court is to balance the benefit a petitioner would derive from a delay against the costs to the court in
wasted time. See Tapia v. State, 753 N.E.2d 581, 586 (Ind. 2001). The post-conviction court observed that
the post-conviction proceedings, which had progressed to evidentiary hearings, had been pending for almost
three years. Mishler has identified no abuse of discretion in this regard.

                                                        4
       If the pro se petitioner requests issuance of subpoenas for witnesses at an
       evidentiary hearing, the petitioner shall specifically state by affidavit the
       reason the witness’ testimony is required and the substance of the witness’
       expected testimony. If the court finds the witness’ testimony would be
       relevant and probative, the court shall order that the subpoena be issued. If the
       court finds the proposed witness’ testimony is not relevant and probative, it
       shall enter a finding on the record and refuse to issue the subpoena.

Ind. Post-Conviction Rule 1(9)(b).

       The post-conviction court denied Mishler’s requested subpoenas for five individuals:

Rodney Dellinger, Aylissa Dellinger, Deb Peddler, Tina Passerallo, and Luann Todd.

Mishler’s affidavits in support of his requests for subpoenas of these persons were generally

speculative and exploratory, or anticipated hearsay testimony. Mishler responded to the

denials by requesting that the post-conviction court certify its order for discretionary

interlocutory appeal by this Court.

       At a hearing addressing the motion, Mishler advised the post-conviction court that

Rodney Dellinger’s anticipated testimony was that Mishler’s trial counsel failed to contact

him regarding what information Rodney’s daughter, Aylissa Dellinger, might have. He

succinctly explained to the court, “the whole, primary [reason] for those five witnesses is the

fact that Mr. Stevens never established contact with them to do a proper investigation

because they did retain information to my case.” (P.C.R. Tr. 46-47.) Mishler conceded that

Rodney Dellinger lacked knowledge of the facts of the case: “He couldn’t even come in here

and say anything about it because he did not even know that his daughter had came [sic] and

told Deb Peddler some information that B.P. had said to her.” (P.C.R. Tr. 47.) Ultimately,

however, Mishler hoped to produce evidence that “Aylissa came forth on January 26 [2006]

                                              5
and told that B.P. was going to do whatever it took to get me kicked out of my house” and

that, after the trial, “B.P. had came [sic] forward and said to Tina and her daughter … that

she did this, what she did, or she made this stuff up to go live with grandma. And again Mr.

Stevens never contacted her.” (P.C.R. Tr. 47-48.) Mishler conceded that the latter statement,

having been made after trial, could not have been available to his trial counsel. Finally,

Mishler stated that he expected Luann Todd, B.P.’s therapist, to render a “professional

opinion” that B.P. had failed to specifically identify Mishler as her assailant, causing Todd to

disbelieve that Mishler was the perpetrator of crimes against B.P. (P.C.R. Tr. 49.)

        In sum, Mishler contended that, had his trial counsel been sufficiently diligent in his

investigation, he would have uncovered more evidence to undermine B.P.’s credibility. He

does not establish, however, that hearsay statements or confidential statements to a health

care provider would have been admissible for such a purpose.3 As for the statement allegedly

made after trial, Mishler contended that appellate counsel should have uncovered its

existence. The post-conviction court correctly concluded that appellate counsel was not

required to seek factual information outside the trial record.

        We find no abuse of discretion in the post-conviction court’s refusal to permit Mishler

to elicit hearsay (in some instances, double hearsay) testimony or privileged information.

Nor was the court required to assist Mishler in pursuing potential and speculative challenges

to the credibility of trial witnesses. Post-conviction proceedings are not designed to permit

3
  See Ind. Code § 34-46-3-1 (“Except as otherwise provided by statute, the following persons shall not be
required to testify regarding the following communications: … physicians, as to matters communicated to them
by patients, in the course of their professional business, or advice given in such cases.”)

                                                     6
attacks upon trial witness credibility, but rather to address issues demonstrably unavailable at

trial and on direct appeal. Sanders v. State, 765 N.E.2d 591, 592 (Ind. 2002).

       As for Mishler’s contention that he was not provided with relevant documents, the

post-conviction record and some of Mishler’s own admissions belie his assertion that he was

denied relevant materials within the post-conviction court’s power to provide. Based upon

our review of Mishler’s motions and affidavits, he essentially sought to re-litigate his trial

and undermine B.P.’s credibility. To this end, he sought investigative materials not

submitted as evidence at trial, with the apparent belief that they were maintained by the post-

conviction court or that the post-conviction court would actively engage in discovering such

materials. The post-conviction court was entitled to balance a dubious benefit against a

waste of judicial resources. Moreover, the post-conviction court ordered the release to

Mishler of trial and appellate counsel’s files and the trial transcript. We conclude that

Mishler was not deprived of procedural due process in asserting his claims.

                                 II. Effectiveness of Counsel

       Mishler contends he was denied the effective assistance of both trial and appellate

counsel. Effectiveness of counsel is a mixed question of law and fact. Strickland v.

Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 698 (1984). We evaluate Sixth Amendment claims of ineffective

assistance under the two-part test announced in Strickland. Id. To prevail on an ineffective

assistance of counsel claim, a defendant must demonstrate both deficient performance and

resulting prejudice. Dobbins v. State, 721 N.E.2d 867, 873 (Ind. 1999) (citing Strickland,
466 U.S. at 687). Deficient performance is that which falls below an objective standard of

                                               7
reasonableness. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687; see also Douglas v. State, 663 N.E.2d 1153,

1154 (Ind. 1996). Prejudice exists when a claimant demonstrates that “there is a reasonable

probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would

have been different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine

confidence in the outcome.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694; see also Cook v. State, 675 N.E.2d
687, 692 (Ind. 1996). The two prongs of the Strickland test are separate and independent

inquiries. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697. Thus, “[i]f it is easier to dispose of an ineffectiveness

claim on the ground of lack of sufficient prejudice . . . that course should be followed.” Id.

       We “strongly presume” that counsel provided adequate assistance and exercised

reasonable professional judgment in all significant decisions. McCary v. State, 761 N.E.2d
389, 392 (Ind. 2002). Counsel is to be afforded considerable discretion in the choice of

strategy and tactics. Timberlake v. State, 753 N.E.2d 591, 603 (Ind. 2001). Counsel’s

conduct is assessed based upon the facts known at the time and not through hindsight. State

v. Moore, 678 N.E.2d 1258, 1261 (Ind. 1997). We do not “second-guess” strategic decisions

requiring reasonable professional judgment even if the strategy in hindsight did not serve the

defendant’s interests. Id. In sum, trial strategy is not subject to attack through an ineffective

assistance of counsel claim, unless the strategy is so deficient or unreasonable as to fall

outside the objective standard of reasonableness. Autrey v. State, 700 N.E.2d 1140, 1141

(Ind. 1998).

        In his petition for post-conviction relief, Mishler contended that his trial counsel was

ineffective for: failure to argue that the State produced insufficient evidence of penetration

                                               8
and obtain the assistance of an independent sex abuse expert to challenge a claim of

penetration or inappropriate touching; failure to conduct adequate investigation and witness

interviews; failure to challenge the multiple convictions on Double Jeopardy grounds; failure

to thoroughly impeach B.P.; failure to object to alleged discrepancies in the charging

information; and failure to prevent the prejudice resulting from cumulative adverse

testimony.

       On direct appeal, Mishler challenged the sufficiency of the evidence to support his

convictions. This Court reviewed the evidence in favor of the convictions and concluded

“that the evidence was sufficient to support Mishler’s convictions.” Mishler, 894 N.E.2d at

1103. He now asks that we find counsel ineffective for allegedly failing to challenge the

sufficiency of the evidence presented by the State. This allegation is not proper grounds for

post-conviction relief. See Stephenson v. State, 864 N.E.2d 1022, 1028 (Ind. 2007)

(observing that if an issue is raised and decided on direct appeal, it is res judicata).

       Mishler has also argued that his trial counsel should have obtained an expert who

would have been familiar with the concept of penetration, and thus witnesses could have

been more thoroughly challenged. He has further asserted that more intensive investigation

and pre-trial examination of potential witnesses would have revealed the lack of penetration

of B.P.’s sex organ. Apparently, Mishler is of the opinion that penetration of female external

genitalia does not constitute penetration of the female sex organ. However, this contention is

not consistent with Indiana law. See e.g., Short v. State, 564 N.E.2d 553, 559 (Ind. Ct. App.

1991) (observing that, “to sustain convictions for child molesting and incest, proof of the

                                               9
slightest penetration is sufficient” and holding that penetration of external genitalia, or vulva,

is sufficient to support an unlawful sexual intercourse conviction). Mishler’s trial counsel

was not ineffective for failure to claim that penetration did not occur.

       Mishler claims that counsel remained silent as Mishler was subjected to double

jeopardy under the actual evidence test of Richardson v. State, 717 N.E.2d 32 (Ind. 1999).

Article I, Section Fourteen of the Indiana Constitution provides that “no person shall be put

in jeopardy twice for the same offense.” In Richardson, the Court held that the Indiana

Double Jeopardy Clause is violated if there is “a reasonable possibility that the evidentiary

facts used by the fact-finder to establish the essential elements of one offense may also have

been used to establish the essential elements of a second challenged offense.” 717 N.E.2d at

53. The possibility must be reasonable, not speculative or remote. Boatright v. State, 759
N.E.2d 1038, 1044 (Ind. 2001). The Indiana Double Jeopardy Clause is not violated when

the evidentiary facts establishing the elements of one offense also establish one or several,

but less than all, of the essential elements of a second offense. Spivey v. State, 761 N.E.2d
831, 833 (Ind. 2002).

       B.P. testified that Mishler entered her bedroom during the night on two separate

occasions. On the first occasion, Mishler pulled B.P’s pants down to her knees and “started

licking [her] private.” (Tr. 75-76.) He also touched B.P.’s vagina with his finger in an “up

and down” motion. (Tr. 78-79, 92.) She pretended to be sleeping. On the second occasion,

Mishler “put his finger in [B.P.’s] private and licked it.” (Tr. 72, 77-78.) Thus, the separate

convictions for child molesting by oral stimulation of the sex organ and child molesting by

                                               10
digital penetration do not rest upon the same evidentiary facts. Trial counsel was not

ineffective in failing to raise a double jeopardy challenge.

       Mishler has also asserted that his trial counsel should have been able to impeach

B.P.’s credibility, highlight imprecise or conflicting language in the charging information,

alleviate prejudice from cumulative adverse testimony, and exclude evidence of Mishler’s

juvenile history at the sentencing hearing. However, he fails to develop cogent argument

explaining how counsel could have, within the bounds of the law, achieved a different

outcome. For example, he provides no authority for the proposition that a defendant’s

juvenile history is inadmissible at sentencing. Mishler’s bald assertions of counsel’s

omissions or mistakes are inadequate to support a post-conviction claim of ineffectiveness of

counsel. See Tapia v. State, 753 N.E.2d 581, 587 (Ind. 2001).

       B.P. was cross-examined and she admitted that she could have experienced a dream.

It was not within counsel’s purview to present witnesses lacking knowledge of the events at

issue to further assail B.P.’s account. Trial counsel’s efforts and strategy, although they did

not ultimately achieve the result desired by Mishler, were not so unreasonable as to constitute

ineffective assistance of counsel. See Badelle v. State, 754 N.E.2d 510, 539 (Ind. Ct. App.

2001) (deciding in relevant part that, when trial counsel’s efforts were “more than adequate”

to support a chosen defense, counsel’s decision not to call or seek out additional witnesses

was a judgment call within the wide range of reasonable assistance), trans. denied.

       Mishler further claims that his appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise

issues regarding double jeopardy and a defective charging information that – according to

                                              11
Mishler – somehow resulted in his conviction of a crime for which he was not charged. He

also faults appellate counsel with regard to a hearsay issue, either not presented or allegedly

not presented well.

       A defendant is entitled to the effective assistance of appellate counsel. Stevens v.

State, 770 N.E.2d 739, 760 (Ind. 2002). The two-pronged standard for evaluating the

assistance of trial counsel first enunciated in Strickland is applicable to appellate counsel

ineffective assistance claims. Bieghler v. State, 690 N.E.2d 188, 192 (Ind. 1997). There are

three basic categories of alleged appellate ineffectiveness: (1) denying access to an appeal,

(2) waiver of issues, and (3) failure to present issues well. Id. At 193-95. Here, the latter two

categories are implicated.

       Appellate courts should be particularly deferential to an appellate counsel’s strategic

decision to include or exclude issues, unless the decision was “unquestionably unreasonable.”

Id. at 194. To prevail on his claim of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel, Mishler

must show that counsel failed to present a significant and obvious issue and that this failure

cannot be explained by reasonable strategy. See Stevens, 770 N.E.2d at 760. Appellate

counsel is not deficient if the decision to present some issues rather than others was

reasonable in light of the facts of the case and the precedent available to counsel when the

choice was made. Id. Even if counsel’s choice is not reasonable, to prevail, the petitioner

must demonstrate a reasonable probability that the outcome of the direct appeal would have

been different. Id.

                                               12
       Appellate counsel did not raise a double jeopardy argument. However, as previously

discussed, the record of the victim’s testimony does not support Mishler’s double jeopardy

contention. Too, appellate counsel did not present claims regarding an allegedly defective

charging information. However, Mishler’s brief fails to provide cogent argument with

citation to relevant authority to demonstrate a reasonable probability that the outcome of his

direct appeal would have been different had this issue been raised.

       As for Mishler’s contention that appellate counsel should have raised a hearsay

argument, it is unclear whether he refers to the admission of evidence that was indeed

challenged on direct appeal. Appellate counsel raised issues concerning the admission of

B.P.’s pretrial statements and videotaped interview. See Mishler, 894 N.E.2d at 1099. The

appellate challenge was unsuccessful. Mishler does not provide additional argument to

demonstrate a reasonable probability of a different outcome.

       A party waives any issue raised on appeal where the party has failed to develop a

cogent argument or provide adequate citation to authority and portions of the record. Smith

v. State, 822 N.E.2d 193, 202-03 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005), trans. denied. Mishler has failed to

comply with Appellate Rule 46 and we will not review bald assertions concerning appellate

counsel’s effectiveness.

       Mishler has not shown that Appellate counsel overlooked a significant and obvious

issue for appeal or failed to present an issue well.

                                III. Post-Conviction Counsel

                                              13
       Finally, Mishler deems the withdrawal of his court-appointed post-conviction public

defender to be “abandonment” in Mishler’s “time of need.” Appellant’s Brief at 24.

       Indiana Post-Conviction Rule 1(9)(a) provides that the Public Defender may represent

an indigent petitioner committed to the Indiana Department of Correction “if the Public

Defender determines the proceedings are meritorious and in the interests of justice.” Section

9(c) provides for appointed counsel who has determined that the proceeding is not

meritorious or in the interests of justice to file a withdrawal of appearance, accompanied by

counsel’s certification “that 1) the petitioner has been consulted regarding grounds for relief

in his pro se petition and any other possible grounds and 2) appropriate investigation,

including but not limited to review of the guilty plea or trial and sentencing records, has been

conducted.” The petitioner retains the right to proceed pro se, in forma pauperis if indigent,

after counsel withdraws. Id.

       The record indicates that Mishler’s appointed counsel complied with the certification

and withdrawal provisions. Indeed, Mishler does not contend otherwise. He merely claims

entitlement to continued representation after investigation and consultation, regardless of the

Public Defender’s professional assessment of the merits of the claim for post-conviction

relief. Our post-conviction rules do not mandate continued representation at public expense

in these circumstances.

                                         Conclusion

       Mishler was not denied procedural due process in presenting his claim for post-

conviction relief. He has not overcome the presumption that he received the effective

                                              14
assistance of trial and appellate counsel. His post-conviction attorney’s withdrawal was in

accordance with Indiana post-conviction rules. Accordingly, the post-conviction court

properly denied Mishler’s petition for post-conviction relief.

       Affirmed.

FRIEDLANDER, J., and KIRSCH, J., concur.

                                             15