Court Opinion

ID: 4233017
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-12-28 16:10:35.152605+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:43:17.018524
License: Public Domain

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be                                      FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any                             Dec 28 2017, 5:24 am
court except for the purpose of establishing
                                                                           CLERK
the defense of res judicata, collateral                                Indiana Supreme Court
                                                                          Court of Appeals
estoppel, or the law of the case.                                           and Tax Court

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT                                   ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Jonathan D. Harwell                                      Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Harwell Legal Counsel LLC                                Attorney General of Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
                                                         J.T. Whitehead
                                                         Deputy Attorney General
                                                         Indianapolis, Indiana

                                          IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

Christopher Washington,                                  December 28, 2017
Appellant-Defendant,                                     Court of Appeals Case No.
                                                         45A03-1703-PC-682
        v.                                               Appeal from the Lake Superior
                                                         Court
State of Indiana,                                        The Honorable Clarence D.
Appellee-Plaintiff.                                      Murray, Judge
                                                         Trial Court Cause No.
                                                         45G02-0910-PC-5

Robb, Judge.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017        Page 1 of 25
                               Case Summary and Issues
[1]   Following a jury trial, Christopher Washington was found guilty of two counts

      of murder, a felony; attempted murder, a Class A felony; attempted robbery, a

      Class A felony; aggravated battery, a Class B felony; criminal confinement, a

      Class B felony; battery, a Class C felony; and was found to be an habitual

      offender. The trial court entered judgment of conviction and sentenced

      Washington to an aggregate sentence of 190 years in the Indiana Department of

      Correction. On direct appeal, we affirmed Washington’s convictions.

      Washington v. State, No. 45A03-0610-CR-456 (Ind. Ct. App. Aug. 2, 2007),

      trans. denied. Thereafter, Washington, pro se, filed a petition for post-conviction

      relief. Washington then filed a second amended petition for post-conviction

      relief, by counsel, alleging ineffective assistance of trial counsel and ineffective

      assistance of appellate counsel. The post-conviction court denied Washington’s

      petition. Washington now appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction

      relief, raising eight issues for our review, which we consolidate and restate as: 1)

      whether the post-conviction court erred in concluding Washington’s trial

      counsel was not ineffective; and 2) whether the post-conviction court erred in

      concluding Washington’s appellate counsel was not ineffective. Concluding

      trial and appellate counsel were not ineffective, we affirm the post-conviction

      court’s denial of his petition for post-conviction relief.

                            Facts and Procedural History

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 2 of 25
[2]   We summarized the facts and procedural history of this case in Washington’s

      direct appeal:

              Early on December 19, 2003, Lewayne Green, Tivon Williams,
              and George Lynn were at Williams’s apartment on Kenwood
              Street in Hammond, Indiana, playing video games. There was a
              knock on the door, and Green answered it. He saw Washington,
              a friend of Williams whom he knew only as “C-Murder” at the
              time (and later identified as Washington). After opening the
              door, Green turned around and walked back to his chair. When
              Green turned around, Washington was pointing a “big gun” in
              his face. Still pointing the semi-automatic handgun in Green’s
              face, Washington ordered Green, Williams, and Lynn to lie face
              down on the floor. Another man had shown up with
              Washington and was wearing a red mask and also carrying a
              handgun. Washington pulled out gray duct tape and taped the
              hands of Green, Williams, and Lynn. After taping up their
              hands, Washington went through Green’s pockets and took his
              wallet and some money. Washington put the gun to Green’s
              head again, asking “where the rest of it was at.” Green
              responded that Washington had everything, and Washington
              then took off Green’s shoes.

              Soon after, there was a knock on the door of the apartment
              across the hall. The man with the red mask ordered Green,
              Williams, and Lynn to be quiet or else he would kill them. After
              a couple minutes of silence, Washington and the red-masked
              man began rifling around in the kitchen. Then, Green heard the
              front door of the apartment open and heard a burst of gunshots.

              After the shots had been fired and gray smoke filled the air,
              Green got up, loosened his hands and obtained help from
              neighbors. Green, who had been shot in the leg, was transported
              to the hospital. Williams had six gunshot wounds. Lynn had
              five gunshot wounds. Williams and Lynn died on the scene from

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 3 of 25
              their gunshot wounds. Green later described C-Murder and
              identified him as Washington through a photo array.

              Officers Robert Vaught and Rita Harper were the first to arrive at
              the scene. Officer Vaught questioned Green and looked around
              the apartment. Officer Vaught stated that the apartment had
              been ransacked, with the refrigerator door open, cushions on the
              floor, and kitchen cabinets open. Prior to the coroner’s office
              checking the bodies, Sergeant Anthony Jaroszewski noticed that
              the victims’ pockets had been turned inside-out, as if someone
              had tried to go through them.

              Paul Fotia, a firearms examiner, found that by comparison, there
              were three different firearms which fired the eight different bullets
              recovered. One of the bullets being an old one, Fotia determined
              that the other seven bullets came from two different firearms.
              Fotia also determined that the bullets were fired from semi-
              automatic firearms.

              The State charged Washington with two counts of murder,
              attempted murder, attempted robbery, aggravated battery,
              criminal confinement, battery, and being an habitual offender.
              At the trial, Chanel Washington, Washington’s girlfriend,
              testified that Washington had been with her all morning when
              the shooting took place. The jury found Washington guilty of all
              counts. The trial court then ordered Washington to serve 190
              years in the Indiana Department of Correction.

      Id. at *1-2 (citations omitted).

[3]   On October 6, 2009, Washington filed a pro se petition for post-conviction

      relief. On March 18, 2016, Washington filed a second amended petition for

      post-conviction relief, by counsel, alleging ineffective assistance of trial and

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 4 of 25
      appellate counsel. After conducting a hearing, the post-conviction court

      entered findings of fact and conclusions of law denying Washington’s petition

      for post-conviction relief. The post-conviction court concluded Washington

      was not denied the effective assistance of trial or appellate counsel.

      Washington now appeals. Additional facts will be supplied as necessary.

                                Discussion and Decision
                                      I. Standard of Review
[4]   Post-conviction proceedings are civil in nature and the petitioner must therefore

      establish his claims by a preponderance of the evidence. Ind. Post-Conviction

      Rule 1(5). Post-conviction procedures create a narrow remedy for subsequent

      collateral challenges to convictions, and those challenges must be based on the

      grounds enumerated in post-conviction rules. Turner v. State, 974 N.E.2d 575,

      581 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), trans. denied. “Post-conviction proceedings do not

      afford the petitioner an opportunity for a super appeal, but rather, provide the

      opportunity to raise issues that were unknown or unavailable at the time of the

      original trial or the direct appeal.” Id.

[5]   On appeal, a petitioner who has been denied post-conviction relief faces a

      “rigorous standard of review.” Dewitt v. State, 755 N.E.2d 167, 169 (Ind. 2001).

      We may not reweigh the evidence or reassess the credibility of the witnesses

      and we consider only the evidence and reasonable inferences supporting the

      judgment. Hall v. State, 849 N.E.2d 466, 468 (Ind. 2006). To succeed on

      appeal, the petitioner must show that the evidence is without conflict and leads
      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 5 of 25
      unerringly and unmistakably to a conclusion opposite that reached by the post-

      conviction court. Strowmatt v. State, 779 N.E.2d 971, 975 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002).

[6]   Where, as here, the post-conviction court makes findings of fact and

      conclusions of law in accordance with Indiana Post-Conviction Rule 1(6), we

      cannot affirm the judgment on any legal basis, but rather, must determine if the

      court’s findings are sufficient to support its judgment. Graham v. State, 941
N.E.2d 1091, 1096 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011), aff’d on reh’g, 947 N.E.2d 962. We

      review the post-conviction court’s factual findings under a clearly erroneous

      standard. Id.

                         II. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
[7]   Washington claims that he was denied the effective assistance of both trial and

      appellate counsel. A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is proper grounds

      for post-conviction proceedings. Hampton v. State, 961 N.E.2d 480, 491 (Ind.

      2012). The standard by which we review such claims is well established. In

      order to prevail on a claim of this nature, a petitioner must satisfy a two-

      pronged test, showing that (1) counsel’s performance fell below an objective

      standard of reasonableness based on prevailing professional norms; and (2)

      there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s errors the result of the

      proceeding would have been different. Jervis v. State, 28 N.E.3d 361, 365 (Ind.

      Ct. App. 2015) (citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 690, 694 (1984)),

      trans. denied. The two prongs of the Strickland test are separate and distinct

      inquiries. Manzano v. State, 12 N.E.3d 321, 326 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014), trans.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 6 of 25
      denied, cert. denied, 135 S. Ct. 2376 (2015). Therefore, if it is “easier to dispose

      of an ineffectiveness claim on one of the grounds instead of the other, that

      course should be followed.” Talley v. State, 736 N.E.2d 766, 769 (Ind. Ct. App.

      2000).

[8]   Regarding the first prong of the Strickland test, a petitioner must show counsel’s

      representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and counsel

      committed errors so serious petitioner did not have “counsel” as guaranteed by

      the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Garrett v. State, 992
N.E.2d 710, 719 (Ind. 2013). The second prong requires petitioner to show a

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

      would have been different. Id. “A reasonable probability is a probability

      sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at

      694. “Counsel is afforded considerable discretion in choosing strategy and

      tactics, and we will accord those decisions deference.” Timberlake v. State, 753
N.E.2d 591, 603 (Ind. 2001), cert. denied., 537 U.S. 839 (2002). Moreover, we

      recognize a strong presumption that counsel’s representation was not

      ineffective, and to overcome such a presumption a petitioner must offer “strong

      and convincing evidence.” Smith v. State, 822 N.E.2d 193, 202 (Ind. Ct. App.

      2005), trans. denied.

                                           A. Trial Counsel
[9]   Here, Washington contends trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance in

      failing to properly present Washington’s alibi, failing to fully impeach and

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 7 of 25
       cross-examine two State witnesses, failing to remedy the issues of surprise

       evidence and testimony, and advising Washington to sign an incorrect

       stipulation.

                                                     1. Alibi

[10]   Washington contends trial counsel was ineffective in failing to properly present

       his alibi. The failure to present an alibi defense is not necessarily ineffective

       assistance of counsel. D.D.K. v. State, 750 N.E.2d 885, 890 (Ind. Ct. App.

       2001). However, Washington’s trial counsel did advance an alibi defense by

       utilizing the testimony of Chanel Washington, Washington’s girlfriend. Chanel

       testified that she was with Washington the entire morning of the murders—

       testimony that was ultimately disbelieved by the jury. Nevertheless,

       Washington contends trial counsel was ineffective by not “fully presenting the

       alibi defense” including testimony from Washington’s mother, Stephanie

       Washington, and evidence of telephone records purportedly showing

       Washington made telephone calls from his home the night of the offense.

       Corrected Appellant’s Brief at 13.

                                         a. Failure to Call a Witness

[11]   Washington alleges that trial counsel failed to include Stephanie on the witness

       list thereby preventing Stephanie from testifying at trial. “A decision regarding

       what witnesses to call is a matter of trial strategy which an appellate court will

       not second-guess, although a failure to call a useful witness can constitute

       deficient performance.” Brown v. State, 691 N.E.2d 438, 447 (Ind. 1998)

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 8 of 25
       (citation omitted). We will not find counsel ineffective for failure to call a

       particular witness absent a clear showing of prejudice. Ben-Yisrayl v. State, 729
N.E.2d 102, 108 (Ind. 2000), cert. denied, 534 U.S. 830 (2001). Nothing in the

       record before us indicates why Washington’s trial counsel did not list Stephanie

       on the witness list and Washington’s trial counsel has since passed away.1

       Regardless, we presume counsel is not ineffective and judge counsel’s

       performance by the standard of objective reasonableness, not subjective state of

       mind. Woodson v. State, 961 N.E.2d 1035, 1041 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), trans.

       denied. Because we conclude below Washington did not suffer prejudice, our

       review of whether trial counsel’s failure to include Stephanie on a witness list

       was objectively unreasonable is ultimately unnecessary.

[12]   At the post-conviction relief hearing, Washington presented Stephanie’s

       affidavit. In the affidavit, Stephanie states that she returned home between 8:00

       a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the date of the murders to find Washington “passed out

       drunk on my livingroom [sic] floor.” Exhibits, Volume 3 at 8. The evidence

       reveals the murders were committed sometime before 6:20 a.m. Stephanie’s

       affidavit provides no evidence that she was with Washington at the time of the

       murders or that she had knowledge of Washington’s whereabouts at or around

       the time of the murders.

       1
         We note trial counsel did attempt to call Stephanie at trial but the court sustained the State’s objection that
       the witness was not provided to the State prior to trial. See Trial Transcript at 563.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017              Page 9 of 25
[13]   Therefore, even if trial counsel had listed Stephanie on the witness list and had

       presented her testimony, there is not a reasonable likelihood that the outcome

       of the trial would have been different. See Bethea v. State, 983 N.E.2d 1134, 1138

       (Ind. 2013) (noting to demonstrate prejudice from counsel’s deficient

       performance, a petitioner must establish a reasonable probability that but for

       counsel’s alleged error the result of the proceeding would have been different.)

       Washington’s ineffective assistance of trial counsel claim on this basis fails.

                                        b. Failure to Present Evidence

[14]   Similarly, Washington alleges trial counsel was ineffective in failing to present

       evidence of telephone records purportedly showing Washington made phone

       calls from his home the night of the offense.

[15]   Upon review, the telephone records are poorly scanned and completely

       unreadable. Exhibits, Vol. 3 at 11, 13. Indiana Rule of Appellate Procedure

       51(A) provides the “copying process used [for appendices] shall produce text in

       a distinct black image . . . .” Although failure to comply with the appellate

       rules does not necessarily result in waiver of the issues presented, it is

       appropriate where, as here, such noncompliance impedes our review. See In re

       Moeder, 27 N.E.3d 1089, 1097 n.4 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015), trans. denied. Moreover,

       Washington does not even mention the specific contents of the telephone

       records, relying instead on the blanket assertion that the records show

       Washington “was making calls from his home the night of the offense[s].”

       Corrected Appellant’s Br. at 13.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 10 of 25
[16]   Waiver notwithstanding, the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law state:

               PCR Petitioner’s Exhibit #4 is the “MCI Call Search” for the
               phone number associated with [Stephanie Washington]. This
               document does not list any calls between a call ending at 4:32 am
               and a call beginning at 8:30 am on December 19, 2003. As stated
               above, the crimes for which Washington was convicted took
               place at approximately 6:20 am on December 19, 2003. In
               addition, the calls that are listed on the document show times
               only and are not recorded. Therefore, the person(s) using this
               line are not known. These phone records do not corroborate
               Washington’s alibi defense.

       Appealed Order at 8.

[17]   Like Stephanie’s testimony, the telephone records do not directly support

       Washington’s alibi defense. In fact, there is no evidence in the record that

       Washington was the one who placed or received the telephone calls.

       Accordingly, Washington has not demonstrated that counsel rendered

       ineffective assistance by not presenting this evidence at trial. See Kubsch v. State,

       934 N.E.2d 1138, 1151 (Ind. 2010) (finding counsel was not ineffective in

       failing to present evidence of an answering machine tape where a series of

       inferences were required to support the theory of the defense).

                                    2. Inadequate Cross-Examination

                                               a. Lewayne Green

[18]   Next, Washington alleges trial counsel was ineffective in failing to impeach a

       key State’s witness, Lewayne Green, with the “full extent of his contradictory

       statements made prior to trial and at trial.” Corrected Appellant’s Br. at 14.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 11 of 25
       Washington argues that had trial counsel fully impeached Green, Washington’s

       attempts to argue the incredible dubiosity rule on direct appeal would have been

       successful.

[19]   The post-conviction court found this issue barred by res judicata. As a general

       rule, if an issue was known and available but not presented on direct appeal, the

       issue is waived. Craig v. State, 804 N.E.2d 170, 172 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004). If the

       issue was presented upon direct appeal, but decided adversely, it is res judicata.

       Id. We disagree with the post-conviction court and view Washington’s

       argument as one regarding ineffective assistance of counsel, not the incredible

       dubiosity rule. Washington argues that trial counsel fell below an objective

       standard of reasonableness by failing to adequately cross-examine Green and

       that he suffered prejudice on direct appeal through this court’s denial of his

       argument regarding the incredible dubiosity rule. Therefore, while this court

       determined the incredible dubiosity rule failed on direct appeal, Washington is

       not asking we find to the contrary. Rather, Washington asks we find trial

       counsel ineffective for failing to highlight the “full extent of [Green’s]

       contradictory statements . . . .” Corrected Appellant’s Br. at 14.

[20]   Regardless of the application of res judicata, we still find Washington’s claim

       must fail. It is well established that “the method of impeaching witnesses is a

       tactical decision and a matter of trial strategy that does not amount to

       ineffective assistance.” Kubsch, 934 N.E.2d at 1151; see also Waldon v. State, 684
N.E.2d 206, 208 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997) (“the nature and extent of cross-

       examination is a matter of strategy delegated to trial counsel”), trans. denied.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 12 of 25
       Here, the record shows a competent—even skilled—cross-examination of

       Green. Through sixty-seven pages of the transcript, trial counsel highlights

       inconsistencies in Green’s testimony, while attempting to depict a confused

       witness who was intoxicated at the time of the murders. Accordingly, we

       conclude Washington has failed to establish he received ineffective assistance

       regarding trial counsel’s cross-examination of Green.

[21]   Moreover, Washington has failed to establish that he suffered prejudice.

       Washington relies on the unsuccessful application on direct appeal of the

       incredible dubiosity rule to show he was prejudiced by trial counsel’s ineffective

       performance. Such reliance is misplaced. First, to establish prejudice,

       Strickland and our subsequent case law provides, “a defendant must show that

       there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the

       result of the proceeding would have been different.” Strickland, 466 U.S. 668 at

       694 (emphasis added). Rather than argue trial counsel’s error would have

       changed the outcome of the trial, Washington argues but for trial counsel’s

       error the result of his direct appeal would have been different. Second, even

       assuming trial counsel established Green’s testimony was “inherently

       contradictory” for later appeal, Washington would still be unable to satisfy the

       remaining requirements for the application of the incredible dubiosity rule

       because there were corroborating witnesses and other circumstantial evidence.

       See Moore v. State, 27 N.E.3d 749, 757-59 (Ind. 2015) (holding the incredible

       dubiosity rule does not apply where there are corroborating witnesses and

       noting, “where there is circumstantial evidence of an individual’s guilt, reliance

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 13 of 25
       on the incredible dubiosity rule is misplaced.”). Therefore, although we find

       Washington’s claims regarding trial counsel’s cross-examination of Green are

       not res judicata, he has nevertheless failed to establish deficient performance by

       trial counsel or demonstrate that he suffered prejudice.

                                                  b. Paul Fotia

[22]   Washington also alleges trial counsel was ineffective in failing to adequately

       cross-examine Sergeant Paul Fotia of the Indiana State Police.

[23]   Fotia, a firearms expert, testified that he examined eight bullets and eleven

       bullet casings. Of the eight bullets, four bullets were fired from one .45 caliber

       firearm, three bullets were fired from a different .45 caliber firearm, and the

       eighth bullet was fired from a third firearm—either a .38 Special or a .357

       Magnum. Regarding the eleven bullet casings, all .45 caliber, Fotia testified

       seven casings were positively identified as having been fired from one firearm

       while the remaining four bullet casings were positively identified as having been

       fired from a “second or different .45 auto caliber firearm.” Trial Tr. at 444.

       Washington contends trial counsel was deficient in his cross-examination of

       Fotia for several reasons.

[24]   First, Washington relies on Turner v. State, 953 N.E.2d 1039, 1052 (Ind. 2011),

       for the proposition that an effective cross-examination of a firearms expert can

       be performed, highlighting the fact that a counter-expert may be used.

       Washington, however, does not provide an argument regarding Turner’s

       application to the facts presented here, nor does Washington explain how trial

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 14 of 25
       counsel’s failure to secure a counter-expert rendered his performance

       ineffective.

[25]   Second, without further explanation, Washington alleges Fotia was “only

       comparing the items to themselves.” Corrected Appellant’s Br. at 17.

       Washington fails to argue—or even allege—that such a procedure is

       scientifically incorrect, unreliable, or renders Fotia’s testimony susceptible to

       impeachment.

[26]   Third, Washington alleges that while Fotia testified he examined eight bullets

       and eleven bullet casings, the “lab reports appear to indicate that Fotia only

       analyzed 2 bullets and 2 casings” and that trial counsel made no attempt to

       cross-examine regarding this contradiction. Id. On review, we find it difficult

       to discern on what evidence Washington relies for this assertion because,

       without further explanation, he cites to Exhibits 8-15.2 Accordingly, we are

       unable to discern the basis for Washington’s argument.

       2
         Again, we direct counsel to Indiana Rule of Appellate Procedure 46(A)(8)(a), which provides that each
       contention made in the argument section of an appellant’s brief “must be supported by citations to the
       authorities, statutes, and the Appendix or parts of the Record on Appeal relied on, in accordance with Rule
       22.” Indiana Rule of Appellate Procedure 22(C) provides “[a]ny factual statement shall be supported by a
       citation to the volume and page where it appears in an Appendix, and if not contained in an Appendix, to the
       volume and page it appears in the Transcript or exhibits . . . .” (emphasis added). Although failure to comply
       with the appellate rules does not necessarily result in waiver of the issues presented, it is appropriate where
       noncompliance impedes our review. In re Moeder, 27 N.E.3d at 1097 n.4. Like In re Moeder, we endeavor to
       address the merits of Washington’s arguments notwithstanding the lack of cogent argument or inaccurate
       citations.
       Exhibit 8, the “Request for Laboratory Examination,” includes the description of eight bullets and eleven
       bullet casings. Exhibits, Vol. 3 at 19-20. Exhibit 9, the “Certificate of Analysis,” includes the description of
       eleven bullet casings. Id. at 22. Exhibit 10, “Stipulation No. 6,” includes the description of eleven bullet
       casings. Id. at 24. To the extent that Washington relies on Exhibits 11, 12, 13, and 14, which describe only

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017            Page 15 of 25
[27]   Because Washington has failed to establish—or even advance a cogent

       argument—that trial counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of

       reasonableness, we need not consider Washington’s argument regarding

       prejudice. See Talley, 736 N.E.2d at 769. Therefore, Washington has failed to

       establish the post-conviction court clearly erred in determining that trial counsel

       did not perform deficiently with respect to Fotia’s testimony.

                                                3. Failure to Object

[28]   Washington claims trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the chain

       of custody and the foundation of the State’s evidence, namely a twelfth casing

       recovered over a month after the incident, and for failing to allege a Brady

       violation therefrom.

[29]   To begin, Washington alleges the State violated Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83,

       86-88 (1963). Our supreme court has held that the failure to raise a Brady

       violation on direct appeal results in forfeiture of the issue on post-conviction

       except to the extent that such claim may support a claim of ineffective

       assistance of appellate counsel. Minnick v. State, 698 N.E.2d 745, 750-51 (Ind.

       1998), cert. denied, 528 U.S. 1006 (1999). Because Washington failed to allege

       two bullets and two casings, such reliance is misplaced. These exhibits purport to be prepared by Sue Scott,
       not Fotia. Id. at 27, 29, 31, 33. Regardless, Washington fails to argue how these exhibits contradict Fotia’s
       testimony. Finally, Exhibit 15 does not include a description of evidence at all.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017          Page 16 of 25
       the State violated Brady on direct appeal, Washington has waived review of this

       issue.

[30]   Therefore, we turn to Washington’s argument that trial counsel was ineffective

       for failing to object to the chain of custody and the foundation of the twelfth

       bullet casing. During Washington’s trial, a State witness testified regarding a

       twelfth bullet casing which was found almost a month after the underlying

       crimes.3 The State admitted to being unaware of the casing and, after checking

       “some property inventories” found

                there was an additional property inventory that we had not
                previously had in our file, nor had we provided to [trial counsel].
                We provided him with a copy of that this morning and that
                property inventory is, in fact, for a casing that was recovered
                almost a month after the incident.

       Trial Tr. at 503-04. The State informed the trial court that it planned to call the

       police officer who obtained the casing from a relative of a victim. Trial counsel

       objected to the State’s admission of the casing on the basis of hearsay, arguing

       that the relative who found the bullet must testify for the casing to be

       admissible. The trial court allowed the State to admit the casing over trial

       counsel’s hearsay objection but permitted trial counsel “wide latitude on cross

       with respect to the casing.” Id. 506-07. In a brief cross-examination, trial

       3
         This twelfth casing was not submitted for examination by the State’s firearm examiner because it was
       “overlooked when [the police] took the evidence out of property” and transported the evidence for testing by
       the Indiana State Police. Trial Tr. at 498.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017        Page 17 of 25
       counsel established that the police officer did not have personal knowledge of

       the origin of the bullet casing.

[31]   To show ineffective assistance based on counsel’s failure to object, a petitioner

       must demonstrate the trial court would have sustained the objection. Glotzbach

       v. State, 783 N.E.2d 1221, 1224 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003). Here, Washington has

       failed to advance an argument that had trial counsel objected to the chain of

       custody and the foundation of the twelfth bullet casing, such objection would

       have been sustained. Accordingly, Washington has failed to meet his burden.

[32]   On this point, Washington also alleges trial counsel was ineffective for not

       seeking a continuance or filing a motion to correct error regarding introduction

       of the twelfth bullet casing. Like a claim of ineffective assistance based on

       counsel’s failure to object, “To prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel

       claim based upon counsel’s failure to file motions on a defendant’s behalf, the

       defendant must demonstrate that such motions would have been successful.”

       Wales v. State, 768 N.E.2d 513, 523 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), aff’d on reh’g, 774
N.E.2d 116, trans. denied. Again, Washington has failed to advance an

       argument regarding whether such motions would be successful. Therefore, we

       conclude that Washington has failed to establish by a preponderance of the

       evidence that his trial counsel was ineffective in this regard.

[33]   In addition to Washington’s failure to establish his proposed motions and

       objections would have been successful, Washington has also failed to establish

       he suffered prejudice from the admission of the twelfth bullet casing. Given the

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       remaining eleven bullet casings, eight bullets, and the weight of the testimony

       against Washington, we conclude that Washington did not suffer prejudice.

                                                 4. Stipulation

[34]   Washington claims trial counsel was ineffective for advising him to sign a

       stipulation of evidence which contained a “misstatement of fact.” Corrected

       Appellant’s Br. at 19.

[35]   Specifically, Washington contends “the stipulation mistakenly stated the

       amount of duct tape recovered at the scene[,]” id. at 20, citing to Exhibits 7-10.

       These four Exhibits include two stipulations—Exhibit 7 and Exhibit 10.

       Exhibit 7 provides that if called to testify, Officer Timothy Leinback would

       testify that he collected, among other things, “One piece of gray duct tape,

       State’s Exhibit 62.” Exhibits, Vol. 3 at 17; Trial Tr. at 374. Exhibit 10 states

       that if called to testify, Frank Aldrich of the Indiana State Police Crime

       Laboratory, would testify that he received, among other things:

               ISP Item 19 Sealed brown paper bag containing duct tape,
               State’s Exhibit # 60.

               ISP Item 20 Sealed brown paper bag containing duct tape,
               State’s Exhibit # 62.

       Id. at 24-25; Trial Tr. at 509-11.

[36]   Washington alleges the stipulation stated an incorrect amount of duct tape and

       that, unlike trial counsel, Washington had not received the evidence and was

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       unable to examine it. However, Washington fails to explain how either

       stipulation was factually incorrect beyond the assertion that this was relevant

       “because that was how the three (3) people were said to have been bound in the

       home.” Corrected Appellant’s Br. at 20. Accordingly, we are unable to

       adequately address Washington’s argument and it is therefore waived. See, e.g.,

       Thomas v. State, 965 N.E.2d 70, 77 n.2 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012) (noting that a

       reviewing court which must search the record and make up arguments where a

       party has not adequately presented them runs the risk of becoming an advocate

       rather than an adjudicator; on review, we will not search the record to find a

       basis for a party’s argument), trans. denied.

                                        5. Failure to Provide Case Law

[37]   Washington next contends that trial counsel should have provided the trial

       court with case law supporting a hearsay objection. 4 Specifically, Washington

       points to four instances during three police officers’ testimonies where the

       officers relay statements made by Green which the State admitted as course-of-

       investigation testimony over trial counsel’s hearsay objections.

[38]   Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered for “the truth of the matter

       asserted,” Ind. Evidence Rule 801(c)(2), and it is generally not admissible as

       evidence, Evid. R. 802. Whether a particular statement is hearsay usually

       4
         Washington’s argument regarding trial counsel’s failure to provide case law is comingled with
       Washington’s argument regarding ineffective assistance of appellate counsel. See Corrected Appellant’s Br. at
       22. For the purpose of logical organization, we address Washington’s argument with the rest of his claims
       regarding ineffective assistance of trial counsel.

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       depends on the purpose for which the statement is offered rather than the

       substance of the statement. Blount v. State, 22 N.E.3d 559, 565 (Ind. 2014).

       Out-of-court statements made to law enforcement during the course of an

       investigation are non-hearsay if introduced primarily to explain why the

       investigation proceeded as it did. Id.

[39]   Washington contends trial counsel was ineffective for failing to provide the

       court with case law tending to show the officers’ testimony was inadmissible

       hearsay. In so arguing, Washington asserts that had trial counsel taken the

       opportunity to provide case law, trial counsel could have presented the court

       with Williams v. State, 544 N.E.2d 161 (Ind. 1989), “for the proposition that

       statements made to an officer during his investigation that amounts [sic] to

       assertions that the defendant is guilty is not admissible.” Corrected Appellant’s

       Br. at 23.

[40]   Initially, we note that Washington has not provided us with authority to

       support the proposition that despite objecting, trial counsel may still be found

       ineffective for failing to provide the trial court with case law supporting the

       objection. Indeed, we are aware of no such authority. Nevertheless, Williams is

       easily distinguishable from the facts presented here. In Williams, a detective

       testified that, based on information from an unidentified informant, he included

       the defendant’s photo in a photo array. Our supreme court reversed, holding

       such testimony “provide[d] the jury with a basis for making inferences that the

       informant had knowledge that [defendant] committed the offense” without the

       defendant having an opportunity to test the inferences through cross-

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       examination. Williams, 544 N.E.2d at 163. Here, testifying officers were

       relaying the statement of Lewayne Green, a testifying witness, and trial counsel

       cross-examined Green. See Wisehart v. State, 693 N.E.2d 23, 47 (Ind. 1998)

       (distinguishing the facts presented from those of Williams because the declarant

       in Williams was an unidentified informant). Moreover, trial counsel attempted

       to distinguish the State’s cited authority and successfully requested that the trial

       court admonish the jury regarding the purpose of the testimony. See Trial Tr. at

       285-86; 253. This court may presume a timely and accurate admonishment by

       the trial court will cure any defect in the admission of evidence. Green v. State,

       587 N.E.2d 1314, 1317 (Ind. 1992). Therefore, we conclude Washington has

       failed to establish trial counsel was ineffective in this regard.

                                             6. Cumulative Error

[41]   Finally, Washington claims trial counsel’s cumulative errors rendered his

       representation ineffective. “Errors by counsel that are not individually

       sufficient to prove ineffective representation may add up to ineffective

       assistance when viewed cumulatively.” Pennycuff v. State, 745 N.E.2d 804, 816-

       17 (Ind. 2001). When a conviction is based upon an accumulation of trial

       counsel’s errors and those errors do substantial damage to the defense, the

       conviction must be reversed. French v. State, 778 N.E.2d 816, 826 (Ind. 2002).

[42]   Here, we have reviewed each of Washington’s claims regarding ineffective

       assistance of trial counsel and have concluded in each instance that the post-

       conviction court’s denial of post-conviction relief was not clearly erroneous.

       Viewed together, we find no reasonable probability that the outcome of
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       Washington’s trial would have been different. Thus, Washington has failed to

       overcome the presumption that counsel’s representation was not ineffective

       with “strong and convincing evidence.” Smith, 822 N.E.2d at 202.

                                        B. Appellate Counsel
[43]   Washington also alleges appellate counsel rendered ineffective assistance by

       presenting only insufficiency claims instead of several hearsay issues preserved

       at trial.

[44]   We review claims of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel using the same

       standard as applied to claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Fisher v.

       State, 810 N.E.2d 674, 676-77 (Ind. 2004). Indiana law recognizes three basic

       categories for claims of appellate counsel’s ineffectiveness: “(1) denial of access

       to an appeal; (2) waiver of issues; and (3) failure to present issues well.” Id. at

       677. Here, Washington’s arguments fall within the second category, i.e., that

       his appellate counsel failed to raise claims and thus waived the issues on appeal.

[45]   Appellate counsel has considerable discretion in choosing strategy and tactics

       and, like trial counsel, we presume counsel’s assistance was adequate and

       decisions were made in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment. See,

       e.g., State v. Miller, 771 N.E.2d 1284, 1288 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), trans. denied.

       “[T]he decision of what issues to raise is one of the most important strategic

       decisions to be made by appellate counsel.” Bieghler v. State, 690 N.E.2d 188,

       193 (Ind. 1998), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 1021 (1998). Due to the deference paid

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 23 of 25
       such strategic decisions, ineffectiveness is rarely found when the issue is failure

       to raise a claim on direct appeal. Taylor v. State, 717 N.E.2d 90, 94 (Ind. 1991).

[46]   First, Washington argues appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to appeal

       the trial court’s admission of “drumbeat repetition course-of-investigation

       testimony from the officers in the case to reinforce the testimony of Green.”

       Corrected Appellant’s Br. at 22. Washington maintains the State’s course-of-

       investigation testimony was inadmissible hearsay. However, as we have

       already observed, Washington’s hearsay objections were not successful and the

       case on which Washington relies is easily distinguishable from the facts

       presented here. Moreover, even if the testimony of the three officers was

       hearsay, as opposed to course-of-investigation testimony, it is cumulative of

       Green’s testimony which had already been presented. We have previously held

       that erroneously admitted evidence that is merely cumulative of other evidence

       already in the record is harmless and not grounds for reversal. Williams v. State,

       782 N.E.2d 1039, 1047 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003), trans. denied. Therefore,

       Washington has not demonstrated appellate counsel was ineffective. See

       Stowers v. State, 657 N.E.2d 194, 200 (Ind. Ct. App. 1995) (holding appellate

       counsel is not ineffective for declining to present a claim that would have been

       meritless), trans. denied.

[47]   Second, Washington alleges appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to

       present the trial court’s admission of the twelfth bullet casing as an issue on

       appeal. Specifically, Washington contends had appellate counsel argued the

       hearsay objection on appeal, this court would have found the statements of the

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 45A03-1703-PC-682 | December 28, 2017   Page 24 of 25
       family member as relayed by the officer to be inadmissible hearsay and the State

       would then have lacked foundation to admit the twelfth bullet casing. As we

       concluded above, given the weight of the remaining evidence, Washington has

       failed to establish prejudice. See Garrett v. State, 992 N.E.2d 710, 724 (Ind. 2013)

       (explaining that the prejudice prong for the waiver of issues category of an

       ineffective assistance of appellate counsel claim requires an examination of

       whether the issues would have been clearly more likely to result in reversal or

       an order for new trial). As such, we need not address whether appellate

       counsel’s performance was deficient in this regard. See Young v. State, 746
N.E.2d 920, 927 (Ind. 2001) (noting that is unnecessary to address the

       allegations of deficient performance where the petitioner has failed to establish

       prejudice).

                                               Conclusion
[48]   The post-conviction court did not err in denying Washington’s petition for post-

       conviction relief. Because Washington fails to demonstrate he received

       ineffective assistance of trial or appellate counsel, we affirm the post-conviction

       court’s denial of post-conviction relief.

[49]   Affirmed.

       Riley, J., and Pyle, J., concur.

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