Court Opinion

ID: 4250583
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-02-28 21:49:26.915219+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:44:16.841963
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA

                                      No. 16-2039
                               Filed December 20, 2017

CLINT JASPER,
     Applicant-Appellant,

vs.

STATE OF IOWA,
     Respondent-Appellee.
________________________________________________________________

      Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Crawford County, Duane E.

Hoffmeyer, Judge.

      A postconviction applicant appeals the denial of relief. AFFIRMED.

      Drew H. Kouris, Council Bluffs, for appellant.

      Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, and Tyler J. Buller, Assistant Attorney

General, for appellee State.

      Considered by Danilson, C.J., and Tabor and McDonald, JJ.
                                           2

TABOR, Judge.

       The State charged Clint Jasper with four counts of sexual abuse in the

second degree—exposing him to the possibility of up to one-hundred years in

prison. His attorney negotiated a deal with the State in which Jasper entered

Alford1 pleas to three counts of lascivious acts with a minor in return for an

indeterminate twenty-year sentence.            The district court accepted the plea

agreement after engaging in a thorough colloquy with Jasper. Jasper did not file

a direct appeal but did apply for postconviction relief (PCR) in which he challenged

his plea attorney’s performance. The district court denied relief, and Jasper now

appeals. He alleges his counsel should have arranged for intelligence testing and

failed to explain the plea bargain or what rights Jasper would waive by agreeing to

it.2 Finding no breach of duty by counsel, we affirm.

       I.     Facts and Prior Proceedings

       The State anticipated presenting evidence that Jasper forced three

children—ages three, four, and five years—to perform oral sex on him and

attempted to sodomize two of the children. The State filed a trial information

charging four counts of sexual abuse in the second degree, class “B” felonies, in

violation of Iowa Code sections 709.1 and 709.3(2) (2012). Each count carried a

twenty-five year term with a seventy-percent mandatory minimum.

       Attorney Peter Goldsmith appeared for Jasper during the criminal

proceedings. Goldsmith recalled talking to Jasper “numerous” times on the phone

1
  Under North Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25, 37 (1970), a defendant may consent to
imposition of a prison term without admitting participation in the crime.
2
  Jasper also claims his plea was not knowing, voluntary, or intelligent. This issue was
not preserved for our review.
                                          3

and meeting in-person on multiple occasions. Together, Goldsmith and Jasper

reviewed the videotaped interviews of the three children from Project Harmony, a

Child Protection Center. During his representation, Goldsmith noted Jasper’s

below-average intellect.     According to Goldsmith, he suggested Jasper be

evaluated to determine his “mental health or his understanding.”3 Jasper refused,

claiming he didn’t want to be labeled “crazy,” and remained steadfast in his refusal

even after Goldsmith explained that would not be the purpose of the examination.

       Because Goldsmith was aware of Jasper’s intellectual limitations, he tried

to use basic vocabulary, spent more time than usual going over issues, and had

Jasper repeat things back using his own words to check for understanding.

Goldsmith did not approach the district court to seek a competency hearing

because he thought Jasper was competent and Jasper opposed an evaluation.

       Goldsmith prepared for trial while also negotiating a plea deal. He knew

Jasper did not want to admit guilt so he sought Alford pleas. Goldsmith and the

prosecutor went through a series of offers before reaching an agreement

satisfactory to Jasper. Goldsmith sent Jasper a letter detailing what rights he

would give up through a plea agreement.

       At the plea hearing, the court ensured Jasper was not impaired, was fully

informed about his plea, and knew what rights he forfeited. The court periodically

stopped to confirm Jasper didn’t have any questions or need more explanation.

The court accepted Jasper’s Alford pleas to three counts of lascivious acts with a

child, class “C” felonies, in violation of section 709.8. Jasper requested immediate

3
  Jasper claims he is the one who suggested an evaluation but Goldsmith did not arrange
for one.
                                           4

sentencing and received three terms of ten years each, one concurrent and two

consecutive, for a total of twenty years without a mandatory minimum.

       Once in prison, Jasper completed a skills intake assessment to gauge his

educational proficiency. Eventually, Jasper sent Goldsmith a letter asking about

an appeal. The appeal deadline had passed, so Goldsmith informed Jasper of his

PCR rights. Jasper then filed this PCR action, arguing (1) he thought he was

pleading to one count, not three, (2) he did not knowingly, voluntarily, and

intelligently enter his pleas; (3) Goldsmith was ineffective for failing to explain the

plea agreement and what rights were forfeited; and (4) Goldsmith was ineffective

for failing to arrange a “psychological evaluation.” Jasper asked the court to set

aside his pleas so he could proceed to trial.

       At the PCR hearing, Jasper testified by phone,4 and Goldsmith testified in

person. The State admitted Goldsmith’s notes into the PCR record.5 The PCR

court denied Jasper’s application, and he now appeals.

4
  Jasper conceded his initials appeared on the plea agreement but testified he did not
remember initialing it and was confident he would not sign anything without agreeing. He
testified he didn’t know why he was in court the day of the plea hearing and didn’t know
what the judge was talking about when noting what constitutional rights Jasper was giving
up. Jasper said he was “tired and distracted” when entering his pleas and wasn’t really
paying attention. Jasper conceded he agreed to the plea agreement to reduce his
sentence but did not understand all the consequences. He could not remember receiving
the letter from counsel and claimed he could not read or write well.
5
  Due to Goldsmith’s handwriting, Goldsmith read several of his entries into the record.
                                         5

       II.    Scope and Standards of Review

       We review PCR rulings for legal error unless they involve constitutional

issues, in which case we review de novo. See Perez v. State, 816 N.W.2d 354,

356 (Iowa 2012). Because Jasper’s ineffective-assistance claims are rooted in the

Sixth Amendment, we review them de novo. See Dempsey v. State, 860 N.W.2d

860, 868 (Iowa 2015).

       To succeed, Jasper must show (1) his counsel failed to perform an essential

duty and (2) prejudice resulted. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687

(1984). If Jasper fails to establish either element, then we need not address the

other. See Dempsey, 860 N.W.2d at 868. Our review of Goldsmith’s performance

begins with the presumption he performed his duties competently. See State v.

Thorndike, 860 N.W.2d 316, 320 (Iowa 2015). We consider prevailing professional

norms and individual circumstances. Id.

       III.   Analysis

       A. Lack of Competency Testing

       Jasper argues Goldsmith should have arranged for a psychological

examination to determine Jasper’s “cognitive abilities.” PCR counsel alleges:

“Jasper needed a psychological evaluation to determine his intelligence and his

ability to understand the proceedings.” We interpret this claim as a challenge to

Goldsmith’s failure to explore Jasper’s competency to enter knowing, voluntary,

and intelligent guilty pleas. A defendant may not be subjected to a criminal trial if

his “mental condition is such that he lacks the capacity to understand the nature

and object of the proceedings against him, to consult with counsel, and to assist in

preparing his defense.” State v. Mann, 512 N.W.2d 528, 531 (Iowa 1994) (citing
                                           6

Drope v. Missouri, 420 U.S. 162, 171 (1975)). But “[s]ubnormal intelligence is

merely a factor to be considered in determining whether or not an accused is

competent to stand trial. It will not in itself bar trial.” State v. Stoddard, 180 N.W.2d

448, 449 (Iowa 1970) (citation omitted).

       At a plea hearing, if the court is presented with circumstances calling a

defendant’s competency into question, the court must make the usual inquiries into

a plea agreement and require the defendant demonstrate his competency to the

court before accepting the plea. State v. Boge, 252 N.W.2d 411, 414 (Iowa 1977);

State v. Walton, 228 N.W.2d 21, 24 (Iowa 1975). If the court fails to consider a

defendant’s competency when such circumstances are presented, then we are

required to set the plea aside. See Walton, 228 N.W.2d at 24. But we only

consider factors known by the court at the time of the plea colloquy. Id. at 23.

       At the PCR hearing, Goldsmith and Jasper offered divergent testimony,

each claiming only he suggested an evaluation. But having the opportunity to

observe both witnesses, the PCR court found Goldsmith more credible. Deferring

to the PCR court’s credibility finding, we conclude Goldsmith recommended Jasper

undergo an evaluation, but Jasper refused. See Wycoff v. State, 382 N.W.2d 462,

468 (Iowa 1986) (deferring to PCR court’s credibility findings).

       In light of Jasper’s refusal, Goldsmith did everything he could to ensure

Jasper understood the proceedings. While Iowa Code section 812.3 permits

defense counsel to allege “specific facts showing that the defendant is suffering

from a mental disorder which prevents the defendant from appreciating the charge,

understanding the proceedings, or assisting effectively in the defense” to compel

the court to order a competency evaluation, Goldsmith was not bound to do so
                                           7

here. See Iowa Code § 812.3(1), (2). The attorney’s interactions with Jasper

convinced him Jasper was competent. Goldsmith’s belief was corroborated by the

plea record. Jasper responded appropriately during the colloquy with the court

and did not signal any lack of understanding.

       Jasper points to his prison intake assessment to show his low level of

cognitive functioning. But he provided no reliable guidance on how to interpret the

assessment’s results. Jasper also provided no additional evidence at the PCR

hearing regarding his competency, though the PCR court approved an expert

witness to evaluate him and testify at the State’s expense. On this record, Jasper

is unable to show Goldsmith breached an essential duty by failing tp arrange

psychological testing.

       B. Informing Jasper of the Plea Agreement and Forfeited Rights

       Next, Jasper argues Goldsmith failed to adequately explain the plea

agreement and what rights Jasper forfeited by entering Alford pleas. The record

does not support his claim.6 Goldsmith sent Jasper a letter detailing the rights

Jasper would give up if he agreed to a plea deal. Goldsmith also provided his case

notes showing he had advised Jasper about “rights given up by [the] plea.”

Goldsmith’s notes also indicate he had explained the various plea offers to Jasper.

Jasper admitted taking the deal so he could get a shorter sentence, demonstrating

6
  At the PCR hearing, Jasper claimed he never saw the trial information or minutes of
evidence, but during the plea hearing he stated he had seen those documents. Jasper
claimed he thought he was pleading to only one count, but he initialed the plea agreement
showing three counts and three counts were repeatedly referenced during the plea
hearing. Jasper insisted he did not know what Alford pleas were, but specified in his PCR
application that he had entered Alford pleas.
                                         8

his understanding of the benefits of the plea agreement. On this record, Jasper

cannot show Goldsmith breached an essential duty.

       C. Knowing, Voluntary, and Intelligent Plea Entry

       Finally, Jasper claims he did not enter his plea knowingly, voluntarily, or

intelligently. Typically, plea challenges must be brought first through a motion in

arrest of judgment. See Iowa R Crim. P. 2.24(3)(a). Jasper did not file a motion

in arrest of judgment, though he was advised of that requirement by the plea court.

While Jasper cannot challenge his plea directly, he could do so by claiming

ineffective assistance of counsel in this regard. See State v. Rodriguez, 804

N.W.2d 844, 848 (Iowa 2011) (discussing exception to error-preservation rules).

But he does not do so in his appellate briefing of this issue. Accordingly, his claim

is not properly before us.

       But even if we read Jasper’s briefing generously and assume his initial

ineffective-assistance claims were intended to apply to this third challenge, we find

no breach of duty by counsel in allowing Jasper to enter his Alford pleas.

       Before a court may accept a plea it must confirm the plea is made voluntarily

and intelligently and has a factual basis. State v. Meron, 675 N.W.2d 537, 542

(Iowa 2004). “To satisfy this requirement the court is required to make a specific

inquiry into a number of matters set forth in [Iowa Rule of Criminal Procedure

2.8(2)].” Id.
                                            9

         Here, the plea court carefully went through the requirements.7 The court

confirmed Jasper was not coerced into pleading. The court specifically asked

Jasper: “Has there been anything about this proceeding that you don’t think you

understand, you have questions about, or you feel you need to know before I

indicate on the record whether or not I accept your Alford plea?” Jasper replied:

“No.” The court confirmed Goldsmith thought Jasper understood the charges and

made the plea voluntarily. Then the court questioned Jasper again: “One last time,

Mr. Jasper, any questions about what I’ve asked you about so far or anything that

you feel you need to know?” Jasper replied: “No, sir.”

         To conclude Jasper’s pleas were not knowing, voluntary, and intelligent

would require us to ignore the entirety of the plea proceedings. We decline to

reach that result. Goldsmith breached no duty in allowing Jasper to enter the Alford

pleas.

         AFFIRMED.

7
 The court did not specifically discuss any possible impact on Jasper’s immigration status
as required by Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.8(2)(b)(3), but the court did confirm Jasper is an
American citizen, making any concern regarding immigration inapplicable.