Court Opinion

ID: 4675179
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-04-07 14:09:27.570297+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:03:24.761498
License: Public Domain

RECORD IMPOUNDED

                                NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                               APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
        This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the
     internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.

                                                        SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                        APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                        DOCKET NO. A-3673-19

STATE OF NEW JERSEY,

          Plaintiff-Respondent,

v.

J.Y.D.,1

     Defendant-Appellant.
_______________________

                   Submitted March 10, 2021 – Decided April 7, 2021

                   Before Judges Whipple, Rose and Firko.

                   On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
                   Division, Atlantic County, Indictment No. 12-05-1124.

                   Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
                   appellant (Andrew R. Burroughs, Designated Counsel,
                   on the briefs).

                   Damon G. Tyner, Atlantic County Prosecutor, attorney
                   for respondent (Melinda A. Harrigan, Assistant
                   Prosecutor, of counsel and on the brief).

1
  We use initials to protect the identity of the victim, Rule 1:38-3(c)(12), and
the juvenile co-defendant, Rule 1:38-3(d)(5).
PER CURIAM

      Defendant J.Y.D. appeals from a January 16, 2020 order denying his

petition for post-conviction relief (PCR) without an evidentiary hearing. On

appeal, he argues:

            AS DEFENDANT PRESENTED A PRIMA FACIE
            CASE OF INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF
            COUNSEL AND THERE WERE GENUINE ISSUES
            OF MATERIAL FACT IN DISPUTE, THE PCR
            COURT ERRED WHEN IT DENIED HIS PETITION
            WITHOUT FIRST HOLDING AN EVIDENTIARY
            HEARING.

We have considered this argument in light of the record and applicable legal

standards and affirm.

      Previously, we related the facts in detail in our affirmance of defendant's

conviction on direct appeal. State v. J.Y.D., No. A-3221-14 (App. Div. Nov. 9,

2017). Defendant's petition for certification to our Supreme Court was denied.

State v. J.Y.D., 233 N.J. 213 (2018). We summarize the relevant facts here.

                                       I.

      On June 16, 2010, defendant, who was then fifteen years old, and an

accomplice, R.J., jumped into the car of a twenty-four-year-old mother. R.J.

pointed a gun at her saying, "[i]f you want to live you'll do as I say." After

moving the car to a discreet location, the victim was unable to turn over any

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                                       2
money as demanded by defendants. She offered her bank card, cell phone, and

her car. Defendants took the victim's cell phone but declined to take her bank

card and car.

      After being ordered to move her car to a darker location, R.J. handed the

gun to defendant, who continued to point it at the victim's head and demanded

she strip and to get on top of him. Defendants forced the victim to have vaginal

intercourse with R.J. and perform oral sex on defendant simultaneously. Both

defendants ejaculated into her, and she spit defendant's semen onto her

sweatshirt. After they "clapped each other up" and laughed, defendant and R.J.

walked away after the victim promised not to notify the police. Instead, the

victim immediately drove to the Detective Bureau and reported two males

sexually assaulted her. She was transported by ambulance to the hospital.

      A confidential informant assisted in identifying defendant and R.J. The

victim identified defendant as the one who pointed the gun at her head and

forced her to perform oral sex on him while R.J. was sexually assaulting her.

Defendants were arrested and charged with various acts of delinquency, if

committed by an adult would constitute crimes.

      After waiver to adult court, on November 22, 2013, defendant pled guilty

pursuant to a plea agreement to first-degree robbery, N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1, and

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                                       3
second-degree sexual assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c)(1). Pursuant to the plea

agreement, the State recommended an aggregate sentence of eighteen years '

imprisonment, subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), N.J.S.A. 2C:43-

7.2, which included a ten-year sentence for the first-degree robbery charge and

an eight-year consecutive sentence for the second-degree sexual assault charge.

       On November 14, 2014, defendant was sentenced to an aggregate

eighteen-year term of imprisonment subject to NERA. He was also subject to

mandatory parole supervision for life, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6.4, and Megan's Law

requirements, N.J.S.A. 2C:7-1 to -19.

       We affirmed on direct appeal, rejecting defendant's claims of t rial error

relating to his waiver from the Family Part to the Law Division based on the

probability of rehabilitation prior to the age of nineteen substantially

outweighing the reasons for the waiver, failing to conduct a Yarbough 2 analysis

before imposing consecutive sentences, not considering defendant's age, and not

properly weighing the aggravating and mitigating factors. As to defendant's

argument on direct appeal that his trial counsel was ineffective resulting in

prejudice to him, we noted this claim should be addressed in a separate PCR

appeal, citing State v. Preciose, 129 N.J. 451, 459-60 (1992).

2
    State v. Yarbough, 100 N.J. 627 (1985).
                                                                           A-3673-19
                                        4
      On January 4, 2019, defendant filed a pro se petition for PCR alleging

ineffective assistance of counsel. PCR counsel was assigned and asserted the

following claims of ineffectiveness: (1) failure to argue mitigating factors eight ,

N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(a)(8), and nine, N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(a)(9), while supplementing

the record when the sentencing court articulated mitigating factor seven ,

N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1(b)(7); (2) failure to argue against consecutive sentences under

Yarbough; and (3) failure to present any evidence of defendant's rehabilitation

during his pre-sentencing incarceration. PCR counsel contended that mitigating

factor eight applies because defendant's conduct "was a result of circumstances

unlikely to recur." Defendant's lack of a criminal history was not argued by his

trial counsel and therefore, not considered by the court. Mitigating factor nine,

defendant's character and attitude indicate that he is unlikely to commit another

offense, was not articulated by defense counsel notwithstanding the fact

defendant was a youthful offender and expressed remorse for his actions.

      Defendant argues that if his defense counsel had "vigorously" argued

these facts, the sentencing court would "have changed the previously negotiated

plea agreement from consecutive to . . . [a] concurrent sentence." Further,

defendant contends his trial counsel failed to argue for concurrent sentences in

the face of "[b]oth crimes occur[ring] during a single period of aberrant

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                                         5
behavior" in one location with only one victim. Additionally, defendant's pro

se PCR petition, incorporated into PCR counsel's brief, challenged the waiver

from the Family Part to the Law Division.

      The PCR court heard oral argument on January 16, 2020, and denied the

petition on the record, noting defendant's claims were procedurally barred

"because a substantial equivalent of each claim ha[d] been adjudicated on the

merits on direct appeal." In its decision, the PCR court stated:

            Defendant's claims with respect to his sentencing
            counsel are both procedurally barred and they lack in
            merit. On direct appeal, the Appellate Division
            considered whether the [s]entencing [c]ourt failed to
            properly weigh the [a]ggravating and [m]itigating
            [f]actors and improperly sentence[d] [d]efendant
            consecutively. And I refer to the Appellate Division
            decision, [p]ages [nine] [and] [ten].

                   Now [d]efendant argues that his counsel failed to
            argue [m]itigating [f]actors and failed to argue against
            [the] consecutive sentence. Essentially what has
            happened here is [d]efendant is repackaging his
            argument that was presented to the Appellate Division.
            The [s]entencing [c]ourt explained at length why it was
            finding [a]ggravating [f]actor [three], the risk of re-
            offending. The [s]entencing [c]ourt could not find
            [a]ggravating [f]actor [three] together with [m]itigating
            [f]actors [eight] and [nine], without contradicting itself.
            The [c]ourt's explanation as to [a]ggravating [f]actor
            [three] simply did not occasion an argument from
            counsel on [f]actors [eight] and [nine].

      In addition, the PCR court found:

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                                        6
                   Even if this [c]ourt did find that counsel erred by
            not arguing those factors, [d]efendant does not show—
            and this is the second prong—that but for counsel's
            alleged errors, he would not have pleaded guilty and
            insisted on going to trial. The [c]ourt reminds for the
            record that the [d]efendant—the [c]ourt is reminded
            that the [d]efendant was facing an [eighteen]-count
            indictment. The charges which [d]efendant pled guilty
            to alone could have resulted in a [thirty]-year prison
            sentence. Instead, [d]efendant received [eighteen]
            years subject to NERA, which was a favorable sentence
            under the circumstances negotiated by his counsel.

A memorializing order was entered, and defendant subsequently filed this

appeal.

                                        II.

      Under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution, a person

accused of crimes is guaranteed the effective assistance of legal counsel in his

defense. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). To establish a

deprivation of that right, a convicted defendant must satisfy the two-part test

enunciated in Strickland by demonstrating: (1) counsel's performance was

deficient, and (2) the deficient performance actually prejudiced the accused's

defense. Id. at 687; State v. Fritz, 105 N.J. 42, 52 (1987).

      In reviewing such claims, courts apply a strong presumption that defense

counsel "rendered adequate assistance and . . . professional judgment."

Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690. "[C]omplaints merely of matters of trial strategy

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                                        7
will not serve to ground a constitutional claim of inadequacy[.]" Fritz, 105 N.J.

at 54 (citation omitted); see also State v. Echols, 199 N.J. 344, 357-59 (2009).

"The quality of counsel's performance cannot be fairly assessed by focusing on

a handful of issues while ignoring the totality of counsel's performance in the

context of the State's evidence of defendant's guilt." State v. Castagna, 187 N.J.

293, 314 (2006) (citing State v. Marshall, 123 N.J. 1, 165 (1991)). "As a general

rule, strategic miscalculations or trial mistakes are insufficient to warrant

reversal 'except in those rare instances where they are of such magnitude as to

thwart the fundamental guarantee of [a] fair trial.'" Id. at 314-15 (alteration in

original) (quoting State v. Buonadonna, 122 N.J. 22, 42 (1991)).

      The trial court has the discretion to conduct an evidentiary hearing.

Preciose, 129 N.J. at 462; R. 3:22-10. In order to obtain an evidentiary hearing

on a PCR application based upon an ineffective assistance claim, defendant must

make a prima facie showing of deficient performance and actual prejudice. Id.

at 462-63.   "When determining the propriety of conducting an evidentiary

hearing, the PCR court should view the facts in the light most favorable to the

defendant." State v. Jones, 219 N.J. 298, 311 (2014) (citation omitted); see also

Preciose, 129 N.J. at 462-63.

                                                                            A-3673-19
                                        8
      However, "bald assertions" of deficient performance are simply

insufficient. State v. Porter, 216 N.J. 343, 355 (2013) (citing State v. Cummings,

321 N.J. Super. 154, 170 (App. Div. 1999)).             Rather, defendant must

demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success on the merits. R. 3:22-10(b).

      Where a judge denies a PCR petition without an evidentiary hearing, we

review the denial for abuse of discretion. State v. Brewster, 429 N.J. Super.

387, 401 (App. Div. 2013) (citing State v. Marshall, 148 N.J. 89, 157-58 (1997));

R. 3:22-10. Further, where no evidentiary hearing was conducted, "we may

review the factual inferences the court has drawn from the documentary record

de novo." State v. Blake, 444 N.J. Super. 285, 294 (App. Div. 2016). We also

review de novo the PCR court's conclusions of law. Ibid. (citation omitted).

      Here, we note from the onset that on direct appeal, we only considered

whether the sentencing court failed to conduct a Yarbough analysis; consider

defendant's youth; and weigh the aggravating and mitigating factors. Saliently,

we did not consider whether defense counsel was ineffective in not presenting

these arguments. Therefore, we part company with the PCR court and conclude

that defendant's ineffective assistance of counsel claim is not procedurally

barred under Rule 3:22-5. See State v. McQuaid, 147 N.J. 464, 484 (1997)

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                                        9
(recognizing "claims that differ from those asserted below will be heard on

PCR").

      On direct appeal, we stated "the sentencing court did not expressly explain

why it imposed consecutive sentences" but concluded that defendant had "not

shown the sentencing court was 'clearly mistaken,'" and affirmed his sentence.

Moreover, we underscored "[t]he attendant 'facts and circumstances leave little

doubt' about the sentence imposed[,]" citing State v. Jang, 359 N.J. Super. 85,

97-98 (App. Div. 2003).

      Our de novo review of the record convinces us the ineffective assistance

of counsel claim was properly before the PCR court for adjudication and was

not barred under Rule 3:22-5. However, even assuming defendant satisfied the

first prong of the Strickland/Fritz analysis, we agree with the PCR court that he

failed to show that any deficient performance prejudiced his defense under the

second prong. See Marshall, 148 N.J. at 89, 157 (citations omitted).

      A defendant will be prejudiced when counsel's errors are sufficiently

serious to deny him a fair trial. Ibid. The prejudice standard is met if there is a

"reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result

of the proceeding would have been different." Ibid. A reasonable probability

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                                       10
simply means a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome

of the proceeding. State v. O'Neil, 219 N.J. 598, 611 (2014) (citations omitted).

      To set aside a guilty plea on an ineffective assistance of counsel theory,

"a defendant must show that (i) counsel's assistance was not 'within the range of

competence demanded of attorneys in criminal cases'; and (ii) 'that there is a

reasonable probability that, but for counsel's errors, [the defendant] would not

have pled guilty and would have insisted on going to trial.'" State v. Nunez-

Valdez, 200 N.J. 129, 139 (2009) (alteration in original) (quoting State v.

DiFrisco, 137 N.J. 434, 457 (1994)).

      Given the PCR court's statement that an argument by defendant's trial

counsel regarding mitigating factors would not have persuaded the sentencing

court to impose a lower sentence than contemplated in the negotiated plea

agreement, defendant has failed to make a prima facie showing of the second

Strickland prong. Moreover, defendant's argument with respect to the effect

mitigating factors may have had on his sentence is merely a bald assertion and

calls for speculation. Hence, we discern no abuse of discretion in the PCR court

denying an evidentiary hearing.

      Defendant's other arguments are without sufficient merit to warrant

discussion in a written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(2).

                                                                           A-3673-19
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Affirmed.

                 A-3673-19
            12