Court Opinion

ID: 2726193
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-09-08 20:59:23.498501+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:40:32.138260
License: Public Domain

Pursuant to Ind.Appellate Rule 65(D),
 this Memorandum Decision shall not be                           Oct 25 2013, 8:45 am
 regarded as precedent or cited before any
 court except for the purpose of
 establishing the defense of res judicata,
 collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.

APPELLANT PRO SE:                                     ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE:

DANIEL E. WILKINS                                     GREGORY F. ZOELLER
Bunker Hill, Indiana                                  Attorney General of Indiana

                                                      BRIAN REITZ
                                                      Deputy Attorney General
                                                      Indianapolis, Indiana

                                IN THE
                      COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

DANIEL E. WILKINS,                                    )
                                                      )
       Appellant-Defendant,                           )
                                                      )
                vs.                                   )       No. 02A05-1303-PC-117
                                                      )
STATE OF INDIANA,                                     )
                                                      )
       Appellee-Plaintiff.                            )

                        APPEAL FROM THE ALLEN SUPEIOR COURT
                            The Honorable Francis C. Gull, Judge
                               Cause No. 02D04-1004-PC-27

                                           October 25, 2013

                 MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION

FRIEDLANDER, Judge
       Daniel E. Wilkins, pro se, appeals the denial of his petition for post-conviction relief

(PCR), in which he challenged his convictions for robbery, criminal confinement, and

unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, all as class B felonies. He

presents the following restated issues for review:

       1.     Did Wilkins receive ineffective assistance of trial and appellate
              counsel?

       2.     Did the trial court err in failing to conduct an evidentiary hearing prior
              to ruling on Wilkins’s PCR petition?

       We affirm.

       The underlying facts are that at approximately 10:20 a.m. on May 31, 2007, Wilkins

entered a Fort Wayne restaurant, brandished a weapon, and demanded that the three

employees then present tell him where the money was located. Wilkins ordered the three

employees into the restaurant’s bathroom, patted them down for cellphones, and asked again

about the money. Wilkins eventually escaped with approximately $8500 in cash. He was

convicted as set out above.

       In Wilkins’s direct appeal, this court set out the procedural history of the case

culminating in those convictions, as follows:

       On July 6, 2007, the State charged Wilkins with robbery and criminal
       confinement. The State amended the charges on August 6, 2007 by adding a
       count of possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. On September 5,
       2007, Wilkins filed pro se a motion for an early trial pursuant to Indiana
       Criminal Rule 4(B). The trial court granted his request and scheduled a trial
       date for November 7, 2007.

       On October 2, 2007, with the consent of all the parties, the case was
       transferred to another trial judge. At a pretrial conference on October 11,
       2007, the November 7 trial date was reconfirmed after defense counsel, the

                                              2
       State, and the trial judge discussed a scheduling conflict with another trial, that
       of Leon Kyles, which was set for the same date before a different judge in the
       same court. The same defense counsel and prosecutor were scheduled to
       appear in both cases. It was agreed that Wilkins’s case would take priority
       because it was older. However, no one expressed an awareness of the fact that
       Kyles had requested an early trial on September 4, 2007, one day before
       Wilkins.

       On November 7, 2007, Wilkins appeared for trial. At that time, the court
       continued Wilkins’s trial due to court congestion as a result of Kyles’s trial.
       Specifically, the court found that Kyles’s trial took priority because he had
       lodged his request for an early trial before Wilkins. Without objection by the
       defendant, the court reset Wilkins’s trial for February 12, 2008.

       Subsequent to the November 7 court appearance, the trial court appointed new
       defense counsel for Wilkins. On February 1, 2008, Wilkins’s new counsel
       filed a motion to dismiss and discharge pursuant to Indiana Criminal Rule
       4(B). The trial court denied the defendant’s motion on February 7, 2008. On
       February 12, 2008, the court declared a mistrial and reset the trial for February
       20, 2008. A jury trial was held on February 20–21, and Wilkins was found
       guilty as charged. Wilkins now appeals.

Wilkins v. State, 901 N.E.2d 535, 536-37 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009), trans. denied.

       Wilkins presented the following issue upon direct appeal: “Whether the trial court

violated his right to a speedy trial when it delayed his jury trial on a finding of court

congestion.” Id. at 536. This court rejected Wilkins’s argument that his speedy trial right

had been violated, concluding first that he waived the issue by failing to object when the trial

court set a trial date outside the seventy-day period prescribed by Indiana Criminal Rule 4(B).

Secondly, we held that, waiver notwithstanding, Wilkins’s argument was meritless because

he failed to demonstrate that the trial court erred in delaying his trial on the basis of court

congestion.

                                               3
                                              1.

       In his amended PCR petition, Wilkins contended he received ineffective assistance of

trial and appellate counsel in a number of ways. A petitioner will prevail on a claim of

ineffective assistance of counsel only upon a showing that counsel’s performance fell below

an objective standard of reasonableness and that the deficient performance prejudiced the

petitioner. Bethea v. State, 983 N.E.2d 1134 (Ind. 2013). To satisfy the first element, the

petitioner must demonstrate deficient performance, which is “representation that fell below

an objective standard of reasonableness, committing errors so serious that the defendant did

not have the ‘counsel’ guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment.” Id. at 1138 (quoting McCary v.

State, 761 N.E.2d 389, 392 (Ind. 2002)). To satisfy the second element, the petitioner must

show prejudice, which is “a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s errors, the result of

the proceeding would have been different.” Id. at 1139. There is a “strong presumption”

that counsel rendered adequate service. Id. Because a petitioner must prove both elements in

order to succeed, the failure to prove either element defeats the claim. See Young v. State,

746 N.E.2d 920 (Ind. 2001) (holding that because the two elements of Strickland are separate

and independent inquiries, the court may dispose of the claim on the ground of lack of

sufficient prejudice if it is easier).

       In a post-conviction proceeding, the petitioner bears the burden of establishing

grounds for relief by a preponderance of the evidence. Bethea v. State, 983 N.E.2d 1134.

“When appealing the denial of post-conviction relief, the petitioner stands in the position of

one appealing from a negative judgment.” Id. at 1138 (quoting Fisher v. State, 810 N.E.2d

                                               4
674, 679 (Ind. 2004)). In order to prevail, the petitioner must demonstrate that the evidence

as a whole leads unerringly and unmistakably to a conclusion opposite the post-conviction

court’s conclusion. Bethea v. State, 983 N.E.2d 1134. Although we do not defer to a post-

conviction court’s legal conclusions, we will reverse its findings and judgment only upon a

showing of clear error, i.e., “that which leaves us with a definite and firm conviction that a

mistake has been made.” Id. at 1138 (quoting Ben–Yisrayl v. State, 729 N.E.2d 102, 106

(Ind. 2000)).

       Wilkins’s first claim is that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance in

affirmatively causing the trial date to be set outside the seventy-day period prescribed in Ind.

Crim. R. 4(B). This claim was fully litigated on direct appeal. Granted, in his direct appeal

Wilkins did not couch his speedy-trial argument in terms of ineffective assistance of counsel.

Rather, he claimed the trial court erred in setting a trial date outside the seventy-day limit.

His claim of ineffective assistance of counsel in this regard is premised upon the fact that his

attorney had another client who had also submitted a request for speedy trial, but had

submitted it earlier than Wilkins. As it turned out, both trials were set for the same date, but

before different judges. Counsel could not go forward with both trials on the same day, so

the trial court reset Wilkins’s trial for a later date – one that was outside the seventy-day

limit. Wilkins’s claim of error upon post-conviction, although not entirely clear, seems to be

that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance in failing to withdraw as Wilkins’s attorney

so that Wilkins could retain another attorney, who could then proceed with the trial on the

originally scheduled date. Indeed, Wilkins invokes such terms and phrases as “conflict of

                                               5
interest” and “disqualified” in presenting this argument. Brief of Appellant at 15 and 16,

respectively. This was neither.

       The setting of trials of two separate clients on the same date in front of two separate

judges did not create a conflict of interest for Wilkins’s attorney. Wilkins provides no

authority for the proposition that counsel was required to withdraw his representation from

Wilkins in order to enable Wilkins to pursue his a speedy trial right. The bottom line is that

counsel’s request to reset the trial for a date outside the seventy-day window was appropriate

under the circumstances, and certainly did not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel.

       Wilkins claims he was denied effective assistance of counsel because counsel sought a

jury trial rather than a bench trial. In order to prevail on this claim, as others, Wilkins must

show prejudice. See Bethea v. State, 983 N.E.2d 1134. Based upon the strength of the

evidence of guilt, which included positive identification by the victim, Wilkins’s fingerprints

at the scene, and a surveillance video that captured the incident, Wilkins cannot show that a

bench trial would have yielded a different result. Wilkinson did not receive ineffective

assistance of counsel in this respect.

       Wilkins claims he was denied effective assistance of counsel when trial counsel

purportedly misadvised him that he faced a maximum of fifty years if he were convicted of

all charges against him. In fact, according to Wilkins, he “was only facing a sentence of

thirty Years [sic] if he proceeded to trial and lost [.]” Brief of Appellant at 19. Wilkins

continues that as a result of this misadvisement, he “never had an accurate prediction of the

respective consequences of pleading guilty or going to trial.” Id. In point of fact, however,

                                               6
fifty years was the maximum penalty he faced for the charges against him. See Ind. Code

Ann. § 35-50-2-5 (West, Westlaw current with all 2013 legislation) (defining penalty for

class B felony) and I.C. § 35-50-1-2 (West, Westlaw current with all 2013 legislation)

(governing the imposition of consecutive sentences). The fact that Wilkins ultimately was

sentenced to thirty years, and not the maximum, does not render counsel’s advice inaccurate.

Counsel was correct as to the maximum penalty Wilkins was facing. Therefore, counsel did

not render ineffective assistance in this respect.

       Wilkins next claims appellate counsel rendered ineffective assistance in failing to

“produce sufficient material facts to support Wilkins [sic] motion to dismiss and

discharge[.]” Id. at 21. According to Wilkins, appellate counsel’s shortcomings caused his

Crim. R. 4(B) claim to fail. We review claims of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel

using the same standard as when reviewing claims of trial counsel ineffectiveness. Petitioner

must show deficient performance and resulting prejudice. Garrett v. State, 992 N.E.2d 710

(Ind. 2013).

       Claims of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel “‘generally fall into three basic

categories: (1) denial of access to an appeal, (2) waiver of issues, and (3) failure to present

issues well.’” Id. at 724 (quoting Reed v. State, 856 N.E.2d 1189, 1195 (Ind. 2006)). This

claim falls into the third category. Claims of ineffective assistance of counsel in this

category “are the most difficult … because such claims essentially require the reviewing

court to reexamine … specific issues it has already adjudicated to determine ‘whether the

new record citations, case references, or arguments would have had any marginal effect on

                                               7
their previous decision.’” Henley v. State, 881 N.E.2d 639, 653 (Ind. 2008) (quoting

Bieghler v. State, 690 N.E.2d 188, 195 (Ind. 1997), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 1021 (1998)).

       The “new record” that Wilkins offers on this is described in his appellate brief as

follows:

       Appellate Counsel failed to Rely upon the information contained within the
       Pre-Trial record, as there was sufficient evidence of material facts to support
       Pre-Trial counsel Churchward, and Prosecuting Attorney Adam Mildred’s,
       disregard to Wilkins right to fundamental fairness, and a Meaningful trial date
       which requires Particularized Priority Treatment pursuant to Ind. Crim. Rule 4
       (b), these facts were detrimental to Wilkins Success on his Motion to Dismiss
       and Discharge, Wilkins now points to the facts and case law showing that
       counsels representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and
       that counsel’s made errors so serious that counsel was not function as a
       ‘counsel’ guaranteed to Wilkins by the sixth amendment Strickland,466 U.S
       @687-88.

Brief of Appellant at 22 (transcribed exactly as written). We have examined this section of

Wilkins’s argument and the only “facts” discussed therein pertain to the fact that the

attorneys who represented Wilkins in different phases of the action below and on appeal were

members of the same law firm. It is not clear to us how this would change the analysis set

forth on direct appeal regarding Wilkins’s motion to dismiss. Therefore, Wilkins’s claim of

ineffective assistance of counsel in this regard is without merit.

       Wilkins contends he was denied effective assistance of counsel when trial counsel

failed to object to an in-court identification of Wilkins by two of the State’s witnesses,

Connie Spisak and Michelle Crago. Spisak and Crago were two of the three restaurant

employees whom Wilkins robbed at gunpoint. At trial, both positively identified Wilkins as

the person who had robbed them. Citing Cossel v. Miller, 229 F.3d 649 (7th Cir. 2000),

                                              8
Wilkins claims the in-court identification was improper because it did not satisfy the five-

element test for admissibility, as set out in Cossel. Therefore, he claims, trial counsel’s

failure to object constituted ineffective assistance of counsel. Cossel does not apply here

because it involved in-court identifications in the context of photo arrays and one-photograph

show-ups. This case involves neither. Therefore, Cossel does not apply.

       To demonstrate ineffective assistance of counsel based upon a failure to object, a

defendant must prove that an objection would have been sustained if made and that he was

prejudiced by the failure to interpose an objection. Wrinkles v. State, 749 N.E.2d 1179 (Ind.

2001), cert. denied (2002). Apart from the meritless argument discussed above, Wilkins

offers no rationale under which a challenge to the in-court identifications would have been

sustained. Thus, Wilkins cannot prove either substandard performance or prejudice.

       Wilkins contends trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance in failing to object to

the fingerprint evidence testimony offered by fingerprint examiner Eric Black and crime

scene laboratory supervisor David Young, both of whom were members of the Fort Wayne

Police Department. We reiterate that in order to prevail on this claim, Wilkins must prove

that an objection would have been sustained. Id. Even accepting the dubious proposition

that an objection to introduction of the fingerprint evidence would have been sustained,

Wilkins cannot prevail.

       A trial court’s erroneous admission of evidence is not, by itself, sufficient to warrant

reversal. A defendant must also show that the erroneous admission of evidence affected a

substantial right because the record viewed as a whole reveals that the erroneously admitted

                                              9
evidence likely had a prejudicial impact on the mind of the average juror and thus contributed

to the verdict. Granger v. State, 946 N.E.2d 1209 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). The fingerprint

evidence was used to identify Wilkins as the person who perpetrated the crimes. As set out

previously, however, two eyewitnesses to the robbery also unequivocally identified Wilkins

as the perpetrator. That eyewitness testimony is significantly more compelling than the

fingerprints, as is the security-camera recording of the incident. Accordingly, the record does

not establish that the fingerprint evidence likely contributed to the verdict. This claim of

ineffective assistance of counsel fails.

         During jury voir dire, the State used a peremptory challenge to exclude a venireperson

who was African-American (Juror 62). Wilkins contends trial counsel’s failure to object to

the exclusion – to raise a so-called Batson challenge – constituted ineffective assistance of

counsel. We reiterate that in order to succeed in this argument in the context of a claim of

ineffective assistance of counsel, Wilkins must establish that he was prejudiced by trial

counsel’s failure to make a Batson challenge. This means that he must establish that such a

challenge would have been successful. See French v. State, 778 N.E.2d 816, 826 (Ind.

2002).

         “Purposeful racial discrimination in selection of the venire violates a defendant’s right

to equal protection because it denies him the protection that a trial by jury is intended to

secure.” Addison v. State, 962 N.E.2d 1202, 1208-10 (Ind. 2012) (quoting Batson v.

Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 86 (1986)). A Batson claim involves a three-step process. First, the

defendant must establish circumstances that raise an inference that discrimination occurred.

                                                10
Addison v. State, 962 N.E.2d 1202. This is commonly referred to as the prima facie showing.

Wilkins contends this burden would have been met because the State struck the only

African-American venireperson. If true, this would establish a prima facie showing of

discrimination. See id. Our review of the record, however, leaves us uncertain as to whether

Juror 62 was indeed the only African-American in the venire.1 If so, his removal does raise

an inference that he was excluded on the basis of race. See id. If not, the removal of some,

but not all, African-Americans from the venire via peremptory challenges does not, by itself,

raise an inference of racial discrimination. See id. Regardless, even assuming that Juror 62

was the only African-American on the venire, Wilkins cannot prove his case.

        If Juror 62 was the only African-American in the venire, the burden would have

shifted to the State to offer a race-neutral reason as the basis for striking him. Id. “Unless a

discriminatory intent is inherent in the prosecutor’s explanation, the reason offered will be

deemed race neutral.” Id. at 1209 (quoting Purkett v. Elem, 514 U.S. 765, 768 (1995) (per

curiam)). The following exchange occurred during voir dire:

        PROSECUTOR:               All right. These three (3) questions that I asked, if you
                                  would agree to ask yourself: Do I have a doubt? Does it
                                  go to the elements? And is my doubt reasonable?
                                  Would you ask yourself those three (3) questions? And
                                  if your answer is “no”, then— to any of those, I’ve done
                                  my job. Right? Is that fair?

        JUROR 63: (Responds by nodding in the affirmative.)

        JUROR 62: (Responds by nodding in the affirmative.)
1 During voir dire, the court discussed with counsel the exclusion of Juror 62. During that colloquy, the
prosecuting attorney stated, “Judge, although Batson wouldn’t require a race-neutral reason ‘cause it’s my first
strike of – of an African-American juror ….” Transcript at 118-19. This suggests that there was more than
one African-American in the venire.

                                                      11
       Q:     And then, in fact, that your — would you return a verdict of guilty in
                            that circumstance?

       JUROR 62: I really couldn’t say.

       Q:     Pardon me?

       JUROR 62: I couldn’t say. I said I — I really couldn’t say.

       Q:     Okay. Well — well, if you don’t have a doubt that goes to one of the
                         elements then you wouldn’t return a verdict of guilty?

       JUROR 62: I don’t know.

       Q:     Okay. Well— well, then I guess I just want to make sure that I’m
                         under—that I’m able to hear you okay. Is it— why
                         would that be, sir?

       JUROR 62: I don’t know, ‘cause I’ve never been on a jury trial before.

Transcript at 111-112. In the discussion that followed, the prosecutor noted that Juror 62 had

filled out a questionnaire asking if there was anyone close to him that had been charged or

convicted of a crime. He answered “yes”. Assuming that question was answered in the

affirmative, the questionnaire sought additional information. The prosecutor noted that Juror

62 had failed to provide on the questionnaire any of the details pertaining to his affirmative

response. The prosecutor asked Juror 62 why he did not answer that portion of the

questionnaire. Juror 62 responded that he did not remember the dates and details, but he did

share that the subject of the previous arrest was his son. Upon further questioning, Juror 62

shared that his son had been convicted of burglary many years before.

       When he exercised his peremptory strike of Juror 62, the prosecutor explained his

reasoning as follows:

                                             12
       Oh. Well then, that being the case, ma’am, I’ve provided a race-neutral
       reason. I—he—he was--when I was asking the questions, I asked him to (2) or
       three (3) times and he said, “I don’t know, I’ve never been a juror before.”
       And— and while he may have corrected it, which would support not taking
       him for cause, I think it’s a—it’s a sufficient race neutral reason for—to take it
       as a peremptory.

Id. at 119. Essentially, the State sought to exclude Juror 62 because he indicated that he may

not vote to convict even if he was convinced the State had established all elements necessary

to achieve a conviction. The State’s subsequent questioning established a possible basis for

Juror 62’s reluctance, i.e., Juror 62’s son had been convicted of a crime. This was a

sufficiently race-neutral reason to withstand a Batson challenge. Thus, even if an objection

had been made, the trial court would not have sustained it. Therefore, Wilkins has failed to

demonstrate that he was prejudiced by trial counsel’s failure to raise a Batson challenge with

respect to the exclusion of Juror 62.

       Wilkins contends trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance when he “waived

opening statement, cross-examination, closing statement, and allowed a double jeopardy

violation in Count 3, ‘abandonment’”. Brief of Appellant at 39. Wilkins has failed to

articulate what trial counsel would or could have said during opening and closing statements

that would have had any meaningful impact on the outcome of this case. Having failed to

establish prejudice, his argument with respect to those claims is without merit.

       Wilkins was convicted of robbery and unlawfully possessing a firearm as a serious

violent felon. He contends that because the robbery conviction was elevated on the basis that

he used a firearm, a separate conviction of possessing a firearm by a serious violent felon

violates double jeopardy. Our Supreme Court has indicated otherwise. In Guyton v. State,

                                              13
771 N.E.2d 1141, 1143 (Ind. 2002), our Supreme Court stated, “carrying the gun along the

street was one crime and using it was another.” (Quoting Mickens v. State, 742 N.E.2d 927,

931 (Ind. 2001)). Therefore, had defense counsel challenged the firearm conviction on

grounds of double jeopardy that challenge would have failed. This cannot provide the basis

of a successful claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. See Wrinkles v. State, 749 N.E.2d

1179.

        Wilkins contends he was denied effective assistance of counsel when counsel did not

argue that criminal confinement is a lesser included offense of robbery. The rationale offered

in support of this argument is less than clear. Wilkins invokes Wethington v. State, 560

N.E.2d 496 (Ind. 1990) and Richardson v. State, 717 N.E.2d 32 (Ind. 1999) in a confusing

explication of his position relative to this claim. So far as we can tell, his claim is that the

factual basis underlying the confinement charge was the same conduct alleged by the State to

establish the “by force” element required to support the robbery charge. Put another way,

Wilkins contends the confinement was the force by which he effectuated the robbery, and

therefore he cannot be convicted of both offenses.

        Robbery consists of taking property “by using or threatening the use of force” or “by

putting any person in fear.” See Ind. Code Ann. § 35-42-5-1 (West, Westlaw current with all

2013 legislation). Criminal confinement consists of confining a person or removing them by

fraud, enticement, force, or threat of force from one place to another. See I.C. § 35-42-3-3

(West, Westlaw current with all 2013 legislation). Our Supreme Court has indicated that

confinement is not a lesser-included offense of robbery. See Hopkins v. State, 759 N.E.2d

                                              14
633 (Ind. 2001). Moreover, confinement is a separate criminal act where the confinement is

greater than that which is inherently necessary to rob the victim, even where the confinement

is a part of the robbery. See id. Wilkins confined the three victims well beyond that which

was necessary to carry out the robbery. He forced his victims to the restaurant’s bathroom. It

was not necessary to do this in order to take the restaurant’s money. A double jeopardy

challenge would not have succeeded, and therefore cannot be the basis of a finding of

ineffective assistance of counsel. See Wrinkles v. State, 749 N.E.2d 1179.

       Finally, under the broad claim that his convictions violated the Fifth, Sixth, and

Fourteenth Amendments, Wilkins claims, “The Charging Information for Counts 1, 2 & 3

failed to meet the requirements of Ind. Code 35-34-1-2.4 (A).” Brief of Appellant at 50. He

explains that the charging information was defective in that it failed to comply with Ind.

Code Ann. § 35-34-1-2.4 (West, Westlaw current with all 2013 legislation), which provides

that a charging information must be “verified or sworn under oath”. Further, the statute

provides a model affirmation clause meeting that requirement, i.e.: “I swear (affirm), under

penalty of perjury as specified by IC 35-44.1-2-1, that the foregoing (the following)

representations are true.” We note, however, that the statute explicitly does not narrow the

list of acceptable forms to only the model affirmation set out therein. Rather, it provides that

“a substantially similar form” would be acceptable as well. Id.

       In the present case, the charging informations, in pertinent part, read as follows:

“Undersigned, upon information and belief, being duly sworn upon oath, says that: On or

about the thirty-first day of May, 2007, in the County of Allen and in the State of Indiana,

                                              15
said defendant, Daniel E. Wilkins …” – at this point, the charging informations set out the

allegations specific to the respective offenses with which he was charged. By including in

the statute a provision indicating that language substantially similar to the model form would

suffice, the Legislature signaled its intention not to create “magic words.” Although it would

perhaps be preferable to use the model language, the failure to do so is not fatal error. The

charging informations in the present case indicate that the person signing the informations

did so while “duly sworn upon oath” and that it was “[s]ubscribed and sworn to before me”.

Appellant’s Appendix at 363 and 364, respectively. “The essential purpose of a verification

is that the statements be made under penalty of perjury.” Austin v. Sanders, 492 N.E.2d 8, 9

(Ind. 1986). I.C. § 35-34-1-2.4 prescribes a method of verification without the presence of a

notary or other officer authorized to administer an oath. The rule allows verification by

reciting the statutory language, or substantially similar language.

       To “swear” is “to take an oath.” Black’s Law Dictionary 1461 (7th ed. 1999). “The

legal effect of an oath is to subject the person to penalties for perjury if the testimony is

false.” Id. at 1099. In Indiana, a person commits the crime of perjury when he or she “makes

a false, material statement under oath or affirmation, knowing the statement to be false or not

believing it to be true[.]” Ind. Code Ann. § 35-44.1-2-1(a)(1) (West, Westlaw current with

all 2013 legislation). In the present case, the deputy prosecutor affirmed the representations

contained in the charging informations were true, and did so swearing an oath to that effect.

As such, the deputy prosecutor who signed the charging informations subjected himself or

herself to the penalties of perjury if the sworn statement was false. Thus, although not in the

                                              16
form set out in I.C. § 35-34-1-2.4, the affirmation language incorporated in these charging

informations was sufficient to satisfy the purpose of the requirement set out in the statute. In

light of this, a legal challenge by trial or appellate counsel on the grounds that Wilkins

identifies here would not have succeeded. We reiterate that counsel cannot be deemed to

have rendered ineffective assistance of counsel for failure to present a meritless claim. See

Wrinkles v. State, 749 N.E.2d 1179.

                                              2.

       Wilkins contends the trial court erred in failing to conduct an evidentiary hearing prior

to rendering a decision on his PCR petition. Our Supreme Court has determined that no

evidentiary hearing is required when the petition for post-conviction relief “conclusively

demonstrates that the petitioner is entitled to no relief[.]” Truitt v. State, 853 N.E.2d 504,

507 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006). Although Wilkins raised a plethora of issues, all of them are legal

issues, and could be resolved merely by consulting the record, without the need for a fact-

finding hearing. Therefore, the post-conviction court did not err in ruling upon Wilkins’s

PCR petition without conducting an evidentiary hearing.

       Judgment affirmed.

BAKER, J., and VAIDIK, J., concur.

                                              17