Court Opinion

ID: 4464529
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-12-16 15:07:06.928374+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:53:32.834449
License: Public Domain

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE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-0233-18T4

STATE OF NEW JERSEY,

          Plaintiff-Respondent,

v.

ANDREW A. KRAMER, a/k/a
ANDREW D. KRAMER, and
ANDREW KRAEMER,

     Defendant-Appellant.
___________________________

                    Submitted November 7, 2019 – Decided December 16, 2019

                    Before Judges Whipple and Gooden Brown.

                    On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
                    Division, Gloucester County, Indictment No. 14-02-
                    0158.

                    Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney for
                    appellant (Angela Maione Costigan, Designated
                    Counsel, on the brief).

                    Charles A. Fiore, Gloucester County Prosecutor,
                    attorney for respondent (Dana R. Anton, Senior
                    Assistant Prosecutor, on the brief).
PER CURIAM

       Defendant Andrew Kramer appeals from the July 30, 2018 Law Division

order denying his petition for post-conviction relief (PCR) without an

evidentiary hearing. We affirm.

       We glean these facts from the record. On February 26, 2014, defendant

was charged in a seven-count indictment with first-degree robbery, N.J.S.A.

2C:15-1(a); fourth-degree aggravated assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(4); third-

degree criminal restraint, N.J.S.A. 2C:13-2(a); second-degree possession of a

firearm for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4(a); second-degree unlawful

possession of a firearm, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b); third-degree theft, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-

3(a); and third-degree terroristic threats, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3(b). The charges

stemmed from a woman, whose granddaughter defendant had dated, accusing

defendant of tying her up in her home with rope, muzzling her with a bandana,

stealing her bank cards and car at gunpoint, and fleeing the scene in the car.

When he was apprehended, defendant admitted to the theft, but denied the

robbery or the use of a weapon, and attributed his actions to his drug addiction.

No gun was recovered, but the bandana used to gag the victim had defendant's

DNA.

                                                                         A-0233-18T4
                                       2
        On January 30, 2015, defendant entered a negotiated guilty plea to the

armed robbery charge and was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, subject to

an eighty-five percent period of parole ineligibility pursuant to the No Early

Release Act (NERA), N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2. In accordance with the terms of the

plea agreement, the remaining counts of the indictment were dismissed , and

defendant was sentenced to concurrent terms of imprisonment on two unrelated

indictments and an accusation.       Defendant did not file a direct appeal. 1

However, his subsequent motion to reduce his sentence based on his history of

addiction at the time of the crime and his rehabilitation while incarcerated was

denied.

        Defendant filed a timely PCR petition. In his supporting certification,

defendant asserted "[he] would have proceeded to trial rather than enter a guilty

plea" "[i]f not for the ineffectiveness of [his] trial counsel[.]"     Defendant

certified that despite "inform[ing] [his] attorney that [he] did not wish to plead

to the robbery or weapons offenses [he] did not commit," his attorney "just

continually told [him] to plead [guilty.]" According to defendant, "[he] was

incarcerated for [585] days pending [trial,]" during which time his attorney "did

not come to see [him] in the jail," and "refused to discuss trial strategy with

1
    Under the plea agreement, defendant agreed to waive his right to appeal.
                                                                          A-0233-18T4
                                        3
[him]." Additionally, defendant asserted he was undergoing "withdraw[a]l" and

"suffer[ing] with depression" at the time. Defendant averred "[he] felt that [he]

had no choice but to plead guilty" because "[he] was afraid to insult [his]

attorney on the record for fear that it would hurt [his] case, or further damage

his representation of [him]." According to defendant, "[he] did not trust [his

attorney] to represent [him] at trial[,]" and although he "asked for a new

attorney" and "advised the probation officer who interviewed [him] for [his] pre -

sentence report[,] . . . no one addressed [his] issues."

        In his counseled brief, defendant argued his attorney was ineffective in

the pre-trial, plea, and sentencing phases of the proceedings by: 1) "failing to

prepare for the trial" and address the weaknesses in the State's case, including

the fact that a gun was never recovered and the victim was biased against him

because of the dating relationship with her granddaughter; 2) "failing to meet

with [defendant]" while he was incarcerated in order to "discuss trial strategy,"

defenses, and mitigating factors, including defendant's drug addiction, mental

health issues, and learning disabilities; and 3) failing to file a motion to

withdraw his guilty plea under Slater2 and to withdraw as his attorney after

2
    State v. Slater, 198 N.J. 145 (2009).
                                                                          A-0233-18T4
                                            4
defendant indicated to the probation officer during his pre-sentence interview

that he was misled and misrepresented and wanted a different attorney.

      Following oral argument, Judge Kevin T. Smith denied defendant's

petition. In a July 24, 2018 twenty-five page written opinion, the judge reviewed

the factual background, applied the applicable legal principles, and concluded

defendant failed to "establish[] a prima facie case that he was denied effective

assistance of counsel[,]" and failed to satisfy either prong of the two-part test

set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984), and adopted by

our Supreme Court in State v. Fritz, 105 N.J. 42, 49-53 (1987). Additionally, in

rejecting defendant's request for an evidentiary hearing, the judge concluded

"[defendant] ha[d] not raised any arguments, provided any evidence, or claimed

evidence would come out during an evidentiary hearing which would rebut the

record."

      As to the first Strickland prong, the judge found defendant made

"unsupported    assertions"   and   assertions   "which    the   record   clearly

contradict[ed]." Specifically, the judge determined "[t]he record contradict[ed]

[defendant's] claim that trial counsel failed to meet with him, failed to discuss

strategy, and was not prepared to proceed to trial." Relying on defendant's plea

colloquy at the January 30, 2015 plea hearing, Judge Smith found defendant

                                                                          A-0233-18T4
                                       5
"affirmed under oath that trial counsel reviewed the plea agreement with him in

such detail that [defendant] understood."

      Further, the judge explained:

            [Defendant] stated that he had sufficient time to meet
            with trial counsel and discuss the case, ask questions,
            discuss the charges, discuss the discovery, and analyze
            the strengths and weaknesses of the case. Most
            significantly, [defendant] confirmed he was satisfied
            with trial counsel's services. In addition to confirming
            this under oath, [defendant] also signed or initialed
            every page of his plea agreement, [3] including page five,
            question twenty-four, which asks "are you satisfied
            with the advice you received from your lawyer?" The
            answer circled is "yes." In court, [defendant] was given
            the opportunity to raise any of the issues he now
            complains of. He also was free to not sign the plea deal.
            Instead, he confirmed under oath that counsel did the
            exact things [defendant] now claims did not happen.

      In addressing defendant's specific contention that trial counsel did not

visit him in jail, Judge Smith acknowledged "the practical reality . . . that most

attorney-client meetings involving [public defender attorneys as here]

occur[red] in the courthouse." The judge also acknowledged trial counsel's

"obligation to discuss evidence, exposure, and strategy" with his client. The

3
   During the plea colloquy, although defendant indicated "[he] had learning
disabilities growing up[,]" he acknowledged that he graduated from high school ,
and that his reading ability was sufficient that he understood the documents that
he read.
                                                                          A-0233-18T4
                                        6
judge explained that, "[w]hile ideally, trial counsel could have visited

[defendant] in jail to discuss the case," defendant "[did] not claim trial counsel

failed to meet with him at all." On the contrary, "by [defendant's] own sworn

testimony such discussions did occur." The judge therefore concluded that

"[t]rial counsel's failure to visit [defendant in] . . . jail [did] not amount to

deficient performance."

      The judge also rejected defendant's contention that trial counsel "was not

prepared to proceed to trial." The judge explained that "trial counsel's filling

out both the pre-trial memorandum and plea agreement form at the pre-trial

conference" was "indicative of his preparedness, not lack thereof." According

to the judge, "[b]y filling out both documents, trial counsel gave [defendant] the

opportunity to proceed with either option." Additionally, the judge noted that

trial counsel also "demonstrated his preparedness during [the] plea colloquy"

when "[defendant] expressed hesitancy when asked to establish a factual basis

for the armed robbery[.]"      The judge pointed out that when "[defendant]

continued to deny having [a] gun" for purposes of the factual basis, trial counsel

advised that he had filled out the pre-trial memorandum, . . . a necessary step to

placing the case on the trial list." According to the judge, "[b]y saying this, trial

                                                                             A-0233-18T4
                                         7
counsel indicated to the court that he was ready to proceed to trial if they could

not establish a factual basis for the plea." 4

      Turning to the second Strickland prong, the judge determined defendant

"failed to make a prima facie case that but for counsel's errors[,] he would not

have pled guilty, and that the decision to reject the plea bargain would have been

rational under the circumstances." First, the judge found that "[defendant's]

conduct contradict[ed] his claim that he would have gone to trial." According

to the judge,

             [w]hile [defendant] did express hesitancy about
             admitting to having a gun during his plea colloquy, . . .
             this was not due to a genuine claim of innocence or a
             wavering desire to follow through with the plea.
             Instead, this was due to a misunderstanding of whether
             the weapons charges would be dismissed if [defendant]
             admitted to having a gun. . . . During the lengthy
             discussion with the court, [defendant] never indicated
             that his hesitancy was in any way due to a desire to
             proceed to trial or frustration with trial counsel's
             services. Only now, after the fact, does [defendant]
             claim he would have gone to trial.

4
  The judge noted that, ultimately, after conferring with trial counsel, defendant
was able to establish a factual basis, and acknowledged that his prior denial "was
all due to a misunderstanding on his part" that "if he admitted to having the gun,
the State would have grounds to re-charge him with weapons offenses."
                                                                          A-0233-18T4
                                          8
        Next, the judge found defendant "has not proved his decision to reject the

plea would have been rational under the circumstances."                       Recounting

defendant's potential penal exposure, the judge explained:

              [Defendant] was facing a seven[-]count indictment
              including a first degree armed robbery charge. On that
              alone, [defendant] was facing a potential exposure of
              [twenty] years imprisonment had he gone to trial. . . .
              Additionally, [defendant] was charged with two
              second[-]degree [weapons] charges . . . which each
              exposed [him] to ten years imprisonment and were
              subject to the Graves Act. . . . On top of that,
              [defendant] had sentencing pending on three other
              indictments.[5]       Despite the lengthy exposure
              [defendant] was facing, mandatory parole ineligibility,
              and the real potential for consecutive sentences given
              the other pending indictments, trial counsel managed to
              negotiate a very favorable plea for [defendant].
              Defendant's plea agreement had six of the seven counts
              dismissed, gave [defendant] the minimum statutory
              term allowable for a first[-]degree offense, which was
              eight years less that the State's initial offer, and had this
              term run concurrent with the three other indictments.

        In evaluating "the evidence in [the] case[,]" the judge acknowledged that

the State's case was "certainly weakened" by the fact that "the firearm

[defendant] allegedly used was never recovered and his DNA was not found on

the rope allegedly used to bind [the victim]." However, the judge pointed out

that "had [defendant] gone to trial[,] [he] would have conceded guilt on some of

5
    The judge was referring to the two unrelated indictments and one accusation.
                                                                                 A-0233-18T4
                                           9
the charges[,]" by virtue of his admission that "he went to [the victim's]

residence, stole her purse, took her vehicle . . . and used her ATM cards to

purchase drugs."    Further, there was physical evidence based on "a DNA

[l]aboratory [r]eport" identifying defendant's "DNA as the DNA found on the

bandana used to restrain [the victim,]" which "evidence contradicted

[defendant's] claim of partial innocence" and corroborated the victim's account.

The judge concluded that

            considering [defendant's] potential exposure, the
            potential for consecutive sentences on his other wholly
            unrelated indictments, his proposed defense at trial, the
            victim's identification of [defendant], and [defendant's]
            DNA being found on the bandana, it would not have
            been rational for [defendant] to reject the generous plea
            agreement trial counsel successfully negotiated on his
            behalf.

      Judge Smith also rejected defendant's claim that based on defendant's

"criticism" of him during his pre-sentence interview, "trial counsel was

operating under a conflict of interest" and was "ineffective" by failing to "fil[e]

a Slater motion to withdraw [defendant's] plea and withdraw[] as counsel." The

judge explained:

            [T]he court and trial counsel's conduct during
            sentencing are indicative that no conflict of interest
            existed. At sentencing, the trial court noted the
            statement [defendant] made in the pre-sentence report.
            In response, the court reminded [defendant] all that trial

                                                                           A-0233-18T4
                                       10
            counsel had done for him and how trial counsel
            negotiated him a generous plea. . . . That the trial court
            did not inquire into [defendant's] complaint further, and
            instead reiterated the job trial counsel did, suggests the
            court did not find any issue with trial counsel's
            representation. Also, despite [defendant's] comments
            in the pre-sentence report[,] trial counsel continued to
            advocate on [defendant's] behalf, such as contesting the
            amount of restitution owed and advocating for
            placement in a prison close to [defendant's] family.

Additionally, the judge determined "even had trial counsel filed a Slater motion,

the result would not have been different" because the Slater "factors weigh[ed]

against allowing [defendant] to withdraw his plea."6

      On appeal, defendant raises the following points for our consideration:

            I: THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO
            FIND    THAT  DEFENSE  COUNSEL    WAS
            INEFFECTIVE.

                  A. DEFICIENCY PRONG

                  1. IN THE PLEA PHASE, DEFENSE
                  COUNSEL FAILED TO CONSIDER
                  THAT NO GUN WAS EVER FOUND
                  AND     THAT    THERE   WERE
                  SIGNIFICANT DISCREPANCIES IN
                  THE WITNESS STATEMENT.

6
   See Slater, 198 N.J. at 157-58 (establishing four factors trial judges must
"consider and balance . . . in evaluating motions to withdraw a guilty plea[,]"
namely "(1) whether the defendant has asserted a colorable claim of innocence;
(2) the nature and strength of defendant's reasons for withdrawal; (3) the
existence of a plea bargain; and (4) whether withdrawal would result in unfair
prejudice to the State or unfair advantage to the accused.").
                                                                         A-0233-18T4
                                       11
                  2. DEFENSE COUNSEL FAILED TO
                  DISCUSS AND MEET HIS CLIENT
                  PRIOR TO HIS PLEA.

                  3. DEFENSE COUNSEL FAILED TO
                  APPRISE THE COURT AT THE PRE-
                  TRIAL/PLEA AND THE SENTENCING
                  PHASE THAT DEFENDANT WAS NOT
                  COMPETENT TO ENTER INTO A PLEA
                  AGREEMENT.

                  4. DEFENSE COUNSEL WAS NOT
                  PREPARED FOR TRIAL.

                  5. DEFENSE COUNSEL FAILED TO
                  FILE A MOTION TO WITHDRAW
                  DEFENDANT'S GUILTY PLEA.

                  6. DEFENSE COUNSEL FAILED TO
                  WITHDRAW.

                  B. PREJUDICE PRONG.

            II. THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO
            HOLD AN EVIDENTIARY HEARING.

      Merely raising a claim for PCR does not entitle a defendant to an

evidentiary hearing. See State v. Cummings, 321 N.J. Super. 154, 170 (App.

Div. 1999). Rather, trial courts should grant evidentiary hearings only if the

defendant has presented a prima facie claim of ineffective assistance of counsel

(IAC), material issues of disputed fact lie outside the record, and resolution of

those issues necessitates a hearing. R. 3:22-10(b); State v. Porter, 216 N.J. 343,

                                                                          A-0233-18T4
                                       12
355 (2013). A PCR court deciding whether to grant an evidentiary hearing

"should view the facts in the light most favorable to a defendant." State v.

Preciose, 129 N.J. 451, 463 (1992). However, "[a] court shall not grant an

evidentiary hearing" if "the defendant's allegations are too vague, conclusory or

speculative[.]" R. 3:22-10(e)(2).

      In turn, we review under the abuse of discretion standard the PCR court's

determination to proceed without an evidentiary hearing. State v. Marshall, 148

N.J. 89, 157 (1997). We also typically review a PCR petition with "deference

to the trial court's factual findings . . . 'when supported by adequate, substantial

and credible evidence.'" State v. Harris, 181 N.J. 391, 415 (2004) (quoting Toll

Bros., Inc. v. Twp. of W. Windsor, 173 N.J. 502, 549 (2002)). However, where,

as here, "no evidentiary hearing has been held, we 'may exercise de novo review

over the factual inferences drawn from the documentary record by the [PCR

judge].'"   State v. Reevey, 417 N.J. Super. 134, 146-47 (App. Div. 2010)

(quoting Harris, 181 N.J. at 421). We also review de novo the legal conclusions

of the PCR judge. Harris, 181 N.J. at 415-16 (citing Toll Bros., 173 N.J. at 549).

      To establish a prima facie claim of IAC, defendant must satisfy the two-

prong Strickland test: he must show that (l) "counsel's performance was

deficient" and he "made errors so serious that counsel was not functioning as the

                                                                            A-0233-18T4
                                        13
'counsel' guaranteed . . . by the Sixth Amendment" to the United States

Constitution; and (2) "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. at 687, 694; see also Fritz, 105 N.J. at 52. A reasonable

probability is defined as "a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the

outcome." Id. at 694.

      Under the first Strickland prong, "counsel is strongly presumed to have

rendered adequate assistance and made all significant decisions in the exercise

of reasonable professional judgment." Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690. Adequate

assistance of counsel must be measured by a standard of "reasonable

competence." State v. Jack, 144 N.J. 240, 248 (1996) (quoting Fritz, 105 N.J.

at 53). "'Reasonable competence' does not require the best of attorneys[.]" State

v. Davis, 116 N.J. 341, 351 (1989).          Under the second Strickland prong,

defendant must prove prejudice. Fritz, 105 N.J. at 52. In order to establish the

Strickland prejudice prong to set aside a guilty plea, "'a [defendant] must

convince the court that a decision to reject the plea bargain'" and "insist on going

to trial" would have been "rational under the circumstances." State v. Maldon,

422 N.J. Super. 475, 486 (App. Div. 2011) (quoting Padilla v. Kentucky, 559

U.S. 356, 372 (2010)). That determination should be "based on evidence, not

                                                                            A-0233-18T4
                                        14
speculation." Ibid. Because there is a strong presumption that counsel "rendered

adequate assistance and made all significant decisions in the exercise of

reasonable professional judgment[,]" Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690, a defendant

"bears the burden of proving" both prongs of an IAC claim "by a preponderance

of the evidence." State v. Gaitan, 209 N.J. 339, 350 (2012).

      Applying these standards, we affirm substantially for the reasons

expressed in Judge Smith's thoughtful and thorough written opinion. We have

considered all of defendant's contrary arguments in light of the record and

applicable legal principles, and conclude they are without sufficient merit to

warrant further discussion. R. 2:11-3(e)(2).

      Affirmed.

                                                                        A-0233-18T4
                                      15