Court Opinion

ID: 9946577
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-29 21:03:00.580436+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:24:54.600615
License: Public Domain

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

STATE OF DELAWARE,                  )
                                    )
                  Plaintiff,        )
                                    )
      v.                            )      Cr. ID. Nos. 1812014043
                                    )                   1812006782
JOSHUA CIRWITHIAN,                  )
                                    )
                  Defendant.        )

                         Submitted: November 22, 2023
                          Decided: February 28, 2024

           COMMISSIONER’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
           THAT DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR POSTCONVICTION
            RELIEF SHOULD BE SUMMARILY DISMISSED, AND
               POSTCONVICTION COUNSEL’S MOTION TO
                      WITHDRAW BE GRANTED.

Nichole T. Whetham Warner, Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice,
Wilmington, Delaware, Attorney for the State.

Joshua Cirwithian, James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, Smyrna, Delaware, pro
se.

Elliott Margules, Esquire, Office of Defense Services, Public Defender’s Office,
Wilmington, Delaware, Trial Counsel for Defendant.

Edward Gill, Esquire, Gill, Welch and Chamberlain, PA, Georgetown, Delaware,
Appellate Counsel for Defendant.

Kimberly Price, Esquire, Collins, Price and Warner, Wilmington, Delaware,
Postconviction Counsel for Defendant.

O’CONNOR, M., Commissioner.
       This 28th day of February, 2024, upon consideration of Defendant’s Motion

for Postconviction Relief;1 the State’s Response to Defendant’s Motion for

Postconviction Relief;2 the Affidavit of Trial Counsel;3 the Supplemental Affidavit

of Trial Counsel;4 Postconviction Counsel’s Motion to Withdraw;5 Defendant’s

Response to Counsel’s Motion to Withdraw;6 Defendant’s Supplement to Motion

for Postconviction Relief;7 and the record in this matter, the following is my Report

and Recommendation.

PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

       On November 4, 2019, after a four-day bench trial, Joshua Cirwithian

(hereinafter “Defendant”) was found guilty of three counts of Sexual Solicitation of

a Child and one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child by a Person in a Position of Trust,

Authority or Supervision in the First Degree.8 Defendant’s victims were minors at

the time of the alleged sexual misconduct -- S.C., a relative, and S.R., the child of a

former paramour.

1
  Docket Item (“D.I.”) 72. References to Docket Items relate to the docket in Superior Court Case
No. 1812014043.
2
  D.I. 95.
3
  D.I. 93.
4
  D.I. 104.
5
  D.I. 88.
6
  D.I. 91.
7
  D.I. 94.
8
  D.I. 68, October 29, 2019 Trial Tr. at 6:1-13. Prior to the start of trial, the State dismissed one
count of Unlawful Sexual Contact Second Degree.
                                                 1
       On December 10, 2019, the State filed a Motion to Declare Defendant a

Habitual Offender,9 which this Court granted prior to sentencing on March 6, 2020.10

On March 6, 2020, this Court sentenced Defendant to an aggregate term of

imprisonment of 70 years, suspended after serving 26 years pursuant to 11 Del. C. §

4214(a), followed by probation supervision.11                 The Delaware Supreme Court

affirmed Defendant’s convictions on direct appeal.12

       On August 6, 2021, Defendant filed a pro se Motion for Postconviction

Relief,13 and a Motion for Appointment of Counsel.14 Defendant’s pro se Motion

for Postconviction relief raised three claims: (1) trial counsel was ineffective for

failing to “file for a suppression hearing on the submission of the victim’s Facebook

records because they were not properly authenticated [pursuant to] D.R.E. 803(6);”

9
   D.I. 59.
10
   D.I. 61, March 26, 2020 Order of the Superior Court.
11
   D.I. 62, Sentence Order.
12
   Cirwithian v. State, 2021 WL 1820771 (Del. May 6, 2021). On direct appeal, appellate counsel
raised five claims. First, Defendant argued the trial judge assisted and coached S.C. during her
testimony in breach of his duty to serve as a neutral arbitrator. Id. at *4. Second, Defendant argued
the trial judge committed plain error in asking S.C. what she thought Defendant meant in the
Facebook messages he sent her, without her having personal knowledge of what he in-fact meant.
Id. Third, Defendant alleged the State failed to produce sufficient evidence to establish he was in
a position of trust concerning S.C.. Id. at *5. Fourth, Defendant claimed the trial judge committed
plain error by allowing the prosecutor to shift the burden of proof and vouch for S.C.’s credibility
during the State’s summation. Id. Finally, Defendant claimed this Court erred in considering if
the Court should have considered a 2003 arrest for rape when fashioning Defendant’s sentence,
which did not result in a conviction and was nolle prossed by the State. Id. at *6. The Delaware
Supreme Court concluded, after conducting a review of the record, that Defendant’s appeal was
wholly without merit. Id. On May 24, 2021, the Delaware Supreme Court issued its Mandate,
affirming the judgment of the Superior Court. D.I. 71, Mandate of the Delaware Supreme Court.
13
   D.I. 72, Pro se Motion for Postconviction Relief.
14
   D.I. 73, Motion for Appointment of Counsel.
                                                 2
(2) trial counsel was ineffective for “not contesting redacted phone calls that the

State used to prove [Defendant’s] alleged [admitting] of the crime;” and (3) the trial

judge abused his discretion by assisting and coaching the complaining witness.15

      On November 1, 2021, this Court granted Defendant’s Motion for

Appointment of Postconviction Counsel,16 and on August 8, 2022, Kimberly Price,

Esquire was appointed postconviction counsel.17

      On February 14, 2023, postconviction counsel filed a Motion to Withdraw as

Counsel, a Memorandum in Support of Motion to Withdraw, and an Appendix.18 In

the Memorandum in Support of Motion to Withdraw, postconviction counsel

concluded, after conducting a thorough review of the record to determine if any

postconviction claims could be ethically advocated, she could not assert any

postconviction claims.19 On March 8, 2023, Defendant filed a Response to Motion

to Withdraw as Counsel.20

      On May 2, 2023, trial counsel filed an Affidavit of Response of Trial

      Counsel.21

      On June 8, 2023, Defendant filed a Supplement to the Motion for

15
   D.I. 72, Pro se Motion for Postconviction Relief at 3.
16
   D.I. 75.
17
   D.I. 78.
18
   D.I. 88, Motion to Withdraw as Counsel and Memorandum in Support of Motion to Withdraw.
19
   Id. at 1.
20
   D.I. 91, Defendant’s Response to Motion to Withdraw as Counsel.
21
   D.I. 93, Affidavit of Response of Trial Counsel.
                                            3
Postconviction Relief (the “Supplement”),22 in which he asserts nine claims. In the

Supplement, Defendant argues (1) trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a

motion to exclude the Facebook messages from trial because they were not properly

authenticated; (2) trial counsel was ineffective to contest unidentified redacted

phone calls admitted by the State at trial; (3) the Superior Court judge abused his

discretion by assisting and coaching the complaining witness’ testimony; (4)

ineffective assistance of counsel for failing to object to the interpretation of

Facebook messages as evidence of sexual solicitation; (5) ineffective assistance of

counsel for failing to object to uncharged conduct admitted at trial; (6) ineffective

assistance of counsel in failing to object to the prosecutor’s “improper vouching” for

the credibility for the victim; (7) ineffective assistance of counsel in failing to

investigate the veracity and authenticity of Facebook messages; (8) cumulative

deficiencies in trial counsel’s performance resulted in a violation of Defendant’s

Sixth Amendment rights; and (9) postconviction counsel’s motion to withdraw from

representation constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel.23

       On June 13, 2023, the Court received the State’s Response to Defendant’s

Motion for Postconviction Relief.24 Therein, the State argued Defendant failed to

raise any meritorious postconviction relief claims, trial counsel’s reasoning and trial

22
   D.I. 94, Supplement to Motion for Postconviction Relief.
23
   D.I. 94, Supplement at 3-16.
24
   D.I. 95, State’s Response to Defendant’s Motion for Postconviction Relief.
                                               4
strategy were sound, and the claims raised in Defendant’s Supplement were

adjudicated on direct appeal and are therefore procedurally barred pursuant to

Superior Court Criminal Rule 61(i)(3) and/or Rule 61(i)(4).25

A. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

       The Delaware Supreme Court recited the evidence adduced at trial:26

              S.C.’s testimony at trial can be summarized as follows.

       Defendant is her uncle. She has known him all her life. She looked up

       to him, and at times she confided in him. Defendant inappropriately

       touched S.C. on or about August 1, 2016 when she was sixteen.

       Defendant came into her bedroom, asked her about her sex life, made

       her take off her clothes, and called himself her doctor. Defendant put

       his hand inside S.C.’s vagina for approximately five minutes and told

       her that she had a sexually transmitted disease. Defendant then gave

       S.C. a bag of pills and instructed her to take them before leaving her

       bedroom. S.C. did not tell anyone after this incident occurred. This

       incident is the basis for one of the Sexual Solicitation of a Child charges

       involving S.C. and the charge of Sexual Abuse of a Child by a Person

       in a Position of Trust, Authority or Supervision in the First Degree.

25
   Id.
26
  The facts have been adopted from the Delaware Supreme Court’s opinion on direct appeal. See
Cirwithian, 2021 WL 1820771, at *1-3 (internal citations omitted).
                                             5
      Following the above-described incident, but on the same day,

Defendant messaged S.C. over Facebook messenger. A number of

messages then went back and forth between S.C. and Defendant. Some

of these messages were read aloud at trial during S.C.’s testimony. In

one message Defendant said “u will be getting a check-up by Dr. Josh

every week until it goes away[.]” In another he said that “I need what u

got so I can give it to her[,]” referring to an ex-girlfriend who he

believed had committed some wrong against him. Defendant also

offered to pay S.C. if she would help him. As the prosecutor went

through the messages with S.C. during her testimony, the prosecutor

frequently asked S.C. what she understood Defendant's messages to

mean. S.C. explained that she understood Defendant's messages to

mean that he wanted to get her to have sex with him or let him touch

her vagina with his hands. Defense counsel did not object. The

Facebook messages are the basis for the second Sexual Solicitation of

a Child charge involving S.C.

      S.C. also testified that she first called the police in the summer

of 2017 after a confrontation with Defendant at her house. When she

attempted to inform the police officer about Defendant's sexual abuse,

the officer told S.C. that she would have to file a police report.

                                    6
      S.C. further testified that she went to the Wilmington Police

Station and filed a report in January of 2018 after learning that

Defendant had also sexually abused S.R. In March, S.C. was

interviewed by Wilmington Police Detective Simonds. In a videotaped

statement, played at trial, S.C. described how Defendant touched her in

her bedroom during the August 1 incident.

      At the time of trial, S.C. was twenty years old. During defense

counsel's cross-examination of S.C., she became frustrated by the

questions. The judge explained that although “the questions may seem

irritating, irrelevant, not to the point[,]” defense counsel's “goal, at this

point, is to try what is known as impeach you; hence, to attack your

credibility.” The judge told S.C. that “as uncomfortable as it may be,

he gets to ask those questions, and you are going to have to answer

them.” S.C. said that defense counsel's questions are “making me very

upset, and to the point I am going to leave.” The judge responded, “I

understand. But you should not do that, and I encourage you not to do

that.” A few questions later, defense counsel asked S.C. about a time

she went to a clinic. The State objected. S.C. began answering before

the judge ruled on the objection, but the judge cut her off and said

“[t]rust me, you don't want to say too many things because – just

                                     7
wait.” S.C. answered the question anyway, “I went to the clinic for a

Plan B. Does that help?” After more questions, S.C. asked “[c]an I see

you one second? Can I bring something up?” The judge responded,

“[w]hen the State comes back up, keep it in your mind; when the State

comes back up.” Later, S.C. was frustrated by another question. The

judge explained that she “just ha[s] to answer the questions. The State

will get an opportunity to do what is known as resuscitate you... It

actually is worse if you don't answer, and then something comes out

that you didn't answer. So just answer truthfully, and the State will get

its opportunity.” At no time did defense counsel object.

      S.R.’s mother testified about the incident involving S.R. Her

testimony can be summarized as follows. She had known Defendant

since she was eighteen and they used to be in a romantic relationship.

After their relationship ended, they remained close friends. She could

always depend on Defendant. He was like S.R.’s unofficial father.

Defendant had bought diapers and Christmas gifts for S.R. He had also

taken S.R. to get her nails done, to soccer games, and to cheerleading.

S.R. revealed to her an incident of inappropriate touching by Defendant

in January 2018. The incident occurred the previous October. S.R.’s

school required that the students wear uniforms. On the day of the

                                   8
incident, S.R. went to school in her uniform, but at the end of the school

day, she changed into a short skirt she had taken to school with her.

When she got home, her mother saw the skirt and thought it was

unacceptably short. Defendant arrived at the mother's house about that

time, and S.R.’s mother asked him to speak to her about the

inappropriateness of the short skirt. When S.R. revealed the incident to

her mother, S.R. explained that Defendant came into her bedroom to

talk about her skirt and told her to undress. After S.R. took her clothes

off, Defendant told her to lay on the bed and open her legs because he

could tell if she was having sex with someone by looking at her. After

hearing this from S.R. in January 2018, S.R.’s mother called S.C.’s

mother because she remembered seeing something on Facebook. They

spoke with one another and, later that weekend, took S.C. and S.R. to

the police station to report the incidents.

      S.R.’s testimony can be summarized as follows. She used to look

up to Defendant as a father figure and used to call him dad. One day,

her mother thought her skirt was too short. Her mother told her to go to

her room. She did so and a cousin was in the bedroom with her.

Defendant went to S.R.’s bedroom and asked her cousin to leave the

room. Defendant then said he could tell if she was having sex and told

                                     9
       S.R. to take her clothes off. S.R. took off her shirt and skirt. Defendant

       then asked S.R. to take her bra and panties off. She refused, so

       Defendant told her to put her clothes back on and said that “[w]hatever

       happens in this room, stays in this room.” S.R. was 14 years old at that

       time.

B. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL

       In order to prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, a defendant

must show: (1) “that counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of

reasonableness,” and (2) “that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s

unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.”27

There is a strong presumption that counsel’s legal representation was competent and

falls within the “wide range” of reasonable professional assistance.28 “The standard

for judging counsel's representation is a most deferential one.” 29 Trial counsel

“observed the relevant proceedings, knew of materials outside the record, and

interacted with the client, with opposing counsel, and with the judge.”30 The

question is whether an attorney's representation amounted to incompetence under

“prevailing professional norms,” not whether it deviated from best practices or most

27
   Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 694 (1984).
28
   Premo v. Moore, 562 U.S. 115, 122-23 (2011); see also Flamer v. State, 585 A.2d 736, 753-44
(Del. 1990) (citations omitted).
29
   Premo, 562 U.S. at 122.
30
   Id.
                                             10
common custom.31 As such, mere allegations will not suffice; instead, a defendant

must make concrete allegations of ineffective assistance, and substantiate them, or

risk summary dismissal.32 Deference must be given to defense counsel’s judgment

in order to promote stability in the process.33

       To overcome the strong presumption that trial counsel provided competent

representation, the defendant must demonstrate that “counsel failed to act

reasonabl[y] considering all the circumstances” and that the alleged unreasonable

performance prejudiced the defense.34 The essential question is whether counsel

made mistakes so crucial that they were not functioning at the level guaranteed by

the Sixth Amendment, thereby depriving defendant of a fair trial.35

       Because a defendant must prove both parts of an ineffectiveness claim, a court

may dispose of a claim by first determining that the defendant cannot establish

prejudice.36 The first consideration in the “prejudice” analysis “requires more than

a showing of theoretical possibility that the outcome was affected.”37 “It is not

enough to ‘show that the errors had some conceivable effect on the outcome of the

31
   Id. (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690).
32
   Younger v. State, 580 A.2d 552, 556 (Del. 1990).
33
   State v. Fithian, 2016 WL 3131442 at * 3 (Del. Super. May 25, 2016) (citing Premo, 562 U.S.
at 120-122).
34
   Cullen v. Pinholster, 563 U.S. 170, 189 (2011) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688).
35
   Id.
36
   Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697.
37
   Frey v. Fulcomer, 974 F.2d 348, 358 (3rd Cir. 1992).
                                             11
proceeding.’”38 Defendant must show a reasonable probability of a different result

(i.e., acquittal) but for trial counsel’s alleged errors.39

       1. Procedural Requirements of Rule 61.

       In any motion for postconviction relief, this Court must first determine

whether a defendant has satisfied the procedural requirements of Superior Court

Criminal Rule 61 before giving consideration to the merits of the underlying

claims.40     Rule 61(i)(1) prohibits the Court from considering a motion for

postconviction relief unless it is filed within one year after the judgment of

conviction is final.41 Rule 61(i)(2) prohibits the filing of repetitive motions for

postconviction relief, unless: under Rule 61(d)(2)(i), the movant “pleads with

particularity that new evidence exists that creates a strong inference” of actual

innocence; or, under Rule 61(d)(2)(ii),“that a new rule of constitutional law, made

retroactive to cases on collateral review,” applies to the movant’s case.42

38
   Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 104 (2011) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 693).
39
   Strickland, 466 U.S. at 695.
40
   Taylor v. State, 32 A.3d 374, 388 (Del. 2011) (quoting Shelton v. State, 744 A.2d 465, 474 (Del.
1999)).
41
   Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(1). A judgment of conviction is final “when the Supreme Court issues
a mandate or order finally determining the case on direct review.” State v. Drake, 2008 WL
5264880, at *1 (Del. Super. Dec. 15, 2008). Rule 61(i)(1) also affords a Defendant an opportunity
to present a motion which “asserts a retroactively applicable right that is newly recognized after
the judgment of conviction is final, more than one year after the right is first recognized by the
Supreme Court of Delaware or by the United States Supreme Court.” Id. Because Defendant has
not claimed a newly recognized retroactively applicable right applies to this second postconviction
motion, this exception is inapplicable.
42
   Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(2).
                                                12
       Rule 61(i)(3) provides that “any ground for relief that was not asserted in the

proceedings leading to the judgment of conviction, as required by the rules of this

Court, is thereafter barred, unless the movant shows (a) cause for relief from the

procedural default and (b) prejudice from the violation of movant’s rights.”43

       Rule 61(i)(4) provides that “[a]ny ground for relief that was formerly

adjudicated, whether in the proceedings leading to the judgment of conviction, in an

appeal, in a postconviction proceeding, or in a federal habeas corpus proceeding, is

thereafter barred.”44

       Rule 61(i)(5) provides that the procedural bars provided in Rules 61(i)(1)-(4)

do not apply to a claim that the Court lacked jurisdiction or if the Defendant satisfies

the pleading requirements of Rule 61(d)(2)(i) or (d)(2)(ii).45

       Defendant’s Motion for Postconviction Relief was timely filed on August 6,

2021 and is his first postconviction motion.46 As such, he has cleared the procedural

hurdles established by Superior Court Criminal Rules 61(i)(1) and (2).

       However, Defendant’s Motion is procedurally defaulted, pursuant to Rule

61(i)(3), as most postconviction claims were not asserted in the proceedings leading

to the judgment of conviction. Specifically, Defendant (1) failed to raise a claim

43
   Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(3).
44
   Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(4).
45
   Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(5).
46
   D.I. 72. Defendant’s pro se Motion for Postconviction Relief.
                                              13
that the victim’s Facebook records were not properly authenticated; 47 (2) failed to

object or appeal the State’s use of redacted phone calls supporting the State’s

assertion that Defendant committed the crime;48 (3) failed to object to S.C.’s

interpretation of Facebook messages the Defendant sent to S.C.;49 (4) failed to object

to S.C.’s testimony which addressed two incidents of uncharged conduct;50 (5) failed

to object to the prosecutor’s improper vouching for the victim’s credibility during

closing argument;51 and (6) failing to assert trial counsel failed to investigate the

veracity and authenticity of Facebook messages.52 Defendant has failed to explain

why he did not timely raise these claims, either at trial or on direct appeal, and he

has not pled specific prejudice from the failure to do so.53

       Additionally, pursuant to Rule 61(i)(4), Defendant’s remaining claims: (1)

the trial judge assisted and coached S.C. through her testimony and (2) trial counsel

failed to object to the prosecutor’s improper vouching for the victim’s credibility

during closing argument,54 are procedurally barred as these claims were adjudicated

in Defendant’s direct appeal.55

47
   Id. at 3.
48
   Id.
49
   D.I. 94, Supplement at 4-5.
50
   Id. at 6-8.
51
   Id. at 8-10.
52
   Id. at 6-7. Defendant did not identify or refer to any specific evidence constituting “uncharged
conduct” from the trial record.
53
   See Super. Ct. Crim. R. 61(i)(3)(A), (B).
54
   Id. at 8-9.
55
   See Cirwithian v. State, 2021 WL 1820771, at *4-6.
                                                14
         Finally, the Defendant could potentially have avoided the applicability of the

procedural bars in Rule 61(i)(1)-(4) if he presented valid claims (1) asserting that the

Court lacked jurisdiction or he (2) pled with particularity that (a) new evidence exists

that creates a strong inference that Defendant is innocent in fact of the charged

offenses, or that (b) a new rule of constitutional law made retroactive on cases on

collateral review by the United States Supreme Court or the Delaware Supreme

Court applies to his case and makes his conviction invalid.56 Defendant has not

argued the applicability of Rule 61(i)(5) and Rule 61(d)(2) to avoid the procedural

bars noted supra, and his motion is procedurally barred as Claims I-VII are either

procedurally defaulted or previously adjudicated. As a result of Defendant’s failure

to overcome Rule 61(i)’s procedural bars, I recommend Defendant’s claims be

summarily dismissed.

         2. Consideration of the Merits of Defendant’s Claims.

         Despite the procedural bars to Defendant’s Motion, I will briefly address the

merits of Defendant’s claims. At the end of the day, many of Defendant’s claims

are overlapping and/or convoluted, and fail to demonstrate prejudice under

Strickland’s exacting standards. As is explained in more detail below, to the extent

Defendant asserts counsel provided ineffective representation, this argument is not

56
     See Super. Ct. Crim. R 61(d)(2).
                                           15
supported by the record and Defendant has not shown prejudice (i.e., a reasonable

probability of a different result), but for counsel’s performance.

               Claim I: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel – Facebook Messages.

         Defendant argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion

to exclude Facebook messages admitted at trial because the messages were not

properly authenticated pursuant to Delaware Rule of Evidence (“Rule”) 803(6).57

Defendant’s argument in relation to authentication is misplaced.

         The concept of authentication as it relates to evidence admitted at trial is

controlled by Rule 901.         Rule 901 provides “[t]o satisfy the requirement of

authenticating or identifying an item of evidence, the proponent must produce

evidence sufficient to support a finding that the item is what the proponent claims it

is.”58     As Delaware courts have consistently recognized, “’the authentication

requirement is fundamental,’ but ‘it imposes only a lenient burden that is easily met.

To satisfy the authentication requirement, the State need only establish a rational

basis from which [the factfinder] could conclude that the evidence is connected with

the defendant. There are no hard-and-fast rules about how the State must meet the

57
   D.I. 72, Pro se Motion for Postconviction Relief at 3. Delaware Rule of Evidence (“Rule”)
803(6) is commonly known as the business records exception to hearsay and Defendant’s reliance
on this rule is misplaced.
58
   Rule 901(a).
                                             16
authentication requirement, and it is permissible to use the content and context of an

item [of evidence] for authentication.”59

       Here, S.C. testified about Facebook messages she sent from her own

Facebook account to the Defendant, and the Defendant’s responses to her

messages.60 In testifying that she sent messages from her account, and the Defendant

was the person who responded to them, the messages were properly authenticated,

and the State established a rational basis from which the judge could conclude the

evidence was connected to the Defendant. Counsel’s decision not to object was

professionally reasonable, and Defendant’s claim is meritless.

              Claim II: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel – Failure to contest
              redacted phone calls the State used to prove Defendant’s admission
              of the crimes.

       Defendant generally argues trial counsel failed to contest the admission of

redacted phone calls the State admitted in its case in chief.           Defendant suggests,

without identifying any specific phone call, that if an unredacted version of the call

were admitted into evidence, “it would explain more of what [Defendant] was trying

to say.”61 Defendant claims trial “counsel failed to play a[] recorded interview by

59
   Bowers v. State, 2023 WL 6938238, at *3 (Del. Oct. 20, 2023) (internal citations omitted).
60
   Trial counsel denied Defendant’s ineffective assistance claim, noting there was no legitimate
basis to move to suppress the Facebook messages, as they were “voluntarily obtained by the
complaining witness.” D.I. 93, Affidavit of Response of Elliott M. Margules Pursuant to Superior
Court Criminal Rule 61(g)(2) (“Affidavit”).
61
   D.I. 72, Motion for Postconviction Relief at 3.
                                              17
Det. Simmons with a victim’s siblings which the siblings statement would have

impeached the victim’s testimony.”62

       Defendant’s claim fails to identify any phone call, victim, sibling, recording

or any other evidence supporting his claim that the recorded interview of a sibling

of a victim would have impeached the credibility of a victim’s trial testimony.63 This

Court will not address Rule 61 claims that are conclusory and unsubstantiated,64 and

Defendant has failed to identify any evidence in support of his claim. Defendant’s

claim is meritless.

               Claim III: Abuse of Judicial Discretion.

       Defendant asserts the Superior Court judge abused his discretion by assisting

and coaching the complaining witness’ testimony, constituting prejudicial error. The

record does not support Defendant’s claim.

       On cross-examination, on more than one occasion, S.C. became frustrated

with defense counsel’s questioning. As an example, trial counsel asked S.C. if she

recalled “how much time passed between when [the Defendant] touched [her] and

62
   Id.
63
   Trial counsel denied Defendant’s second claim, noting that there was no basis to object, and in
fact he used the content of redacted phone calls admitted as evidence at trial to “impeach the
complaining witnesses’ testimony.” D.I. 93, Affidavit.
64
   State v. Brown, 2004 WL 745066 (Del. Super. Apr. 8, 2004), citing Younger v. State, 580 A.2d
552, 555 (Del. 1990); State v. Conlow, Cr.A. No. IN78-09-0985R 1, Herlihy, J. (Del. Super. Oct.
5, 1990); State v. Gallo, Cr.A. No. IN87-03-0589-0594, Gebelein, J. (Del. Super. Sept. 2, 2010).
                                               18
when [the Defendant] began [a] Facebook conversation?”65 The following exchange

then occurred between S.C. and Defendant’s counsel:

         Witness: The same day.
         Question: Was it ten hours, more or less?
         Witness: How does that help?
         Question: I just need you to answer the questions. If you don’t
         remember, that’s okay, also.
         Witness: It was within a few hours.
         Question: Okay. Do you think it was more than one hour?
         Witness: I still don’t get how this helps.
         Question: You just have to answer the question whether you
         understand it or not. And if you don’t remember, that is okay.
         Witness: Well then, I’ll pass.
         Question: Does that mean you don’t remember?
         Witness: No, I don’t remember.
         The Court: One second, one second. Ma’am, I understand this is really
         tough, but for the record and for the trial to proceed you are going to
         have to either answer. But if you don’t recall, that’s fine, just say “I
         don’t recall.”
         Witness: Where does that question, how does that – the time period, in
         between the hours, why does that change anything?
         The Court: Well, he gets to ask the questions and then your attorney
         will get – not your attorney, the State will get an opportunity to make it
         relevant or show that it is not relevant.66

         The trial transcript reflects the trial judge exercised appropriate control over

the questioning to ensure S.C. responded appropriately to trial counsel’s questions.

The trial judge did not coach the witness, and there is no abuse of discretion. The

65
     D.I. 68, Oct. 29, 2019 Trial tr. at 117:12-14.
66
     Id. at 117:15–118: 21.
                                                      19
judge’s admonitions to S.C. merely directed her to respond to defense counsel’s

inquiries.67 Defendant’s claim is meritless.

               Claim IV: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel -- failure to object to
               interpretation of Facebook messages.

       In Defendant’s Supplement to Motion for Postconviction Relief, he generally

argues trial counsel provided ineffective representation when he failed “to object to

the interpretation of Facebook messages as evidence of sexual solicitation.”68

Defendant fails, however, to specifically identify any record evidence where the

Facebook messages were interpreted by any witness, including S.C. As a result,

Defendant’s claim is conclusory and unsubstantiated, and this Court will not

entertain unsubstantiated and conclusory claims in postconviction.69

       Second, and perhaps more importantly, this claim was previously rejected by

the Delaware Supreme Court, where during his direct appeal Defendant argued the

Superior Court committed plain error by allowing the prosecutor to ask S.C. what

she thought Defendant meant in the Facebook messages from him without her

having personal knowledge of what [Defendant] meant, in violation of D.R.E.

67
   In fact, during subsequent exchanges between trial counsel and S.C., the Court directed S.C. to
answer trial counsel’s questions on cross examination (Id. at 125:6-17); the Court advised S.C.
that she could not ask questions of trial counsel (Id. at 129:11 – 130:1; Id. at 131:20 -135:10) and
the Court directed S.C. to truthfully answer defense counsel’s questions, and informed S.C. the
State would have an opportunity on redirect examination to address her concerns if the State saw
the need to do so (Id. at 157:22 – 158:18).
68
   D.I. 94, Supplement at 3.
69
   See supra, fn. 64.
                                                20
602.”70 Defendant merely repackages the claim in postconviction, now claiming

trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the same evidence. As the

Delaware Supreme Court previously held:

       [Defendant] mischaracterizes the prosecutor’s questions. The
       prosecutor did not ask S.C. what [the Defendant] meant in his
       messages. The prosecutor asked S.C. what she understood the
       messages to mean, or in other words, what S.C. interpreted
       [Defendant’s] messages to mean. A review of the transcript of S.C.’s
       testimony leads us to conclude that S.C.’s answers to this line of
       questioning add little or nothing to the inferences a trier of fact would
       readily draw from the contents of the messages themselves, without the
       assistance of S.C.’s explanations.71

As this Court previously acknowledged in State v. Swan, “[r]epackaging and refining

does not put life into a dead claim.”72 Defendant’s claim is meritless.

              Claim V: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel – Failure to object to
              uncharged conduct.

       Defendant argues trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the

uncharged conduct, which he asserts was otherwise inadmissible pursuant to Rule

404(b).73 Defendant argues the uncharged conduct admitted at trial “showed a

propensity towards committing sexual offenses.”74 The record does not support

Defendant’s claim.

70
   Cirwithian, 2021 WL 1820771, at *4.
71
   Id. at *5 (emphasis added).
72
   State v. Swan, 2020 WL 7259626, at *38 (Del. Super. Feb. 21, 2020).
73
   D.I. 94, Supplement at 7.
74
   Id.
                                             21
      Commonly, a central issue in a trial involving the delayed disclosure of an

allegation of sexual assault unsupported by physical or scientific evidence is the

credibility of the complaining victim. In some prosecutions involving delayed

disclosures of sexual assault, the evidence beyond the purported victim’s statements

is not generally corroborated by independent evidence, scientific or otherwise. So, a

common defense strategy is for counsel to challenge and/or attack the credibility of

the victim. And here, defense counsel saw opportunity in admitting S.C.’s claims of

uncharged conduct when she was twelve years old to contest her credibility.

      In so doing, trial counsel made the strategic decision to “open the door” to the

uncharged conduct evidence because he believed it was in Defendant’s best interest

to do so.75 Specifically, at the onset of the police investigation and disclosure, the

complaining victim S.C. made statements to Corporal Lorne Peterson (“Cpl.

Peterson”) of the Wilmington Police Department that the Defendant had sexually

assaulted her on three occasions when she was twelve years old, and two different

occasions prior to that.76 She claimed she was “raped” – specifically that her “uncle

pulled down er pants and fingered her with his finger, as he was – he stated he was

checking for diseases.”77 Cpl. Peterson also testified S.C. told him the Defendant

75
   D.I. 68, Oct. 29, 2019 Trial Tr. at 23:8-10.
76
   D.I. 67, Oct. 31, 2019 Trial Tr. at 8:10-15.
77
   Id. at 9:9-11. The officer later clarified that S.C. told him her uncle pulled down her
“underwear.” Id. at 9:13-17.
                                           22
fondled her butt, breasts and vagina in July of 2017,78 and assaulted her a third time

in September 2017.79 These statements exposed significant material differences and

arguable inconsistencies between S.C.’s initial report of sexual abuse, her

subsequent reports as the investigation progressed, and her trial testimony,

constituting potential impeachment evidence to attack S.C.’s credibility. As S.C.’s

credibility was central to the issue of Defendant’s guilt, trial counsel attacked S.C.’s

credibility on cross-examination with her alleged prior statements regarding

uncharged and uncorroborated conduct as to Defendant.80                   And, during closing

argument, defense counsel argued S.C. was “evasive, and at times, arguably

untruthful about her own Facebook,” her testimony about the sexual assault events

was not reliable,81 S.C. explicitly denied that (a) the Defendant digitally penetrated

her vagina when she was twelve years old, (b) he touched her breasts, and (c) he

grabbed her over her clothing.82 Counsel’s decision elicited impeachment testimony

about an alleged sexual assault when S.C. was twelve which was inconsistent with

S.C.’s sworn trial testimony. In this circumstance, counsel’s actions were reasonable

78
   Id. at 13:15-23.
79
   Id. at 14:2-6.
80
    When discussing the fact that the uncharged conduct evidence would likely be elicited at trial
prior to the testimony of WPD Corporal Lorne Peterson, who was the lone defense witness, the
judge observed “I guess, in terms of any level of prejudice, it would likely be ameliorated in that
– it’s a bench trial, as opposed to a jury trial, and I am able to compartmentalize, as needed, to
address and focus on the issues that are relevant.” Id. at 24:4-9.
81
   Id. at 116:8-13.
82
   Id. at 116:17-21.
                                                23
considering all of the circumstances, and the admission of uncharged conduct was a

sound trial strategy to attack S.C.’s credibility.

         Finally, as the Court noted when announcing its verdict, “as the trier of fact in

a bench trial, the Court is aware that the evidence of other bad acts cannot be

interpreted, or could not be interpreted as evidence of general criminal disposition

to commit the crime, or crimes, in question.”83 As the Court did not interpret the

evidence of uncharged conduct as evidence of general criminal disposition to

commit the crimes in question, Defendant cannot establish prejudice from trial

counsel’s strategic decision to elicit testimony of uncharged conduct.

                 Claim VI: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel -- Failure to object to
                 prosecutor’s improper vouching for the victim’s credibility.

         Defendant claims counsel was ineffective for failing to object during closing

argument.        Specifically, Defendant argues that during closing argument, the

prosecutor’s rhetorical question “why would S.C. make this story up?” constituted

improper vouching for S.C.. The record does not support Defendant’s claim.

         When there is an allegation of improper vouching by a prosecutor as to the

credibility of a witness, it “implie[s] that the prosecutor has superior knowledge that

the witness has testified truthfully ‘beyond that logically inferred by the

83
     D.I. 66, Nov. 4, 2019 Trial Tr. at 7:11-16.
                                                   24
evidence.’”84 And to consider whether statements by the prosecutor suggest they

hold superior knowledge beyond that logically inferred by the evidence, the context

of the prosecutor’s statement is an important consideration.

       Here, as the prosecutor began her closing argument, she focused her argument

on the witnesses, and in particular, S.C.. The prosecutor rhetorically asked: “Why

would S.C. make this story up?”85 She then recited evidence from S.C.’s testimony

to explain why S.C. was a credible witness. Addressing her relationship with the

Defendant, she asserted:

       [S.C.] trusted her uncle. She was close with him. She confided in him;
       sought advice from him. And frankly, she testified that the allegations
       ripped her family apart. She was accused of being the devil. She had
       nothing, she has nothing to gain out of presenting these allegations to
       the police. And if you recall her emotions on the stand, and her
       demeanor on the stand – upset, crying, angry, visibly angry, her
       statement to the detective that we watched again, upset – those are
       reasonable reactions to having to discuss the sexual assault over, and
       over, and over again.86

       It is proper for a prosecutor in closing argument to refer to a witness’

demeanor and recount their trial testimony, reminding the factfinder of the evidence

adduced at trial. The prosecutor’s comments go no further than discuss the evidence

and logical inferences therefrom. The prosecutor’s rhetorical comment as to why

84
   Czech v. State, 945 A.2d 1088, 1099 (Del. 2008) (citing Trump v. State, 753 A.2d 963, 966
(Del. 2000) (quoting Miller v. State, 2000 WL 313484, at *4 (Del. Feb. 16, 2000))).
85
   D.I. 67, Oct. 31, 2019 Trial Tr. at 62:8-9.
86
   Id. at 62:10–63:1.
                                            25
S.C. did not make this story up to introduce a re-cap of the evidence at trial does not

constitute improper vouching and was entirely proper. At no point did the prosecutor

imply that she possessed superior personal knowledge of the credibility or veracity

of S.C.’s testimony. Defendant’s claim is meritless.

              Claim VII: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel -- failure to investigate
              the veracity and authenticity of Facebook messages.

       Defendant argues trial counsel provided deficient representation in failing to

“investigate the meta data and other digital footprints associated with the Facebook

messages that were central to the case.”87 Defendant argues that if trial counsel had

challenged the authenticity of the Facebook messages, there is a reasonable

probability that the outcome of the trial would have been different.88

       Defendant’s claim is speculative, conclusory and unsubstantiated. He argues

that his Facebook account may have been “hacked” and if any evidence were

discovered that the account “had been compromised,” it “could have substantially

altered the interpretation of the messages, and possibly led to their exclusion at

trial.”89

       Trial counsel denies Defendant’s claim, and in response, counsel stated:

       I did investigate the veracity and authenticity of the Facebook
       messages. As a result of this investigation, I introduced a second

87
   D.I. 94, Supplement at 10.
88
   Id. at 11.
89
   Id.
                                          26
       “Joshua Cirwithian” Facebook profile (A551-52, Defense Exhibit 2),
       and suggested that the profile linked to the incriminating messages was
       not the Defendant’s. (A479-81, A559-567; A569-71; A632-34; A636-
       38; A661-62).90

       At trial, defense counsel argued that the State failed to prove the Facebook

records upon which it relied were from Defendant’s Facebook account, and even if

they were from Defendant’s account, the Facebook messages did not constitute

sexual solicitation.91 While the State’s reliance on the identity of the author of the

Facebook messages was ultimately an issue for the judge to resolve, the record

reflects that trial counsel did challenge the authenticity of the Facebook account.

Defendant’s claim is speculative and meritless.

               Claim VIII:      Cumulative Deficiencies in Trial Counsel’s
               Performance Resulted in a Manifest Breach of Defendant’s
               Constitutional Rights.

       Defendant argues the “cumulative impact of the identified deficiencies in trial

counsel’s performance represents a manifest breach of his Sixth Amendment right

to effective assistance of counsel.”92 In reliance on Outten v. State,93 Defendant

argues counsel’s representation evidences a “pattern of deficiencies in counsel’s

90
   D.I. 104, Supplemental Affidavit of Response of Elliott M. Margoles Pursuant to Superior Court
Criminal Rule 61(g)(2). The citations as noted by trial counsel refer to the page citations in D.I.
89 and D.I. 90, Appendix to Memorandum in Support of Motion to Withdraw, Vols. I and II.
91
   D.I. 67, Oct. 31, 2019 Trial Tr. at 137:15-138:1. The State argued in rebuttal closing argument
that the prohibited sexual acts required by Count IV of the Indictment were Defendant’s Facebook
messages requesting sexual intercourse and sexual contact with S.C.. Id. at 144:6–145:1.
92
   D.I. 94, Supplement at 12.
93
   720 A.2d 547 (Del. 1998).
                                                27
performance [which] deprived the Defendant of a fair trial.”94 Defendant’s argument

is not supported by the record.

       To obtain relief under the theory of cumulative error, those errors must derive

from multiple errors that caused “actual prejudice.”95               As discussed above,

Defendant failed to establish prejudice in the first seven claims, as they are all

procedurally barred and otherwise meritless. Therefore, together the claims do not

establish prejudice, and Defendant cannot demonstrate cumulative error.

              Claim IX: Ineffective Assistance of Postconviction Counsel –
              Motion to Withdraw from Representation.

       Finally, Defendant argues Postconviction Counsel’s Motion to Withdraw

from Representation constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel. Defendant’s

argument is meritless.

       Defendant claims postconviction counsel’s decision to withdraw “based on a

perceived lack of merit” constitutes a “failure to advocate effectively on his

behalf.”96 Not so.

       As to Claim IX, postconviction counsel is not appointed to blindly advocate a

Defendant’s meritless contentions. They are to use their professional judgment in

independently evaluating the entire record for potential postconviction claims,

94
   D.I. 94, Supplement at 13.
95
   Swan v. State, 248 A.3d 839, 884 (Del. 2021) (quoting Michaels v. State, 970 A.2d 223, 231-
32 (Del. 2009) (citing Fahy v. Horn, 516 F.3d 169, 205 (3d Cir. 2008))).
96
   D.I. 94, Supplement at 14.
                                             28
whether those claims were raised by the defendant or by appellate counsel.97 And

here, appointed postconviction counsel evaluated Defendant’s pro se postconviction

claims and “the entire record in this case in search of meritorious claims for

postconviction relief.”98 At the conclusion of this review, postconviction counsel

could not “find any means to collaterally attack the convictions or sentence.”99

Defendant has failed to identify or argue a meritorious claim in postconviction, and

therefore Claim IX is meritless.

                                   CONCLUSION

       Claims I, II, V, VI and VII are procedurally barred because Defendant failed

to present the claims during trial, on direct appeal, or in a prior postconviction

proceeding. Claims III and IV are procedurally barred as they were previously raised

in the direct appeal and rejected by the Delaware Supreme Court. And, beyond the

procedural bars, all seven claims fail on their merit. The remaining claims, VIII and

IX, are meritless, legally deficient and unsupported by the record.

97
    See Superior Court Criminal Rule 61(e)(7).
98
   D.I. 88, Motion to Withdraw as Counsel and Memorandum in Support of Motion to Withdraw
at 17.
99
   Id. at 18.
                                           29
      For all of the aforestated reasons, I recommend Defendant’s pro se Motion for

Postconviction Relief should be SUMMARILY DISMISSED.

      Postconviction counsel’s Motion to Withdraw should be GRANTED.

IT IS SO RECOMMENDED.

                                      /s/ Martin B. O’Connor
                                      Commissioner Martin B. O’Connor
oc:   Prothonotary

                                        30