The defendant, Thomas B. Younger, appeals pro se from the denial by the Superi- or Court of his fourth application for post-conviction relief. Because we find that Younger’s application for postconviction relief is procedurally barred pursuant to the provisions of Superior Court Criminal Rule 61(i), the Court will not address the merits of the issues contained in his motion, and we affirm the decision of the Superior Court.
Prior to this petition, Younger instituted three unsuccessful postconviction relief applications.
Matter of Younger’s Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus,
Del.Supr., No. 130, 1986, Moore, J. (May 7, 1986) [
In his fourth application for postconviction relief in the Superior Court, Younger raised three issues. First, Younger contended that the evidence of restraint was insufficient to sustain his three convictions of kidnapping in the first degree. Secondly, Younger contended that his confession was coerced by police officers. Finally, Younger raised a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel at trial and on direct appeal.
The Superior Court summarily denied, without a hearing, Younger’s motion for postconviction relief. The court found the claim of a coerced confession to be procedurally barred, concluding that the issue had been previously raised and resolved against Younger on both direct appeal and in prior postconviction proceedings. The court rejected on the merits the insufficiency of evidence and ineffective assistance of counsel contentions. In rejecting Younger’s attack on his three kidnapping convictions, the court stated, “The evidence clearly indicates that you forcibly abducted two ladies off the street for the purpose of sexually abusing them. Even under the Weber case, that is sufficient to sustain a kidnapping conviction.” The court did not specifically refer to the third kidnapping conviction.
On appeal, this Court denied the State’s motion to affirm under Rule 25.
Younger v. State,
Del.Supr., No. 314, 1989, Holland, J.,
After addressing these issues, the Superior Court again denied Younger’s motion for postconviction relief, concluding that there was sufficient evidence of restraint to support the kidnapping charge under the standard set forth in the case of
Weber v. State,
Del.Supr.,
I.
Because Younger’s motion for post-conviction relief was filed after January 1, 1989 (specifically, on July 14, 1989), it is controlled by Superior Court Criminal Rule 61 which took effect on January 1, 1988 and became fully applicable on January 1, 1989. This Court applies the rules governing procedural requirements before giving consideration to the merits of the underlying claim for postconviction relief.
See Harris v. Reed,
Younger’s motion for postconviction relief is controlled by the time limitation provision of Superior Court Rule Gl(iXl).
1
Under this rule, a motion for postconviction relief may not be filed more than three years after a conviction has become final. On direct appeal, this Court affirmed Younger’s conviction on June 20, 1985.
Younger v. State,
Del.Supr.,
Younger’s first contention on appeal is that there was insufficient evidence of restraint for the third kidnapping conviction which arose out of the attempted rape. He relies on the case of
Weber v. State,
Del. Supr.,
We must then address the remaining provisions of Rule 61 which, under appropriate circumstances, might cause this Court to review Younger’s contentions, despite the generally applicable time bar. It is clear to this Court that Younger had the opportunity to raise the insufficiency of evidence contention on direct appeal and in his prior motions for postconviction relief. Younger was required to include in his prior postconviction applications all grounds for relief which were available to him. Super.Ct.Crim.R. 61(b)(2). Since the
Burton
case was decided well in advance of Younger’s trial, his present insufficiency of evidence contention was available and was known, or should have been known, to Younger at the time of his first motion for postconviction relief. “It is well established that ‘where an appeal was taken from a conviction, the judgment of the reviewing court is
res judicata
as to all issues actually raised, and those that could have been presented, but were not are deemed waived.’ ”
Teague,
Under the circumstances, in order for Younger to raise the issue for the first time in his present petition, he is required to show that consideration of the claim is warranted “in the interests of justice,” Super.Ct.Crim.R. 61(i)(2), or that there was “a constitutional violation that undermined the fundamental legality, reliability, integrity or fairness of the proceedings ...” Super. Ct.Crim.R. 61(i)(5). Younger has failed to make such a showing under either of these provisions.
The fundamental fairness exception (as set forth in Superior Court Criminal Rule 61(i)(5)) is a narrow one and has been applied only in limited circumstances, such as when the right relied upon has been recognized for the first time after the direct appeal.
Teague,
Younger’s ineffective assistance of counsel contention is likewise untimely and procedurally barred under Superior Court Criminal Rule 61(i)(1). He contends that his attorney on direct appeal was ineffective because she did not raise his insufficiency of evidence contention at the time of direct appeal. Again, Younger was required to include in his prior postconviction applications all grounds for relief which were available to him. Super.Ct.Crim.R. 61(b)(2). His present contention of ineffective assistance of counsel with regard to the appeal was available and was known, or should have been known, to Younger at the time of his first motion for postconviction relief.
See Robinson v. State,
Del. Supr.,
II.
In addition to the time bar mentioned above, Younger’s motion for post-conviction relief is also procedurally barred pursuant to the provisions of Superior Court Criminal Rule 61(i)(3).
2
Because Younger did not timely raise his present challenges to his convictions, he was under a duty to demonstrate “cause” for relief from his failure to timely raise the issues in an appeal from his convictions and “actual prejudice” resulting from the alleged error.
Johnson v. State,
Del.Supr.,
Counsel’s failure to raise a
-particular
claim on appeal is to be scrutinized under the cause and prejudice standard when that failure, as is the case here, is treated as a procedural default. Super.Ct.Crim.R. 61(i)(3);
Murray v. Carrier, 477
U.S. 478, 492,
Attorney error short of ineffective assistance of counsel does not constitute “cause” for a procedural default even when that default occurs on appeal rather than at trial. To the contrary, “cause” for a procedural default on appeal ordinarily requires a showing of some external impediment preventing counsel from constructing or raising the claim.
Murray, 477
U.S. at 492,
III.
Finally, Younger’s contention regarding his “coerced” confession has been addressed and resolved by this Court on direct appeal.
Younger,
For the foregoing reasons, the decision of the Superior Court is AFFIRMED.
Notes
. Superior Court Criminal Rule 61(i)(l) states:
Time Limitation. A motion for postconviction relief may not be filed more than three years after the judgment of conviction is final or, if it asserts a retroactively applicable right that is newly recognized after the judgment of conviction is final, more than three years after the right is first recognized by the Supreme Court of Delaware or by the United States Supreme Court.
. Superior Court Criminal Rule 61(i)(3) states:
Procedural Default. 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 violation of the movant’s rights.
. Superior Court Criminal Rule 61(i)(4) states:
Former Adjudication. Any 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, unless reconsideration of the claim is warranted in the interest of justice.
