STATE OF NEW JERSEY VS. MALIK FLOWERSÂ (07-09-1501, HUDSON COUNTY AND STATEWIDE)
A-0683-15T1
| N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. | Aug 8, 2017|
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SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-0683-15T1
STATE OF NEW JERSEY,
Plaintiff-Respondent,
v.
MALIK FLOWERS, a/k/a
NATHANIEL SANDERS,
Defendant-Appellant.
____________________________
Submitted May 24, 2017 – Decided August 8, 2017
Before Judges Fuentes, Simonelli and
Farrington.
On appeal from the Superior Court of New
Jersey, Law Division, Hudson County,
Indictment No. 07-09-1501.
Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender, attorney
for appellant (Lee March Grayson, Designated
Counsel, on the brief).
Esther Suarez, Hudson County Prosecutor,
attorney for respondent (Kerry J. Salkin,
Assistant Prosecutor, on the brief).
PER CURIAM
Defendant Malik Flowers appeals from a May 28, 2015 order,
denying his petition for post-conviction relief (PCR) without an
evidentiary hearing. Having reviewed the record in light of the
applicable legal principles, we affirm.
Defendant was convicted by a jury of robbery, N.J.S.A. 2C:15-
1, first degree; possession of a firearm for unlawful purposes,
N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4(a), second degree; aggravated assault by pointing
a firearm, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(4), fourth degree; unlawful
possession of a handgun, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(a), third degree; and
certain persons not to have weapons, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7(b), second
degree.
Defendant's conviction and sentence were affirmed on direct
appeal, State v. Flowers, No. A-2401-09 (App. Div. Aug. 5, 2013),
and the Supreme Court thereafter denied his petition for
certification, State v. Flowers, 217 N.J. 588 (2014). On June 12,
2014, defendant filed a pro se PCR petition alleging "ineffective
assistance of counsel" without providing specific facts to support
his claim. Following court assignment of PCR counsel, defendant
filed an amended petition supported by his certification.
We incorporate by reference the procedural and factual
history of the case and summarize the relevant facts drawn from
our opinion on direct appeal. Flowers, supra (slip op. at 2-5).
On April 17, 2007, a man later identified as defendant entered a
deli in Jersey City at about 10 p.m. Armed with a handgun, he
pulled the storefront gate halfway down and put on a mask. Then
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a second man, unmasked and later identified as co-defendant Aleem
Mallard, entered and pulled the gate completely shut. Defendant
brandished the gun at the three deli employees and demanded money.
He struck an employee named Pedro1 on the head with his gun and
took Pedro's money and cell phone. After taking employee Tareek
Ali's wallet, chain, and money, the gunman removed about $1200
from the cash register. Then the two men exited through the front
door of the store. The incident lasted approximately fifteen
minutes.
Around the same time as the robbery, Francisco Fernandez was
looking out his third-floor apartment window approximately thirty
to fifty feet from the deli. He noticed two "suspicious" men near
a green Dodge. Both were African-American, around six feet three
inches tall, weighing around 220 to 240 pounds. Fernandez noted
that the man closer to his window was crouching down and signaling
to the other man down the block, pointing in the direction of the
store. The man nearer to the store appeared to be in his late
twenties or early thirties, wearing a red shirt. The other man,
who appeared older, wore a black shirt and dark jeans.
After observing for a few minutes, Fernandez witnessed the
two men get into the Dodge and drive away. He noted the license
1
Pedro's last name does not appear in the record.
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plate number when the car's lights were turned on and called the
police. Shortly thereafter, he saw the police arrive at the deli
and learned of the robbery. Fernandez never saw defendant or
Mallard enter or exit the deli. In court, he identified defendant
as the older man and Mallard as the man closer to the deli.
Based upon the license plate number provided by Fernandez,
Detective Joseph Walsh drove Fernandez to an address on Fulton
Street. En route, they saw the Dodge with the same license plate
drive past them, and Walsh pursued the vehicle. During the chase,
the Dodge crashed into a metal pole and the driver and passenger
exited the car. Fernandez identified them to the police as the
suspicious men he viewed from his apartment.
The police immediately arrested both defendant and Mallard.
The police recovered a loaded handgun from the trunk, $511 from
Mallard's clothing, $831 from defendant's pants pocket, and five
of Ali's credit cards from defendant's boots.
In his PCR petition, defendant certified that he was denied
effective assistance of both trial and appellate counsel.
According to defendant, trial counsel gave him "misinformation and
ill-advise[d assistance]." He further certified trial counsel
failed to file necessary motions, argue "appropriate things at
sentence," and failed to "consider all defenses and failed to
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investigate defenses that existed in the case, and failed to
utilize an investigator on his behalf."
Specifically, defendant alleged his attorney did not
investigate the background of Fernandez, and as a result failed
to discover Fernandez's prior arrests, convictions, and pending
charges. Defendant certified his attorney failed to "explain to
me that bias was something that could be used to cross-examine
[sic] a witness." He further alleged that trial counsel failed
to object to certain unspecified jury instructions which resulted
in the enhanced standard of "plain error" on appeal.
Defendant also alleged appellate counsel was ineffective
because his:
substantive issues focused only upon the jury
instructions and failed to include the motion
to suppress that was litigated by my trial
attorney. This prevented the Appellate
Division from considering both the motion to
suppress, the physical evidence found in the
car, as well as the show up identification
performed by the police after I was arrested.
In rejecting defendant's ineffective assistance of counsel
claims, the PCR court, citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S.
668,104 S. Ct. 2052
,80 L. Ed. 2d 674
(1984), and State v. Fritz,105 N.J. 42
(1987), found defendant failed to establish a prima
facie case with regard to trial counsel's failure to cross-examine
Fernandez on his disorderly persons conviction. The court found
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that in 2007, the time the identification and statement were made,
the conviction for the offense did not exist and the offense had
not been committed. Therefore, Fernandez could not have benefitted
from lenient treatment given in return for his statement and
identification. Judge Martha T. Royster further noted at the time
of the trial Fernandez had already been sentenced to a one-year
probationary term. She noted pursuant to State v. Rowe, 57 N.J.
293 (1970) and N.J.R.E. 609 that cross-examination of Fernandez
on a conviction of a disorderly persons offense was prohibited.
Turning to defendant's contention that trial counsel was
ineffective for failing to object to the accomplice liability and
identification jury instruction, the PCR judge, referring to our
earlier decision, noted we had failed to find prejudicial error,
instead finding only that the last part of the instruction had
been poorly worded. In light of this court's determination, the
PCR judge found defendant failed to meet the second prong of the
Strickland/Fritz analysis as the application of either the plain
error or harmless error standards would result in the same outcome.
The PCR court next considered whether defendant's appellate
counsel was ineffective for failing to raise on appeal deficiencies
in the motion to suppress and the denial of the Wade2 motion without
2
U.S. v. Wade,388 U.S. 218
,87 S. Ct. 1926
,18 L. Ed. 2d 1149
(1967).
6 A-0683-15T1
an evidentiary hearing. Citing to the findings of the motion
judge, the PCR judge noted that, in deciding the motion to
suppress, the motion court based its findings on the credibility
of the officers who testified. Based upon that testimony, the
motion judge found the show-up identifications were not tainted
by suggestiveness, and the trunk of the Dodge was open after the
vehicle crashed into the pole and the hand gun was in plain view.
The motion judge further found the testimony of the expert called
on behalf of the defense to be unconvincing. Judge Royster
referred to the transcript of the motion hearing and quoted the
motion judge, Judge Peter J. Vasquez, who in response to defense
counsel's argument that Fernandez did not make the identification
independently and his purported identification was tainted by
police suggestiveness, said:
I just don't follow that argument.
. . . .
It's not important to my decision because
as far as I can tell there's been no testimony
or anything in writing put before me other
than [that] you don't believe the police
officer . . . would show any indication of any
-- of the State's involvement in any way in
the identification.
The PCR judge found that because the motion judge's decision
was based on credibility determinations defendant "fail[ed] to
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demonstrate that counsel's representation fell below an objective
standard of reasonableness."
Judge Royster found that even if she were to accept that the
first prong of Strickland/Fritz was satisfied, and found that it
would have been objectively reasonable for appellate counsel to
raise the show-up on appeal, there was nothing in the record or
in petitioner's current submission in terms of specific, adequate
facts which demonstrated that the identification was in fact
unreliable, and that, had the issue been raised, the results of
the proceeding would have been different.
This appeal followed. On appeal, defendant raises the
following points and sub-points for our consideration:
POINT I
THE ORDER DENYING [PCR] SHOULD BE REVERSED AND
THE CASE REMANDED FOR A FULL EVIDENTIARY
HEARING BECAUSE THE DEFENDANT MADE A PRIMA
FACIE SHOWING OF INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF
COUNSEL UNDER THE STRICKLAND/FRITZ TEST.
A. TRIAL COUNSEL WAS DEFICIENT BECAUSE HE
DID NOT CROSS-EXAMINE THE STATE'S
WITNESS, [ ], ABOUT HIS PRIOR RECORD AND
PENDING CHARGES.
B. TRIAL COUNSEL WAS INEFFECTIVE BECAUSE HE
FAILED TO OBJECT TO CERTAIN IMPROPER JURY
INSTRUCTIONS AT TRIAL THAT WERE RAISED
IN THE DIRECT APPEAL.
C. DEFENDANT RECEIVED INEFFECTIVE
ASSISTANCE OF APPELLATE COUNSEL WHO
FAILED TO RAISE THE ISSUES OF THE TRIAL
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COURT'S DENIAL OF HIS MOTION TO SUPPRESS
EVIDENCE AND SHOW-UP IDENTIFICATION.
1. APPELLATE COUNSEL WAS INEFFECTIVE
BY NOT CHALLENGING THE TRIAL
COURT'S DENIAL OF THE SUPPRESSION
MOTION TO BAR EVIDENCE OF THE GUN
THAT WAS ALLEGEDLY FOUND IN THE
TRUNK OF THE CAR.
2. APPELLATE COUNSEL WAS INEFFECTIVE
BY NOT CHALLENGING THE TRIAL
COURT'S DENIAL OF THE WADE
MOTION WITHOUT AN EVIDENTIARY
HEARING.
POINT II
THE PCR COURT ERRED BY NOT GRANTING AN
EVIDENTIARY HEARING.
"Post-conviction relief is New Jersey's analogue to the
federal writ of habeas corpus." State v. Preciose, 129 N.J. 451, 459 (1992). Under Rule 3:22-2(a), a criminal defendant is entitled to post-conviction relief if there was a "[s]ubstantial denial in the conviction proceedings of defendant's rights under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution or laws of the State of New Jersey[.]" "A petitioner must establish the right to such relief by a preponderance of the credible evidence."Preciose, supra
, 129 N.J. at 459 (citations omitted). "To sustain that burden, specific facts" that "provide the court with an adequate basis on which to rest its decision" must be articulated. State v. Mitchell,126 N.J. 565
, 579 (1992).
9 A-0683-15T1
We review the PCR court's findings of fact under a clear
error standard and conclusions of law under a de novo standard.
See State v. Harris, 181 N.J. 391, 420-21 (2004), cert. denied,545 U.S. 1145
,125 S. Ct. 2973
,162 L. Ed. 2d 898
(2005). However, where, as in this case, "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) (quotingHarris, supra
, 181 N.J. at 421), certif. denied,206 N.J. 64
(2011).
Defendant argues an evidentiary hearing was warranted because
he presented a prima facie case for PCR based on material disputed
facts contained outside the record. The mere raising of a claim
for PCR does not entitle the defendant to an evidentiary hearing.
State v. Cummings, 321 N.J. Super. 154, 170 (App. Div. 1991), certif. denied,162 N.J. 199
(1999). Rather, trial courts should grant evidentiary hearings only if the defendant has presented a prima facie claim of ineffective assistance, material issues of disputed fact lie outside the record, and resolution of the issues necessitate a hearing. R. 3:22-10(b); State v. Porter,216 N.J. 343
, 355 (2013). "Rule 3:22-10 recognizes judicial discretion to conduct such hearings."Preciose, supra
, 129 N.J. at 462.
A PCR court deciding whether to grant an evidentiary hearing
"should view the facts in the light most favorable to a defendant
10 A-0683-15T1
to determine whether a defendant has established a prima facie
claim." Id. at 463. To establish a prima facie claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must demonstrate the reasonable likelihood of succeeding under the test set forth inStrickland, supra
, 466 U.S. at694, 104 S. Ct. at 2068
, 80 L. Ed. 2d at 698, and United States v. Cronic,466 U.S. 648
, 104 S. Ct. 2039,80 L. Ed. 2d 657
(1984), which our Supreme Court adopted inFritz, supra
, 105 N.J. at 58.Preciose, supra
, 129 N.J. at
463.
Under the Strickland standard, a petitioner must show
counsel's performance was both deficient and prejudicial. State
v. Martini, 160 N.J. 248, 264 (1999). The performance of counsel is "deficient" if it falls "below an objective standard of reasonableness" measured by "prevailing professional norms."Strickland, supra
, 466 U.S. at688, 104 S. Ct. at 2064-65
, 80 L.
Ed. 2d at 693-94.
This requires showing that counsel made errors
so serious that counsel was not functioning
as the 'counsel' guaranteed the defendant by
the Sixth Amendment. Second, the defendant
must show that the deficient performance
prejudiced the defense. This requires showing
that counsel's errors were so serious as to
deprive the defendant of a fair trial, a trial
whose result is reliable. Unless a defendant
makes both showings, it cannot be said that
the conviction . . . resulted from a breakdown
in the adversary process that renders the
result unreliable.
11 A-0683-15T1
[Fritz, supra, 105 N.J. at 52 (quoting
Strickland, supra, 466 U.S. at687, 104 S. Ct. at 2064
,80 L. Ed. 2d
at 693).]
In determining whether defense counsel's representation was
deficient, "'[j]udicial scrutiny . . . must be highly deferential,'
and must avoid viewing the performance under the 'distorting
effects of hindsight.'" State v. Norman, 151 N.J. 5, 37 (1997) (quotingStrickland, supra
, 466 U.S. at689, 104 S. Ct. at 2065
,80 L. Ed. 2d
at 694). Because of the inherent difficulties in evaluating a defense counsel's tactical decisions from his or her perspective during trial, "a court must indulge a strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance; that is, the defendant must overcome the presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action 'might be considered sound trial strategy.'"Strickland, supra
, 466 U.S. at689, 104 S. Ct. at 2065
,80 L. Ed. 2d
at 694-95.
In determining whether defense counsel's alleged deficient
performance prejudiced the defense, "[i]t is not enough for the
defendant to show that the errors had some conceivable effect on
the outcome of the proceeding." Id. at 693, 104 S. Ct. at 2067,80 L. Ed. 2d
at 697. Rather, defendant bears the burden of showing
"that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's
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unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have
been different. A reasonable probability is a probability
sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome." Id. at 694,
104 S. Ct. at 2068,80 L. Ed. 2d
at 698; see alsoHarris, supra
181 N.J. at 432.
Judged by these standards, we are convinced that defendant
failed to make a prima facie showing of ineffective assistance of
trial counsel within the Strickland/Fritz test warranting an
evidentiary hearing.
The PCR judge correctly found defendant failed to set forth
a prima facie case that trial counsel's performance was both
deficient and prejudicial. It is well established that "[i]n
matters of trial strategy, we accord great deference to the
decisions of counsel[.]" State v. Biegenwald, 126 N.J. 1, 56
(1991). We agree with the PCR court that trial counsel's conduct
falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance
and sound trial strategy.
With regard to defense counsel's failure to cross-examine
Fernandez regarding his prior record and pending charges,
defendant states:
While it appears the guilty plea [to the
contempt charge] was to a disorderly persons
offense, the record is unclear as to whether
this contempt charge originated as a fourth-
degree crime.
13 A-0683-15T1
. . . .
In addition, the record indicates that between
July 2008 and February 2009, Fernandez engaged
in a pattern of misbehavior that resulted in
three arrests.
. . . .
[D]efendant believes [contrary to the evidence
and Rules of Evidence] that Fernandez obtained
the benefit of a twelve-month probationary
term instead of a conviction for a fourth-
degree crime . . . and . . . [t]hus, the use
of Fernandez's recent conviction was necessary
to attack his credibility and show bias.
As pointed out by the PCR judge, N.J.R.E. 609 provides, "[f]or
the purpose of affecting the credibility of any witness, the
witness's conviction of a crime . . . must be admitted unless
excluded by the judge" as remote or for other causes. N.J.R.E.
609(a)(1). The Legislature has defined conviction of a crime as
an offense "for which a sentence of imprisonment in excess of
[six] months is authorized." N.J.S.A. 2C:1-4(a). Disorderly
person offenses are not crimes and cannot be used for impeachment
purposes. Rowe, supra, 57 N.J. at 302. There is no evidence that
Fernandez was ever convicted of a crime. His "pattern of
misbehavior resulting in three arrests" is of no consequence.
Further, as Judge Royster noted,
[h]owever, in reviewing everything in the
totality of the circumstances, a few things
are clear to the court which impact its
decision.
14 A-0683-15T1
First, at the time the identification and
statement to the police was made by this
witness that particular charge did not exist.
So, if we take into question the v[e]racity
of the identification and statement of the
witness at the time that it was originally
made back in 2007, near April, the -- the
witness had not yet been charged with this
contempt charge. So, the actual[]
identification and statement to the police,
there's been nothing [im]proper to the court
to suggest that the original statement or
identification was in any way done for the
purposes of reaping benefit or favor from the
prosecutors as that charge had not yet
existed.
Speculative deficiencies in representation are insufficient
to support a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. Fritz,
supra, 105 N.J. at 64. Defendant's claims regarding possible
benefits to Fernandez are mere speculation. Further, his claims
that trial counsel failed to cross-examine Fernandez on his alleged
history of arrests, ordinance violations, and disorderly persons
conviction is contrary to law and the Rules of Evidence.
We consider next defendant's claim that trial counsel was
ineffective because he failed to object to accomplice liability
and identification jury charges, which was raised in defendant's
direct appeal. Defendant cannot raise as grounds for PCR an issue
that was raised in decided on direct appeal. R. 3:22-5. Defendant
also argues that appellate counsel rendered ineffective assistance
by failing to challenge the denial of his motion to suppress the
15 A-0683-15T1
gun that was found in the trunk of his car in plain view, and the
denial of his Wade motion without an evidentiary hearing. We
reject this argument substantially for the reasons expressed by
the PCR Judge.
Affirmed.
16 A-0683-15T1