Williams v. Buckner

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

SOUTHERN DIVISION

TEVIN WILLIAMS, )

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. ) Case No. 6:21-cv-03138-RK

)

SUPERINTENDENT MICHELE )

BUCKNER, )

)

Defendant. )

ORDER

Petitioner Tevin Williams, a convicted state prisoner confined in the South Central

Correctional Center, has filed this federal petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C.

§ 2254. After careful consideration and for the reasons set forth below, it is ORDERED that:

(1) Petitioner’s habeas petition is DENIED;

(2) Petitioner’s request for an evidentiary hearing is DENIED;

(3) a certificate of appealability is DENIED; and

(4) this case is DISMISSED.

I. Statement of Facts

The underlying facts of this case are as follows, as set out by the Missouri Court of Appeals

on direct appeal:

On May 1, 2013, Victim [John Lee] was staying at the Interstate Inn in

Springfield, which was adjacent to the Fairvue Apartments. Around 2:45 a.m. that

morning, Victim received a phone call. The caller came over and picked up Victim

in the back parking lot of the hotel. Victim asked the caller to drive him to the Kum

& Go convenience store.

After the two returned to the Interstate Inn, Victim got out of the car and

saw three men approach him from the back of the car. Victim recognized

Defendant, who was carrying a chrome nine-millimeter semi automatic handgun.

After one of the men said, “Give it up” or “Wassup,” Victim took a swing at one of

them to defend himself. Victim was shot from the front and took off running. He

was shot again from behind. Victim was shot a total of eight times and was bleeding

profusely. A friend of Victim called 911.

Springfield Police Officer Dak Henning was on duty that morning. Around

3:00 a.m., Officer Henning was dispatched to the Fairvue Apartments to investigate

a report of a male being shot in the parking lot. After Officer Henning and another

officer arrived, they were approached by someone who told them a person who had

been shot was in Room 608.

As the officers approached Room 608, they spotted what appeared to be

blood on the sidewalk and on the door. Through the doorway, the officers saw

Victim. He had sustained gunshot wounds and was leaning against the bed. Medical

personnel arrived to attend to Victim, who was taken to Mercy Hospital. Victim

suffered a gunshot wound to the face, another to his head, one to his knuckle, one

in his side, two in the buttocks, and one in his lower thigh.

At the hospital, Victim was questioned by Officer Michael Evans (Officer

Evans). Victim said that he had been shot by Defendant. Later, Victim was shown

a photo lineup by Detective Kent Shipley (Det. Shipley). Within seconds, Victim

identified Defendant from the photo lineup as the shooter.

Det. Shipley later interviewed Chelsea Brashear (Brashear). She had been

living with Desmond “Duzzy” Williams, who is Defendant’s cousin. According to

Brashear, around the beginning of May 2013, Defendant came over with a group

of friends. Duzzy gave Defendant a gun that Duzzy had stored in his closet and

wrapped in a t-shirt. Defendant told Duzzy he would be back “when it was done.”

Later, Defendant returned to the apartment, shaking badly and visibly scared.

Defendant stated that he thought he “killed him because he emptied the gun on

him.” Defendant returned the gun to Duzzy.

(Doc. 7-6 at 9-10.)

Petitioner was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. (Doc. 6-2 at

18.) After a jury found Petitioner guilty of these crimes, he appealed his conviction, which was

affirmed. (Docs. 7-5, 7-6). Petitioner then timely sought post-conviction relief pursuant to

Missouri Supreme Court Rule 29.15. (Docs. 7-10 at 33-56 (initial motion), 59-71 (amended

motion).) Following an evidentiary hearing, the motion court denied all of Petitioner’s claims for

post-conviction relief (id. at 72-86), and the Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed. (Docs. 7-15, 7-

16.)

II. Standard

State prisoners who believe they are incarcerated in violation of the Constitution or laws

of the United States may file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254.

Before doing so, however, petitioners must exhaust their state remedies. See Coleman v.

Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 732 (1991). “[H]abeas corpus is a guard against extreme malfunctions

in the state criminal justice systems, not a substitute for ordinary error correction through appeal.”

Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 102-03 (2011) (internal quotation and citation omitted).

This Court’s review of the petition for habeas corpus is limited by the Antiterrorism and

Effective Death Penalty Act (“AEDPA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2254. Id. at 97. AEDPA “bars relitigation

[in federal court] of any claim adjudicated on the merits in state court, subject only to the

exceptions in §§ 2254(d)(1) and (2).” Harrington, 562 U.S. at 98. Accordingly, a state habeas

petitioner is not entitled to relief unless the state court proceedings:

(1) resulted in a decision that is contrary to, or involved an unreasonable

application of, clearly established federal law, as determined by the Supreme

Court of the United States; or

(2) resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable determination of the

facts in light of the evidence presented in the State court proceeding.

§ 2254(d).

III. Analysis

Petitioner raises three grounds seeking federal habeas relief from his state conviction and

sentence. First, Petitioner raises a challenge under Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), arguing

the State improperly withheld from the defense four pending felony charges as to John Lee, the

victim and key prosecution witness. Second, Petitioner argues trial counsel was ineffective for

eliciting prejudicial corroborative testimony from a defense witness. Finally, Petitioner argues

trial counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate and subpoena three individuals to testify as

defense witnesses at trial. The Court will address each claim, below.

A. Ground One

Petitioner argues the State withheld certain impeachment evidence as to John Lee, the

victim, who testified at trial and identified Petitioner as the shooter, in violation of Brady v.

Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963). Specifically, Petitioner argues at the time of his trial, law

enforcement had completed four probable cause statements as to drug and felony stealing offenses

by Lee, but that none of these probable cause statements were disclosed to the defense at the time

of Petitioner’s trial. Moreover, Petitioner argues the State did not charge Lee with these felony

offenses or file these probable cause statements until after Petitioner’s trial. Petitioner states that

Lee later pleaded guilty to these four felony charges and was sentenced only to a term of probation

and 120 days’ treatment for each offense.

In response, the State argues this claim is procedurally defaulted, barring federal habeas

review, because Petitioner failed to raise it before the state courts on direct appeal or in his post-

conviction proceedings. See Christenson v. Ault, 598 F.3d 990, 995 (8th Cir. 2010) (Brady claim

procedurally defaulted in § 2254 proceeding when not presented to state court); Evans v. Luebbers,

371 F.3d 438, 443 (8th Cir. 2004) (same); § 2254(b) (a federal habeas petitioner must exhaust

remedies available in state courts). Petitioner does not contest this claim is procedurally defaulted,

but instead argues the procedural bar to federal habeas relief can be overcome “because the

evidentiary basis to support this claim was not known to petitioner at the time of his trial or at the

time of his direct appeal.” (Doc. 13 at 24.)

Although procedurally defaulted, Petitioner’s Brady claim may yet be reviewable in this

habeas proceeding if he can show both cause for the default and prejudice from the violation of

his constitutional rights. Evans, 371 F.3d at 443 (citing Coleman, 501 U.S. at 750). In the specific

context of a Brady claim on habeas review, the Supreme Court has explained the required showing

of cause and prejudice “parallel[s]” several components of a Brady violation, which consist of the

following: (1) “[t]he evidence at issue . . . [is] favorable to the [defendant], either because it is

exculpatory, or because it is impeaching”; (2) the evidence was “suppressed by the State, either

willfully or inadvertently”; and (3) the suppression of such evidence prejudiced the defendant.

Stickler v. Greene, 527 U.S. 263, 281-82 (1999); see also Brady, 373 U.S. at 87 (“the suppression

by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused upon request violates due process where

the evidence is material either to guilt or to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith

of the prosecution”).

The third component of a Brady claim, prejudice, means “the nondisclosure was so serious

that there is a reasonable probability that the suppressed evidence would have produced a different

verdict.” Morales v. Ault, 476 F.3d 545, 554 (8th Cir. 2007) (quoting Strickler, 527 U.S. at 281);

accord Banks v. Dretke, 540 U.S. 668, 698 (2004) (“Unless suppressed evidence is material for

Brady purposes, its suppression does not give rise to sufficient prejudice to overcome a procedural

default”; and the Brady materiality standard is satisfied “when the favorable evidence could

reasonably be taken to put the whole case in such a different light as to undermine confidence in

the verdict”) (cleaned up).

There is no question the Brady disclosure requirement applies to impeachment evidence of

the kind cited by Petitioner here. See United States v. Bagley, 473 U.S. 667, 676 (1985). Similarly,

there is little question the subject evidence was “suppressed” since it was known at least to law

enforcement at the time of Petitioner’s trial. See Stickler, 527 U.S. at 280-81 (“the [Brady] rule

encompasses evidence known only to police investigators and not to the prosecutor”) (citation and

quotation marks omitted). The critical factor here, then, is whether the impeachment evidence

cited by Petitioner is material under Brady. Ultimately, whether impeachment evidence is material

for Brady purposes (that is, whether the suppression of the impeachment evidence is prejudicial to

the defendant) requires an examination of the “undisclosed impeachment evidence . . . viewed in

context, alongside the witness’s testimony, in light of any other impeachment evidence, and in

light of corroborating evidence that bears on the witness’s credibility.” Pederson v. Fabian, 491

F.3d 816, 826 (8th Cir. 2007) (citation omitted).

Initially, the Court notes that despite the State’s suggestion that Petitioner would not have

been able to use this information to impeach Lee’s testimony at trial, (see Doc. 14 at 20-21), it

appears this information may well have been permitted under Missouri law to impeach Lee’s

testimony. See Williams v. State, 386 S.W.3d 750, 753 (Mo. banc 2012) (noting that while

“[g]enerally a witness cannot be impeached by an arrest, investigation, or criminal charge that has

not resulted in a conviction,” “a party may use such information to demonstrate: (1) a specific

interest of the witness; (2) the witness’s motivation to testify favorably for the state; or (3) that the

witness testified with an expectation of leniency”) (citation and quotation marks omitted); accord

State v. Johnson, 603 S.W.3d 371, 378 (Mo. Ct. App. 2020).

Indeed, at trial and prior to Lee’s testimony, defense counsel independently brought up the

issue of potential pending charges by the State against Lee, and the trial court took up the issue

whether an inquiry into these matters would be permitted during Lee’s tesitmony:

[PROSECUTOR]: [Motion in limine number] 7, number of arrests, municipal

convictions or specific allegations of immorality of any witnesses which did not

lead to convictions.

[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Judge, my only concern on that is John Lee has a arrest

that took place right before our last dep – or the deposition. We’ve had two depos

in this particular case. Right before the first deposition, Mr. Lee had been arrested,

his house raided, and he had been held for 24 hours and then released. Charges

have not been filed, but they are still – I guess would be the argument under

advisement in some way. They’re probably waiting on a lab. I don’t know. But I

do think that that’s something that I can ask Mr. Lee, if he has any expectation of

any leniency for his testimony here today.

THE COURT: [Prosecutor]?

[PROSECUTOR]: I understand [defense counsel]’s argument. I just don’t believe

it falls under the fact that he’s – not only has he not been convicted, he hasn’t been

charged with anything at this point in time. I can say that I am absolutely unaware

of any case under advisement in our office with regard to that. And so I don’t know

how the State can be – the prosecutor’s office can be held accountable for

something that we are absolutely unaware of. I mean, that hasn’t even been

submitted to us.

THE COURT: That’s what I’m going to ask here. If he’s been arrested, has there

been a probable cause statement submitted to the prosecutor?

[PROSECUTOR]: Not that I’m aware of, Your Honor, no.

THE COURT: [Defense counsel], do you have any knowledge to the contrary?

[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: I don’t, Your Honor. Obviously, that’s beyond my

control. That could easily be held awaiting, you know, this case resolving. It is not

something I have control of. And I’m not saying the State would actually do that.

It’s within the police officer’s investigation. I don’t have any evidence of

wrongdoing in any manner. I don’t want to imply that in any way. But I don’t have

any evidence that the case has been submitted to the prosecutor’s office, nor would

I have access to that information.

[PROSECUTOR]: And the other side to that, that I would say, is that the witnesses,

the law enforcement officers that we’re going to call, I don’t believe they have any

knowledge of it either because that was done by a completely different unit.

THE COURT: If the State does not have any cases under advisement, then the

motion in limine is granted. We are going to limit it to those matters of

impeachment that are encompassed within Chapter 491. The ruling might be

different if the prosecutor had control over whether or not a charge is going to be

filed against one of their witnesses.

[PROSECUTOR]: Your Honor, if I could, I might ask for just a few minutes so I

can double-check because I certainly don’t want to misrepresent anything to the

Court.

THE COURT: I presume what you represented is accurate and you can check when

we go off the record.

. . .

[PROSECUTOR]: In our previous discussion with regard to one of the motions in

limine which had to do with prior bad acts, I believe, we were discussing whether

the victim in the case had a case under review with the prosecutor’s office. Upon

further checking, we do find in fact that the situation to which [defense counsel]

spoke, yes, the prosecutor’s office has received a report from law enforcement. It

is under review in the prosecutor’s office. No charges have been made. That is the

extent of my personal knowledge of the matter.

THE COURT: Okay. [Defense counsel].

[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Judge, I do believe, then, I would have the opportunity to

at least put out there that in March of 2014 that he was arrested, and even if it’s a

quick answer, you know, Are you aware that charges are pending against you? Are

you hoping for some sort of better disposition in those cases by your testimony

here? Or even if the State asks, I mean, that’s obviously their prerogative if they

want to address that in their direct. But I think that that at least allows me to open

the door to that very limited circumstance, because I’ve dealt with, obviously, many

people in the past, including my own clientele, who hope that their testimony, even

in cases in which their victims will somehow benefit their ability for future charges.

[PROSECUTOR]: Still have to rely on the fact that those charges – the charges

have not been brought. And with regard to prior acts, the statute speaks to

convictions. I can tell the Court there is no deal in place. There is nothing like that,

again, that I’m aware of, and I’m the one that’s controlling this case.

THE COURT: I’m not suggesting there is a deal in place. But it is within the power

of the State at this point to charge or not to charge this witness, so the witness can

be asked as to whether or not he’s expecting a deal or whether or not he’s hoping

for a deal. So my earlier ruling is changed. You can bring it up on direct or [defense

counsel] can bring it up but it’s limited to that, but that’s not irrelevant so that can

be done.

(Doc. 7-1 at 270-81.)

At the conclusion of its direct examination of Lee, the prosecutor asked Lee:

Q. (by [Prosecutor]) Mr. Lee, I’m going to ask you a question, while this particular

case was pending, while it was waiting to come to trial, okay, was there a time when

there was a search warrant executed on your residence?

A. Yes.

Q. To date, has any charges, that you’re aware of, has any charges been filed against

you?

A. No.

Q. Are you aware of any agreement, arrangement, deal, bargain, between yourself

and the prosecutor’s office or law enforcement with regard to that incident and your

testimony here today?

A. No.

(Id. at 302.) Defense counsel did not question Lee on this topic any further during cross-

examination.

At trial, Lee testified as the victim and sole eyewitness of the shooting. He testified around

2:45 AM, an individual known as “Tall Nick” picked him up from a local hotel and they drove to

a Kum & Go store approximately five minutes away. (Id. at 286 & 287.) Lee testified they came

“straight back” from the store and when they arrived back at the parking lot where he had been

picked up and as he was getting out of the car, three persons approached him from the back of the

vehicle. (Id. at 287.) As they approached him, they stated, “Give it up or wassup.” (Id.) Lee

testified he swung at them to protect himself and turned to run away. (Id. at 289-90.) As he was

running away, Lee was shot multiple times from behind. (Id. at 291.) At trial, Lee identified

Petitioner as one of the individuals who had approached him and that he had a chrome gun. (Id.

at 293.) Lee testified while he was at the hospital, he told police who were investigating the

shooting that “Tevin Williams did it,” and identified a vehicle Petitioner drove as a “gold truck, or

something like that.” (Id. at 298-99.)

Additionally, the police officer who spoke with Lee at the hospital in the emergency room

testified when asked who shot him, Lee stated it was a “mixed-race male” who was named “Trevan

or possibly a Tevin,” although in his report the officer notated “Trevan.” (Id. at 358.) Later, Lee

positively identified Petitioner as the shooter when shown a photo-lineup. (Id. at 301-02.) The

detective who showed Lee the photo-lineup testified Lee identified Petitioner as the shooter within

“several seconds.” (Id. at 373.)

On cross-examination, defense counsel did not inquire further about Lee’s recent arrest,

although as Petitioner concedes, defense counsel was at least aware of Lee’s arrest and the

circumstances surrounding it. Instead, defense counsel questioned Lee about his prior criminal

history that included several felony convictions, as well as his drug use just prior to the shooting,

during which Lee admitted he was under the influence of drugs, including marijuana potentially

laced with amphetamines, and alcohol at the time of the shooting. (Id. at 312-16.) In addition,

defense counsel repeatedly impeached Lee’s testimony with prior deposition testimony, including

his prior deposition testimony that he had never seen, known, or encountered Petitioner before the

shooting. (Id. at 320.) Additionally, defense counsel questioned Mr. Lee about his erroneous

identification of “Tall Nick” as the individual who drove him to Kum & Go that morning:

Q. And that’s who you knew as Tall Nick?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. Now, later, you’ve indicated that this individual, this person that you circled,

was not actually involved in the incident that night; is that correct?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. And in fact it was somebody else. And you misidentified Nicholas – this Tall

Nick person, this person here, as being involved in the incident; is that fair to say?

A. The driver of the car, yeah.

Q. Right. So this person that you said was the driver of the car and circled as to

driver, is not actually the driver?

A. Yes, I heard about that later.

Q. All right. And so you were wrong. Misidentified this individual as being

involved?

A. Yes, sir.

(Id. at 310-11.) Finally, defense counsel pitted Lee’s testimony that he told a police officer at the

hospital that the shooter was Tevin Williams with the police officer’s statement in his report that

Lee told him it was somebody with a name similar to “Trevan.” (Id. at 341.)

As the trial record reflects, Lee’s testimony on direct- and cross-examination was

impeached with his extensive criminal history, inconsistencies in his testimony and prior

statements. Also, however, Lee’s testimony was corroborated by statements he made to police

shortly after the shooting, as well as Courtney Brashear’s statements in a videotaped interview

with police1 that the night of the shooting while at Desmond Williams’2 house, she saw Desmond

give Petitioner a gun wrapped in a t-shirt. Brashear also stated Petitioner said he would return

“when it was done,” and that when Petitioner returned to Desmond’s house later, he was shaking

and stated he thought he “killed him because he emptied the gun on him.”3 Finally, as Petitioner

acknowledges, defense counsel was aware of Lee’s recent arrest for possession of a controlled

substance following a raid on Lee’s home; the basis of one of the probable cause statements

supporting Petitioner’s Brady claim. (Doc. 13 at 32.) Indeed, this prompted defense counsel to

address the scope of Lee’s examination with the trial court, which ultimately ruled counsel could

ask Lee about this potential criminal situation and its impact, if any, on his testimony. During

Lee’s direct examination, in fact, the prosecutor directly addressed this concern and Lee testified

he was unaware of any charges having been filed or of any agreement or bargain to secure his

testimony following his recent arrest. Defense counsel did not address the issue further, despite

the opportunity to do so.

Accordingly, the Court does not find Petitioner has established the additional impeachment

evidence is material impeachment evidence under Brady. See also Burton v. Dormire, 295 F.3d

839, 846-47 (8th Cir. 2002) (alleged withholding of a second plea deal that secured the witness’s

testimony against the defendant in exchange for a reduced sentence in a separate charge was not

material for Brady purposes because (1) the jury knew of an initial favorable plea bargain that

secured his testimony, and (2) “whether the jury knows of one or both plea agreements, the jury is

1 Brashear’s videotaped interview with police was admitted into evidence and played for the jury.

2 For ease of reference and to avoid any confusion, the Court will refer to Desmond Williams by

his first name.

3 While Brashear maintained at trial she did not remember giving these statements to police and

did not see a gun that night, she also testified that she did remember “a shirt” that Desmond “pulled . . . out

of the closet.”

sufficiently apprised of the potential taint on the witness’ credibility to ensure a fair trial”). Thus,

Petitioner has not demonstrated prejudice necessary to overcome the procedural bar to habeas

relief on this defaulted claim. Accordingly, Ground One is DENIED.

B. Ground Two

Petitioner next argues trial counsel was ineffective for eliciting prejudicial testimony from

a defense witness that corroborated Lee’s testimony. Specifically, Petitioner argues while

examining Desmond Williams, defense counsel elicited testimony that Petitioner was known to

drive a brown Explorer. Petitioner argues this testimony corroborated Lee’s testimony during the

State’s case-in-chief that Lee knew Petitioner to drive a gold or brown truck. In response, the State

argues this claim is procedurally defaulted because it was not raised in the proceedings before the

state court, and is otherwise without merit. Petitioner argues he can show cause to overcome the

procedural default because post-conviction counsel was ineffective in failing to raise this claim on

post-conviction review before the state court, relying on Martinez v. Ryan, 566 U.S. 1 (2013), and

the testimony elicited was prejudicial because it supported Lee’s credibility – a critical component

of this case.

In Martinez, the Supreme Court recognized that ineffective assistance of post-conviction

counsel can provide cause for a failure to raise a claim of ineffective assistance of trial counsel in

an initial post-conviction proceeding. Id. at 14-18. In particular, the Supreme Court recognized

that a petitioner “may establish cause for a default of an ineffective-assistance claim . . . where the

claim should have been raised, [and post-conviction counsel] was ineffective under the standards

of Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984),” in failing to do so. To overcome a procedural

bar under Martinez, then, “the prisoner must also demonstrate that the underlying ineffective-

assistance-of-trial-counsel claim is a substantial one, which is to say that the prisoner must

demonstrate that the [underlying] claim has some merit.” Martinez, 566 U.S. at 14 (citation

omitted). Conversely, Martinez provides no relief from a procedural bar when the ineffective-

assistance-of-trial counsel claim is “insubstantial” because it lacks merit or factual support, or

because post-conviction counsel “did not perform below constitutional standards.” Id. at 16.

To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, a petitioner must show that his attorney’s

performance “fell below an objective standard of reasonableness” and that “the deficient

performance” actually prejudiced him. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687-88. “A court considering a

claim of ineffective assistance of counsel must apply a ‘strong presumption’ that counsel’s

representation was within the ‘wide range’ of reasonable professional assistance.” Harrington,

562 U.S. at 104 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689). Petitioner must show “that counsel made

errors so serious that counsel was not functioning as the ‘counsel’ guaranteed the defendant by the

Sixth Amendment.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687. Additionally, to satisfy the prejudice prong,

Petitioner must show there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors,

the result of the proceedings would have been different. Id. at 694.

During its case, the defense called Desmond to testify. Defense counsel asked Desmond,

“Now, did [Petitioner] have his own vehicle, to your knowledge, or did he usually have to bum a

ride?” to which Desmond responded: “They drive their – I don’t know who owned it, but

sometimes they had a brown Explorer. I think he came with Alesha. There was three cars, I think,

three.” (Doc. 7-1 at 437.) During cross-examination, the State questioned Desmond further about

the car Petitioner was known to drive:

Q. I believe you testified that [Petitioner] drove – or rode around in several different

vehicles back in this time frame?

A. No. He had access to only the brown one that I knew of that he drove.

Q. Was it a brown Explorer?

A. Explorer, yes.

. . .

Q. But you had seen him riding around in a brown Explorer before?

A. Yeah, but he’s not the only one I’ve seen driving it either, I mean.

(Id. at 447-48.) During the State’s case-in-chief earlier, Lee testified he told a police officer

investigating the shooting at the hospital he “know[s] [Petitioner] from, like, driving a gold truck.”

(Id. at 298-99.) The police officer who spoke with Lee at the hospital testified Lee mentioned

“something about a brown Ford Explorer,” (id. at 359), and a detective investigating the shooting

later testified Lee stated he “knew [Petitioner] to drive what he [Lee] described as a brown Ford

Explorer.” (Id. at 374.) At the same time, on cross-examination, the second officer agreed that

Lee “didn’t tell [the officer] that he saw the Explorer, whether it be brown or gold, that night of

the shooting[.]” (Id. at 388.)

In closing argument, the State referenced Desmond’s testimony in relation to Lee’s

testimony that Petitioner “rode around in this gold truck or a brown Explorer” and argued, “[s]o

even their own witnesses corroborate what John Lee says about the man that shot him.” (Id. at

488-49.)

Even assuming trial counsel’s performance was constitutionally deficient to the extent he

elicited this corroborative testimony, Petitioner cannot show prejudice, particularly in light of the

other evidence presented in this case. Lee’s testimony identifying Petitioner as the shooter as

reflected above was corroborated both by statements Lee made to officers investigating the

shooting relatively close in time after the shooting while he was at the hospital, as well as

Brashear’s recorded statements to police. To the extent this testimony Petitioner now complains

of corroborated Lee’s testimony to some degree, it was but one piece in relation to the whole that

included other stronger corroborating evidence supporting the finding Petitioner was the shooter

as Lee testified. In short, in light of the testimony and evidence presented at trial, the Court finds

Petitioner fails to show a reasonable probability that the outcome of the trial would have been

different even if trial counsel’s performance was constitutionally deficient to the extent counsel

elicited this statement from Desmond at trial. Because Petitioner is not entitled to relief under

Strickland regarding this ineffective-assistance claim, it is not a “substantial” claim for which the

Martinez exception applies. Ground Two is procedurally defaulted and is therefore DENIED.

C. Ground Three

Finally, Petitioner claims trial counsel was constitutionally ineffective for failing to

investigate and subpoena testimony at trial from three individuals: Alesha Davis, Jesika

Fitzpatrick, and Melvin Jackson. Petitioner argues the testimony of each would have discredited

Lee’s testimony and/or supported an alibi defense. Petitioner raised this claim in his amended

petition for post-conviction relief under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 29.15. (Doc. 7-10 at 61,

66-68.) Following an evidentiary hearing, the state motion court denied relief, and the Missouri

Court of Appeals affirmed. (Docs. 7-10 at 79-82; 7-16 at 2-11.)

In response, the State argues that because the state courts “reasonably rejected this claim

on the merits,” this Court must defer to the decisions of the state courts as required by 28 U.S.C.

§ 2254(d). As reflected above, and as Petitioner acknowledges in his reply, § 2254(d) applies a

deferential standard of review for federal habeas relief when the claim has been adjudicated on the

merits in a state court. The federal habeas court must defer to the state court’s determination on

the issue unless the state court’s adjudication:

(1) resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable

application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the Supreme Court

of the United States; or

(2) resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable determination of the

facts in light of the evidence presented in the State Court proceeding.

§ 2254(d)(1) & (2).

In applying this standard, the Supreme Court has explained that a state court’s application

of the otherwise correct governing principle must be “objectively unreasonable,” that is, it must

be more than merely “incorrect or erroneous.” Wiggins v. Smith, 539 U.S. 510, 520-21 (2003)

(citation and quotation marks omitted); see also Wilson v. Sellers, 138 S. Ct. 1188, 1192 (2018)

(“when the last state court to decide a prisoner’s federal claim explains its decision on the merits

in a reasoned opinion . . . a federal habeas court simply reviews the specific reasons given by the

state court and defers to those reasons if they are reasonable”) (collecting cases). The same is true

regarding a state court’s determination of the facts: “erroneous fact-finding by the [state] court[]

will not justify granting a writ if those courts erred ‘reasonably.’” Weaver v. Bowersox, 241 F.3d

1024, 1030 (8th Cir. 2001) (citation omitted). On federal habeas review, the state court’s findings

of fact are presumed correct absent clear and convincing evidence otherwise. Id.; see § 2254(e)(1).

1. Alesha Davis

The Missouri Court of Appeals denied Petitioner’s claim of ineffective assistance of trial

counsel for failing to subpoena or secure Alesha Davis’ testimony at trial, as follows:

Williams’ first point contends Huffman provided ineffective assistance

when he failed to “subpoena or otherwise secure” the attendance of Davis as a

witness. The following facts are relevant to this point.

At the evidentiary hearing, Huffman testified that Davis was a friend of

Williams. Huffman spoke to Davis prior to Williams’ trial. Huffman anticipated

Davis would testify that, on May 1, 2013, she saw Williams at a party and dropped

him off at his mother’s house around 4:00 a.m. The shooting occurred at another

location at 2:59 a.m. Huffman did not subpoena Davis because he believed that she

was a friendly witness and intended to testify. Huffman tried to contact Davis

during the trial and did not know why Davis failed to appear.

Davis’ evidentiary hearing testimony related to whether she could provide

an alibi for Williams around the time of the shooting. Davis did not testify,

however, that she would have been willing to testify at Williams’ trial, nor did she

explain why she failed to appear at the trial as expected.

In denying this claim, the motion court found that Davis’ testimony would

not have provided Williams with a complete defense, as it did not preclude the

possibility that Williams had committed the crimes and did not provide a “true

alibi.” The motion court also found that Williams failed to meet his burden of

proving that Davis would have testified at Williams’ trial. The motion court found

that the evidence proved Davis was aware of Williams’ trial, but she chose not to

testify in spite of attorney Huffman’s request.

Williams’ point contends the motion court clearly erred in denying his claim

of ineffective assistance for “failing to subpoena” Davis because: (1) the court

analyzed the claim under an “incorrect standard” – failure to call a witness, instead

of failure to subpoena; (2) Davis’ testimony would have provided both an alibi and

impeachment of Victim’s identification; and (3) there is a reasonable probability

that had Huffman secured Davis’ presence by subpoena the outcome of the trial

would have been different. We disagree for four reasons.

First, Williams failed to prove Huffman was ineffective for failing to

subpoena Davis. As our Supreme Court stated in Crenshaw, “[t]rial counsel is not

ineffective for failing to subpoena a witness to testify at trial if the conduct of the

witness is such that trial counsel was reasonable in believing the witness would

appear to testify without a subpoena.” 66 S.W.3d at 260. Huffman testified that

Davis was a friend of Williams, and Huffman thought she intended to testify at the

trial. The motion court credited Huffman’s testimony and found he was reasonable

in believing Davis would appear to testify without a subpoena. See id. at 260-61.

We defer to the motion court’s determination of credibility. Smith, 413 S.W.3d at

715.

Second, Williams failed to establish Davis would have actually testified at

Williams’ trial. See Worthington, 166 S.W.3d at 577. Although Davis testified at

the evidentiary hearing, her appearance there did not prove that she would have

appeared at the criminal trial if she had been subpoenaed. Huffman testified that

Davis knew about the trial and knew she was expected to testify for Williams, but

she failed to show up. Davis did not testify that a subpoena or other effort to secure

her presence at trial would have been effective. After considering the evidence, the

motion court found that Williams did not prove his claim. We defer to the motion

court’s credibility determination. Smith, 413 S.W.3d at 715.

Third, Huffman did not intend to present a defense of alibi at Williams’ trial.

Huffman testified that he could not sufficiently account for Williams’ whereabouts

around the time of the shooting to provide him with an alibi. As such, Davis’

testimony concerning an alibi defense was not consistent with Williams’ trial

strategy. It is well settled, that if a potential witness’ testimony would not

unqualifiedly support a defendant, failure to call such a witness does not constitute

ineffective assistance. Worthington, 166 S.W.3d at 577; Paulson, 342 S.W.3d at

456.

Fourth, Huffman was not ineffective for failing to present Davis’ testimony

as impeachment because it would not have changed the outcome of the trial. See

Shockley v. State, 579 S.W.3d 881, 912 (Mo. banc 2019). Considering the strength

of the evidence at trial, the motion court specifically found that the following

“pieces of evidence are corroborative of each other and support conviction of

[Williams] beyond a reasonable doubt”:

1) Victim’s testimony that, on the night of the shooting, he

recognized Movant, who was carrying a gun; 2) Officer Evans’

testimony that at the hospital, Victim stated that he had been shot by

the Movant; 3) Detective Shipley’s testimony that within seconds

after being shown a photo lineup, victim positively identified

Movant as the shooter; and 4) Brashear’s interview when she

recounted seeing the Movant take a gun from “Duzzy” and then

return that gun, shaking and visibly scared, saying that he thought

he “killed him because he emptied the gun on him.”

For all these reasons, the motion court did not clearly err in denying

Williams’ claim that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to subpoena or

otherwise secure Davis’ presence as a witness. Point 1 is denied.

(Doc. 7-16 at 5-8.)

First, Petitioner argues the state motion court’s finding that Davis’ testimony would not

have provided Petitioner a viable alibi defense is unreasonable. As reflected above, however, the

Missouri Court of Appeals adjudicated this claim on the merits and found, inter alia, trial counsel

did not intend to present an alibi defense at trial and therefore, failing to subpoena Davis’ testimony

(to whatever extent it could support an alibi) was not ineffective assistance of counsel.

Additionally, the state court of appeals concluded Petitioner could not show prejudice to the extent

Davis’ testimony impeached Lee’s testimony. Because the state court of appeals adjudicated this

claim on the merits, Petitioner must show that decision is unreasonable under § 2254(d)(1) or

(d)(2), otherwise the Court must defer to the state court of appeals’ resolution of this claim on the

merits. See Rhines v. Young, 899 F.3d 482, 490 (8th Cir. 2018) (“When a habeas claim has been

adjudicated on the merits by the state courts, we review the last reasoned decision of the state

courts.”) (citation and quotation marks omitted).

The only argument Petitioner presents that the state court of appeals’ decision is

unreasonable under the deferential § 2254(d) standard is that the state court “unreasonably assessed

the facts in determining that Davis’ testimony, that one week after the shooting Lee approached

her and asked her who was responsible for shooting him would not have changed the outcome of

petitioner’s trial.” Given the evidence and testimony presented at trial including the corroborative

testimony supporting Lee’s testimony as well as Brashear’s interview, the Court does not find

Petitioner has established the court of appeals’ decision was an unreasonable application of

Strickland’s prejudice prong. See Williams v. United States, 452 F.3d 1009, 1013 (8th Cir. 2006)

(in applying Strickland’s prejudice prong courts “must consider the totality of the evidence”

including the proffered testimony and “gauge the likely outcome of a trial based on this total body

of evidence”) (citation and quotation marks omitted).

2. Jesika Fitzpatrick

Similarly, the Missouri Court of Appeals also denied this ineffective-assistance-of-counsel

claim as it relates to Jesika Fitzpatrick’s proffered testimony:

Williams’ third point contends Huffman provided ineffective assistance

when he failed to “subpoena or otherwise secure” witness Fitzpatrick. The

following facts are relevant to this point.

At the evidentiary hearing, Huffman testified that he could not recall the

name Fitzpatrick. Huffman did not subpoena Fitzpatrick to testify at Williams’

trial.

Fitzpatrick testified that she had been the girlfriend of Victim at the time of

the shooting. According to Fitzpatrick, Victim moved into her residence following

his discharge from the hospital after he was shot, and they lived together for about

one year. According to Fitzpatrick, Victim had told her that the man who had shot

Victim had either been “the white boy” or “the dark-skinned black man with a hat,”

but that he did not know which one shot him. Fitzpatrick admitted that she was

currently on probation for five cases in various counties.

Victim testified that he did not know Williams at the time of the shooting

and that after he had been shot, he had heard that Williams was reputed to be the

shooter. Victim identified Williams from a photo lineup as the shooter because

Williams was the person who he saw shoot him. Victim denied: (1) moving in

with Fitzpatrick after he had been released from the hospital; and (2) telling

Fitzpatrick that he did not know whether he had been shot by the white boy or the

dark-skinned black man with a hat. Victim believed Fitzpatrick was dishonest.

In denying Williams’ claim, the motion court found that: (1) Fitzpatrick’s

testimony was contradicted by the testimony of Victim and lacked credibility; and

(2) Williams failed to adduce testimony that Fitzpatrick was available to testify at

trial.

Williams’ point contends the motion court clearly erred in denying his claim

of ineffective assistance concerning Fitzpatrick because she testified that she: (1)

“lived in Springfield in 2014”; (2) “volunteered to testify at the evidentiary

hearing”; and (3) “had heeded the motion court’s subpoena compelling her

testimony[.]” We disagree.

Williams’ argument completely ignores the motion court’s finding that

Fitzpatrick lacked credibility, and we defer to the motion court’s determination of

credibility. Smith, 413 S.W.3d at 715. Because Williams failed to present any

credible evidence to support his claim, he failed in his burden to prove the grounds

asserted in his post-conviction motion by a preponderance of the evidence. See

Rule 29.15(i); McLaughlin, 378 S.W.3d at 337. Therefore, the motion court did

not clearly err in denying Williams’ claim that his trial counsel was ineffective for

failing to subpoena or otherwise secure Fitzpatrick as a witness. Point 3 is denied.

The motion court’s order denying Williams’ amended Rule 29.15 motion

is affirmed.

(Doc. 7-16 at 9-10.)

Petitioner argues the facts identified by the motion court supporting its finding that

Fitzpatrick’s testimony lacked credibility (as adopted by the state court of appeals) are not

supported by the record. Specifically, Petitioner points to the motion court’s findings: (1) both

Fitzpatrick and Lee testified the other had been unfaithful during their relationship, (2) Lee testified

he and Fitzpatrick were not on good terms when their relationship ended, and (3) Fitzpatrick

testified she communicated with Petitioner’s family and friends prior to Petitioner’s trial. (Doc.

21 at 26-27.)

Federal courts generally must defer to credibility determinations by the state court unless

such determinations “were objectively unreasonable based on the record.” Smulls v. Roper, 535

F.3d 853, 864 (8th Cir. 2008) (citation omitted). Even if, as Petitioner argues, these findings are

erroneous as a factual matter as to the parties’ specific testimony, the Court notes the motion court

ultimately found Fitzpatrick was not credible because of “the lack of detail to Ms. Fitzpatrick’s

testimony, her negative relationship with the victim, and the somewhat suspicious circumstances

under which her affidavit came to be prepared and provided to the defense.” (Doc. 7-10 at 81.)

After a review of the evidence and testimony presented at the evidentiary hearing, the Court cannot

conclude this finding is based on an unreasonable determination of the facts presented to the

motion court.

Moreover, the credibility of Fitzgerald’s testimony at the post-conviction evidentiary

hearing is only tangential to the ultimate issue whether trial counsel was ineffective in failing to

subpoena and secure her testimony at trial. Even assuming trial counsel was deficient in failing to

subpoena and secure this testimony at trial, Petitioner cannot show Strickland prejudice were

Fitzgerald to have testified at trial in light of the evidence presented at trial as reflected and

described above. Thus, even if § 2254(d) were satisfied as to this ineffective-assistance claim, the

Court would not otherwise find Petitioner is entitled to federal habeas relief under this claim.

3. Melvin Jackson

Finally, the Missouri Court of Appeals also denied this ineffective-assistance claim based

on Melvin Jackson’s proffered testimony:

Williams’ second point contends Huffman provided ineffective assistance

when he failed to “subpoena or otherwise secure” witness Jackson. The following

facts are relevant to this point.

Huffman had spoken to Jackson on the phone. He told Huffman about a

statement by Victim to Jackson that Victim did not know who had shot him.

Huffman did not endorse Jackson as a witness or subpoena him. Huffman had

spoken to Jackson and believed that he would appear at Williams’ trial. Williams’

mother attempted to reach Jackson during the trial, but she was unsuccessful.

Jackson did not testify at the evidentiary hearing. In denying this claim, the

motion court found that Williams failed to present any evidence to support the

claim.

Williams’ point contends the motion court clearly erred in denying his claim

of ineffective assistance for “failing to subpoena” Jackson because: (1) the court

analyzed the claim under an “incorrect standard” – failure to call a witness, instead

of failure to subpoena; (2) Jackson’s testimony would have impeached Victim’s

identification; and (3) there is a reasonable probability that, had Huffman secured

Jackson’s presence by subpoena, the outcome of the trial would have been different.

We disagree.

Once again, Williams failed to prove Huffman was ineffective for failing to

subpoena Jackson. The motion court found that Huffman acted reasonably in

believing Jackson was a friendly witness and would appear to testify without a

subpoena. See Crenshaw, 266 S.W.3d at 260. Because Jackson did not testify,

Williams failed to prove: (1) Jackson had any relevant information; and (2) he

would have provided it at Williams’ trial if his presence had been secured by

subpoena or otherwise. See Worthington, 166 S.W.3d at 577. Accordingly, the

motion court did not clearly err in denying Williams’ claim that his trial counsel

was ineffective for failing to subpoena or otherwise secure Jackson’s presence as a

witness. Point 2 is denied.

(Doc. 7-16 at 8-9.)

As reflected above, the state court of appeals found, inter alia, Petitioner failed to establish

trial counsel was ineffective because trial counsel reasonably believed Jackson was a friendly

witness and would appear at trial to testify. Petitioner makes no argument this finding is an

unreasonable application of Strickland or other federal precedent or is somehow based on an

unreasonable determination of the facts. Instead, Petitioner points to the state motion court’s

finding that Petitioner “abandoned” the claim because he failed to present any evidence on this

claim. (Doc. 21 at 28.) In his amended petition for federal habeas relief, Petitioner argues post-

conviction counsel was ineffective by failing to develop and support this claim in the initial post-

conviction proceeding and had post-conviction counsel done so, “petitioner would have been

granted relief on his claim by the motion court.” (Doc. 13 at 41.) Additionally, Petitioner argues

“due to the ineffectiveness of motion court post-conviction counsel, evidence to support this claim

was not adduced in petitioner’s post-conviction evidentiary hearing . . . and, thus, this claim was

not fully developed in state court.” (Id. at 18.) Petitioner suggests Martinez grants him some relief

in seeking federal habeas relief under this claim. Not so.

Petitioner raised this claim in his post-conviction proceedings before the state courts and,

as reflected above, the state court of appeals denied the claim on the merits. See also Johnson v.

Williams, 568 U.S. 289, 298 (“when a federal claim has been presented to a state court and the

state court has denied relief, it may be presumed that the state court adjudicated the claim on the

merits in the absence of any indication or state-law procedural principles to the contrary”) (cleaned

up). In other words, this claim is not procedurally defaulted. Rather than relying on the Martinez

exception to a procedurally defaulted claim, then, Petitioner’s argument appears (in actuality) to

assert an independent claim that post-conviction counsel was herself ineffective. There is no

constitutional right to effective assistance of post-conviction counsel, however. Coleman v.

Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 753 (1991); see also Davila v. Davis, 137 S. Ct. 2058, 2062-63 (2017)

(the Martinez “exception treats ineffective assistance by a prisoner’s state postconviction counsel

as cause to overcome the default of a single claim – ineffective assistance of trial counsel – in a

single context – where the State effectively requires a defendant to bring that claim in state

postconviction proceedings rather than on direct appeal.”)

Because the claim is not procedurally defaulted (i.e., since it was raised before and decided

on the merits by the state courts), Martinez does not apply and the Court must apply the great

deference afforded to the state court’s adjudication of this claim under § 2254(d). Petitioner makes

no argument the state court of appeals’ decision finding trial counsel was not ineffective regarding

Jackson’s un-subpoenaed trial testimony unreasonably applied Strickland or was based on an

unreasonable determination of the facts. Thus, the Court must defer to the state court of appeals’

resolution of this ineffective-assistance claim.

4. Conclusion

For all the reasons explained above, Ground Three is DENIED.

IV. Evidentiary Hearing

Petitioner requests an evidentiary hearing regarding these claims. Because the Court finds

Petitioner is not entitled to habeas relief for the reasons explained above, Petitioner’s request for

an evidentiary hearing is DENIED. See Schriro v. Landrigan, 550 U.S. 465, 481 (2007) (district

court did not abuse its discretion in declining to grant habeas petitioner an evidentiary hearing

where even assuming the truth of all facts, petitioner could still not be granted habeas relief).4

V. Certificate of Appealability

Finally, under Rule 11 of the Rules Governing Section 2254 Proceedings, the Court must

issue or deny a certificate of appealability when it enters a final order adverse to a habeas petitioner.

A certificate of appealability may be issued “only if [Petitioner] has made a substantial showing

of the denial of a constitutional right.” 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). Because Petitioner has made no

such showing, the Court declines to issue a certificate of appealability.

VI. Conclusion

Therefore, it is ORDERED that:

(1) Petitioner’s habeas petition is DENIED;

(2) Petitioner’s request for an evidentiary hearing is DENIED;

(3) a certificate of appealability is DENIED; and

(4) this case is DISMISSED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/ Roseann A. Ketchmark

ROSEANN A. KETCHMARK, JUDGE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DATED: March 14, 2022

4 Moreover, § 2254(e)(2) provides that “[i]f the applicant has failed to develop the factual basis of

a claim in State court proceedings,” the habeas court may hold an evidentiary hearing only if “the claim

relies on (i) a new rule of constitutional law, made retroactive to cases on collateral review by the Supreme

Court, that was previously unavailable; or (ii) a factual predicate that could not have been previously

discovered through the exercise of due diligence.” Petitioner makes no such argument § 2254(e)(2)’s

requirement is otherwise satisfied here.