# Gousse v. Superintendent

> District Court, E.D. New York · July 29, 2020

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10304585

## Case

- **Court:** District Court, E.D. New York
- **Decided:** July 29, 2020
- **Opinion:** 100trialcourt
- **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

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## Opinion text

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
----------------------------------X
REGINALD GOUSSE,
Petitioner,
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
-against- 19-CV-1607(JS)

SUPERINTENDENT,
WENDE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY,

Respondent.
-------------------------------------X
APPEARANCES
For Petitioner: Johnathan I. Edelstein, Esq.
Edelstein & Grossman
501 Fifth Avenue, Suite 514
New York, New York 10017

For Respondent: Daniel Bresnahan, Esq.
Sarah S. Rabinowitz, Esq.
Nassau County District Attorney’s Office
262 Old Country Road
Mineola, New York 11501

SEYBERT, District Judge:
Pending before the Court is Petitioner Reginald Gousse’s
(“Petitioner”) petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 2254. (Pet., D.E. 1.) Following a jury trial, Petitioner
was convicted of one count of New York Penal Law § 125.27, Murder
in the First Degree; one count of New York Penal Law
§ 110/160.15(2), Attempted Robbery in the First Degree; and one
count of New York Penal Law § 190.25, Criminal Impersonation in
the First Degree. Petitioner raises seven issues: (1) trial
counsel was ineffective; (2) the prosecution failed to disclose
Brady material; (3) newly discovered evidence demonstrates his
actual innocence; (4) the trial court erred by failing to suppress
identification testimony; (5) the trial court’s Molineux ruling
deprived him of due process and a fair trial; (6) the trial court’s
Sandoval ruling denied him of due process and a fair trial; and
(7) appellate counsel was ineffective. (Pet., ECF pp. 8-19.) For

the following reasons, the Petition is DENIED in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
I. The Offense Conduct
James Gottlieb (“Gottlieb”) was murdered on January 5,
2005, in Franklin Square, New York. (Tr. 229:16-17; 235:11-15.)1
In January 2005, Gottlieb was employed as an assistant branch
manager at HSBC bank in Cedarhurst, New York. (Tr. 228:6-7; 241:5-
7; 244:1-7.) After closing the bank at approximately 6:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, January 5, 2005, Gottlieb was driving home from work.
(Tr. 230:8-13.) A 2003 or 2004 black Ford Expedition SUV
(“Expedition”) with a siren and revolving light, driven by
Petitioner, stopped Gottlieb’s car across the street from 190

Semton Boulevard, Franklin Square, New York. (Tr. 293:16-20;
295:15-19; 296:17-23; 297:3-298:5; 348:1-12.) Petitioner exited

1 The underlying state trial started on February 27, 2006 and
ended on March 22, 2006. Transcripts (“Tr.”) can be found as
follows: Hearing (“Hr’g) Transcripts pp. 1-138, D.E. 13, and pp.
139-341, D.E. 13-1. Trial (“Tr.”) Transcripts pp. 1-171, D.E.
13-2; pp. 172-340, D.E. 13-3; pp. 341-539, D.E. 13-4; pp. 540-
629, D.E. 13-5; pp. 637-712, D.E. 13-6; pp. 713-855, D.E. 13-7;
pp. 856-1016, D.E. 13-8; pp. 1017-1139, D.E. 13-9; and pp. 1140-
1265, D.E. 13-11. Sentencing (“Sent’g”) Transcript, D.E. 13-10.
the Expedition and approached Gottlieb’s vehicle, a 1998 maroon
Mercury sedan, and told Gottlieb to get out of the car, give
Petitioner his keys, and put his hands behind his back to be
handcuffed. (Tr. 229:7-8; 297:5-13; 348:1-4.) Petitioner was
wearing what appeared to be a dark uniform and boots, similar to

a police uniform. (Tr. 298:22-25.)
Gottlieb refused to comply with Petitioner’s requests
for his keys and to put his hands behind his back, and instead
repeatedly asked Petitioner for his identification. (Tr. 298:6-
11.) Petitioner and Gottlieb continued arguing as Petitioner
followed Gottlieb to the front door of 190 Semton Boulevard. (Tr.
299:23-300:3.) Steps away from the front door of the house,
Petitioner struck Gottlieb in the head with a handgun causing
Gottlieb to fall to the ground. (Tr. 300:5-301:7.) Petitioner
then shot Gottlieb two times, once in the right arm and once in
the left leg, and sped off in the Expedition. (Tr. 302:15-16;
303:5-8; 376:21-377:5.)

Gottlieb knocked on the door to 190 Semton Boulevard and
asked for someone to please help him. (Tr. 303:13-18.) Anthony
Giardulo (“Giardulo”), who lived at 190 Semton Boulevard and had
been watching the altercation between Gottlieb and Petitioner
until he closed his front door after the first gunshot, opened the
door to help Gottlieb and called 911. (Tr. 303:20-23; 304:14.)
Gottlieb appeared to be in shock and walked back to his car and
laid down in his car. (Tr. 304:19-24.)
Detective Ricky Frassetti (“Det. Frassetti”) was the
first member of the Nassau County Police Department (“NCPD”) to
arrive on the scene. (Tr. 274:18.) Gottlieb told Det. Frassetti

that he had been shot and thought that the man was trying to take
his car, then pointed towards Hempstead Turnpike and said that he
went that way. (Tr. 276:16-20.) Ambulance Medical Technician
Joseph Rice (“A.M.T. Rice”) arrived moments later and began working
on Gottlieb. (Tr. 277:3-7.) Gottlieb told A.M.T. Rice a black
man had shot him. (Tr. 277:23-278:5.) A.M.T. Rice transported
Gottlieb to Mercy Medical Center, and Gottlieb was pronounced dead
shortly thereafter. (Tr. 381:21; 383:11-13.)
Detective John McHugh (“Det. McHugh”) was the lead
homicide detective assigned to Gottlieb’s murder investigation.
(Tr. 1019:3-5.) As part of the investigation, Det. McHugh spoke
with eyewitness Giardulo. (Tr. 1020:8-13.) Giardulo described

the perpetrator as a light skinned black male, about thirty years
old, about five foot six inches tall, clean shaven, and wearing
dark colored police or military-type clothing with black boots.
(Tr. 297:14-298:25; 1021:9-19.) Det. McHugh also spoke with
witnesses Daniel Bellucci (“Bellucci”) and Nancy Montenegro
(“Montenegro”), who both described the perpetrator’s vehicle as a
2003 or 2004 black Ford Expedition. (Tr. 348:1-14; 398:18-22.)
Later, on January 15, 2005, a defense attorney named
Mitchell Dinnerstein (“Dinnerstein”) contacted the NCPD and spoke
with Det. McHugh. (Hr’g Tr. 16:12-15.) Dinnerstein defended a
murder trial in Queens County in May 1999, and during that trial,
Petitioner, while a prosecution witness, testified pursuant to a

cooperation agreement. (Tr. 880:14-881:22.) During his
testimony, Petitioner admitted that he had committed a crime
involving the robbery of a Staples store, and Dinnerstein believed
that the facts of that robbery were similar in nature to the facts
surrounding Gottlieb’s murder. (Tr. 902:3-914:20.)
After receiving the information from Dinnerstein, Det.
McHugh began investigating Petitioner. (Tr. 1027:3-13.) Det.
McHugh learned that Petitioner had rented a 2004 black Ford
Expedition from Hertz at 2:21 p.m. on January 5, 2005 and returned
it at 10:57 a.m. on January 6, 2005. (Tr. 1032:1-4; 804:7-17;
806:2-6; 807:4-6.) On January 20, 2005, Frank Kassel (“Kassel”)
of the NCPD Fleet Services Bureau examined the Expedition and

discovered evidence that supported that an emergency light or siren
has been installed and removed. (Tr. 916:11-12; 919:21-23; 921:6-
10.) Also on January 20, 2005, Det. McHugh put Petitioner’s
photograph in a photo array and showed it to Giardulo, who
identified Petitioner as the individual who had shot Gottlieb.
(Tr. 1027:14-19; 306:7-24.) Petitioner was arrested on
February 9, 2005. (Tr. 582:15-583:6.) The next day, Giardulo
identified Petitioner again in a lineup. (Tr. 307:22-308:1; 309:4-
12.)
II. The Suppression Hearing and Trial
On October 28, 2005, a suppression hearing was held in
New York Supreme Court, Nassau County before the Honorable John L.

Kase to address identification procedures, including a photo array
and lineup. (See Hr’g Tr.)
Petitioner’s jury trial began on February 27, 2006
before the Honorable Jerald S. Carter. (Tr. at 1.) Prior to
trial, the court granted, in part, the prosecution’s Molineux
application to prove Petitioner’s identity. The court permitted
the prosecution to enter evidence of Petitioner’s prior robbery
conviction, the robbery of the Staples from 1998 (“1998 Staples
robbery”), which included a trial transcript of Petitioner’s
testimony from the above-mentioned murder trial where he testified
to the details of the 1998 Staples robbery. (Tr. 5:3-14; 51:17-
52:12.) The court also permitted the prosecution to present

evidence found in a Chevrolet Lumina, a vehicle that was once
previously registered to Petitioner but had been abandoned, which
revealed alterations that were similar to those found in the
Expedition Petitioner had rented from Hertz. (Tr. 73:6-19; 11:11-
19.)
At the pre-trial Sandoval hearing, the court ruled that
should Petitioner testify, the prosecution would be permitted to
cross-examine him regarding the underlying facts of the 1998
Staples robbery, and the existence, but not the underlying facts,
of one other attempted robbery conviction from 1992. (See
generally Tr. 61:18-63:1.)
During the trial, the prosecution presented testimony of

numerous law enforcement witnesses involved in the investigation,
expert witnesses, and civilian eyewitnesses. (See Tr. 225:18-
1012:4). Giardulo testified that on January 5, 2005 at around
7:00 p.m. he heard a police siren, so he opened his front door and
looked out the window of his outer door. (Tr. 293:16-295:25.)
Giardulo observed Petitioner exit a black SUV with a blue and white
revolving light on the dashboard and approach Gottlieb’s red car.
(Tr. 296:17-297:8.)
Giardulo testified that Petitioner and Gottlieb argued
back and forth, Petitioner telling Gottlieb to give his keys and
put his hands behind his back, and Gottlieb asking for Petitioner’s
identification, as Gottlieb walked towards Giardulo’s front door

while Petitioner followed. (Tr. 297:11-300:3.) The area in front
of Giardulo’s house was well-lit as he still had his Christmas
lights on his house in addition to three other lights affixed to
the front of his house, and, as such, he was able to clearly see
Gottlieb and Petitioner. (Tr. 301:13-24.) Giardulo testified
that he saw Petitioner strike Gottlieb in the head with a gun,
heard one gunshot, and then he closed his door. (Tr. 300:5-
302:20.) Giardulo then heard two more gunshots and a car speeding
away. (Tr. 303:5-8.) Giardulo identified Petitioner in court,
and testified that he had previously identified Petitioner in both
a photo array and lineup. (Tr. 297:23-298:5; 306:7-21; 307:22-
309:12.)

Two of Giardulo’s neighbors from Semton Boulevard also
testified, Bellucci and Montenegro. Both Bellucci and Montenegro
testified that they were home at about 7:00 p.m. on January 5,
2005 when they heard a shot or a firecracker outside. (Tr. 342:9-
11; 345:14-16; 391:14; 395:15-20.) Bellucci testified that he
heard three gunshots then looked outside his window facing Semton
Boulevard. (Tr. 347:17-22.) Bellucci, a self-described auto body
man who repaired cars for fifteen years, recognized a black 2003
or 2004 Ford Expedition, with a flashing blue and white light on
the dashboard, parked behind Gottlieb’s maroon-red Mercury sedan.
(Tr. 344:1-3; 348:1-14.) Bellucci observed Petitioner approach
the Mercury sedan and look inside before getting into the

Expedition. (Tr. 350:2-5; 351:10-12.) Montenegro also testified
that she has family in the automobile industry and can distinguish
makes and models of different cars, and she observed a black Ford
Expedition racing down Semton Boulevard. (Tr. 394:16-395:1;
398:18-25.)
Dr. Michael DeMartino (“Dr. DeMartino”), Deputy Medical
Examiner at the Nassau County Medical Examiner’s Office, testified
that he performed the autopsy on Gottlieb. (Tr. 401:24-402:2;
406:13-15.) Dr. DeMartino testified he observed Gottlieb had a
blunt force injury that caused lacerations to the left side of his
face and nose, likely caused by an elongated narrow object. (Tr.
407:16-24; 409:3-8.) Dr. DeMartino also testified that Gottlieb

suffered two gunshot wounds, one to his left calf, and one to his
right forearm. (Tr. 409:25-410:2.) The gunshot wound to
Gottlieb’s right forearm severed an artery, which was a fatal
injury. (Tr. 413:5-17.)
The prosecution’s theory at trial was that this crime
was part of a distinctive pattern that Petitioner had committed
once before during the 1998 Staples robbery. (Tr. 208:18-23.) To
demonstrate Petitioner’s pattern, or modus operandi, the
prosecution entered into evidence the transcript of Petitioner’s
prior testimony where he detailed each step in the 1998 Staples
robbery. (See generally Tr. 902:3-914:20.)
During the Staples robbery, Petitioner approached the

Staples general manager in a vehicle in which he had installed a
red dome light, armed with a bounty hunter shield, handcuffs, a
scanner, and a revolver. (Tr. 903:3-12.) Petitioner placed the
manager in handcuffs, brought the manager back to his residence,
had the manager tell him the Staples alarm code, and then went
back to the Staples to remove merchandise. (Tr. 903:12-17.) These
facts were part of Petitioner’s admitted policeman routine. (Tr.
905:19-21.)
In the transcript, Petitioner also detailed how he
prepared to rob the Staples. Petitioner determined who the manager
was and which car belonged to the manager, brought a box cutter

the day of the robbery and slashed the manager’s car tires, then
waited for the manager to come out of the store and pulled him
over by pretending to be a police officer. (Tr. 907:9-909:15.)
The prosecution presented evidence demonstrating the
similarities between the 1998 Staples robbery and the instant
crime, including testimony from Gottlieb’s co-worker, and fellow
bank manager, Richard Slipka (“Slipka’). (See generally Tr.
238:11-266:21.) Slipka testified that both he and Gottlieb were
able to both open and close the bank, and both had the alarm codes.
(Tr. 244:1-21.) On January 5, 2005, Slipka testified that instead
of going home after work, he went across the street to a bar for
a drink with another co-worker. (Tr. 247:12-18.) When Slipka

returned to his car, he drove a couple miles before realizing his
tire had been slashed right above the rim. (Tr. 250:24-251:16.)
Slipka gave his tire to Detective Scott Kovar, of the Forensic
Evidence Bureau, who determined that the slash was a four-inch
diagonal cut consistent with being made by a sharp object. (Tr.
634:8-15; 637:22-638:9.)
The prosecution offered into evidence a photocopy of
Petitioner’s credit card to demonstrate the purchases he made to
prepare for the crime.2 (Tr. 600:20-24.) Kenneth Epstein, owner
of Mesk Police Equipment Corp., a police equipment store, testified
that Petitioner had ordered a custom thigh gun holster for a .40

caliber Glock, which ultimately was not ready by January 5, 2005,
and the order was later cancelled. (Tr. 979:10-18; 982:18-23.)
Michael Thseldar, a Radio Shack employee, testified that
Petitioner bought a police scanner on January 3, 2005. (Tr.
996:11-12; 999:14-1000:9.)
Kassel, of the NCPD Fleet Services Bureau, testified
that he examined the Expedition. (Tr. 916:9-12; 919:21-23.) He
testified that there was evidence that an emergency light or siren
had been installed and removed from the Expedition. (Tr. 921:6-
10.) The fins on the oil cooler were dented, which was consistent
with a siren being placed there, and insulation on wires had been
pulled back, which was also consistent with connecting a siren.

(Tr. 924:8-10; 926:19-927:3.) Kassel also testified that he
examined a 1997 gray Chevrolet Lumina that was previously
registered to Petitioner. (Tr. 941:8-16; 737:11-19.) Kassel

2 The photocopy of Petitioner’s credit card was entered into
evidence over an objection by defense counsel that the photocopy
violated the best evidence rule. (Tr. 600:2-9.) The
whereabouts of the actual credit card were unknown at the time
of trial, and thus the prosecution offered the photocopy as the
best evidence at the time. (Tr. 599:22-600:9.)
explained that the Lumina was altered in a very similar way to the
Expedition. (Tr. 941:21-24.)
At the close of the prosecution’s case, defense counsel
moved for a trial order of dismissal pursuant to New York Criminal
Procedure Law § 290.10, which was denied by the court. (Tr.

1012:17-1013:9.) Defense counsel presented one witness, Det.
McHugh, the lead homicide detective on the case. (Tr. 1018:18-
1070:1.) The defense theory was that another person, named Amili
Chambers (“Chambers”) was the perpetrator of the crime.3 (Tr.
216:15-217:1.) Throughout the prosecution’s case, defense counsel
cross-examined witnesses regarding Chambers. Chambers owned a
2005 black Ford Expedition, and there was a stipulation entered by
both parties that Detective James Carroll viewed a 2005 Ford
Expedition, registered to Chambers, but did not look inside the
car, or engine.4 (Tr. 718:19-719:3.)

3 Prior to trial, on October 12, 2005, Assistant District
Attorney Mary Biunno (“ADA Biunno”) provided Brady materials to
defense counsel, which included information regarding numerous
leads, and specifically the investigation into Lead # 182, Amili
Chambers. (See Affirm. in Opp. to 2d Mot. to Vacate J., D.E.
14-7, ¶¶ 26, 31 and ECF pp. 61, 111-13.) The NCPD received a
tip from an individual named Lorence Williams that Chambers has
a black SUV with lights and sirens, that he has a gun and pulls
people over, and had confessed to the crime. (Tr. 613:2-17.)
The trial court did not allow the substance of the tip into
evidence because it was hearsay. (Tr. 715:9-12.)

4 During defense counsel’s cross examination of Detective
Carroll, defense counsel began a line of questioning regarding
Chambers. (Tr. 611:9-10.) The prosecution objected, and there
was a lengthy sidebar regarding the admissibility of third-party
Defense counsel questioned Det. McHugh regarding his
investigation into Chambers. Det. McHugh testified that he did
not show Chambers’ photograph to any of the civilian witnesses in
the case. (Tr. 1030:10-25.) Det. McHugh also testified that he
inspected Chambers’ 2005 Ford Expedition and observed that there

was a siren attached to the front portion of the engine
compartment, and that Chambers was completely cooperative. (Tr.
1051:15-19; 1062:2-3.) At trial, there was also testimony that
Chambers was six-foot-seven inches tall, which is about a foot
taller than Petitioner and Giardulo’s description, and that he had
an alibi for the time of Gottlieb’s murder. (Tr. 297:14-20; 726:4-
8; 1049:4-1050:17.) Det. McHugh’s direct examination testimony
regarding Chambers’ alibi was as follows:
Q: Did you ever learn where Amili Chambers was, on the
evening of January 5, 2005?

A: To the best of my knowledge, he was at work.
Q: Where was work?
A: Either in Brooklyn or Queens.

culpability evidence relating to Chambers, specifically with
respect to the substance of the tip received by law enforcement.
(See generally Tr. 611:20-628:2.) The trial court suspended
questioning of Detective Carroll pending its decision on the
admissibility of certain evidence of third-party culpability.
(Tr. 632:1-5.) The trial court ultimately decided to allow
questioning regarding the inspection of Chambers vehicle, but
not the tip itself as it was inadmissible hearsay. Thus, rather
than recall Detective Carroll to the stand, the parties agreed
to enter into a stipulation. (Tr. 714:8-717:5.)
Q: Do you know specifically where he was that night?
A: No, I do not.
Q: When you say, work, he didn’t work in a particular
office; is that right?

A: I don’t know if he reported to an office. He was
a field worker.

Q: He would go out in the field and repair computers.
Is that what he did?

A: That’s correct.
Q: He would move around?
A: Brooklyn and Queens; yes.
Q: You have no idea where he was at roughly seven
o’clock in the evening, on January 5, 2005?

Mr. Klein: Objection.

The Court: Sustained.

A: He was working. Where exactly he was, in Brooklyn
or Queens, I do not know.

Q: Did you ever ask him where he was, specifically,
that night?

Mr. Klein: Objection.
The Court: Sustained.
A: Yes, I did.
The Court: All right. Go ahead.
Q: Where was he?
A: He was at a bank location on, I believe it was
Liberty Avenue, in Queens.

Q: Did you go to that location?
A: Yes, I did.
Q: Did you speak to anyone there?
A: Yes, I did.
Q: Who did you speak to?
A: The branch manager.

Q: What was his name?
A: I don’t recall her name.
(Tr. 1049:4-1050:17.)
At the close of all the evidence, defense counsel made
another motion for a trial order of dismissal, which the court
also denied. (Tr. 1083:9-22.) Defense counsel and the prosecution
delivered their summations to the jury, the court instructed the
jury on the law, and the jury deliberated. (Tr. 1084:7-1139:25.)
The jury convicted Petitioner of Murder in the First Degree,
Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, and Criminal Impersonation
in the First Degree. (Tr. 1257:20-1258:12.)
III. The Sentence

On April 19, 2006, Petitioner was sentenced by the court.
(See Sent’g Tr., D.E. 13-10.) The prosecution requested life in
prison without parole, the maximum sentence permissible under the
law. (Sent’g Tr. 14:8-14.) Defense counsel and Petitioner both
addressed the court, and Petitioner maintained his innocence.
(Sent’g Tr. 14:18-20:1.) The court sentenced Petitioner to the
maximum sentence of life imprisonment without possibility of
parole on the murder in the first degree charge; fifteen years
imprisonment with five years post-release supervision on charges
of attempted robbery in the first degree; and an indeterminate
sentence of one-and-one-third to four years on the charge of
criminal impersonation. (Sent’g Tr. 24:15-25:8.) All sentences

were ordered to run concurrently. (Sent’g Tr. 25:8-9.)
IV. The Appeal
On December 21, 2006, Petitioner, through counsel,
appealed his conviction and sentence to the Second Department.
(Appellant Br., D.E. 15.) On direct appeal, Petitioner argued
that: (1) he was deprived of a fair trial by the trial court’s
admission of Molineux evidence (Appellant Br. at 32-36; (2) the
trial court’s Sandoval ruling deprived him of due process and the
right to testify on his own behalf (Appellant Br. at 37-40); (3)
the court erred by failing to suppress the line-up identification
(Appellant Br. at 41-42); (4) a Trowbridge error deprived him of
a fair trial (Appellant Br. at 43-47a0; and (5) he was deprived of

a fair trial when the court refused to permit him to call Kevin
Cooney (“Cooney”) as a witness5 (Appellant Br. at 48-50).

5 Cooney was a witness proffered by defense counsel. (Tr.
850:25-851:6.) According to defense counsel, Cooney worked at a
bank that shared a parking lot with the bank where Gottlieb
worked. (Tr. 851:12-14.) Defense counsel anticipated that
Cooney would testify that the day before the murder, on
January 4, 2005, he was followed home by a black man driving a
dark SUV. (Tr. 851:18-20.) However, Cooney did not identify a
vehicle, he didn’t see the individual driving the vehicle, and
The Second Department affirmed the judgment. People v.
Gousse, 43 A.D.3d 958, 958, 841 N.Y.S. 2d 383, 384 (2d Dep’t 2007).
Regarding the Molineux claim, the Second Department found that
“[e]vidence of the defendant’s conviction arising from his
involvement in the ‘1998 Staples case’ was properly admitted to

establish his identity as the perpetrator of the instant crime.”
Id. (citations omitted). With respect to Petitioner’s Sandoval
claim, the Second Department found that “[l]ikewise, the court
properly exercised its discretion with respect to its various
Sandoval rulings.” Id. (citations omitted).
As to Petitioner’s claim that the hearing court erred by
failing to suppress the lineup identification, the Second
Department found that “[t]he hearing court properly denied that
branch of the defendant’s motion which was to suppress
identification evidence.” Id. (citations omitted). Regarding
the alleged Trowbridge error, the Appellate Division held that
“defendant’s contention that the detective’s testimony regarding

the lineup improperly bolstered the witness’s identification
testimony is not preserved for appellate review, and we decline to
review it in the exercise of our interest of justice jurisdiction.”
Id. (internal citations omitted). Finally, with respect to

there was no contact between the individual in the vehicle and
Cooney. (Tr. 853:6-20.) The Court ruled that Cooney was not
allowed to testify. (Tr. 855:1-2.)
Petitioner’s claim regarding witness Cooney, the court held that
“defendant’s remaining contention is without merit.” Id.
Petitioner, through counsel, sought leave to appeal to
the New York State Court of Appeals, which was denied on July 8,
2008. (See People v. Gousse, 10 N.Y.3d 959, 959, 893 N.E.3d 449,

449, 863 N.Y.S. 2d 143, 143 (2008); D.E. 16-3.)
V. Seven Motions for Writ of Error Coram Nobis
The Court notes that Petitioner filed seven motions for
writ of error coram nobis, all of which were denied by the
Appellate Division for failure to establish that he was denied the
effective assistance of appellate counsel.
In his first motion, Petitioner argued that his
appellate counsel’s representation on direct appeal was deficient
and prejudicial, due to weak arguments made in support of the
claims raised on direct appeal, and because appellate counsel
failed to raise two purportedly meritorious issues: (1) the
prosecutor committed prosecutorial misconduct by making improper

remarks during summation; and (2) trial counsel was ineffective
for (a) failure to request a limiting instruction regarding
Molineux evidence; (b) failure to object to an improper Molineux
charge conference; (c) failure to object to the Molineux jury
instruction; and (d) failure to object during the prosecution
summation. (See Mem. in Supp. of 1st Writ of Error Coram Nobis,
D.E. 15-3, at pp. 38-71.)
Petitioner further argued in his six later motions that
appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to bring the
following arguments on direct appeal: (1) that the prosecution
committed misconduct for failure to correct false testimony by
Detective McHugh; (2) that trial counsel was ineffective for

failure to make a sufficiently detailed motion for a trial order
of dismissal on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence
of intent to kill; (3) that the prosecution violated its Brady
obligations by failing to disclose photographs of Chambers’
vehicle; (4) that the trial court erred by admitting a gun for
illustrative purposes only; (5) that the trial court erred by
admitting a photocopy of Petitioner’s credit card, rather than the
actual credit card, in violation of the best evidence rule; (6)
that the trial court erred by precluding defense counsel from
cross-examining witnesses regarding the details of how police
learned about Amili Chambers; and (7) that trial counsel was
ineffective for failure to object to the trial court’s instruction

that Petitioner be required to wear leg shackles during his
criminal trial. (See generally Mem. in Supp. 2d Writ of Error
Coram Nobis, D.E. 15-10; Mem. in Supp. of 3rd Writ of Error Coram
Nobis, D.E. 15-14; Suppl. Pleading in Supp. 3rd Writ of Error Coram
Nobis, D.E. 15-15; Aff. in Supp. 4th Writ of Error Coram Nobis,
D.E. 15-19; Aff. in Supp. 5th Writ of Error Coram Nobis, D.E. 15-
22; Aff. in Supp. 6th Writ of Error Coram Nobis, D.E. 15-25; Aff.
in Supp. 7th Writ of Error Coram Nobis, D.E. 15-28.) As stated
herein, all seven motions for writ of error coram nobis were
denied.
VI. Two Motions to Vacate Judgment
Petitioner filed two motions before the trial court to

vacate his judgment of conviction and set aside the verdict,
pursuant to New York Criminal Procedure Law § 440.10. In his first
pro se motion, Petitioner argued that: (1) defense counsel was
ineffective for failing to adequately investigate a third-party
culpability defense and presenting a perjurious police witness;
(2) defense counsel was ineffective for failing to obtain critical
Brady material that was central to the asserted third-party
culpability defense; and (3) he was deprived due process when the
prosecution summation made references to Det. McHugh’s allegedly
perjured testimony. (See 1st Mot. to Vacate J., D.E. 14.) The
trial court denied the motion in its entirety, and, with respect
to Petitioner’s ineffective assistance of counsel claims, held

that “[u]pon a review of the record and counsel’s representation
of defendant in totality and at the time of the representation,
this court finds that the defendant received adequate counsel under
either the federal test of a deficient performance and prejudiced
that defendant or the more stringent state test of meaningful
representation.” (May 11, 2011 Order, D.E. 14-2, ECF p. 4.)
Thereafter, Petitioner filed a pro se motion for leave
to appeal the trial court’s 440 decision to the Second Department,
pursuant to CPL 450.15 and 460.15. (See Mot. for Leave to Appeal,
D.E. 15-6, ECF p. 1). The Appellate Division denied Petitioner’s
application. (See Dec. 12, 2011 Dec. & Order, D.E. 15-9.)

On December 22, 2017, Petitioner filed a motion through
counsel to vacate judgment pursuant to CPL § 440.10(1) (g) and (h)
in the trial court, and argued that: (1) he is entitled to a new
trial based on newly discovered evidence; (2) he is entitled to a
new trial due to nondisclosure of Brady/Giglio material; and (3)
trial counsel was ineffective for failing to present certain
evidence. (See 2d Mot. to Vacate J., D.E. 14-3, at 11-19.)
The Supreme Court, Nassau County issued an order finding
that Petitioner’s claims were “largely procedurally barred and
uniformly meritless.” (See Nov. 29, 2018 Order, D.E. 14-9.) In
addition, the court stated that “defendant’s claims of newly
discovered evidence are without merit.” (Id. at 2.) Regarding

Petitioner’s Brady/Giglio claims, the court ruled that “no
Brady/Giglio material was withheld from defendant . . . and the
remaining information that defendant erroneously characterizes as
Brady/Giglio evidence is not material, did not exculpate him, and
he was not prejudiced by the alleged nondisclosure because there
is no reasonable probability that the result of the proceeding
would have been different had the information been disclosed.”
(Id. at 2.) Finally, the court ruled that “as the Supreme Court
has previously held, trial counsel was not ineffective, and
provided meaningful representation.” (Id. at 3.)
This Petition followed.
DISCUSSION

I. The Legal Standard
Congress enacted the Antiterrorism and Effective Death
Penalty Act (“AEDPA”), Pub. L. No. 104-132, 110 Stat. 1214 (1996),
to restrict “the power of federal courts to grant writs of habeas
corpus to state prisoners.” Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362,
399, 120 S. Ct. 1495, 1516, 146 L. Ed. 2d 389 (2000). A state
prisoner seeking habeas corpus relief under Section 2254 must show
that he is “in custody in violation of the Constitution or laws or
treaties of the United States.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254(a). Section
2254, as amended by AEDPA, provides, in part, that:
An application for a writ of habeas corpus on
behalf of a person in custody pursuant to the
judgment of a State court shall not be granted
with respect to any claims that was not
adjudicated on the merits in State court
proceedings unless the adjudication of the
claim-–(1) resulted in a decision that was
contrary to, or involved an unreasonable
application of, clearly established [f]ederal
law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the
United States.

28 U.S.C. § 2254. AEDPA established a deferential standard of
relief, seeking to “avoid[ ] unnecessarily ‘disturbing the State’s
significant interest in repose for concluded litigation, denying
society the right to punish some admitted offenders, and intruding
on state sovereignty to a degree matched by few exercises of
federal judicial authority.’” Virginia v. LeBlanc, 137 S. Ct.
1726, 1729, 198 L. Ed. 2d 186 (2017) (quoting Harrington v.

Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 103, 131 S. Ct. 770, 787, 178 L.Ed. 2d 624
(2011)) (brackets omitted). Accordingly, a habeas corpus petition
is not a vehicle to relitigate every issue previously determined
in state court. Herrara v. Collins, 506 U.S. 390, 401, 113 S. Ct.
853, 861, 122 L. Ed. 2d 203 (1993). Ultimately, “the petitioner
bears the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence
that his constitutional rights have been violated.” Jones v.
Vacco, 126 F. 3d 408, 415 (2d Cir. 1997); see also Hawkins v.
Costello, 460 F. 3d 238, 246 (2d Cir. 2006).
Therefore, a federal court may not grant a writ of
habeas corpus unless the state court’s adjudication of the claim
either: (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. 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d).
The Supreme Court has construed AEDPA “to give independent meaning
to ‘contrary [to] and ‘unreasonable.’” Jones v. Stinson, 229 F.3d
112, 119 (2d Cir. 2000). A state court’s decision is “contrary
to” clearly established federal law if “the state court arrives at
a conclusion opposite to that reached by [the Supreme] Court on a
question of law or if the state court decides a case different
than [the Supreme] Court has on a set of materially

indistinguishable facts.” Williams, 529 U.S. at 412-13, 120 S.
Ct. at 1523. A decision involves “an unreasonable application” of
clearly established federal law when a state court “identifies the
correct governing legal principle from [the Supreme] Court’s
decisions but unreasonably applies that principle to the facts of
the prisoner’s case.” Id. at 413, 120 S. Ct. at 1523. This
standard does not require that all reasonable jurists agree that
the state court was wrong; rather, the standard “falls somewhere
between ‘merely erroneous and unreasonable to all reasonable
jurists.’” Jones, 229 F.3d at 119 (quoting Francis S. v. Stone,
221 F.3d 100, 109 (2d Cir. 2000)). AEDPA “‘imposes a highly
deferential standard for evaluating state-court rulings and

demands that state-court decisions be given the benefit of the
doubt.’” Jones v. Murphy, 694 F.3d 225, 234 (2d Cir. 2012)
(quoting Hardy v. Cross, 565 U.S. 65, 66, 132 S. Ct. 490, 491, 181
L. Ed. 2d 468 (2011)). Section 2254(d), as amended by AEDPA,
“stops short of imposing a complete bar on federal-court
relitigation of claims already rejected in state proceedings.”
Harrington, 562 U.S. at 102, 131 S. Ct. at 786.
Assuming that a petitioner’s claims are cognizable on
habeas review, a petitioner must exhaust state court remedies
before coming to federal court. Exhaustion of state court remedies
requires that a petitioner fairly present the claim in state court,
allowing the state court the “‘opportunity to pass upon and correct

alleged violations of its prisoners’ federal rights.’” See Jackson
v. Edwards, 404 F.3d 612, 619 (2d Cir. 2005) (quoting Picard v.
Connor, 404 U.S. 270, 275, 92 S. Ct. 509, 512, 30 L.Ed. 2d 438
(1971)). “A petitioner has ‘fairly presented’ his claim only if
he has ‘informed the state court of both the factual and the legal
premises of the claim he asserts in federal court.’” Jones v.
Keane, 329 F.3d 290, 294-95 (2d Cir. 2003) (quoting Dorsey v.
Kelly, 112 F.3d 50, 52 (2d Cir. 1997)). “Specifically,
[petitioner] must have set forth in state court all of the
essential factual allegations asserted in his federal petition; if
material factual allegations were omitted, the state court has not
had a fair opportunity to rule on the claim.” Daye v. Att’y Gen.

of N.Y., 696 F.2d 186, 191-92 (2d Cir. 1982) (collecting cases).
In addition, a federal court will not review a habeas
petition if a petitioner’s claims were decided at the state level
on “independent and adequate” state procedural grounds. Coleman
v. Thompson, 501 U.S. 722, 731-32, 111 S. Ct. 2546, 2555, 115 L.
Ed. 2d 640 (1991). This procedural bar applies even if the state
court addressed the merits in the alternative, but decided the
claim on independent procedural grounds. Velasquez v. Leonardo,
898 F.2d 7, 9 (2d Cir. 1990).
To obtain review of procedurally barred claims, a state
prisoner must show either (1) “cause for the default and actual
prejudice as a result” or (2) actual innocence. Coleman, 501 U.S.

at 750, 111 S. Ct. at 2565.
II. Application
Petitioner argues that: (1) trial counsel was
ineffective; (2) the prosecution failed to disclose Brady
material; (3) newly discovered evidence demonstrates his actual
innocence; (4) the trial court erred by failing to suppress
identification testimony; (5) the trial court’s Molineux ruling
deprived him of due process and a fair trial; (6) the trial court’s
Sandoval ruling denied him of due process and a fair trial; and
(7) appellate counsel was ineffective. (Pet., ECF pp. 8-15.)
A. Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel Claim
Petitioner claims he received ineffective assistance

from trial counsel. He asserts what he perceives as numerous
errors and failures by his trial counsel, including: (1) failure
to discover, develop, and present evidence of third-party
culpability as to Chambers; (2) failure to discover and impeach
false testimony by Detective McHugh; (3) failure to request a
limiting instruction as to Molineux material; (4) failure to object
to improper jury instructions regarding Molineux evidence; and (5)
failure to object to improper comments made during the prosecution
summation. (Pet., ECF p. 4.)
Assuming, but not deciding, that all of Petitioner’s
claims are not procedurally barred, the Court evaluates the merits
of Petitioner’s ineffective assistance of counsel claims and finds

that Petitioner’s claims provide no basis for relief.
As a general principle, there is “a strong presumption
that counsel’s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable
professional assistance.” Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668,
689, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 2065, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). After all,
“there are countless ways to provide effective assistance in any
given case,” and “[e]ven the best criminal defense attorneys would
not defend a particular client in the same way.” Id. In reviewing
the totality of the evidence, the Court must “use a ‘doubly
deferential’ standard of review that gives both the state court
and the defense attorney the benefit of the doubt.” Burt v.
Titlow, 134 S. Ct. 10, 15, 187 L. Ed. 2d 348 (2013) (quoting Cullen

v. Pinholster, 563 U.S. 170, 190, 131 S. Ct. 1388, 1403, 179 L.
Ed. 2d 557 (2011)). Bearing in mind this deferential standard, it
is no surprise that “the great majority of habeas petitions that
allege constitutionally ineffective counsel” fail. Lindstadt v.
Keane, 239 F.3d 191, 199 (2d Cir. 2001).
To establish deficient performance, Petitioner must
prove that “counsel’s representation fell below an objective
standard of reasonableness.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688, 104 S.
Ct. at 2064. But even if Petitioner can show deficient
performance, he must also establish prejudice--that is, “there is
a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional
errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.”

Id. at 694, 104 S. Ct. at 2068.
1. Failure to Adequately Present Evidence of Third-Party
Culpability

Petitioner argues that trial counsel’s failure to
adequately present evidence of third-party culpability constituted
ineffective assistance based on the following alleged issues: (1)
counsel failed to go to the Chase bank where Detective McHugh
claimed Chambers was working at the time of the crime to determine
that there were no female bank managers; (2) counsel failed to
call Chambers as a defense witness; and (3) counsel failed to
obtain and present photographs of Chambers’ vehicle. (Pet., ECF
p. 8.)
In his first motion to vacate his judgment, Petitioner
asserted these arguments to the trial court, and argued that these
failures were the result of trial counsel’s lack of a pre-trial
investigation into Petitioner’s third-party liability defense.
(See 1st Mot. to Vacate J., ECF pp. 38-40.) The trial court ruled
that
[t]he singular thrust of counsel’s strategy
was that someone else, specifically Chambers,
committed this crime. To that end, he cross-
examined prosecution witnesses, and produced
witnesses on behalf of the defendant. His
summation continued to maintain that defense.

The fact that photographs of Chambers’ car
were never produced does not constitute an
ineffectiveness of trial counsel. In fact,
the exhibits attached to defendant’s motion
reveal that no such photographs exist. While
Detective McHugh testified that there were
photographs taken, there was very detailed
testimony elicited about the description of
Chambers’ SUV . . . [u]pon a review of the
record and counsel’s representation of
defendant in totality and at the time of the
representation, this court finds that the
defendant received adequate counsel under
either the federal test of a deficient
performance that prejudiced the defendant or
the more stringent state test of meaningful
representation.

(See May 11, 2011 Order, at pp. 3-4.)
The Court finds that the state court’s ruling is not
contrary to, or an unreasonable application of, Strickland, nor is
it based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of
the evidence before the state court. Petitioner fails to establish
either deficient performance or prejudice in his claims related to
his third-party culpability defense. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694,
104 S. Ct. at 2068.
Further, it is clear that “counsel has a duty to make
reasonable investigations or to make a reasonable decision that
makes particular investigations unnecessary.” Strickland, 466
U.S. at 691, 104 S. Ct. at 2066. However, a reasonable
investigation does not “compel defense counsel to investigate
comprehensively every lead or possible defense, or to scour the
globe on the off-chance something will turn up.” Greiner v. Wells,
417 F.3d 305, 321 (2d Cir. 2005) (internal quotation marks and
citation omitted).

In his first motion to vacate, Petitioner attached an
affidavit from an investigator named Irwin Blye, stating that Blye
investigated the Chase bank located on Liberty Avenue in Richmond
Hill, Queens, and “as best as we could determine,” there were two
male managers employed at the branch in January 2005, and a female
manager employed at the end of 2005.6 (1st Mot. to Vacate J.,
Ex. E, ECF p. 103.) This Chase bank was the same bank where
Detective McHugh testified he believed Chambers told him he was
working on January 5, 2005, and where he had spoken to a female
bank manager. (Tr. 1050:1-17; 1st Mot. to Vacate J., Ex. E, ECF
p. 104.) Petitioner argues that had defense counsel gone to the
Chase bank himself, he would have learned that there were two male

managers in January 2005 and that Chambers’ alibi must be false.
(Mem. in Supp. of Pet., D.E. 8, at 23.)
Petitioner further contends that had trial counsel
interviewed and proffered Chambers as a witness, Chambers would

6 Irwin Blye was an investigator hired by Petitioner after his
criminal trial and prior to filing his first motion to vacate
his judgment. (See 1st Mot. to Vacate J., Ex. E, ECF p. 103.)
have testified similarly to his 2017 deposition testimony.7 (Mem.
in Supp. of Pet., at 27-28.) According to Chambers’ deposition
transcript, he did not recall telling the police specifically where
he was working on January 5, 2005. Petitioner once again alleges
that Chambers’ deposition testimony refutes Det. McHugh’s

Chambers’ alibi testimony.
Lastly, Petitioner argues that had trial counsel timely
requested the photographs of Chambers’ vehicle, the photographs
could have been presented as evidence at trial, and that failure
to do so constituted ineffective assistance of counsel.
Petitioner is unable to demonstrate either that
counsel’s performance fell below the objective reasonableness
standard or that he was prejudiced. As the trial court noted, the
singular thrust of the defense case was that Amili Chambers was
the actual perpetrator of the crime. Trial counsel was not
required to present all possible proof of Chambers’ guilt at trial.
Further, the aforementioned information allegedly

missing from Petitioner’s third-party culpability defense would
not have changed the outcome of Petitioner’s trial. The substance
of both the investigator’s affidavit and Chambers’ deposition
testimony do not necessarily refute Det. McHugh’s testimony

7 Petitioner commenced a lawsuit for libel against Amili Chambers
in 2016, and as a result deposed Chambers on February 22, 2017.
(See generally 2d Mot. to Vacate J., Ex. E, D.E. 14-4, ECF pp.
13-31, and D.E. 14-5, ECF pp. 1-48.)
regarding Chambers’ alibi. It is unclear from Det. McHugh’s
testimony when he went to the Chase bank to investigate the alibi
or who he spoke to, and thus he may have spoken to the female bank
manager who worked at the bank in late 2005, according to the
investigator’s own affidavit. In Chambers’ deposition testimony,

which took place twelve years after the crime, he did not recall
his exact exchange with the detectives, and did not remember
telling detectives where he was working on January 5, 2005. Also,
there was extensive testimony regarding what Chambers’ vehicle
looked like though no actual photographs were presented as
evidence.
Additionally, it is worth noting that defense counsel
may have made a strategic decision by not presenting Chambers as
a defense witness. See United States v. DiTomasso, 932 F.3d 58,
69-70 (2d Cir. 2019) (“Trial counsel’s ‘[a]ctions or omissions .
. . that might be considered sound trial strategy,’ including
decisions not to ‘call specific witnesses—even ones that might

offer exculpatory evidence—[are] ordinarily not viewed as a lapse
in professional representation.’”) (quoting United States v. Best,
219 F.3d 192, 201 (2d Cir. 2000)). It was established at trial
that Chambers was six-foot-seven-inches tall, about a foot taller
than Petitioner. Had Chambers testified, the jury would have been
able to see that Chambers was unusually tall, and may have
discounted the third-party culpability defense.
Accordingly, Petitioner’s ineffective assistance of
trial counsel claim with respect to his third-party culpability
defense is denied.
2. Failure to Impeach Detective McHugh
Petitioner claims that trial counsel was ineffective for

failing to properly impeach Detective McHugh. Petitioner’s
support for this claim is similar to his first claim, in that he
argues that had trial counsel completed a thorough investigation,
he would have had relevant information to properly impeach
Detective McHugh’s testimony regarding Chambers’ alibi.
Petitioner asserts that trial counsel should have impeached
Detective McHugh with two items of evidence: (1) the information
contained in investigator Irwin Blye’s affidavit; and (2) that
Chambers became defensive when confronted with the siren, refused
to allow any further inspection of his 2005 Ford Expedition, and
requested an attorney. (Mem. in Support of Pet., at 23-24.) This
claim similarly fails.

Petitioner’s claim regarding investigator Irwin Blye’s
affidavit as impeachment evidence is without merit. As stated
above, the substance of the investigator’s affidavit does not
necessarily contradict Det. McHugh’s testimony regarding Chambers’
alibi, and, thus, Petitioner is unable to demonstrate prejudice.
Petitioner’s second argument is premised on defense
counsel’s possession of information from ADA Biunno’s notes, which
are also the subject of his Brady claim. Petitioner’s
ineffectiveness claim cannot co-exist with his Brady claim, where
he argues that it was the prosecution’s suppression of the notes
that caused Petitioner prejudice. Thus, no amount of investigation
on the part of trial counsel would have resulted in locating ADA

Biunno’s notes if Petitioner’s contention is that the notes were
improperly withheld under Brady. As such, Petitioner cannot
establish that trial counsel’s performance was deficient.
Further, as discussed in detail herein, Petitioner was not
prejudiced by the fact that defense counsel did not have ADA
Biunno’s notes. Thus, this claim does not survive the Strickland
test.
Accordingly, Petitioner’s claim that trial counsel was
ineffective for failure to impeach Det. McHugh is denied.
3. Failure to Request Limiting Instruction
Petitioner claims that trial counsel was ineffective
because he did not request a limiting instruction when Molineux

evidence of Petitioner’s 1998 Staples robbery was read into the
record. (See Pet., ECF p. 8.) This claim is denied.
Petitioner raises yet another claim that falls within
the gambit of strategic decisions by trial counsel. “As
with trial decisions to offer or stipulate to certain evidence,
decisions such as when to object and on what grounds are primarily
matters of trial strategy and tactics, and thus are virtually
unchallengeable absent exceptional grounds for doing so.” United
States v. Cohen, 427 F. 3d 164, 170 (2d Cir. 2005) (internal
quotation marks and citations omitted). By not requesting a
limiting instruction at the time that the transcript of
Petitioner’s testimony was read into the record, defense counsel

arguably made a strategic decision to avoid drawing further
attention to the evidence. Thus, Petitioner is unable to
demonstrate that defense counsel’s performance was deficient.
Further, the trial court read a jury instruction
regarding Molineux evidence at the time the jury was charged on
the law, and explained the limited purpose for which the evidence
should be considered. As such, Petitioner is unable to demonstrate
prejudice.
Accordingly, Petitioner’s ineffective assistance claim
for failure to request a limiting instruction is denied.
4. Failure to Object to Improper Jury Instruction
Petitioner next claims that trial counsel was

ineffective for failing to object to improper jury instructions
regarding Molineux evidence. (Pet., ECF p. 8.) This claim is
denied.
As an initial matter, this claim is absent any
explanation as to why the trial court’s Molineux jury instruction
was improper. However, in his first motion for writ of error coram
nobis, Petitioner argued that trial counsel was ineffective for
failing to object to the intent portion of the trial court’s
Molineux jury charge. (See Mem. in Supp. of 1st Writ of Error
Coram Nobis, ECF pp. 61-65.) The essence of Petitioner’s coram
nobis claim was that the trial court’s pre-trial Molineux ruling
spoke only of identity as a permissible use of the 1998 Staples

robbery evidence, yet the jury charge included that the evidence
was also proffered to prove intent, and thus the trial court
violated its own pre-trial ruling. (See Mem. in Supp. of 1st Writ
of Error Coram Nobis, ECF pp. 61-65.)
While much of the charge conference was held off the
record, trial counsel did object to the trial court’s proposed
Molineux jury instruction. (Tr. 1079:23-1080:21.) Although the
trial court did not use specific wording proffered by defense
counsel off the record, in response to defense counsel’s objection,
the trial court expanded the jury instruction rather than read the
condensed version of the Molineux charge. (Tr. 1080:6-18.) The
jury instruction explained that the Molineux evidence was offered

to establish Petitioner’s identity and intent through evidence
demonstrating a particular modus operandi, and that the evidence
should only be considered for that limited purpose. (Tr. 1210:9-
16.) As discussed later, both identity and intent are permissible
uses of Molineux evidence. Molineux, 168 N.Y. at 293, 61 N.E. at
294. As such, the jury charge as read was proper.
Because the Court does not find error with the jury
instructions as given in this case, and because trial counsel did
note his objection, Petitioner has failed to demonstrate that
counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness. Additionally, Petitioner is unable to demonstrate

a reasonable probability that the outcome of the proceeding would
have been different. Had the trial court only instructed on
identity, it would not have altered the proceeding; evidence of
Petitioner’s 1998 Staples robbery would still have been before the
jury. The trial court’s jury instruction served to limit how the
jury could view that evidence. Thus, Petitioner has failed to
demonstrate either deficient performance or prejudice.
As such, Petitioner’s claim that counsel was ineffective
for failure to object to the Molineux jury charge is denied.
5. Failure to Object to Improper Summations Remarks
Petitioner alleges a claim of ineffective assistance for
conduct which falls squarely within the purview of trial strategy,

and it is denied.
As an initial matter, it is unclear from the Petition
what portions of the prosecution summation Petitioner alleges
constitute improper commentary. However, based on Petitioner’s
first motion to vacate his judgment, it appears his claims are
based on comments made by the prosecution that relied on both Det.
McHugh’s testimony regarding Chambers’ alibi and the underlying
facts of Petitioner’s 1998 Staples robbery conviction. (See Mem.
in Supp. of 1st Mot. for Writ of Error Coram Nobis, D.E. 15-3, ECF
pp. 35-36; Aff. in Supp. of 2d Mot. for Writ of Error Coram Nobis,
D.E. 15-10, ECF p. 21; Aff. in Supp. of 1st Mot. to Vacate J.,
D.E. 14, ECF pp. 47-50.)

“A claim of prosecutorial misconduct during summation
requires a court to consider ‘whether the prosecutor’s comments so
infected the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting
conviction a denial of due process.’” Torres v. Racette, No. 11-
CV-1647, 2018 WL 4762246, at *6 (E.D.N.Y. Oct. 2, 2018) (quoting
Darden v. Wainwright, 477 U.S. 168, 181, 106 S. Ct. 2464, 2472, 91
L. Ed. 2d 144 (1986)). Additionally, as discussed supra at 32,
when to object and on what grounds are matters of trial strategy
and cannot be challenged absent extraordinary circumstances. See
Cohen, 427 F.3d at 170. To object during the prosecutor’s
summation may bring unnecessary attention to the remarks, and the
decision by trial counsel not to object has been determined to be

a reasonable trial strategy. Broxmeyer v. United States, 661 F.
App’x 744, 748 (2d Cir. 2016).
Here, both instances of alleged misconduct constituted
proper summation commentary. With respect to the 1998 Staples
robbery, the trial court’s Molineux ruling was proper. Thus, it
was entirely proper for the prosecution to rely on the underlying
facts of the 1998 Staples robbery to prove identity and intent.
With respect to the comments made about Det. McHugh’s testimony,
the evidence does not demonstrate that Det. Chambers’ alibi was
false. Additionally, “[p]rosecutors are permitted broad latitude
during summation and are permitted to respond to arguments by the
defense ‘impugning the integrity of [their] case,’” Torres, 2018

WL 4762246, at *6 (quoting United States v. Bautista, 23 F.3d 726,
732 (2d Cir. 1994)). The entire defense theory was based on
Chambers’ responsibility for the crime, and as such the prosecution
was permitted to rebut that theory by pointing to Det. McHugh’s
testimony regarding Chambers’ alibi.
Accordingly, Petitioner cannot demonstrate that defense
counsel’s performance was deficient, or that he was prejudiced,
and, as such, Petitioner’s ineffective assistance of counsel
claims are denied on this basis and in their entirety.
B. Brady Material Claim
Petitioner claims he is entitled to habeas relief
because the prosecution failed to disclose Brady material.

Petitioner alleges that the undisclosed Brady material includes
photographs of Chamber’s vehicle, police reports, notes made by
the police that demonstrated that the police made no attempt to
investigate or search for the weapon Chambers was known to have,
and notes made by the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office
that demonstrated that Chambers was evasive when he was interviewed
by the police. (Pet., ECF p. 10; Mem. in Supp. of Pet., at 28.)
For the following reasons, Petitioner’s Brady claim is denied.
Petitioner raised this claim on his second motion to
vacate his judgment pursuant to C.P.L. § 440.10. (See 2d Mot. to
Vacate J., D.E. 14-3, ECF pp. 20-21.) However, Petitioner failed

to raise this claim in his first motion to vacate his judgment,
and as such, the court ruled that
[d]efendant’s claims are largely procedurally
barred . . . defendant unjustifiably failed to
raise the majority of his claims in his prior
motion to vacate judgment. See C.P.L. §
440.10(3)(c) . . . [N]o Brady material was
withheld from defendant. Before the trial,
defendant was indisputably made aware of most
of the information he now claims was withheld
from him, and the remaining information that
defendant erroneously categorizes as
Brady/Giglio evidence is not material, did not
exculpate him, and he was not prejudiced by
the alleged nondisclosure because there is no
reasonable probability that the result of the
proceeding would have been different had the
information been disclosed.

(See Nov. 29, 2018 Order, ECF p. 2.)

Section 440.10(3)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Law
states that, “the court may deny a motion to vacate a judgment
when upon a previous motion made pursuant to this section, the
defendant was in a position adequately to raise the ground or issue
underlying the present motion but did not do so.” C.P.L.
§ 440.10(3)(c). Thus, Petitioner’s present claim is procedurally
barred from review as it was denied by the state court on
independent and adequate state court grounds. See Murden v. Artuz,
497 F. 3d 178, 192 (2d Cir. 2007). Further, it is well established
that even if the state court also addresses the merits, the claim
is still procedurally barred. See Harris v. Reed, 489 U.S. 255,
264, 109 S. Ct. 1038, 1044, 103 L. Ed. 2d 308 (1989); see also

Velasquez v Leonardo, 898 F.2d 7, 9 (2d Cir. 1990).
To overcome a procedural bar a petitioner must show
either (1) “cause for the default and actual prejudice as a result
of the alleged violation of federal law” or (2) “that failure to
consider the claims will result in a fundamental miscarriage of
justice.” Coleman, 501 U.S. at 750, 111 S. Ct. at 2565. Here,
Petitioner has not demonstrated cause for the default or actual
prejudice, nor has he demonstrated that failure to consider the
claims will result in a fundamental miscarriage of justice, and,
thus, he is unable to lift the procedural bar. Regardless, the
Court evaluates Petitioner’s claim on the merits.
To prove that a Brady violation occurred, Petitioner

must show that the evidence at issue was “favorable to the accused,
either because it is exculpatory, or because it is impeaching;
that evidence must have been suppressed by the State, either
willfully or inadvertently; and prejudice must have ensued.”
Strickler v. Greene, 527 U.S. 263, 281-82, 119 S. Ct. 1936, 1948,
144 L. Ed. 2d 286 (1999). Here, the Court finds that the state
court’s ruling with respect to Petitioner’s Brady claim is not
contrary to, or an unreasonable application of, United States
Supreme Court precedent, nor is it based on an unreasonable
determination of the facts in light of the evidence before the
state court. As such, Petitioner’s claim is denied.
Petitioner asserts three main pieces of alleged Brady

material were withheld: (1) ADA Biunno’s file notes regarding
Chambers; (2) police paperwork or paperwork from the District
Attorney’s Office regarding the investigation, or lack thereof,
into whether Chambers had a weapon; and (3) photographs of
Chambers’ vehicle, which was a 2005 black Ford Expedition. (Pet.,
ECF p. 10; Mem. in Supp. of Pet., at 28.)
ADA Biunno’s file notes stated, in sum and substance,
that when a siren speaker was found in Chambers’ Expedition he
became defensive and “lawyered up,” and that an alibi must be
established for Chambers. (See Ex. To 2d Mot. to Vacate J., D.E.
14-4, ECF pp. 3-4.) Based on Petitioner’s defense theory at trial
that Chambers was the actual perpetrator, it is understandable

that Petitioner would believe that ADA Biunno’s file notes are
favorable to him. Additionally, with respect to the suppression
prong of the Strickler test, it is unclear from the court’s C.P.L.
§ 440.10 decision whether there was actually a determination about
whether this specific evidence was actually withheld from
Petitioner.8 See Strickler, 527 U.S. at 281-82, 119 S. Ct. at
1948.
Assuming without deciding that Petitioner’s claim
survives the first two prongs of the Strickler test, nevertheless,
fatal to his claim is the lack of prejudice. Id. While Petitioner

may not have been in possession of these notations made by ADA
Biunno, Petitioner was largely in possession of information
relating to Chambers, so much so that the entire defense case was
premised on a third-party culpability theory pointing to Chambers.
According to Strickler, “there is never a real ‘Brady violation’
unless the nondisclosure was so serious that there is a reasonable
probability that the suppressed evidence would have produced a
different verdict.” Id. at 281. Here, the Court does not find
that this note would have produced a different verdict in light of
all of the information Petitioner possessed regarding Chambers at
the time of trial. Thus, Petitioner has not shown that the trial
court’s ruling was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable

application of, clearly established federal law with respect to
ADA Biunno’s notes.

8 The trial court’s order stated “no Brady/Giglio material was
withheld from defendant. Before trial, defendant was indisputably
made aware of most of the information he now claims was withheld
from him[.]” (See Nov. 29, 2018 Order, ECF p. 2) (emphasis added.)
Thus, it is unclear whether the trial court found that ADA Biunno’s
file was not withheld from Petitioner, or that regardless, the
note itself was not Brady, and thus no Brady material was withheld.
Petitioner also alleges that police paperwork or
paperwork from the District Attorney’s Office regarding the
investigation into whether Chambers had a weapon was withheld.
(See Pet., ECF p. 10; Mem. in Supp. of Pet., at 28.) However,
based on the record, it appears that Petitioner was provided with

this information. Prior to trial, Brady materials were provided
to defense counsel, including information regarding the
investigation into Lead #182, Amili Chambers. (See Affirm. in
Opp. to 2d Mot. to Vacate J., ¶¶ 26, 31 and ECF pp. 61, 111-13.)
Additionally, at the pre-trial suppression hearing, Detective
McHugh testified regarding the investigation conducted regarding
Chambers, and spoke about steps taken to determine whether Chambers
had a weapon, specifically a gun. (Hr’g Tr. 176:12-177:6.) As
such, Petitioner cannot demonstrate that this information was
suppressed by the State, as required by Strickler, and further,
because Petitioner was in possession of the alleged withheld
information prior to his criminal trial, he cannot demonstrate

that any prejudice occurred.
The last evidence allegedly withheld by the prosecution
was photographs of Chambers’ 2005 Ford Expedition. (See Pet., ECF
p. 10; Mem. in Supp. of Pet., at 31.) In Petitioner’s first motion
to vacate his judgment, and again in this Petition, he alleges
that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to obtain the
photographs of Chambers’ Ford Expedition and characterized the
photographs as Brady. (See 1st Mot. to Vacate J., ECF pp. 43-45.)
While the trial court did not rule on the issue of whether the
photographs were Brady material outside the context of
Petitioner’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the court
did state that “the exhibits attached to defendant’s motion reveal

that no such photographs exist.” (See May 11, 2011 Order, ECF p.
3.) Here, Petitioner has not demonstrated that the photographs
themselves were favorable. Testimony was elicited at trial
regarding the fact that Chambers drove a 2005 black Ford
Expedition, which was similar to the vehicle described by witnesses
as the vehicle involved in the murder. With respect to the
photographs that were purportedly withheld by the prosecution, or
whether these photographs actually even existed at the time of
trial, it bears little relevance here as Petitioner is clearly
unable to show prejudice. The testimony elicited regarding
Chambers’ vehicle was enough, and there is not a reasonable
probability that the photographs would have produced a different

verdict.
Accordingly, Petitioner’s Brady claim is denied in its
entirety.
C. Newly Discovered Evidence Claim
Petitioner claims that he is entitled to habeas relief
because newly discovered evidence demonstrates that he is actually
innocent of the charges in this case. (Pet., ECF pp. 11-13.) The
alleged newly discovered evidence includes: (1) evidence that
Amili Chamber’s alibi was falsified; (2) photographs and other
evidence concerning the appearance of Chambers’ vehicle; (3)
deposition testimony of Amili Chambers; (4) undisclosed police
documents and notes; and (5) undisclosed notes from the Nassau

County District Attorney’s Office. (Pet., ECF p. 11.) For the
following reasons, this claim is denied.
In Petitioner’s second motion to vacate his judgment
pursuant to C.P.L. § 440.10, he raised a claim that he is entitled
to a new trial based on newly discovered evidence. (See 2d Mot.
to Vacate J., ECF pp. 11-19.) While Petitioner argued in that
motion that the new evidence would probably result in an acquittal,
such an argument is different from the claim he brings now,
specifically that the newly discovered evidence demonstrates his
actual innocence. (See 2d Mot. to Vacate J., ECF p. 13; Pet., ECF
p. 11.) Assuming without deciding that Petitioner has exhausted
his current claim, the Court determines that it fails on the

merits. The Supreme Court of Nassau County held that
defendant’s claims of newly discovered
evidence are without merit. Defendant has
largely failed to satisfy the due diligence
requirement with respect to the information he
now characterizes as ‘newly discovered’
evidence, and the information/evidence is
generally either not ‘newly discovered,’ or is
offered merely to impeach or contradict the
trial evidence (E.B.T. Chambers).

(See Nov. 28, 2018 Order, ECF p. 2.) (citation omitted).
The Court finds that the state court’s ruling is not
contrary to, or an unreasonable application of, United States
Supreme Court precedent, nor is it based on an unreasonable
determination of the facts in light of the evidence before the
state court.

In this circuit, an “actual innocence claim plays a
‘procedural, not substantive’ role in [a habeas] case.” Hyman v.
Brown, 927 F.3d 639, 655 (2d Cir. 2019) (quoting Rivas v. Fischer,
687 F.3d 514, 541 (2d Cir. 2012)). “[A] claim of actual innocence
must be both ‘credible’ and ‘compelling.’” Rivas, 687 F.3d at 541
(quoting House v. Bell, 547 U.S 518, 521, 538 (2006)); see also
Amin v. Hulihan, No. 10-CV-2293, 2016 WL 6068128, at *5 n.6
(E.D.N.Y. Oct. 13, 2016) (“A claim of actual innocence must be
supported by ‘new reliable evidence’ and is therefore ‘rarely
successful.’”) (quoting Schlup v. Delo, 513 U.S. 298, 324, 115 S.
Ct. 851, 865, 130 L. Ed. 2d 808 (1995)). “For the claim to be
‘credible,’ it must be supported by ‘new reliable evidence—-

whether it be exculpatory scientific evidence, trustworthy
eyewitness accounts, or critical physical evidence—that was not
presented at trial.’” Rivas, 687 F.3d at 541 (quoting Schlup, 513
U.S at 324, 115 S. Ct. at 865). “For the claim to be ‘compelling,’
the petitioner must demonstrate that ‘more likely than not, in
light of the new evidence, no reasonable juror would find him
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt—or to remove the double negative,
that more likely than not any reasonable juror would have
reasonable doubt.’” Id. (quoting House, 547 U.S. at 538, 126 S.
Ct. at 2077); see also McQuiggin v. Perkins, 569 U.S. at 385, 395,
399, 133 S. Ct. 1924, 185 L. Ed. 2d 1019 (2013).
In support of his claim, Petitioner presents evidence

including ADA Biunno’s notes, investigator Blye’s affidavit, and
Chambers’ 2017 deposition testimony, and generic photographs of
2003, 2004, and 2005 black Ford Expeditions. Because the trial
court’s ruling was not contrary to, or an unreasonable application
of the Schlup standard, Petitioner’s claim fails. Schlup, 513 U.S
at 324, 115 S. Ct. at 865.
As an initial matter, the majority of what Petitioner
presents here is not newly discovered at all, and thus he cannot
satisfy the threshold question in Schlup. Certainly Petitioner
would have had access to generic photographs of various Ford
Expeditions at the time of his criminal trial. Likewise, the
information included in investigator Blye’s affidavit was

available and could have been investigated at the time of trial.
Additionally, while Petitioner did not depose Chambers until 2017,
Chambers was available prior to Petitioner’s trial.
Furthermore, Petitioner cannot demonstrate that
purported “newly discovered” evidence makes it more likely than
not that no reasonable juror would find him guilty. Clearly,
generic photographs of various Ford Expeditions do not exculpate
Petitioner. Further, the Court has already found that ADA Biunno’s
notes do not constitute a Brady violation because, ultimately,
Petitioner cannot demonstrate prejudice. While the substance of
ADA Biunno’s notes demonstrates an instance of Chambers acting
defensive, the notes do not exculpate Petitioner. Similarly, as

discussed further supra at 31-32, investigator Blye’s affidavit
and Chambers’ 2017 deposition testimony do not actually falsify
Chambers’ alibi, or demonstrate Petitioner’s innocence.
As such, Petitioner’s newly discovered evidence claim
fails.
D. Improper Identification Evidence Claim
Petitioner claims that he is entitled to habeas relief
on the grounds that the identification procedure was unfairly
suggestive. In support of his claim, Petitioner asserts that he
was the only person in both the photo array and lineup, and there
was no independent source testimony by eyewitness Giardulo. (Pet.,
ECF 13; Mem. in Supp. of Pet., at 38-39.) Petitioner raised this

claim on direct appeal and the Appellate Division denied it,
stating that “[t]he hearing court properly denied that branch of
the defendant’s motion which was to suppress identification
evidence.” Gousse, 43 A.D. 3d 958, 958, 841 N.Y.S. 2d 383, 384
(2007) (citations omitted).
The Appellate Division’s decision is not contrary to, or
an unreasonable application of, United States Supreme Court
precedent, nor is it based on an unreasonable determination of the
facts in light of the evidence before the state court. There is
no Supreme Court case supporting Petitioner’s contention that the
fillers in the photo array must be the same for in the lineup. It
is long established that identification testimony is subject to

suppression only when the “identification procedure was so
impermissibly suggestive as to give rise to a very substantial
likelihood of irreparable misidentification.” Simmons v. United
States, 390 U.S. 377, 384, 88 S. Ct. 967, 971, 19 L. Ed. 2d 1247
(1968). Petitioner cannot demonstrate that either the photo array
or lineup identification procedures were unduly suggestive.
Accordingly, Petitioner’s claim is without merit.
“[A] pretrial photographic identification procedure used
by law enforcement officials violates due process if the procedure
‘is so impermissibly suggestive as to give rise to a very
substantial likelihood of irreparable misidentification.’”
Jarrett v. Headley, 802 F. 2d 34, 40–41 (2d Cir. 1986); quoting

Simmons, 390 U.S. at 384, 88 S. Ct. at 971. As such, a photo array
is constitutionally permissible even if there are differences in
physical characteristics among the individuals in a photo array,
provided that they are not significant enough to suggest the
defendant was the perpetrator. See United States v. Bautista, 23
F. 3d 726, 731 (2d Cir. 1994); United States v. Maldonado–Rivera,
922 F. 2d 934, 974 (2d Cir. 1990) (“The array must not be so
limited that the defendant is the only one to match the witness's
description of the perpetrator.”); Jarrett, 802 F. 2d 34 at 40–
41.
Here, eyewitness Giardulo described the perpetrator to
police as a black male, approximately thirty years old, and about

five-foot-seven or eight-inches. Thereafter, Det. McHugh showed
Giardulo a photo array on January 20, 2005, consisting of six black
males, including Petitioner. (Hr’g Tr. 25:7-11; 28:2-14.) While
the photo array is not available for the Court’s review, there is
nothing in the record suggesting that the individuals in the
photographs used in the photo array were significantly different
in physical appearance from Petitioner, and Petitioner does not
argue that they were. Petitioner’s sole argument with respect to
whether the identification procedures were unduly suggestive is
that the same fillers were not used in both the photo array and
lineup. Thus, there is no evidence that the photo array was unduly
suggestive.

“[I]dentification evidence [is] admissible if (a) the
[pretrial identification] procedures were not suggestive or (b)
the identification has independent reliability.” Raheem v. Kelly,
257 F. 3d 122, 133 (2d Cir. 2001). “A lineup is unduly suggestive
as to a given defendant if he meets the description of the
perpetrator previously given by the witness and the other lineup
participants obviously do not.” Raheem, 257 F. 3d at 134.
Giardulo participated in a lineup identification
procedure on February 10, 2005. (Hr’g Tr. 88:24-89:12.) Detective
Michael Kuhn (“Det. Kuhn”) created the lineup and testified that
the fillers were black males, in their early thirties, and were of
medium build. (Hr’g Tr. 251:1-2.) All of the lineup participants

were seated, all participants wore a pale yellow jumpsuit to cover
their clothing, a white sheet covered each participant’s shoes,
and everyone was instructed to look straight ahead. (Hr’g Tr.
252:21-253:23.) Upon viewing the lineup, Giardulo almost
immediately identified Petitioner from the shooting on January 5,
2005. (Hr’g Tr. 258:5-15.) Again, the lineup is not available
for the Court’s review, however, based on the record, there was
nothing significant to single out Petitioner as the perpetrator.
Thus, Petitioner has not demonstrated that the lineup procedure
was unduly suggestive.
While Petitioner argues that there was no independent
source evidence from Giardulo, the Court need not reach that

analysis. “If the procedures were not suggestive, the
identification evidence presents no due process obstacle to
admissibility, and no further inquiry by the court is required.”
Raheem, 257 F. 3d at 133 (internal citations omitted). Regardless,
in an abundance of caution, the Court looks to the factors
established by the Supreme Court to determine independent
reliability. See Neil v. Biggers, 409 U.S. 188, 199-200, 93 S.
Ct. 375, 382, 34 L. Ed. 2d 401 (1972). The factors include “the
opportunity of the witness to view the criminal at the time of the
crime, the witness’ degree of attention, the accuracy of the
witness’ prior description of the criminal, the level of certainty
demonstrated by the witness at the confrontation, and the length
of time between the crime and the confrontation.” Biggers, 409

U.S. at 199-200, 93 S. Ct. at 382.
Giardulo testified at trial that Petitioner was a few
feet away from his front door when he observed him and that the
area was well-lit by the lights on his house, as well as his
Christmas lights. (Tr. 301:8-20.) Giardulo also provided a very
detailed description of Petitioner to police, he viewed the photo
array fifteen days after the crime, and he observed the lineup
over a month later and during both identification procedures he,
both quickly and with certainty, identified Petitioner. As such,
based on the totality of the circumstances, there was independent
reliability for Giardulo’s positive identifications of Petitioner.

Accordingly, Petitioner’s identification claim is
denied.
E. Molineux Claim
Next, Petitioner’s claim that the trial court’s Molineux
ruling deprived him of due process and a fair trial is denied.
On direct appeal, Petitioner argued that the trial
court’s Molineux ruling permitting evidence and testimony
regarding his 1998 Staples robbery conviction, and alterations
made to his Chevrolet Lumina, denied him his right to a fair trial.
(See Appellant. Br., at 32-36.) The Appellate Division ruled that
“[e]vidence of the defendant’s conviction arising from his
involvement in the ‘1998 Staples case’ was properly admitted to
establish his identity as the perpetrator of the instant crime.”9

Gousse, 43 A.D. 3d at 958 (citations omitted). Petitioner has
failed to demonstrate that the Appellate Division’s ruling was
contrary to, or an unreasonable application of, federal or Supreme
Court law, or that it was based on an unreasonable determination
of the facts in light of the evidence before the state court.
Pursuant to New York State law, evidence of prior bad
acts by a criminal defendant is admissible “to prove the specific
crime charged when it tends to establish (1) motive; (2) intent;
(3) the absence of mistake or accident; (4) a common scheme or
plan . . . ; (5) the identity of the person charged with the
commission of the crime on trial.” People v. Molineux, 168 N.Y.

264, 293 (1901). As a general matter, the admissibility of
evidence in state court is wholly a matter of state law and is

9 The Appellate Division decision only references Petitioner’s
1998 robbery conviction and does not reference Petitioner’s
Chevrolet Lumina argument. Gousse, 43 A.D. 3d at 958.
Arguably, however, the Appellate Division found the claim
without merit as it affirmed Petitioner’s conviction. See id.
Thus, the Court could reasonably apply either AEDPA deference or
de novo review, but here it makes no difference as Petitioner’s
claim is without merit.
therefore not subject to habeas relief, barring a showing that
Petitioner’s due process rights were denied such that he was
deprived a fundamentally fair trial. See Estelle v. McGuire, 502
U.S. 62, 75, 112 S. Ct. 475, 483-84, 116 L. Ed. 2d 385 (1991).
More specifically, “[a] habeas claim asserting a right to relief

on Molineux grounds must rise to the level of constitutional
violation . . . because Molineux is a state law issue.” Roldan v.
Artuz, 78 F. Supp. 2d 260, 276–77 (S.D.N.Y. 2000) (citations
omitted).
“The first step in this analysis is to determine whether
the state court decision violated a state evidentiary rule, because
the proper application of a presumptively constitutional state
evidentiary rule would not be unconstitutional.” Green v. Herbert,
No. 01-CV-1881, 2002 WL 1587133 at *12 (S.D.N.Y. July 18, 2002)
(citation omitted); see also Jones v. Stinson, 94 F. Supp. 2d 370,
391–92 (E.D.N.Y).
The trial court ruled, prior to trial, that the

prosecution was permitted to present evidence and testimony
regarding the 1998 Staples Robbery and the Chevrolet Lumina and
Mercedes Benz vehicles, as each were relevant to proving identity.
(Tr. 51:8-53:24; 73:17-19.) Pursuant to this ruling, the
prosecution read the trial transcript of Petitioner’s testimony
regarding the 1998 Staples robbery into the record, and presented
testimony from Detective Joseph Bello and Frank Kassel, who each
examined the Chevrolet Lumina. (Tr. 902:3-914:19; see generally
735:1-743:4, 941:1-951:18.) Both the 1998 Staples robbery
transcript and testimony regarding the Chevrolet Lumina
demonstrated similarities relevant and probative to Petitioner’s
identity pursuant to Molineux.

The trial court’s ruling with respect to Petitioner’s
prior bad acts clearly fell within permissible Molineux evidence.
The 1998 Staples robbery and Petitioner’s Chevrolet Lumina
established that Petitioner had a unique pattern, or modus
operandi, which demonstrated his identity as the perpetrator.
Additionally, the similarities between the 1998 Staples robbery
and the facts surrounding Gottlieb’s murder helped demonstrate
Petitioner’s intent and supported the prosecution’s theory that
Petitioner attempted to rob Gottlieb. As such, the trial court’s
ruling was within the limits proscribed by Molineux and state law,
and Petitioner has not shown that the trial court’s Molineux ruling
violated his right to a fair trial.

Therefore, Petitioner’s Molineux claim is denied.
F. Sandoval Claim
Petitioner also claims that the trial court’s Sandoval
ruling violated his constitutional right to a fair trial.
Petitioner brought this claim before the Appellate Division, which
held that “the [trial] court properly exercised its discretion
with respect to its various Sandoval rulings.” Gousse, 43 A.D.3d
at 958 (citations omitted). As such, the Court applies AEDPA
deference to the Appellate Division’s decision and finds that
Petitioner’s claim fails on the merits.
Courts in this Circuit apply “a bright-line rule . . .
barring habeas relief for allegedly erroneous Sandoval rulings in

instances where a defendant elects not [to] testify.” Melendez v.
LaValley, 942 F. Supp. 2d 419, 424 (S.D.N.Y. 2013) (quoting Shannon
v. Senowski, No. 00-CV-2865, 2000 WL 1683448, at *6 (S.D.N.Y.
Nov. 9, 2000)) (ellipsis in original); see also Reid v. Miller,
No. 02-CV-2895, 2003 WL 22383097, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 20,
2003) (“It is well established that in order to raise a claim for
improper impeachment with a prior conviction, the defendant must
testify at trial.”) (citation omitted).
Here, the prosecution made an application to the trial
court seeking to question Petitioner, should he testify, about
four prior robbery convictions, including the 1998 Staples robbery
that was the subject of the Molineux application. (See generally

Tr. 55:2-59:1.) The trial court held that should Petitioner
testify, which he did not, the prosecution could cross-examine him
regarding the underlying facts of the 1998 Staples robbery, and
the existence of one other robbery conviction. (See generally Tr.
61:18-63:1.) The trial court would not allow the prosecution to
cross-examine Petitioner as to the other two robbery convictions.
(See generally Tr. 61:18-63:1.) Where, as here, the petitioner
does not testify, “a court has ‘no adequate non-speculative basis
upon which to assess the merits of that claim.’” Sorrentino v.
Lavalley, 2016 WL 3460418, at *4 (S.D.N.Y. June 21, 2016)
(quoting Shannon, 2000 WL 1683448, at *6). In any event, the
ruling was within the trial court’s discretion. People v.

Sandoval, 34 N.Y. d 371, 373, 357 N.Y.S. 849, 852, 314 N.E. 2d 413
(1974).
As such, Petitioner’s Sandoval claim is denied.
G. Ineffective Assistance of Appellate Counsel Claim
Finally, Petitioner asserts that he was deprived of
effective assistance of appellate counsel. Petitioner alleges
that appellate counsel failed to raise the following arguments on
direct appeal: (1) that the prosecution committed prosecutorial
misconduct by making improper summation comments; (2) that the
prosecution knowingly failed to correct false testimony, and
referred to such testimony during summation; (3) that the
prosecution violated Brady by withholding photographs of Chambers’

vehicle; (4) that the trial court erred by allowing a gun into
evidence that was not the actual murder weapon; and (5) that trial
counsel was ineffective for various failures. (Pet., ECF pp. 4,
6-7, 15.) As discussed below, all of Petitioner’s claims are
denied.
Ineffective assistance of appellate counsel claims are
evaluated using the same framework established by the Supreme Court
in Strickland. See Mayo, 13 F.3d at 533 (citing Strickland, 466
U.S. at 688, 104 S. Ct. at 2064); Mabee v. Phillips, No. 05-CV-
4182, 2009 WL 3644077, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 4, 2009). To show
“that appellate counsel’s failure to raise a state claim
constitutes deficient performance, it is not sufficient for the

habeas petitioner to show merely that counsel omitted a
nonfrivolous argument, for counsel does not have a duty to advance
every nonfrivolous argument that could be made.” Mayo, 13 F.3d at
533. Rather, a petitioner can only “establish constitutionally
inadequate performance if he shows that counsel omitted
significant and obvious issues while pursuing issues that were
clearly and significantly weaker.” Id.
Additionally, in Jones v. Barnes, the Supreme Court
stated that it is up to the professional judgment of counsel to
determine which points to argue and recognized the importance of
“winnowing out weaker arguments on appeal and focusing on one
central issue, if possible, or at most on a few key issues.”

Jones, 463 U.S. at 751-52, 103 S. Ct. at 3312-13.
Petitioner raised all these claims in his seven motions
for writ of error coram nobis. After each motion for writ of error
coram nobis, the Appellate Division denied Petitioner’s motions
and ruled that Petitioner had “failed to establish that he was
denied the effective assistance of appellate counsel.” See Gousse,
71 A.D. 3d at 1159, 896 N.Y.S. 2d at 915; Gousse, 98 A.D. 3d at
584, 949 N.Y.S. 2d at 633; Gousse, 110 A.D. 3d at 1100, 974 N.Y.S.
2d at 260; Gousse, 123 A.D. 3d at 848, 996 N.Y.S. 2d at 533;
Gousse, 13 A.D. 3d at 955, 20 N.Y.S. 3d at 901; Gousse, 147 A.D.
d at 974, 46 N.Y.S. 2d at 800; Gousse, 156 A.D. 3d at 815, 65
N.Y.S. 3d at 793. The Court does not find that the Appellate

Division’s rulings are contrary to, or an unreasonable application
of, Strickland or Jones, nor are they based on an unreasonable
determination of the facts in light of the evidence before the
state court.
Accordingly, and as discussed in detail below, all of
Petitioner’s claims for ineffective assistance of appellate
counsel are denied.
1. Prosecution Misconduct Claims
Petitioner argues that appellate counsel failed to argue
that the prosecution committed three acts of misconduct: (1) the
prosecutor made improper summation comments; (2) the prosecution
failed to correct false testimony and referred to such testimony

during summation; and (3) the prosecution violated Brady by
withholding photographs of Chambers vehicle. (Pet., ECF pp. 6-
8.) Petitioner argues that by failing to bring these claims on
direct appeal, he was denied effective assistance of appellate
counsel. For the foregoing reasons, Petitioner’s claims are
denied.
As discussed supra at 38-39, the prosecutor’s comments
regarding both Det. McHugh’s testimony regarding Chambers’ alibi
and the underlying facts of Petitioner’s 1998 Staples robbery
constituted proper summation commentary.
Petitioner’s claim that the prosecutor failed to

correct, and improperly relied on, Det. McHugh’s false testimony
regarding Chambers’ alibi is similarly without merit. The evidence
does not demonstrate that Det. McHugh committed perjury when he
testified about Chambers’ alibi. As such, the prosecution was not
obligated to correct testimony that was not false. Further, the
prosecution was permitted to rely on the testimony to rebut the
defense’s third-party culpability theory.
Additionally, and as discussed supra at 39-45,
Petitioner’s Brady claim is similarly without merit. As such, the
state court’s ruling that appellate counsel was not ineffective
for failing to raise the Brady claim with respect to the
photographs of Chambers’ vehicle was not contrary to, or an

unreasonable application of, Supreme Court or federal law.
Accordingly, Petitioner’s claims that appellate counsel
was ineffective for failure to raise claims regarding
prosecutorial misconduct are without merit, and are denied.
2. Fair Trial Claims
Petitioner argues that the trial court erred by: (1)
directing that Petitioner’s legs be shackled; and (2) admitting a
gun that was not the murder weapon into evidence for demonstrative
purposes. (Pet., ECF pp. 5-7.) In doing so, Petitioner argues
that the trial court denied him his right to a fair trial, and
thus appellate counsel was ineffective for failing to raise these
two arguments on direct appeal. (Pet., ECF pp. 5-7.) Petitioner’s

claims fail for the following reasons.
At trial, if a defendant is visibly shackled, or if the
jury becomes aware that the defendant is shackled, the defendant’s
right to a fair trial may be violated. Deck v. Missouri, 544 U.S.
622, 626, 633-34, 125 S. Ct. 2007, 2014-15, 161 L. Ed. 2d 953
(2005). However, shackling may be unavoidable in certain
situations, and, as such, there is a “need to give trial courts
latitude in making individualized security determinations.” Deck,
544 U.S. at 632, 125 S. Ct. at 2014. “The court must impose no
greater restraints than are necessary, and it must take steps to
minimize the prejudice resulting from the presence of the
restraints.” Hameed v. Mann, 57 F.3d 217, 222 (2d Cir. 1995)

(citing Lemons v. Skidmore, 985 F.2d 354, 356–59 (7th Cir. 1993)).
Here, the trial court referenced two prior incidents of
Petitioner attempting escape as justification for shackling his
legs during trial, which Petitioner indicated to the court that he
understood. (Tr. 64:7-12.) It is also evident that the trial
court took precautions to prevent the jury from seeing that
Petitioner was shackled. (Tr. 1072:18-22.) Because the trial
court was justified in shackling Petitioner’s legs during the
pendency of the trial and took steps to ensure that he was not
prejudiced as a result, Petitioner’s shackling claim lacks merit.
Accordingly, appellate counsel was not ineffective for failing to
raise the argument on direct appeal.

Petitioner’s demonstrative evidence claim also fails.
The admissibility of evidence in state court is wholly a matter of
state law and is therefore not subject to habeas relief, barring
a showing that Petitioner’s due process rights were denied such
that he was deprived a fundamentally fair trial. See Estelle, 502
U.S. at 75, 112 S. Ct. at 483-84. Here, Petitioner does not
establish that he was denied a fair trial when the trial court
admitted a gun as demonstrative evidence only as he does not argue
how he was prejudiced.
Accordingly, Petitioner’s claims that appellate
counsel was ineffective for failure to argue fair trial claims are
denied.

3. Ineffective Assistance of Trial Counsel Claims
Here, Petitioner’s reasserts his ineffective assistance
of trial counsel claims, as discussed supra at 26-39, including:
(1) failure to obtain photographs of Chambers’ vehicle; (2) failure
to impeach Detective McHugh; (3) failure to request a limiting
instruction as to Molineux material; (4) failure to object to
improper jury instructions regarding Molineux evidence; and (5)
failure to object to improper comments made during the prosecution
summation. (Pet., ECF p. 8.) For the reasons stated herein,
Petitioner’s claims that trial counsel was ineffective are without
merit, and, as such, appellate counsel was not ineffective for
failing to raise these claims on direct appeal.

Petitioner further claims that appellate counsel was
ineffective for not addressing the additional failures of trial
counsel on direct appeal: (1) failure to make a detailed motion
for a trial order of dismissal; (2) failure to object to a
photocopy of Petitioner’s credit card being admitted into evidence
in violation of the best evidence rule; (3) failure to object to
Petitioner’s legs being shackled; and (4) failure to argue that
the trial court erred by precluding defense counsel from cross-
examining Detective Carroll regarding Chambers. (Pet., ECF pp. 5-
7, 15.)
Petitioner’s claim regarding trial counsel’s failure to
state a specific ground for his Criminal Procedure Law 290.10 trial

order of dismissal motion is without merit. It is another example
of a decision by trial counsel that falls within the gambit of
strategic decisions. See Broxmeyer, 661 F. App’x at 748; Cohen,
427 F.3d at 170. Therefore, the Appellate Division did not
unreasonably apply the Strickland standard here, where appellate
counsel was likely to fail by advancing arguments based in trial
counsel’s strategy. Thus, Petitioner’s claim has no merit.
Likewise, Petitioner’s argument that trial counsel
failed to object on the grounds of the best evidence rule also
fails. In addition to being a strategic decision when to object,
the claim itself is without merit. Even if admitting a photocopy
of Petitioner’s credit card rather than his actual credit card was

in error, the error was not of constitutional dimension warranting
habeas relief. See, e.g., Lyons v. Girdich, No. 02-CV-3117, 2003
WL 22956991, at * 12 (E.D.N.Y. Oct.15, 2003) (alleged violations
of the best evidence rule are evidentiary issues involving state
law and are not federal constitutional questions appropriate
for habeas review). Thus, Petitioner’s claim is denied.
Petitioner’s claim regarding cross-examining Detective
Carroll clearly has no merit, and thus appellate counsel was not
ineffective for failure to argue such a frivolous claim.
Petitioner’s claim is premised on the fact that the trial court
precluded defense counsel from cross-examining Detective Carroll.
However, as discussed supra at 12-13, n.4, that is not the case.

After the trial court rendered its decision, the parties agreed to
a stipulation rather than recalling Detective Carroll. Thus,
Petitioner’s claim is without merit and it is denied.
Last, Petitioner’s claim that appellate counsel was
ineffective for failing to argue that trial counsel was ineffective
for failing to object to Petitioner’s leg shackling is also without
merit. Here, the trial court did not err, or deny Petitioner’s
right to a fair trial, by directing his legs to be shackled during
the criminal trial. As such, Petitioner is unable to demonstrate
that he was prejudiced as a result, and thus his claim is denied.
Accordingly, Petitioner’s ineffective assistance of
appellate counsel claim is denied in its entirety.

CONCLUSION
Petitioner’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus
(D.E. 1) is DENIED. The Court declines to issue a certificate of
appealability because the Petitioner has not made a substantial
showing that he was denied a constitutional right. See 28 U.S.C.
§ 2253(c)(2). The Clerk of the Court is respectfully directed to
close this case.

SO ORDERED.

/s/ JOANNA SEYBERT______
JOANNA SEYBERT, U.S.D.J.

Dated: July 29 , 2020
Central Islip, New York

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10304585. Public record. Not legal advice.