Bell v. State
Bell v. State
Opinion
The appellant, Randy Turpin Bell, appeals from the denial of his petition seeking post-conviction relief under Rule 20, A.R.Crim.P.Temp. He seeks to set aside his conviction for the capital offense of murder during a robbery and his death sentence. This is his third petition attacking the validity of the conviction and sentence.
In 1983, the appellant was indicted and convicted for the 1981 robbery-murder of Charles Mims and sentenced to death pursuant to §
On May 1, 1986, the appellant sought post-conviction relief by way of a petition for writ of error coram nobis. This petition raised several constitutional issues. After an evidentiary hearing, the petition was denied. The judgment denying the petition was affirmed on appeal. Bell v. State,
On September 17, 1987, the appellant filed his second post-conviction petition, this one pursuant to A.R.Crim.P.Temp. 20. This petition advanced a claim of newly discovered evidence. After an evidentiary hearing, this petition was denied. The judgment denying the petition was affirmed on appeal. Bell v. State,
On February 13, 1990, the appellant filed his third post-conviction petition, also pursuant to A.R.Crim.P.Temp. 20. This petition raised, inter alia, a Giglio issue, Giglio v.United States,
Rule 20.2(b). A.R.Cr.P.Temp., provides:
"A second or successive petition on different grounds shall be denied unless the petitioner shows both that good cause exists why the new ground or grounds were not known or could not have been ascertained through reasonable diligence when the first petition was heard, and that failure to entertain the petition will result in a miscarriage of justice."
Here the appellant did not show or attempt to show why he could not have discovered through reasonable diligence at the time he filed his first two petitions the alleged facts upon which this claim is based. Trial counsel was aware of at least one of the robbery charges pending against Hubbard at the time of the appellant's capital murder trial, and he extensively cross-examined him about it. The court records showing that the two robbery charges against Hubbard had been nol-prossed after his testimony against the appellant were in existence for several years prior to the filing of the first petition for post-conviction relief. The trial court found that the alleged facts supporting this claim could have been ascertained by the appellant through the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time he filed his first petition. The record supports this finding, and we concur in it. In addition, the appellant has failed to show that a failure to entertain the petition would result in a miscarriage of justice. This exception to the procedural default doctrine requires a showing that a constitutional violation has probably resulted in the conviction of one who is actually innocent. Dugger v. Adams,
Moreover, we agree with the trial court's finding that this claim is without merit. The testimony presented at the evidentiary hearing established, without contradiction, that there was no agreement or deal between the state and Hubbard linking the disposition of his pending robbery cases to his testimony against the appellant. The trial court found that "Hubbard did not testify pursuant to an agreement and charges pending against him were not dismissed pursuant to an agreement or because of any prosecution action." This finding is fully supported by the record. Under Rule 20.3, A.R.Cr.P.Temp., a petitioner has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence the facts necessary to prove his claim. The appellant has failed to meet this burden in establishing hisGiglio claim.
1. "Was appellant denied his rights under state and federal law by the prosecutor's statements in argument to the jury?"
2. "Was appellant unduly prejudiced by the testimony of Carol Joiner, said testimony being to the effect that appellant used drugs?"
3. "Was appellant denied his state and federal rights to an impartial jury, and a fair trial and sentencing by the bias of the court and the jury against him?"
4. "Was appellant denied his state and federal rights by the court's consideration of a presentence investigation report?"
5. "Did the trial court improperly restrict the jury's consideration of mitigating circumstances and itself fail to consider non-statutory mitigation?"
6. "Did the court's instructions to the jury undermine the jury's role in sentencing by telling them that they were only providing a recommendation of punishment and by failing to inform them of their option to impose life?"
It is clear from reading the six issues set out above that they were known at the time of the appellant's capital murder trial, and could have been, but were not, raised at trial, or on direct appeal, or in the two prior petitions for collateral relief. The trial court's findings are therefore correct. Each of these six issues is procedurally barred from review.
For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court denying the appellant's petition for post-conviction relief is affirmed.
AFFIRMED.
All Judges concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Randy Turpin Bell, Alias Randy Cole v. State.
- Cited By
- 28 cases
- Status
- Published