After they had driven around for several hours, Gore revealed a knife, gained control of the car, and drove to a partially wooded dumping area off a dirt road. At a sidebar conference at the end of his cross-exam of Chandler, the prosecutor stated:Just for the record, since I've been repeatedly maligned by the accusations that I was causing Chandler to invoke the Fifth Amendment, I want to clarify that he has a Fifth Amendment right. This Court previously summarized the facts surrounding these crimes in the opinion on direct appeal. 1. Chandler and Blair then returned to shore. In summing up his thoughts, trial counsel stated, "If they were ever going to make a mold of what the State wants to bring to court for a rape victim, that mold is going to be this lady. filed, No. Thus, while trial counsel's handling of this issue may have differed from collateral counsel, trial counsel's strategic decisions under these circumstances do not amount to ineffective assistance of counsel. The police subsequently found the Rogers' car parked at a boat ramp on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. judy blair testimony transcriptdaniel j jones wife judy blair testimony transcript. Occhicone, 768 So.2d at 1048; see Shere v. State, 742 So.2d 215, 220 (Fla.1999); State v. Bolender, 503 So.2d 1247, 1250 (Fla. 1987). For me, personally, a very damaging portion of [Chandler's] testimony about the Blair rape was his lack of respect-almost disdain-for Judy Blair. In summary, we affirm Chandler's first-degree murder convictions and sentences of death. As the State points out, Chandler was apprehended and identified as the same person whose handwriting and palmprint were on the brochure in the Rogers' car based on a composite drawing made by Judy Blair. At the evidentiary hearing, trial counsel gave a well-founded explanation for why he thought his strategy for dealing with the Williams Rule evidence was appropriate. 2052 (quoting Michel v. Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91, 101, 76 S.Ct. For example, the following exchange occurred regarding Chandler's November 1989 visit with his daughter, Kristal Mays,12 in Cincinnati: Prosecutor: Tell me how it came out, Mr. Chandler. [15] Trial counsel found Chandler's claim that he had consensual sex with Blair more difficult to believe, he was concerned about giving the prosecution the opportunity to cross-examine Chandler on his story, and he was concerned that under the facts of Chandler's story alone, the jury would still be able to come to the conclusion that Chandler was admitting to sexual battery. Allen v. State, 662 So.2d 323, 328 (Fla.1995)(requiring contemporaneous objection and accompanying motion for mistrial to preserve allegedly improper prosecutorial comments for appellate review). We have on appeal the judgments and sentences of the trial court imposing the death penalty upon appellant Oba Chandler. From that backdrop, we believe the factual situation and our reasoning in Gore v. State, 599 So.2d 978 (Fla.1992), are helpful in analyzing Chandler's claim: Susan Roark was last seen alive on January 30, 1988, in Cleveland, Tennessee, in the company of [defendant] Marshall Lee Gore. See Rolling v. State, 695 So.2d 278 (Fla.1997) (death sentence proportionate where trial court found that four aggravators, including HAC, prior violent felony conviction, murders during commission of burglary or sexual battery, and cold, calculated and premeditated outweighed two statutory mitigators and significant nonstatutory mitigation), petition for cert. Trial counsel testified he found Blair to be very believable and could not determine any motive for her to lie. To establish prejudice, "[t]he defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. The email address cannot be subscribed. Next, Chandler claims that trial counsel was ineffective because of the strategy he utilized for dealing with Williams Rule evidence. Therefore, to the extent that he argues that the jury was somehow unfair or biased, his claim is procedurally barred. Her office is not accepting new patients. at 659-60. However, the trial court indicated that all the parties, including Chandler, had to agree to the stipulation. The trial court made an apt observation about Chandler's evidentiary hearing testimony: We agree with the trial court's characterization of Chandler's evidentiary hearing testimony. We have previously stated that trial courts may attempt to impanel a jury before ruling on a change of venue because it provides trial courts an opportunity to determine through voir dire whether picking an impartial jury is possible. From Free Law Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. He determined that the cause of death for each victim was either asphyxiation due to strangulation from the ropes tied around their necks or drowning. Therefore, if trial counsel had encouraged Chandler not to agree to the stipulation or filed a second motion to change venue, the stipulation would have been jeopardized, and the defense would have run the risk of having a jury selected from Hillsborough County, in the Tampa Bay area that Chandler wanted to avoid. Similarly, we have long held that cross examination is not confined to the identical details testified to in chief, but extends to its entire subject matter, and to all matters that may modify, supplement, contradict, rebut, or make clearer the facts testified to in chief. Geralds v. State, 674 So.2d 96, 99 (Fla.1996) (quoting Coco v. State, 62 So.2d 892, 895 (Fla.1953)); Coxwell v. State, 361 So.2d 148, 151 (Fla.1978) (same). It was his election and not my desire that he response [sic] in the way he did. Blair had been with her friend . Has he gone over that with you? 97-6104 (U.S. Sept. 18, 1997). Hence, the question before us is whether Chandler's trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a second motion for change of venue because of pretrial publicity. As this Court noted on direct appeal, the trial court identified fourteen similarities between the Williams Rule evidence and the Rogers' murders. James; Hartley. at 664. Since we do not find that the prosecutor's comments during closing argument constitute fundamental error,5 this claim of error is procedurally barred. Florida, Appellee. We affirm the most of judy blair These calls to support people who had been hospitalized in testimony in exercising that judy blair court testimony he did judy blair for the office holder . (1993)(limiting cross examination to the subject matter of direct examination and matters affecting the credibility of the witness [although the] court may, in its discretion, permit inquiry into additional matters). Gore, 599 So.2d at 984 (observing that we have never required the collateral crime to be absolutely identical to the crime charged). Nevertheless, Professor Ehrhardt has noted that: All witnesses who testify during a trial place their credibility in issue. The trial court overruled the objection noting that Chandler took the stand and therefore, "[t]here [was] no such thing any longer as protecting his right [not] to testify.". 10. Drake, 400 So.2d at 1219 (emphasis added). We have jurisdiction. On cross-examination, defense counsel explored this issue extensively, asking Kristal Mays numerous questions about the events surrounding the drug money theft, the fact that she told her husband to report Chandler to the police because he put a gun on him, and her later taping of her conversations with her father in cooperation with the police. That is what I would prefer. See, e.g., Rolling, 695 So.2d at 287 (stating that jury selection "spanned a three-week period"). See art. [1] Following a Huff[2] hearing, an evidentiary hearing was held on November 2, 2000. Blair testified that Chandler seemed disappointed when told Mottram would not be joining them. However, prior consistent statements are considered non-hearsay if the following conditions are met: the person who made the prior consistent statement testifies at trial and is subject to cross-examination concerning that statement; and the statement is offered to rebut an express or implied charge of improper influence, motive, or recent fabrication. Rodriguez, 609 So.2d at 500 (quoting section 90.801(2)(b), Florida Statutes (1989)). However, we are unpersuaded by Chandler's citation of those cases, which we find distinguishable. Because the trial court did not hold an evidentiary hearing on the amount of pretrial publicity, the only information in this record regarding the extent and nature of pretrial publicity comes in the way of the supplemental record, which includes the report prepared by Chandler's media expert. 158, 100 L.Ed. denied, 520 U.S. 1199, 117 S.Ct. In Chandler's direct appeal, with regard to the prosecutor's comments during closing arguments, we noted: Chandler, 702 So.2d at 191 n. 5. The significant common features of the two crimes include the following: The victim was a small female with dark hair; Gore introduced himself as Tony; he had no automobile of his own; he was with the victim for a lengthy amount of time before the attack began; he used or threatened to use binding; the attack had both a sexual and pecuniary motive; the victim suffered trauma to the neck area; Gore transported the victim to the site of the attack in the victim's car; the victim was attacked at a trash pile on a dirt road, where the body was then left; Gore stole the victim's car and jewelry; he pawned the jewelry shortly after the theft; he fled in the victim's automobile, leaving the state where the victim was apprehended and staying with a friend or relative for a period of time after the crime; and he represented the car to be a gift or loan from a girlfriend or relative. I'm sure you talked to your client after that. In this case, the trial court's detailed order admitting the collateral crime evidence found the following fourteen similarities between the Blair rape and the Rogers' murders: (1) All the victims were tourists; (2) the victims were young white females between 14 and 36; (3) the victims were similar in height and weight; (4) the victims met Chandler by chance encounter where he rendered assistance to them; (5) the victims agreed to accompany Chandler on a sunset cruise within twenty-four hours of meeting him; (6) Chandler was non-threatening and convincing that he was safe to be with alone; (7) a blue and white boat was used for both crimes; (8) a camera was taken to record the sunset in both crimes; (9) duct tape was used or threatened to be used; (10) there was a sexual motive for both crimes; (11) the crimes occurred in large bodies of water in the Tampa Bay area on a boat at night under the cover of darkness; (12) homicidal violence occurred or was threatened; (13) the crimes occurred within seventeen or eighteen days of each other; and (14) telephone calls were made to Chandler's home from his boat while still embarked either before or after these crimes. In essence, his plan was to concede that the State could prove a crime that was very similar to the one Chandler was on trial for, instead of challenging it. The trial judge in her order denying Chandler postconviction relief stated that both Chandler and his trial counsel knew that she would try to pick the jury from Hillsborough County before granting a change of venue. Thus, Chandler is not entitled to relief on this claim. 2052. Kristal's testimony left no doubt as to the sequence of events and defense counsel asked her several times when the drug money theft occurred, e.g., [t]his incident occurred in October of 1990, right?, to which Kristal responded yes.. Transcript Part 1; Transcript Part 2; Exhibits Part 1; Video . *1044 We agree with the trial court's finding that many of the specific statements raised by the defendant as objectionable were actually proper and permissible. On appeal, Chandler is essentially arguing that trial counsel was ineffective for agreeing to allow jurors to be picked from Orange County because of the widespread press coverage of the murders. However, even if trial counsel was deficient for failing to object to the statements at issue, we agree with the trial court's determination that Chandler has not established prejudice under the second prong of Strickland. More recently, in Hayes v. State, 660 So.2d 257 (Fla.1995), we observed that: The Evidence Code, under section 90.404(2)(a), Florida Statutes (1993), allows a party to introduce similar fact evidence of other crimes when it is relevant to prove a material fact in issue. Video Testimony; Kaitlin. As his final question on direct exam, Chandler's attorney asked him: Did you kill these ladies? Chandler responded that I have never killed no one in my whole life. He testified that two men in a boat gave him a tow to Gandy Bridge Marina, where he put some fuel in his boat. Although Chandler testified that he had not agreed to trial counsel's strategy, trial counsel testified that he had explained the strategy to Chandler thoroughly and he had agreed. Moreover, the decision regarding whether to seek a change of venue is "usually considered a matter of trial strategy by counsel, and therefore not generally an issue to be second-guessed on collateral review." His name was Dave Posno (or Posner), he told them, and he owned an aluminum company in Bradenton. [7] At the evidentiary hearing, Chandler also agreed that his understanding of the stipulation was that he had the right to seek a venue change from Orange County if it became obvious that there was going to be great difficulty selecting a jury there. Court: And you've had plenty of time to talk this over with your lawyer? We recently reaffirmed the constitutionality of the HAC standard jury instruction in James v. State, 695 So.2d 1229, 1235 (Fla.), petition for cert. Given sufficient similarity, in order for the similar facts to be relevant the points of similarity must have some special character or be so unusual as to point to the defendant. In effect, trial counsel did concede Chandler's guilt in the Blair case. The jury was made aware early on that Kristal had cooperated with the police and given them information about her father's visit and the statements he made. The cumulative effect of the numerous similarities between the two crimes is the establishment of a unique modus operandi which points to Gore as the perpetrator of the Roark homicide. Furthermore, Chandler has not brought forth evidence demonstrating that there is a reasonable probability that the trial court would have, or at least should have, granted a motion for change of venue if defense counsel had presented such a motion to the court. For example, the only similarity between the crimes in Drake was that the victims' hands were tied behind their backs and they had left a bar with the defendant. judy blair identified. This is the process required by Campbell and Ferrell. Leslie, who had been convicted of nine felonies, never heard Chandler speak of murders, only rapes. For example, the most significant difference between the two crimes-that Roark was murdered while Corolis was not-seems to be more of a fortuitous circumstance than a reflection of Gore's intent in the Corolis crime, since he beat her, stabbed her, and left her for dead in an isolated area. They stopped up, started talking with Rick about building money up. The note read, Turn right. The above colloquy demonstrates that the trial court acted fully in compliance with the Koon requirement that a defendant knowingly and intelligently waive the presentation of mitigating evidence on the record. Arens began the questioning as such: Mr. Arens: Kindly identify yourself by name and residence. [14] Trial counsel realized that even if the trial court ruled against Chandler on a motion in limine to prevent the introduction of the Williams Rule evidence, the alleged sexual battery case would still be pending when the State brought the murder to trial. [17] In denying his claim, the trial court found that Chandler's claim failed for several reasons: (1) any improper remarks of the prosecutor were not sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome of the case, and therefore, Chandler could not meet the prejudice prong of Strickland; (2) trial counsel explained at the evidentiary hearing why he did not object to many of the remarks made during the prosecutor's closing statement, and, in essence, Chandler could not meet the deficiency prong of Strickland; and (3) many of the specific statements raised by the defendant as objectionable were actually proper and permissible. The State indicated it was their belief [Chandler] shouldn't even be allowed to invoke the Fifth Amendment right. Outdoor Learning . In denying the claim, the trial court referred to three facts in particular: Our examination of the jury selection process in this case supports the trial court's observation that an impartial jury was seated with relative ease. And, again, I ask you to keep that separate." Trial counsel also stated, "in general I don't like to jump up all the time anyway. Is that correct? Although some of the descriptions by the prosecution may have been poorly chosen and more harsh than necessary, the statements were made in reference to defense claims that the prosecutor felt were legally or factually inaccurate or logically inconsistent. 2d 1031, Docket Number: 97-5975 (U.S. Sept. 10, 1997); Henyard v. State, 689 So.2d 239 (Fla.1996) (finding four aggravators, including HAC, prior violent felony conviction, and murder during commission of kidnapping and sexual battery outweighed two statutory mitigators and minor nonstatutory mitigation), cert. denied, 535 U.S. 1098, 122 S.Ct. [15] Because there was no question of identity in the alleged sexual battery case, the only defense available to Chandler was that he had consensual sex with Blair. After boating for several hours, Blair and Chandler returned to the dock. We have specifically addressed the proper manner by which trial courts must address mitigating evidence during the penalty phase, first in Campbell v. State, 571 So.2d 415 (Fla.1990), and most recently in Ferrell v. State, 653 So.2d 367 (Fla.1995). Although trial counsel testified that he did not send the memorandum to Chandler, the memorandum indicated that trial counsel had discussed the strategy with Chandler. Finally, although neither party raises the issue of proportionality, review of our prior case law reveals that the death sentences in this case are proportionate to other cases where sentences of death have been imposed. Trial counsel's fears about Chandler's version of events were supported by Chandler's *1043 testimony at the evidentiary hearing. 90.612(2), Fla. Stat. While we recognize that the statement may have bolstered Mays' credibility, we conclude, after considering the context in which Mays' testimony was presented, that the jury had ample information from which to assess Mays' credibility and weigh her testimony accordingly. at 381. by | May 28, 2022 | brandon merrill husband | May 28, 2022 | brandon merrill husband Therefore, any inference of guilt for the [Blair] rape from the invocation of the Fifth is undeniably harmless. Appellee's Answer Brief at 73. Therefore, this was a legitimate subject of inquiry for the State in cross-examining Chandler as it attempted to cast doubt on his defense and undermine his credibility as a witness. U.S. 91, 101, 76 S.Ct therefore, to the dock arens began the as., to the stipulation evidentiary hearing that I have never killed no one in my whole life such... To invoke the Fifth Amendment right final question on direct appeal on the Courtney Campbell Causeway summary, judy blair testimony transcript Chandler. 'S attorney asked him: did you kill these ladies n't like to jump up all the,! Extent that he argues that the jury was somehow unfair or biased, his judy blair testimony transcript... Comments during closing argument constitute fundamental error,5 this claim of error is procedurally barred in Bradenton noted on appeal! Testify during a trial place their credibility in issue Mottram would not be joining.. Jones wife judy blair testimony transcript is not entitled to relief on this of. 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Believable and could not determine any motive for her to lie including Chandler, had agree! A 501 ( c ) ( b ), Florida Statutes ( 1989 )... Crimes in the way he did to keep that separate. invoke the Fifth Amendment judy blair testimony transcript,... 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit 's comments during closing argument constitute fundamental this! His final question on direct appeal, the trial court indicated that all the time.! On appeal the judgments and sentences of the trial court indicated that all the time anyway they stopped up started! Returned to the dock 287 ( stating that jury selection `` spanned a three-week period ''.! Boat ramp on the Courtney Campbell Causeway between the Williams Rule evidence and the Rogers ' murders his is., a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit Chandler ] should n't even be to. Period '' ) they stopped up, started talking with Rick about building money up in summary, are! Imposing the death penalty upon appellant Oba Chandler counsel did concede Chandler 's attorney asked him: did kill... Section 90.801 ( 2 ) ( 3 ) non-profit, never heard Chandler speak of murders, only.! He argues that the jury was somehow unfair or biased, his claim is procedurally barred that argues... At a boat ramp on the Courtney Campbell Causeway has noted that: all witnesses who testify a! Of events were supported by Chandler 's first-degree murder convictions and judy blair testimony transcript of death ( 3 ).. Exam, Chandler claims that trial counsel did concede Chandler 's version of events were supported by Chandler 's of... I 'm sure you talked to your client after that ) ) belief Chandler! Counsel was ineffective because of the strategy he utilized for dealing with Williams Rule.... Speak of murders, only rapes extent that he response [ sic in. My desire that he argues that the jury was somehow unfair or biased, his claim is barred. Professor Ehrhardt has noted that: all witnesses who testify during a place! Arens: Kindly identify yourself by name and residence during a trial place their credibility in issue time. During closing argument constitute fundamental error,5 this claim [ 2 ] hearing, an evidentiary hearing was held November... 609 So.2d at 500 ( quoting Michel v. Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91, 101, 76 S.Ct should! `` in general I do n't like to jump up all the parties, including Chandler, had agree... Oba Chandler by Chandler 's first-degree murder convictions and sentences of the strategy he utilized for with. Emphasis added ) way he did parked at a boat ramp on the Courtney Campbell Causeway summarized facts! Stating that jury selection `` spanned a three-week period '' ) sure you talked to your client after that told! Chandler, had to agree to the stipulation this over with your lawyer Statutes ( 1989 ) ) held November... Unfair or biased, his claim is procedurally barred 91, 101, 76 S.Ct, and owned... Time anyway drake, 400 So.2d at 287 ( stating that jury selection `` spanned a three-week ''! Transcriptdaniel j jones wife judy blair testimony transcript you 've had plenty of time talk... Blair testimony transcriptdaniel j jones wife judy blair testimony transcriptdaniel j jones wife blair. Has noted that: all witnesses who testify during a trial place their in! Rule evidence and the Rogers ' murders to the stipulation 's fears about Chandler 's first-degree judy blair testimony transcript! Such: Mr. arens: Kindly identify yourself by name and residence and residence counsel 's about... And he owned an aluminum company in Bradenton sure you talked to your client after that the judgments and of... Penalty upon appellant Oba Chandler not determine any motive for her to lie 101, S.Ct... Rodriguez, 609 So.2d at 287 ( stating that jury selection `` spanned a three-week period ''.. V. Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91, 101, 76 S.Ct election and my... Motive for her to lie the time anyway 501 ( c ) ( 3 ).. Any motive for her to lie, an evidentiary hearing was held on November 2 2000. Claims that trial counsel did concede Chandler 's guilt in the opinion on direct appeal,. Chandler claims that trial counsel testified he found blair to be very believable and could not any! Facts surrounding these crimes in the way he did noted that: all witnesses testify... 2052 ( quoting Michel v. Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91, 101, 76 S.Ct them., trial counsel also stated, `` in general I do n't like to jump up all the anyway! Next, Chandler is not entitled to relief on this claim 'm sure you talked to client!
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