Lawson v. State of Delaware. ( 2015 )

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
SHAWNA K. LAWSON, )
)
Petitioner, )
)
)
v. ) Civil Action No. N13M-12-047
)
)
STATE OF DELAWARE, )
)
Respondent. )
Submitted: July 30, 2015
Decided: August 7, 2015
COMMISSIONER’S ORDER ON PETITIONER’S MOTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION HEARING/ APPEAL
Robert J. O’Neill, Jr., Esquire, Delaware Department of Justice, 820 N. French St. 7th
Floor, Department of Justice, Wilmington, Delaware, 19801. Attorney for the State.
Shawna K. Lawson, 377 Wheeler Ave., Hampton, VA 23661. Defendant.
MANNING, Commissioner
This 7th day of August, 2015, upon consideration of petitioner Shawna K.
Lawson’s motion for a “reconsideration hearing/ appeal,” (the “motion”) the Court finds
the following:
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On November 14, 2013, Leonard Maldonado was arrested in Delaware on drug
charges while operating a Blue 2000 Ford Focus. 1 Pursuant to 16 Del. C. § 4784(a)(4),
the State of Delaware seized the 2000 Ford focus and initiated forfeiture proceedings. On
December 16, 2013, Lawson, claiming to be the registered owner of said vehicle, filed a
Petition for Return of Property with the Superior Court (the “petition”). On September
12, 2014 Maldonado pled guilty to Tier 2 Possession of a Controlled Substance and was
sentenced as a Habitual Offender to three years at Level V. Following the standard pre-
trial discovery process, a non-jury Return of Property Trial was held on February 24,
2015. At trial, the State presented the testimony of Detective Ernest Melvin of the New
Castle County Police Department. Lawson, acting pro se, testified and entered
documents into evidence, but did not call any additional witnesses.
The Court, after considering all the testimony and evidence presented, ruled that
the State had met its burden under § 4784 that the vehicle was subject to forfeiture.
There was no dispute that Maldonado was a drug dealer and that he was using the vehicle
at the time of its seizure by police to facilitate the transportation, sale, or possession of an
illegal controlled substance. However, Lawson, who resided in Virginia at all times
relevant to the case, argued that she was an “innocent owner” of the vehicle under §
4784(b) as she had no actual knowledge that Maldonado, who she claimed was her
1
Crim. ID# 1311009435, New Castle County, Superior Court.
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husband, 2 was using the vehicle to facilitate selling drugs in Delaware. After considering
the relative burdens of proof, the credibility of the witnesses and documents presented,
the Court denied Lawson’s petition. The Court ruled that Lawson had failed to prove by
a preponderance of the evidence that she was an “innocent owner” of the vehicle. 3 The
evidence presented cast doubt on Lawson’s testimony and established that almost
immediately after it was purchased, Lawson relinquished control over the vehicle by
giving it to Maldonado. The evidence presented showed that Maldonado had unfettered
and exclusive use of the vehicle in Delaware—while dealing drugs—for an extended
period of time prior to his arrest. The evidence also showed that Lawson purchased a
third vehicle for herself very soon after giving the vehicle to Maldonado in Delaware.
The Court was satisfied that based on all the attendant facts and circumstances, a “straw-
purchase” had occurred.
Subsequently, Lawson filed an appeal directly to the Delaware Supreme Court on
March 23, 2015. The appeal was dismissed pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 29(b) for
lack of jurisdiction. 4 Lawson then filed the instant motion for a “reconsideration hearing/
appeal” with the Superior Court on April 6, 2015. 5 On May 19, 2015, the Court wrote
Lawson and instructed her to provide any supporting documents and argument she
wished the Court to consider before ruling upon her motion, within 30 days—which she
did. Lawson’s documents were provided to the State, which filed a reply on July 16,
2015 urging the Court to deny the motion for reconsideration. Lawson filed a response to
2
Lawson never provided the Court with any documentation of the marriage.
3
In reaching this conclusion, the Court relied upon the cases of In the Matter of One 1985 Mercedes Benz
Automobile, 644 A.2d 423 (Del. Super. 1992); In the Matter of: One 1984 Chevrolet Blazer Petitioner:
Doris Pettyjohn, 2000 WL 1211235 (Del. Super. 2000); and Renee Hack v. State of Delaware, 2009 WL
3636764 (Del. Super. 2009).
4
Shawna Lawson v. State of Delaware, Delaware Supreme Court, No. 146, 2015, ORDER, April 23, 2015.
5
Lawson’s initial motion consisted of a short one-paragraph statement accusing the detective of lying and
claimed that she possessed additional supporting documents that would prove her case.
2
the State’s reply on July 30, 2015 (docketed August 6, 2015). In Lawson’s response she
explained the reason for her delay in filing an appeal with the proper court—namely that
she could not find anyone to explain to her the proper steps and where to file an appeal.
Lawson also included a portion of the trial transcripts with her response.
ANALYSIS
Lawson’s motion is dually titled as a motion for “reconsideration hearing/
Appeal.” Lawson’s motion does not argue that the Court misapplied the applicable law
or made any incorrect evidentiary rulings. Rather, Lawson is asking this Court to reverse
its previous ruling, on the merits, and enter judgment in her favor based on the documents
she has just recently provided; or afford her a trial de novo. Thus, it appears that Lawson
is moving for both a new trial and reargument so the Court will treat her motion
accordingly. 6
As a preliminary matter, any litigant has the right to appeal a Superior Court
Commissioner’s Order pursuant to Superior Court Civil Rule 132(a)(ii); something
Lawson was advised of by the Court immediately following the return of property trial. 7
The Rule clearly states that such an appeal must be filed within 10 days of the order or
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ruling in question. In this case, the 10 day period began on February 25, 2015.
6
See, e.g., Zeneca, Inc. v. Monsanto Co., 1996 WL 104254, at *5 (Del. Ch. Mar. 7, 1996) (“In determining
whether it has subject matter jurisdiction, this Court must examine the pleadings to determine the true
substance of the relief [a party] actually seeks, and will not be bound by the form of relief as described [by
the party.]”).
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At the conclusion of the return of property trial, the Court took a moment to explain to Lawson that she
has “a right to appeal a Commissioner’s order, and I suggest you go to the law library or contact a lawyer to
see about how to do that, okay? To which Lawson replied “all right.” Trial Tr. at 54-55.
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Rule 132. Commissioners.
(a) Each Commissioner shall have all powers and duties conferred or imposed upon Commissioners by law,
by the Rules of Civil Procedure for the Superior Court, and by Administrative Directive of the President
Judge, including, but not limited to:
(1) The power to administer oaths and affirmations, and to take acknowledgments, affidavits, and
depositions;
(2) The power to serve as a special master or master pro hac vice ;
3
Unfortunately, Lawson failed to file the proper objection in a timely manner. Rather,
Lawson filed an appeal directly to the Delaware Supreme Court following the denial of
her petition. As previously noted, Lawson’s appeal there was dismissed because the
(3) Non case-dispositive matters. -- The power to conduct non case-dispositive hearings, including
evidentiary hearings, and the power to hear and determine any pretrial or other non case-dispositive matter
pending before the Court.
(i) The Commissioner shall file an order under subparagraph (3) with the Prothonotary, and shall mail
copies forthwith to all parties. It shall not be necessary for the Commissioner to include proposed findings
of fact and recommendations in any order under this subparagraph.
(ii) Within 10 days after filing of a Commissioner's order under subparagraph (3), any party may serve and
file written objections to the Commissioner's order which set forth with particularity the basis for the
objections. The written objections shall be entitled "Motion for Reconsideration of Commissioner's Order."
A copy of the written objections shall be served on the other party, or the other party's attorney, if the other
party is represented. The other party shall then have 10 days from service upon that party of the written
objections to file and serve a written response to the written objections.
(iii) The party filing written objections to a Commissioner's order shall cause a transcript of the proceedings
before the Commissioner to be prepared, served, and filed unless, subject to the approval of a judge, all
parties agree to a statement of facts.
(iv) A judge may reconsider any hearing or pretrial matter under subparagraph (3) only where it has been
shown on the record that the Commissioner's order is based upon findings of fact that are clearly erroneous,
or is contrary to law, or is an abuse of discretion.
(v) Orders entered under this subparagraph shall be effective immediately, and no motion for
reconsideration of a Commissioner's order shall stay execution of the order unless such stay shall be
specifically ordered by a judge.
(4) Case-dispositive matters. -- The power to conduct case-dispositive hearings, including case-dispositive
evidentiary hearings, mental hearings under Title 16 Del. C., ch. 50, a motion for judgment on the
pleadings, for summary judgment, to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted,
and involuntarily to dismiss an action, and to submit to a judge of this Court proposed findings of fact and
recommendations for the disposition, by a judge, of any such case-dispositive matter.
(i) The Commissioner shall file proposed findings of fact and recommendations under subparagraph (4)
with the Prothonotary and shall mail copies forthwith to all parties, or to a party's attorney if the party is
represented.
(ii) Within 10 days after filing of a Commissioner's proposed findings and recommendations under
subparagraph (4), any party may serve and file written objections to the Commissioner's order which set
forth with particularity the basis for the objections. The written objections shall be entitled "Appeal from
Commissioner's Findings of Fact and Recommendations." A copy of the written objections shall be served
on the other party, or the other party's attorney, if the other party is represented. The other party shall then
have 10 days from service upon that party of the written objections to file and serve a written response to
the written objections.
(iii) The party filing written objections to a Commissioner's order shall cause a transcript of the proceedings
before the Commissioner to be prepared, served, and filed unless, subject to the approval of a judge, all
parties agree to a statement of facts.
(iv) A judge of the Court shall make a de novo determination of those portions of the report or specified
proposed findings of fact or recommendations to which an objection is made. A judge may accept, reject,
or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or recommendations made by the Commissioner. A judge may
also receive further evidence or recommit the matter to the Commissioner with instructions.
(b) A party seeking reconsideration of an order of a Commissioner under subparagraph (3) or appealing the
findings of fact and recommendations of a Commissioner under subparagraph (4) who fails to comply with
the provisions of this rule may be subject to dismissal of said motion for reconsideration or appeal.
(c) The time periods specified in this Rule may be shortened or enlarged, for good cause, by a judge.
4
Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction to hear an appeal directly from a Commissioner’s
Order.
Lawson’s motion was then correctly filed with the Superior Court, but 41 days
after her original petition for return of property was denied. Therefore, even if the Court
was to give Lawson’s instant motion the same effect as a notice of appeal from a
Commissioner’s Order, it is untimely under Rule 132. Moreover, Rule 132(c) provides
that the time period for an appeal of a Commissioner’s Order “may be shortened or
enlarged, for good cause, by a judge.” Thus, the 10 day time period can be enlarged, but
only by a judge of the Superior Court—a request Lawson has not made at this point.
Additionally, Lawson’s motion must also be evaluated under Superior Court Civil
Rule 59, as it is tantamount to a motion for a new trial and rearguemnt. 9 Rule 59(b)
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Rule 59. New trials and rearguments.
(a) Grounds. -- A new trial may be granted as to all or any of the parties and on all or part of the issues in
an action in which there has been a trial for any of the reasons for which new trials have heretofore been
granted in the Superior Court. On a motion for a new trial in an action tried without a jury, the Court may
open the judgment, take additional testimony, amend findings of fact and conclusions of law or make new
findings and conclusions, and direct the entry of a new judgment.
(b) Time and procedure for motion. -- The motion for a new trial shall be served and filed not later than 10
days after the entry of judgment, or the rendition of the verdict, if pursuant to Rule 58, the Court has
directed that the judgment shall not be entered forthwith upon the verdict, the motion to be accompanied by
a brief and affidavit, if any. The motion shall briefly and distinctly state the grounds therefor.
If the motion is not accompanied by affidavits, the opposing party, within 10 days after service of such
motion, may serve and file a short answer to each ground asserted in the motion, accompanied by a brief, if
the opposing party desires to file one.
If the motion is accompanied by affidavits, the opposing party has 10 days after such service within which
to serve and file that party's answer and opposing affidavits and brief, if any; this period may be extended
for an additional period not exceeding 10 days either by the Court for good cause shown or by the parties
by written stipulation. Reply affidavits and brief may be served and filed within 10 days after service of the
opposing affidavits and briefs; this period may be extended for an additional period not exceeding 10 days,
either by the Court for good cause shown or by the parties by written stipulation.
The Court shall determine from the motion, answer, affidavits and briefs, whether a new trial shall be
granted or denied or whether there shall be oral argument on the motion. A copy of the motion, answer,
affidavits and briefs shall be furnished forthwith by the respective parties serving them to the Judge
involved.
(c) On initiative of Court. -- Not later than 10 days after entry of judgment the Court of its own initiative
may order a new trial for any reason for which it might have granted a new trial on motion of a party. After
giving the parties notice and an opportunity to be heard on the matter, the Court may grant a motion for a
new trial, timely served, for a reason not stated in the motion. In either case, the Court shall specify in the
order the grounds therefor.
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dictates that any motion for a new trial must be “filed not later than 10 days after the
entry of judgment.” Rule 59(e) requires that a motion for reargument be filed within 5
days after the filing of the Court’s opinion or decision. It is undisputed in this case that
Lawson’s motion was not filed with the Superior Court within the 10 day period, as
required. Even if Lawson had been able to show good cause or excusable neglect
sufficient to excuse her failure to timely file the instant motion, the Court is without
jurisdiction to hear an untimely motion. 10
Finally, the Court notes that Lawson had over 14 months to prepare for trial in
this matter. All of the evidence Lawson presented in her motion was available to her at
the time of the trial and could have been presented then. It is well settled that a motion
for reargument is not an opportunity for a party to revisit arguments already decided by
the Court or to present new arguments not previously raised. 11
(d) Motion to alter or amend a judgment. -- A motion to alter or amend the judgment shall be served and
filed not later than 10 days after entry of the judgment.
(e) Rearguments. -- A motion for reargument shall be served and filed within 5 days after the filing of the
Court's opinion or decision. The motion shall briefly and distinctly state the grounds therefor. Within 5
days after service of such motion, the opposing party may serve and file a brief answer to each ground
asserted in the motion. The Court will determine from the motion and answer whether reargument will be
granted. A copy of the motion and answer shall be furnished forthwith by the respective parties serving
them to the Judge involved.
10
See Brooks v. State, 2008 WL 5250269, at *1 (Del. Dec. 18, 2008) (“It is well-settled that the Superior
Court has no jurisdiction to consider an untimely motion for reargument.”).
11
See State v. Abel, 2011 WL 5925284, at *1 (Del. Super. Ct. Nov. 28, 2011); Cummings v. Jimmy’s Grille,
Inc., 2000 WL 1211167, at *2 (Del. Super. Ct. Aug. 9, 2000) (“A Motion for Reargument is not a device
for raising new arguments or stringing out the length of time for making an argument.”).
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CONCLUSION
For all of the foregoing reasons, Lawson’s motion for a Reconsideration hearing/
Appeal is DENIED as untimely.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/ Bradley V. Manning
BRADLEY V. MANNING,
Commissioner
oc: Prothonotary
cc: Defendant
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