State of Iowa v. Luis Ramon Cruz Ayabarreno ( 2014 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 3-1219 / 13-0582
Filed February 5, 2014
STATE OF IOWA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
vs.
LUIS RAMON CRUZ AYABARRENO,
Defendant-Appellant.
________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Hancock County, DeDra L.
Schroeder, Judge.
A defendant appeals his first-degree robbery conviction. AFFIRMED.
Mark C. Smith, State Appellate Defender, Maria Ruhtenberg, Assistant
State Appellate Defender, for appellant.
Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, Sharon Hall and Robert Sand,
Assistant Attorneys General, and David Solheim, County Attorney, for appellee.
Considered by Doyle, P.J., and Tabor and Bower, JJ.
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TABOR, J.
A Hancock County jury convicted Luis Ayabarreno of first-degree robbery
after hearing his recorded confession to holding up a convenience store and
stashing the proceeds at a relative’s house. On appeal, Ayabarreno challenges
the sufficiency of the store clerk’s identification, a remark made by the prosecutor
during closing argument, and his trial attorney’s failure to object to the
prosecutor’s questions to the clerk concerning her reaction to the robbery.
Because evidence other than the clerk’s description was sufficient to
prove Ayabarreno’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, we do not disturb the jury’s
verdict. Given the isolated nature of the prosecutor’s comment during closing
arguments, we find no abuse of discretion in the district court’s denial of a motion
for mistrial. Finally, based on the strong case against Ayabarreno, including his
own confession, we find no reasonable probability the outcome of the trial would
have been different had counsel objected to direct examination of the store clerk.
I. Background Facts and Proceedings
By the end of her shift on November 25, 2011, store clerk Mendi Cuellar
was exhausted. Before coming into work that afternoon at the Town Mart in
Klemme, she had been out shopping at after-Thanksgiving, Black Friday sales.
And because it was a holiday weekend, the convenience store saw a steady
stream of customers that day. So when Cuellar noticed an individual that night
walking up and down the street, watching the store, she did not think much of it.
As she was closing, she took the cash and checks out of the till and
placed them in bank bags for deposit the next day. Just then, a masked man
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came into the store and pulled a knife on her. He demanded: “Where’s the
money? Give me the money. Is that all the money?” Cuellar gave him three
money bags. The man left and Cuellar locked the door and called 911.
Cuellar told the 911 operator the robber had covered most of his face with
his hood and a bandana, but from what she could see, she believed his skin was
“darker colored.” Cuellar also told the operator she had “no idea” how old the
robber was. Cuellar later informed investigators she believed he may have been
a younger man based on his clothing and “the way he handled himself.” Cuellar
said the robber wore a hooded sweatshirt with “Carolina” written on it, flip-flops
with socks, grey sweatpants, and a maroon or red bandana. While the robber
only spoke a few sentences, Cuellar recalled he was soft-spoken, and she told
investigators she did not detect an accent. The clerk also recalled the robber’s
hands looking orange, like a “someone with a bad spray tan.”
While investigating the robbery, Hancock County Sherriff’s Deputy Cory
Leerar reviewed the store’s surveillance video from that night and previous days.
After reviewing the video, the deputy was able to identify a man entering the
store, on an earlier occasion, wearing the Carolina sweatshirt described by
Cuellar. The deputy was able to link the man wearing that sweatshirt to a red
Chrysler Concorde with Minnesota plates. The Concorde was registered to Luis
Ayabarreno. The deputy remembered seeing the vehicle parked in front of a
home in Klemme. Further investigation uncovered that Maria Garcia, the sister
of Ayabarreno’s girlfriend, lived at the house. Ayabarreno and his girlfriend were
in town at the time of the robbery visiting Garcia.
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Based on this information, the police obtained a search warrant for the
house and executed it on January 19, 2012. While the warrant was being
executed, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Agent Chris Callaway was in
Minnesota questioning Ayabarreno. Ayabarreno admitted robbing the Town Mart
and described for the agent the exact location where the money bags were
hidden in a chimney at his girlfriend’s sister house in Klemme. Callaway relayed
that information to the officers back in Iowa, and they found the money bags
exactly where Ayabarreno said they were hidden. The police also found the
“Carolina” sweatshirt, dark-colored flip-flops, and kitchen knives.
On January 31, 2012, the State charged Ayabarreno with robbery in the
first degree, in violation of Iowa Code sections 711.1 and 711.2 (2011). A jury
trial commenced on February 27, 2013, and the jury found Ayabarreno guilty as
charged on February 28, 2013. On March 18, 2013, Ayabarreno filed a motion
for a new trial and in arrest of judgment. After a hearing, the court denied the
motion. The court sentenced Ayabarreno to an indeterminate twenty-five-year
term in prison. He now appeals.
II. Standard of Review
We review sufficiency of the evidence claims for correction of errors at
law. State v. Brubaker, 805 N.W.2d 164, 171 (Iowa 2011). We review claims of
prosecutorial misconduct for an abuse of the district court’s discretion. State v.
Greene, 592 N.W.2d 24, 30–31 (Iowa 1999). An appellate court will find abuse
only if the district court “acts on grounds clearly untenable or to an extent clearly
unreasonable.” State v. Krogmann, 804 N.W.2d 518, 523 (Iowa 2011).
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Generally, we review an evidentiary ruling for an abuse of discretion.
State v. Belken, 633 N.W.2d 786, 793 (Iowa 2001). But when the claim involves
constitutional rights, such as ineffective assistance of counsel, we review de
novo. Osborn v. State, 573 N.W.2d 917, 920 (Iowa 1998).
III. Analysis
A. Did the State offer substantial evidence to support
Ayabarreno’s conviction?
Ayabarreno argues the victim’s description of the robber was not sufficient
to support his identification as the perpetrator and eventual conviction.
In reviewing challenges to the sufficiency of evidence supporting a guilty
verdict, we examine the evidence in the record in the light most favorable to the
State, including any fair inferences, which would support the verdict. State v.
Lamb, 573 N.W.2d 267, 268 (Iowa 1998). If substantial evidence supports the
verdict, we will affirm. State v. Quinn, 691 N.W.2d 403, 407 (Iowa 2005).
Substantial evidence is the kind of proof that would convince a rational jury the
defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. See State v. McCullah, 787
N.W.2d 90, 93 (Iowa 2010). It is not enough for evidence to raise “suspicion,
speculation, or conjecture” as to the defendant’s guilt. Id.We find the evidence sufficient to support the jury’s verdict. To establish
Ayabarreno’s guilt on the first-degree robbery charge the State was required to
prove he (or someone he aided and abetted) had the specific intent to commit a
theft, committed an assault on Mendi Cuellar or threatened her with or
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purposefully put her in fear of immediate serious injury, and he was armed with a
dangerous weapon. See Iowa Code §§ 711.1(1), 711.2.
Ayabarreno claims Cuellar’s identification was insufficient to support the
verdict. He points out the store clerk described the robber as appearing to be
black, younger, and having no accent, while he is Hispanic, similar in age to
Cuellar, and speaks with an accent. Cuellar testified at trial she could not identify
Ayabarreno as the robber because the robber covered his face.
We agree with Ayabarreno that Cuellar’s misperception of his ethnicity
and age do not assist in proving his guilt. But that does not end our analysis.
We find ample evidence, apart from her description, to support the conviction.
After the report of the robbery, Deputy Leerar took the time to review
surveillance tapes from the store. He was able to verify the robber was wearing
a grey “Carolina” sweatshirt and saw that sweatshirt worn into the store on earlier
occasions by an individual driving a red Chrysler Concorde with Minnesota
plates, registered to Ayabarreno. The deputy had noticed that car parked at a
home in Klemme over the Thanksgiving holiday. With this information, the officer
obtained a warrant to search that home where Ayabarreno’s girlfriend’s sister
lived. Inside the home, the officers found the “Carolina” sweatshirt in a suitcase.
DCI Agent Callaway confronted Ayabarreno with news that officers found
the sweatshirt. Ayabarreno eventually told the agent where the officers could
find the money bags hidden in his girlfriend’s sister’s chimney. Ayabarreno also
admitted to Agent Callaway that he was walking outside the store for about one-
half hour before going inside to commit the robbery.
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Because of the solid police work after the robbery, the clerk’s inability to
identify the robber was not fatal to the State’s case. Viewing the evidence in the
light most favorable to the verdict, we find sufficient evidence to support the
robbery conviction.
B. Did the prosecutor commit misconduct in closing argument?
The prosecutor ended his closing argument with this sentiment:
Combined with his confession, and the details that he knew about
the crime, I trust that you’ll see fit to find the defendant guilty of
robbery in the first degree, and to give Mendi Cuellar some peace
of mind knowing that justice has been done. Thank you.
Ayabarreno objected outside the presence of the jury and moved for a
mistrial based on the prosecutor’s request that the jury do justice for the robbery
victim. The defense characterized the statement as prosecutorial misconduct
and asked that it be stricken from the record. The prosecutor did not assert his
references to the victim’s “peace of mind” and doing “justice” were permissible
but also did not concede they were improper. The prosecutor resisted the
defense request for a mistrial by saying the jury could be instructed to disregard
his final remark.
The district court denied the mistrial motion but instructed the jurors that
they were “not to place [themselves] into the position of the alleged victim or the
defendant in this case.”
On appeal, Ayabarreno contends the district court abused its discretion in
not granting the mistrial motion. He argues the prosecutor violated the
prohibition against “golden rule” arguments in his closing statement by asking the
jury to “give Mendi Cuellar some peace of mind knowing that justice has been
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done.” A “golden rule” argument is where counsel asks the jurors to put
themselves in the place of a party or victim. Courts frown upon this type of
appeal to the emotions or personal interests of the jurors. See State v. Musser,
721 N.W.2d 734, 754 (Iowa 2006); see also United States v. Palma, 473 F.3d
899, 902 (8th Cir. 2007). The prosecutor’s remark here was not a blatant attempt
to misdirect the jury. The prosecutor did not ask the jurors to place themselves in
the shoes of the robbery victim. See State v. Rice, 652 S.E.2d 409, 426 (S.C. Ct.
App. 2007) (finding prosecutor’s request that jury give the murder victim’s wife
“peace” and the victim “justice” did not rise to the level of a golden rule argument)
overruled on other grounds by State v. Byers, 710 S.E.2d 55 (S.C. 2011); see
also State v. Kinney, No. 03-1149, 2005 WL 291529 at *3 (Iowa Ct. App. Feb. 9,
2005) (finding nothing objectionable in closing argument asking court to “give
these women justice” and find the defendant responsible for the crimes).
But even if the prosecutor’s statement impermissibly diverted the jury’s
attention from the evidence and tried to obtain a conviction based on sympathy
for the victim, we find the statement was isolated and remedied by the district
court’s curative instruction. See Belken, 633 N.W.2d at 796 n.1 (presuming jury
adhered to curative instructions).
In determining whether prejudice resulted from prosecutorial misconduct,
we consider several factors within the context of the entire trial. State v. Graves,
668 N.W.2d 860, 869 (Iowa 2003). These factors include the severity and
pervasiveness of the misconduct, the significance of the misconduct to the
central issues in the case, the strength of the State’s evidence, the use of
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cautionary instructions or other curative measures, and the extent to which the
defense invited the improper conduct. Id. In this case, the misconduct, if any,
was isolated and had little significance given the defendant’s admissions to the
robbery. Moreover, the district court was in a better position to determine if the
prosecutor’s remark required a mistrial or could be addressed with a cautionary
instruction. See State v. Brotherton, 384 N.W.2d 375, 381 (Iowa 1986). We find
no abuse of discretion in the denial of the mistrial.
C. Was trial counsel ineffective in failing to object to the store
clerk’s testimony about the after-effects of the robbery?
To prevail on his claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, Ayabarreno
must show (1) counsel failed to perform an essential duty and (2) prejudice
resulted. See State v. Lane, 726 N.W.2d 371, 393 (Iowa 2007). Improvident trial
strategy, miscalculated tactics, or mistakes in judgment do not necessarily
amount to ineffective assistance of counsel. Osborn v. State, 573 N.W.2d 917,
922 (Iowa 1998). To prove prejudice, he must show a reasonable probability
that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would
have been different. See id.We evaluate the totality of the relevant circumstances in a de novo review.
Lane, 726 N.W.2d at 392. Generally, we do not resolve claims of ineffective
assistance of counsel on direct appeal. State v. Biddle, 652 N.W.2d 191, 203
(Iowa 2002). We prefer to leave such claims for postconviction relief
proceedings. State v. Lopez, 633 N.W.2d 774, 784 (Iowa 2001). But when the
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record is adequate, as it is here, we will resolve them. State v. Coil, 264 N.W.2d
293, 296 (Iowa 1978).
Ayabarreno faults his counsel for failing to object to the State’s
questioning of Cuellar about her continued fear after the robbery. He believes
the testimony was irrelevant and unfairly prejudicial.
Near the end of Cuellar’s direct testimony, the State played the recording
of her 911 call. The prosecutor then asked the witness if her life had changed as
a result of the robbery. She replied, “most definitely,” and detailed several steps
she has taken to be more cautious, for instance, locking her house and carrying
a concealed weapon. She also testified she did not sleep well after the robbery
because she did not feel safe. The exchange included eight questions and
answers. Defense counsel did not interpose any objections.
We first note the State was required to prove, as an element of robbery,
that Ayabarreno threatened or purposely placed the victim in fear. See Iowa
Code § 711.1. Defense counsel could have reasonably determined no ground
existed to object because the victim’s reaction to the crime was relevant to the
fear element of the robbery offense. See generally State v. Reynolds, 670
N.W.2d 405, 414 (Iowa 2003) (“Whether a particular victim was actually alarmed
by a defendant’s conduct is probative of whether such a reaction is a natural
consequence of that type of conduct. The fact the victim’s alarm is a typical
response to such conduct tends to establish that a person acting as the
defendant did should expect such a result.”).
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Moreover, regardless of any duty to object, we do not find prejudice
resulted from the questioning. First, the prosecutor’s line of inquiry was fairly
limited. Second, as we stated above, the State offered strong evidence of
Ayabarreno’s guilt—including his confession with knowledge of the precise
location of the robbery proceeds; a videotape of the robbery; and the recovery of
clothes that matched the description of those worn by the robber. We find no
reasonable probability the jury’s verdict would have been different had the store
clerk not testified concerning the after-effects of the crime.
AFFIRMED.