Lawlor v. Warden
Annotate this Case
Justia Opinion Summary
Want to stay in the know about new opinions from the Supreme Court of Virginia?
Sign up for free summaries delivered directly to your inbox. Learn More ›
You already receive new opinion summaries from Supreme Court of Virginia. Did you know we offer summary newsletters for even more practice areas and jurisdictions? Explore them here.
Defendant was convicted of capital murder in the commission of, or subsequent to, rape or attempted rape and capital murder in the commission of abduction with intent to defile. Defendant was sentenced to death on each conviction. The Supreme Court affirmed the convictions and death sentences. Here the Supreme Court considered Defendant’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus. The Court dismissed the petition, holding (1) the Commonwealth did not commit Brady violations or present false testimony or allow it to go uncorrected; (2) Defendant was not denied the effective assistance of counsel; and (3) the remainder of Defendant’s claims were either barred or without merit.
Download PDF
VIRGINIA: ~ tk../~ gown- o/r~ kid rd tk../~ gown- f?lJ~ m tk gityo/~(Nl, ?resent: Mark All tk 31st Friday ckyO/ October, 2014. Justices c Lawlor, against Petitioner, Record No. 131972 Keith W. Davis, Warden, Sussex I State Prison, Respondent. Upon a Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus Upon consideration of the petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed December 16, 2013, and the respondent's motion to dismiss, the Court is of the opinion that the motion should be that the wr should not issue. Mark Eric Lawlor was convicted in the County of capital murder in r anted rcuit Court of Fairfax commission of, or subsequent to, or attempted rape, Code § 18.2-31(5), and capital murder the commission of abduction with 31(1), and was sentenced to ent to defile, Code ath on each conviction. affirmed Lawlor's convictions § 18.2 This Court upheld his sentences of de in Lawlor v. Commonwealth, 285 Va. 187, 738 S.E.2d 847, cert. den U.S. , 134 S. Ct. 427 (2013). The victim, Genevieve Or ,was found on the floor of the living area of her studio apartment. door to Orange's apartment was unlocked and there were no signs of forced entry. Orange had been struck at least 47 t objects. s with one or more blunt Some of Orange's wounds were consistent with having been Others were consistent with having a frying struck wi th a hammer. struck cal examinat eauent en established had aspirated blood and sustained defensive wounds to that her hands eating she arms, conscious been alive during some part of the beating. 's body lay near her couch, which was saturated with was naked from the waist down, her bra and t-shirt had blood. been pushed up over her breasts, and semen was smeared on her abdomen right thigh. underpants had been f bloodi Her soi to the floor nearby. was found near Orange's body. sand metal A broken off and Its wooden handle the kitchen sink, near a bent and bloody metal frying was found pan. He also worked Lawlor resided in Orange's apartment building. to each there as a leasing consultant and had access to ke apartment. Testing of showed DNA consistent admitted atto semen on Orange's abdomen and thigh th Lawlor's DNA. or had kill Orange, but contested the abduction. allegations of premeditation, rape CLAIMS (I), In claims At trial, Lawlor's (II) & (V) (I) and (II), Lawlor alleges the Commonwealth failed to disclose exculpatory information as required by Brady v. Ma ~~L. ........ _ _ , 373 U. S. 83 sented false testimony or (1963), and allowed it to go uncorrected in violation of U.S. 264 As (1959), and Gi lio v. Unit v. Illinois States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972). Court has stated previously: [], the United States reme Court held that "the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused upon reauest violates due process where the 2 360 evidence is material either to guilt or to punishment, irrespect of the good ith or bad faith of the secution." [373 U.S.] at 87. Exculpatory e dence is material if there is a rea Ie probability that the outcome of the oceeding would have been different the evidence been disclosed to the defense. "A reasonable is one which is sufficient to in the outcome of proceeding. Muhammad v. Warden, 274 Va. 3, 4, 646 S.E.2d 182, 186 (2007) (citations that, tted) . s Court has previously held Furthermore, . , we must "to find that a violation of Napue occurred the testimony [at issue] was false, second ne first t dete lsity, and finally that secution knew of the that the the jury's judgment." falsity af (II), Lawlor alleges Detective In a portion of claims (I) John Tuller lied in his curriculum v defense pursuant to § Commonwealth 19.2-264.3:4, with its The notice named rt in bloodstain pattern Tuller as the Commonwealth's In his curriculum vitae, Tuller stated he had tain testified as an expert in b cases. which rt testimony. notice of intent to introduce e interpretation. z v. Commonwealth, 643 S.E.2d 708, 729 (2007). 273 Va. 458, 4 submitted to t Tele two of the cases Tuller However, testified only as a ct witness. ation in six tern inte ified, was a Tuller further stated current member of the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts (IABPA). IABPA had expired. However, Tuller's membersh Tuller cIa with the d he attended a crime scene investigation seminar at the Miami Metro-Dade Police Training Institute. However, the Mi Metro3 Police rtment has no record of his attendance. Finally, Tuller r he attended the 3loodstain Users Group S Jepartment of Forensic Science (DFS). such a s prese~t in 2003 nar at the Vi However, DFS nia ed ever nar. The Court rejects these portions of cla reco sented t (I) and (II). The , including the affidavits of Lawlor's counsel and the manuscript record, demonstrates that the alleged inconsistencies in Tuller's curriculum time of his trial. tae were known or available to Lawlor at the Thus, the Court holds that these portions of claims (I) and (II) are barred because t se non-juri cti issues could have been raised at trial and on direct appeal and, t are not cognizable in a petition v. Parr r a writ of habeas corpus. , 215 Va. 27, 29, 205 S.E.2d 680, 682 (1974), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1108 (1975). In another portion of claims (I) Tuller lied in about his (II), Lawlor contends trial court when questioned s testimony to rt qualifications. At trial, Tuller repeated his assertion he had testified as an expert in bloodstain interpretation in six cases. homi des, and ern ler also stated all six cases were the defendant in each case was convicted. However, Tuller testified as an expert in only four cases. Additionally, according to Tuller's curriculum vitae, one of the cases in which had testi wounding and not a homicide. identified in his curriculum ed as an expert invol a malicious Finally, of the six cases Tuller tae, one was Lawlor's liminary hearing, which had not, at the time of Tuller's testimony, resulted in a conviction. 4 The Court rejects t se portions of claims (I) and (II). Because the alleged inconsistencies in Tuller's representation of his qualifications were known or available to Lawlor at the t his tr 1, the Court hol (I ) are barred. that these These non-juri of ions of claims (I) and ctional issues could have been raised at trial and on direct appeal and, thus, are not cognizable in a ition r a writ of habeas corpus. Sla 215 Va. at 29, 205 S.E.2d at 682. In cla (V), Lawlor argues he was denied the effect assistance of counsel cause counsel failed to investigate and confront Detective Tuller's representations rega lifications to testify as an rt. ng his Lawlor contends thad counsel challenged Tuller's rt qualifications, there is a reasonable probability that t court would have sustained Lawlor's ection to Tuller's certification as an expert witness, that his testimony would have been been convicted of c not testified, to argue floor. luded, and tal murder. he would not have Lawlor argues that had Tuller Commonwealth would have had no evidentiary basis or abducted Orange by moving her from the couch to the Lawlor further contends that without Tuller's testimony, prosecutors would not have been able to rely on his opinions to argue Lawlor was capable of preme tation. Lawlor contends the Commonwealth relied on Tuller's opinion that Lawlor had tried to clean up the crime scene after the murder to demonstrate premeditation. Lawlor further contends the Commonweal Tuller's expert opinion to show the victim was in a vulne position when she was attac Tuller been permitted to testi relied on e lly, Lawlor contends that had as an expert 5 bloodstain pattern interpretation despite counsel's objections, counsel could have used s false statements to impeach h The Court hoI that cIa before the jury. (V) fails to satis the prej prong of the two-part test enunciated in Strickland v. Wa 466 U.S. 668, 687 (:984). and attached exh Of t ,including Tuller's affidavit ts and the affidavit of Lawlor's trial counsel, demonstrates that errors. The reco ler's curriculum vitae conta multiple six cases in which Tuller claimed to have testifi as an expert in bloodstain tern as an expert in only four. erpretation, he had testified Tuller was not a current member of the IABPA, his membership having red years before Lawlor's trial. Tuller attended the Miami-Dade Police Training Institute's Crime Scene Investigat Tuller stated. Seminar January 2003, not January 2002, as The Bloodstain Users Group Seminar Tuller attended in 2003 was not a 40 Tuller's curri r course and was not presented by DFS, as vitae stated. aware of at least one of the Although screpancies in Tuller's curriculum tae before trial, counsel fail to pursue an ade investigation or even ask Tuller about it dur interview with testifi as an e rt in blo been six r cases and had resulted in inconsistent with Tuller's Counsel, however, failed to stion Tuller screpancies. Assuming, without precl their pretrial tain pattern interpretation convictions was clearly incorrect about the e In addition, Tuller's testimony that he had cases and that all six curriculum vitae. or's counsel was iding, that these inaccuracies would have Tuller from testifying as an expert or, had he been permitted to testify as an rt, would have impeached his 6 expertise, Lawlor cannot show a reasonable probability of a different outcome. prove Law Tuller's expert testimony was not cruci r abducted Orange. to The Commonwealth was not required to sent evidence that Lawlor moved Orange from the couch to floor to prove he abducted her. H[T]he physical detention of a person, with the intent to deprive him of his personal liberty, by rce, intimidation, or deception, without any asportat ctim from one place to another, is sufficient." COIillllonwealth, 228 Va. 519, of the Scott v. 526, 323 S.E.2d 572, 576 (1984). The record, including the trial transcript, demonstrates there was overwhelming evidence to prove Lawlor us detain Orange. force to physically Dr. Constance DiAngelo, an Assistant Chief Medical Examiner and forensic pathologist, testified Orange sustained "severe, heavy trauma" when she was stuck in the thirty times with a blunt object. ad and face over Some of the blows left divots in Orange's skull, which was fractured so badly that it opened as if it were hinged. Dr. DiAngelo testified Orange sustained at least seventeen additional fensive wounds to her hands and arms. Combined with the blood in al for at least r lungs, this indicated Orange was rt of attack. The jury did not require Tuller's expert opinion to conclude that Lawlor detained Orange by physical force. In addition, the jury could reasonably infer, without the benefit of Tuller's expert testimony, that Lawlor moved Orange from the couch to the floor. Dr. DiAngelo testifi that the trauma to Orange's head occurred while she was on the couch. discovered lying on the floor, Orange was flat on her back, perpendicu r to the couch, with her feet near the end of the couch where the pool 7 of blood from her head was. The jury could reasonably infer from this evidence that Orange did not llingly move from the couch to the floor. Further, DiAngelo's testimo and the Commonwealth's photographs of the blood-soaked couch left no reasonable doubt that Orange was attacked there. Finally, the Commonwealth did not rely on Tuller's expert testimony to argue premeditation. Rather, to show premeditation, the Commonwealth relied on the location, force and number of ows to Orange; evidence of Lawlor's rational, competent behavior while purchasing and consuming drugs with Michael Johnson, who had cilitated Lawlor's purchase of drugs; Lawlor's ability to plan, as evi victim's ed by his obtaining the ys, traveling to her apartment, and using a back exit to avoid detection a r the murder; the obvious evidence of his ineffectual attempts to clean up the crime scene by placing the bloody pan and broken handle in the kitchen; of hammer and his knowledge of the crime. oody clothes; and s ev disposal s lying about his Thus, Lawlor has failed to demonstrate that there is a reasonable probability that, but for the errors alleged dif claim (V), the result of the proceeding would have been rent. CLAIM (III) In claim (III) (A), Lawlor contends he was denied the right to plead guilty and to have his sentence determined by a jury. contends that under Code § Lawlor 19.2 257, to plead guilty a defendant must waive his right to have a jury determine his sentence. Lawlor argues that when applied to a defendant charged with a capital offense, Code § 19.2-257 violates the Sixth Amendment under 8 decisions in Blakel 542 u. S. 296 (2004), Ri v. Washi Arizona, 536 U.S. 584 (2002), and rendi v. New Jerse v. 530 U.S. 466 (2000), because it requires the judge to determine the appropriate sentence on the basis of facts not "reflected in the jury verdict or admitted by the defendant." Blakel 542 U.S. at 303-04. The Court holds that claim (III) (A) non-juri ct is barred because this 1 issue could have been raised at trial and on direct appeal and, thus, is not of habeas corpus. Sl izable in a petition for a writ 215 Va. at 29, 205 S.E.2d at 682. In claim (I I I) (B), Lawlor contends he was ed the ef i ve assistance of counsel because counsel failed to protect his right to plead guilty and to have aggravati factors of vileness and future dangerousness, which must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt before a sentence of death may be imposed, jury. Lawlor contends counsel should have argued termined by a t Code 257 violates the Sixth Amendment because it requires the § 19.2 to J determine the appropriate sentence on the basis of facts not "reflect in the jury verdict or admitted by the defendant." Blakel , 542 U.S. at 303-04. The Court holds that cIa (III) (B) fails to satisfy prejudice prong of the two-part test enunciated in Strickland. Under Code § 19.2-264.4, the sentencing ury must consider, among other things, "the circumstances surrounding the offense." the ju y to consider all the evidence, both favorable and 's unfavorable, fore fixing punishment. St r v. Commonwealth, 220 Va. 260, 275 76, 257 S.E.2d 808, 819 (1979). Lawlor had been permitt to ad 9 It is Thus, even if Ity and have his sentence ermined by a jury, the sentencing jury necessarily would have had access to the evidence presented in the guilt phase of Lawlor's trial, including the evidence adduced at trial of the brutal nature of Lawlor's cr s. ea would have respons n addition, although Lawlor argues a guilty rmitted him to show remorse and accept ility in front of the jury, the record, trial transcr , demonstrates that counsel effect as if Lawlor had entered a guilty plea. through the including the ly proceeded From opening statement of trial, Lawlor's trial counsel conceded Lawlor had murdered Orange. The record further est crimes were extremely brutal, t t t significantly, that immediately a ishes that the victim suffer r the murder Lawlor insisted had no knowledge of the crimes and attempted to cast su his neighbor, and t a icion on er his DNA was discovered on the victim, Lawlor insisted he was being framed. Under the circumstances, Lawlor cannot show that had he been permitted to plead guilty and have his sentence ermined by a jury, the ju a different outcome. would have reached Thus, Lawlor has failed to demonstrate that there is a reasonable probability that, but for the errors alleged in claim (III) (8), the result of the proceeding would have been different. CLAIM (IV) In cIa (IV) (A) a port of claim (IV) (C), Lawlor contends he was denied a fair trial because t four of its f prosecution used peremptory strikes to remove all persons of Hispanic and Pacific-Island ethnicity from the jury venire and the trial court failed to ensure those strikes were not based upon the ethnicity of jurors. 10 The Court holds that claim (IV) (A) and this portion of claim ( V) (C) are rred because these non-jurisdictional issues could have been raised at trial and on direct appeal and, thus, are not cognizable in a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. Sla 215 Va. at 29, 205 S.E.2d at 682. rtion of claim (IV) (C), Lawlor In claim (IV) (B) and another contends he was denied the effective assistance of counsel because counsel failed to object to the Co~monwealthls removal of all rsons of Hispanic and Pacific-Island ethnicity from the jury venire. The Co~monwealth used peremptory strikes to remove G Alvarez, Fredericka Wall, Vene a Fernandez, and Dave Lunasco from the venire of twenty-four qualif jurors. Alvarez, Wall, and Fernandez were Lawlor all s that only members of the panel of Hispanic ethnicity, and that Lunasco was the only person of Paci c-Island ethni ty. Lawlor contends that the removal of all spanic and Pacific-Island jurors was prima facie evidence of discrimination, and that counsel unreasonably f led to object to their exclusion. The Court holds that claim (IV) (B) and this portion of claim (IV) (C) satisfy neither the performance nor t the two rt test enunci applicable to 11 in Strickland. The principles s of racial motivation for the exercise of remptory strikes on a jury panel in ted States Supreme Court in (1986), and s prejudice prong of ially were set out by the son v. Kentuc 476 U.S. 79 equently have been refined in decisions of this Court. 11 As the Court s stated previously: When a defendant makes a Batson challen to the use of a peremptory strike, he must show that the individual "is a member of a cognizable racial group," and "make a prima facie showing that the remptory strike was made on racial grounds." Mere exclusion of members of a particular race by usi peremptory strikes "does not self establish such a pr facie case under Batson." To establish a prima fa e case, the defendant must also "identify facts and circumstances that raise an inference that potential jurors were excluded based on their race." r v. Commonwealth 271 Va. 362, 407, (2006) (internal citations omit 626 S.E.2d 383, 412 ) {citing - - - - - - = " - v. Yarbr - Commonwealth, 262 Va. 388, 394, 551 S.E.2d 306, 309 (2001) (quoting Batson, 476 U.S. at 96), and Jackson v. Commonwealth, 266 Va. 423, 436, 587 S.E.2d 532, 542 Once a to the (quot fendant makes a pr Co~~onwealth striking (2003)). juror." facie case, the burden ifts "to produce race-neutral explanations for ---"- , 271 Va. at 407, 626 S.E.2d at 412 Jackson, 266 Va. at 436, 587 S.E.2d at 542). defendant can then argue the Commonwealth's pretext for unconstitutional discr nation. The lanations were a Id. Lawlor has failed to establish a prima facie case of purposeful discrimination that counsel should have recognized and llenged, and that the trial court would have accepted. Lawlor asserts that the Commonwealth's perempto i~ exclusion of all though strikes resulted rsons of Hispanic and Pacific-Island ethnicity from the jury, he proffers no basis for his assertio~ Lhat the strikes were racially motivated other than observi that Commonwealth were either of four of the five jurors struck by 12 Island ethnicity. Hispanic or Pacif Lawlor does not assert that the jurors the Commonwealth chose to strike were members of the same race as either Lawlor or the victim, or identify any other "'facts and rcumstances that raise an inference that potential jurors were excluded based on their race. , .. 407, 626 S.E.2d at 412 S.E.2d at 309). ~hus, (quoting Ya -'=-=':"=":'~-"--=---L:"::' Jun r .::...:::::.:.:..:~= 271 Va. at 262 Va. at 394, 551 Lawlor has failed to demonstrate that counsel's performance was ficient or that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's alleged errors, the result of the proceeding wou have been different. C:i.,AIM (VI) In a portion of claim (VI), Law ffective assistance of counsel because counsel W. was denied the contends il to ask Dr. exander Morton, Jr., a psychopharmacologist appointed by the trial court to assist Lawlor, to opine whether consumption of "the better part of a case of beer and at least two to three eight-balls of crack cocaine" would render a person incapable of and premeditation. object inadmiss to s Lawlor contends t 1 ration when the Commonwea testimony and the trial court ruled it was le, trial counsel unreasonably agreed not to present such evidence without first arguing it was admissible. In support of is claim, Lawlor has provided an affidavit from Morton in which he states his opinion, to a reasonable degree of scientific ~ The Court rejects Lawlor's assertion that he is not required to show prejudice under Strickland. Counsel's failure to object to the Commonwealth's peremptory strikes is not a "structural error." See Jackson v. Warden, 271 Va. 434, 436, 627 S.E.2d 776, 781 (2006) . 13 certainty, that Lawlor would not have been able to form the necessary intent to premeditate after ingesti that quantity of alcohol and cocaine. ion of claim (VI) satisfies Court holds that this two-part neither the performance nor the prejudice prong of t The proffered expert opinion, that test enunciated in Strickla time of the killing, was properly Lawlor did not premeditate at ruled inadmissible because it went to the "precise or ult fact issue" in the case and "to have admitted the opinion would have invaded the province of the jury." 683, Wa v. Commonwealth 219 Va. 696, 251 S.E.2d 202, 210 (1979) (internal quotation marks and citations omitt In ). tion, the record, including the trial transcript, demonstrates that on the eveni Michae Johnson purchas ten three "eight-balls," or approximate and a half grams, of coca and that together they consumed and nine grams. between ei before the murder, Lawlor and Johnson testifi consumed all of the first and second "ei had consumed about two grams. he and Lawlor -ball," of which Johnson Of the third eight-ball, of whi son and Lawlor consumed half, Johnson testified Lawlor had consumed about a gram of the cocaine and that he had consumed less than one gram. Johnson testifi he and Lawlor been king beer, but was unable to say how much beer Lawlor had actually consumed. Thus, the evidence established that Lawlor consumed approximately six grams of cocaine and an unknown quantity of beer. Therefore, the proffered opinion, which assumed Lawlor consumed "the better part of a case of beer" of cocaine, was not based on facts in 14 between seven and ten dence and would not have been admissible. See S on v. Commonwealth, 227 Va. 557, 565-66, 318 S.E.2d 386, 391 (1984) Further, the record, including the trial transcr demonstrates that Morton testified as to the hypothetical effect that consumption of large quantities of cocaine and alcohol would have on a consumi son in Lawlor's position. alcohol and cocaine toget Morton testified that r negat ly impacts an individual's ability to think rationally and make that the consumption of alar isions and amount of alcohol and cocaine could olent behavior and cause an individual to become cause "unpredictable, impulsive, and unstable." rson consuming three Morton that a a half grams of cocaine over the course of an eight hour period would expe ence profound psychiatric symptoms, including inability to think clearly, paranoia, and aggression, and these symptoms would increase at higher doses, though the ef Lawlor has fail s would vary depending on the individual. to demonstrate that counsel's Thus, rformance was deficient or that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's alleged errors, the result of the proce ng would have been different. In another portion of cia (VI), Lawlor contends he was denied the effective assistance of counsel because counsel fai to provide Morton with an opportunity to interview Lawlor before trial. Lawlor contends that had Morton interviewed him, Morton would have been able to opine that Lawlor's ior drug use and addiction affected his reaction to the drugs he consumed in the hours before the murder and "further diminished his ability to premeditate and 1 rate." Lawlor contends this opinion would 15 have opened the door to other evidence of his history of drug use and addiction, which the trial court had found to be inadmissible in the guilt phase of the trial. (VI) The Court holds that this portion of cIa satisfies neither the performance nor the prejudice prong of the two-part test enunciated in Strickland. suscept Morton's opinion about Lawlor's ility to the effects of the drugs he consumed before murder would not have opened the door to evidence of his history of drug use and addiction. An expert may not relate hearsay ev to the jury when providing his opinion testimony. Wr Commonwealth, 245 Va. 177, 197, 427 S.E.2d 379, 392 on other rounds, 512 U.S. 1217 Commonwealth, 238 Va. 389, fa Is to proffer any 416, (1994); see also 384 S.E.2d 757, v. (1993), vacated Buc~anan v. 773 (1989). Lawlor dence Morton could have gleaned from an interview with him that would have been admissible. T~us, Lawlor has failed to demonstrate that counsel's performance was defi ent or that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's alleged errors, the result of the proceeding would ~ave been fferent. CLAIMS (VII) & (VIII) In claim (VIII) (A), Lawlor contends the jury instructions were defective because t~ey fail to define specific intent, instructed the jury they could infer Lawlor's intent from the natural and probable consequences of his acts, and fai between premeditated to distinguish rst degree murder and first degree murder in the commission of rape or abduction. The Court holds that claim (VIII) (A) is barred because is non-jurisdictional issue could have been raised at trial and on 16 direct appeal and, thus, is not cognizable in a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. In a Sla on, 215 Va. at 29, 205 S.E.2d at 682. was denied rtion of claim (VIII) (B), Lawlor contends the effective assistance of counsel because counsel fail request instructions de to ning specific intent, stating that ent differs from general intent, and explaining the specific two. difference between instructions, Lawlor contends that without such jurors would not have understood that they had to find that Lawlor had the specific intent to kill Orange, and it was not sufficient to find he had the general intent to do an act that resulted in her death, before convicting him of capital murder or premeditated first degree murder. The Court holds that this portion of claim (VIII) satis does not two-part test enunciated in the performance prong of Strickland. (B) Generally, courts now disfavor instructing jurors on specific versus general intent and the difference between the two. ed States v. Perez See 1994) (not 43 F.3d 1131, 1138 instructions distinguishing between (7th r. cific general intent are not as helpful to juries as those stating "pre se mental state required for the particular cr =s~t=a~t~e=s__~.-=~~=l=i~n, v 26 F.3d 1523, 1527 (10th Cir. 1994) instructing jury in terms of specific intent because of t "); Unit (noting s been disfavored confusing and ambiguous nature of such instructions); see also Qnited States v~ Jobe, 101 F.3d 1046, 1059 (5th Cir. 1996) (no error in failing to give instruction defining specific intent where t al court instruct jury on element of intent and clearly defined the term "knowingly"); cf. Dixon v. United States, 548 U.S. 1, 7 (2006) 17 (recogniz g lithe movement away from the traditional dichotomy of general versus specific intent and toward a more specifically defined hierarchy of culpable mental states") . Here, the record, including the trial transcript and the jury instructions, demonstrates the jury was instructed that to find Lawlor guilty of capital or premeditated first degree murder, they had to find the killing was Ilful, deliberate, and premeditated. The jury was further instructed: will 1, deliberate, and premeditated means a specific intent to kill adopted at some time before the killing but which need not exist for any particular length of time. An intent to kill may be formed only a moment before the fatal act is committed, provided the accused has time to think and did intend to 11. This instruction properly instructed the jury about the requisite intent necessary to support a finding of premeditated murder. Any additional definition of the term specific intent, which was itself used to define "willful, deliberate, and premeditat , .. would have been redundant and potentially confusing, and counsel was not deficient for failing to make a contrary argument. has failed to demonstrate that counsel's Thus, .wawlor rformance was deficient. In another portion of claim (VIII) (B), Lawlor contends he was denied the ef ive assistance of counsel because counsel failed to adequately object to a jury struction that instructed the jury they could infer Lawlor's intent from the natural and probable consequences of s acts. Lawlor contends that although this instruction has been approved by this Court, it was improper in this case because it suggested the jury could determine it was Lawlor's purpose to kill Orange because the natural and probable 18 consequence of his conduct was to cause her death. Lawlor argues this blurs the distinction between specific intent to kill and general intent to do an act which, while not intended to do so, results in death. The Court holds that this portion of cIa satis (VI I I) (B) does not the performance prong of the two-part test enunciated in Strickland. 7he natural and probable consequence of striking Orange 47 times with a blunt object, principally in the head, was her death. require, t 7he instruction properly jury to in rmitted, but did not r from the fact that when Lawlor struck her 47 times with a blunt object, he intended to kill her. was not ineffective for Counsel iling to object to this instruction. Thus, Lawlor has failed to demonstrate that counsel's performance was deficient. In another portion of claim (VIII) (B) and a portion of claim (VII), Lawlor contends he was denied the effective assistance of counsel because counsel failed to ask that the instructions on first degree murder use the terms "premeditated first degree murder" and "felony first degree murder" to dif rentiate between premeditated first degree murder and first degree murder in the commission of rape, attempted rape, or abduction. Lawlor contends the instructions given were confusing because they used the term "first murder" to describe two different theories under which Lawlor could be convicted of rst degree murder. Lawlor argues the lack of a descriptive label in the instructions could have confused the jury because under Virginia law, voluntary intoxication is a defense only to premeditated murder, and not to felony first degree murder. He further argues that the lack of a 19 descript label could also have confused the jury because in closing argument counsel conceded Lawlor was guilty of first degree murder. Although counsel argued Lawlor was incapable of premeditation and that the murder occurred during an altercation, the ury could have been confused and assumed couns premeditation because the instruction was conceding not clearly label different theories of first degree murder. The Court holds that these portions of claims (VI I I) (B) and (VII) do not satisfy the performance prong of the two-part test enunci in Strickland. The record, incl transcript, demonstrates that ng the trial jurors were instruct The defendant is charged with the cr of capital murder in the commission of or subsequent to or attempted rape. The Commonwealth must beyond a reasonable doubt each of the following elements of that cr Genevieve 11 (1) That the defendant and rate, , del (2 ) That the killing was will and premeditated; and rson in the (3 ) That the killing was of a commission of, or subsequent to rape or attempted rape. If you nd the Commonwealth has proved beyond a reasonable doubt each of the above elements of the crime as charged, then you shall find the fendant guilty capital murder in the commission of or subsequent to rape or attempted rape and shall not fix the punishment until your verdict has been returned and further evidence is heard by you. If you find from the evidence that the Commonwealth has proven beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant killed Genevieve Orange and that the killing occurred in the 20 co~mission of, or subsequent to rape or attempted rape, bJt that the killing was not willful, deliberate and premeditated, then you shall find the defendant guilty of first degree murder and shall not fix the punishment until your verdict has been returned and further evidence has been heard by you. If you find from the dence that the Commonwealth has not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the killing occurred in the commission of, or subsequent to rape or attempted but the Commonwealth has proved beyond a reasonable doubt: (1) (2 ) (3 ) That the defendant killed Genevieve Orange; and rate, That the killing was willful, del and premeditated; and That the killing was malicious, then you shall find the defendant guilty of first degree mJrder and shall not fix the punishment until your verdict has been returned and further evidence has been heard by you. If you find from the evidence that the Commonwealth has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant killed Genevieve Orange and that the killing was malicious but that the Commonwealth has not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the killing was willful, deliberate and premeditated and was not in the commission of, or subsequent to rape or attempted rape, then you shall find the defendant guilty of second degree murder but shall not fix the punishment until your verdict has been returned and further evidence is heard by you. If you find that the Co~~onwealth has failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt any of the crimes listed above, then you 11 find the defendant not guilty. The =ury received a nearly identical instruction on the charge of capital murder in commission of abduction with intent to 21 defile. These instructions were not confusing. They clearly delineated the distinctions between capital murder; premeditated first degree murder; first degree murder in the commission of a rape, attempted rape or abduction; and second degree murder. iling to argue to the contrary. Counsel was not ineffective for Thus, Lawlor has failed to demonstrate that counsel's performance was deficient. In another portion of claim (VII), Lawlor contends he was denied the ef ctive assistance of counsel because counsel iled to realize, until the end of the guilt phase of the trial, that Lawlor cou murder even if the jury be convicted of first de found he was incapable of premeditation, if the jury found he killed Orange in the commission of rape or abduction. Lawlor argues that because counsel failed to understand the applicable law, counsel based Lawlor's guilt-phase Lawlor was so intoxicated at the t fense on the theory that of the offenses that he was incapable of premeditation. The Court holds that this portion of claim (VII) fails to satisfy the prejudice prong of the two-part test enunciated in Strickland. Lawlor ils to identify any defense theory that counsel could have, but did not, argue because of counsel's alleged failure to recognize that Lawlor could be convicted of first degree felony murder, or to show that such a successful. fense would have been See Hinton v. Alabama, 571 U.S. , 134 S. Ct. 1081, 1089 (2014) (per curiam) (even where counsel makes a mistake of law, petitioner challenging a criminal conviction still bears the burden of showing a reasonable probability that, absent counsel's error, the fact finder would have had a reasonable doubt as to 22 petitioner's guilt). Thus, or has failed to demonstrate that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's alleged errors, the result of the proceeding would have been dif In another portion of cIa deni rent. (VII), Lawlor contends he was the effective assistance of counsel because counsel focused closing argument almost exclusively on voluntary intoxication and asked the jury to find him guilty of first degree murder without differentiating between premeditated first de felony murder. murder and rst Lawlor argues this suggested to the jury that counsel was conceding t evidence proved premeditation. The Court holds that this portion of claim (VII) satisfies neither the performance nor the prejudice prong of the two-part test enunciated in Strickland. The record, including the trial transcript, demonstrates that counsel argued during closing argument that Lawlor's crimes were not premeditated and jury would not have reasonably believed counsel was conceding the evidence was sufficient to prove premeditation. Thus, ~awlor failed to demonstrate that counsel's performance was de has ent or that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's alleged errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. CLAIM (IX) In a portion of claim (IX), ~awlor contends he was de effective assistance of counsel because counsel the iled to move for a mistrial when jurors overheard portions of a bench conference. Lawlor contends that in the guilt phase of the trial during counsel's cross examination of Detective Brian Colligan, counsel questioned why Colligan initially became su 23 icious of Law The trial court called counsel to a bench conference, during which the prosecutor noted the answer to counsel's prior abduction conviction. stion included Lawlor's The trial court told Lawlor's counsel he was about to cause a mistrial if he pursued the question and that the court was "not going to declare it if you do it." Lawlor contends defense counsel should have asked for a mistrial at that po ,because the jury could hear both the prosecutor's statement and the trial court's admonishment of Lawlor's counsel. of this claim, Lawlor prof In support rs the affidavit of Michael Chick, Jr., a member of Lawlor's defense team. Chick avers that the courtroom was small and that he could hear portions of most of the bench conferences, even from his position in the back of the courtroom, especially those that were "heated." Chick avers that during the conference about Colligan's testimony, he heard the t al court advise counsel "in an angry tone," that he "was not going to a mistrial if [counsel] continued with his line of questioning." Chick further avers that he told counsel that he heard "that conversation, and that it was likely that the jurors could hear it too." The Court holds that this portion of claim (IX) satisfies neither the performance nor the prejudice prong of the two-part test enunciated in Strickland. Lawlor fails to proffer any support for his allegation that the jury overheard the prosecutor mention Lawlor's prior abduction conviction. Although Chick avers he overheard portions of many bench conferences, especially those that were heated, and that he specifically heard the trial court tell counsel he was not going to grant a mistrial, Chick does not state that he heard the prosecutor's remark or provide any reason to 24 believe the jury heard it. Lawlor does not suggest the prosecutor's voice was loud or "heated" when he made the cOJTh.'1lent, which appears to have been made specifically to prevent any dence of the prior conviction from being inadvertently introduced during the guilt phase of the t a l . In addition, while "[rJulings made in words or manner indicating antagonism or resentment toward counsel may convey the impression that the feeling inc v. s also counsel's client," Commonwealth, 190 Va. 48, 56, 55 S.E.2d 446, 450 Lhe record in the present case, including the t (1949), al transcripts, does not demonstrate such "antagonism or resentment" in the trial court's admonishment of counsel during this bench conference. Assuming the jury heard the exchange, the tr 1 judge's warning that counsel was about to cause a mistrial, which the court would not grant, likely suggested to the jury the court's spleasure with the possibility that counsel was about to do something that would negatively impact Lawlor or that counsel's behavior could potentially negatively impact Lawlor. Further, the trial court instructed the jury at the beginning of the trial that they were to base their verdict solely on the instruction of law and the evidence presented at trial, that "no statement or ruling or remark might make from the bench is intended in any way to indicate to you what my personal opinion might be," that conference was to ensure that the only e purpose of a bench dence received by the jury was that "which is appropriate and proper under our laws," and that the jury should not hold such conferences against either the Comrnonweal th or the defendant. "It is presumed that a jury will follow the instructions given by the trial court." 25 Muhamrnad, 274 Va. at 18, 646 S.E.2d at 195 (citation omitted). Thus, Lawlor has failed to demonstrate that counsel's performance was deficient or that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's alleged errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. In another portion of claim (IX), Lawlor contends he was denied the effective assistance of counsel because counsel failed to move for a mistrial when jurors overheard portions of a second bench conference. Lawlor contends that while discussing last minute changes to jury tructions, the trial court loudly admonished counsel, stating "[y]ou know, you've had this case for two years, and we're now sting here-this is the best you can do with jury tructions?" Lawlor contends that during this conference the trial court further admonished counsel for failing to include an approved instruction with the wr ten instructions presented to the court that morning, saying, "I gave you that pile back yesterday and said return those instructions to me." Lawlor alleges that these comments were audible to everyone in the courtroom, that they were prejudicial to him because they suggested defense counsel was unprepared and uninformed, and that defense counsel should have asked for a mistrial. In support of this claim, Lawlor relies on the affidavits of Chick, Meghan Shapiro, and Thomas Walsh, also members of Lawlor's defense team, who each aver that they heard the trial court loudly and sharply reprimand counsel. The Court holds that this portion of claim (IX) satisfies neither the performance nor the prejudice prong of the two-part test enunciated in Strickland. Assuming the jury heard the trial 26 court's comments, Lawlor does not allege that the jury heard the rest of the bench conference and does not articulate how the jury would have known whether the judge was admonishing defense counsel or the prosecutor. In addition, the trial court had p ously instructed the jury that t y were to base their verdict solely on the instructions and the dence, and that "no statement or ruling or remark I might make from the bench is intended in any way to indicate to you what my personal opinion might be." "It is presumed that a jury will follow the instructions given by the trial court." Muhammad, 274 Va. at 18, 646 S.E.2d at 195 (citation omitted); see also United States v. Lomax, 87 F.3d 959, Cir. 1996) 962 (8th (appellate court assumed that, even if jury overheard bench conference, they disregarded the information in compliance with the judge's instruction directing jury to consider only evidence presented at t a l l . Thus, Lawlor has failed to demonstrate that counsel's performance was deficient or that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's alleged errors, the result of the proceeding would have n different. CLAIM (X) In claim (X), Lawlor contends he was denied the effective assistance of counsel because, during the sentencing phase, counsel opened the door to the admission of evidence of Lawlor's abuse of his former fiancé,Amanda Godlove. Lawlor argues the Commonwealth elicited testimony from Godlove that Lawlor had abducted her in 1998, a cr for which he had been convicted, but did not elicit any testimony regarding Lawlor's relationship with or violence toward Godlove prior to the abduction. On cross- nation, Lawlor's counsel asked Godlove about her relationship with Lawlor 27 prior to abduction, eliciting testimony from Godlove that Lawlor had anger control issues, Godlove only agreed to marry Lawlor because she was afraid to refuse his proposal, and she ended their relationship because she was afraid of Lawlor. On redirect, the Commonwealth elicited testimony about the tenor of Lawlor's entire relationship with Godlove, including specific acts of violence toward Godlove. Lawlor's counsel objected to this testimony, but the trial court found counsel had opened door for the admission of the evidence through cross-examination. Lawlor contends this evidence, which included testimony that Lawlor sometimes went into a "white hot rage," that he had thrown an ashtray at Godlove, hit her, grabbed her, and twice choked her to the point of unconsciousness, would not have been admitted if not for counsel's error and that but for the admission of the dence, the Commonwealth could not have proved the aggravating factor of future dangerousness and the jury would not have sentenced Lawlor to death. The Court holds claim (X) fails to satisfy the prejudice prong of the two-part test enunciated in Strickland. The record, including the trial transcript, demonstrates that at the t the testimony complained of was admitted, Godlove had already testi that prior to the abduction, but after she and Lawlor had ended their relationship, Lawlor called her at work and approached her office, and as a result of Lawlor's behavior she felt the need to have two men escort "for [her] safety." r to her car every night when she left work Godlove testi established a routine whereby s ed she and her mother had would phone her mother every night when she left work, and her mother knew how long it would 28 ed then take Godlove to get home. Godlove would again call her mother as she approached the house, and upon arriving home Godlove would pull into the garage but stay in her car, with the windows rolled up, the doors locked, and r hand on garage door until the door had her car. remote control for the ly closed before getting out of These measures were to ensure Godlove's safety. Godlove testified that on the evening of the abduction she had followed this routine, but when she got near r house she noticed a car which was not normally there and which matched the description she had of Lawlor's car. Godlove then called her mother and asked her to meet her at the door. the car followed her. home. Then she drove past her home to see if When it did not, she turned around and went She pulled into her garage and waited in locked, windows rolled up, hand on the the door in the rear view mirror. r car, doors ge door opener, watching Before the door closed, Lawlor rolled under it and approached the car, demanding to talk with Godlove. When she told him to leave, he got very angry and started banging on the car. Godlove's mother saw what was happening and told Lawlor she was going to call the police. According to Godlove's testimony "normally, that would be enough of a deterrent" but on this night Lawlor said he did not care. opened t Godlove's mother garage door and motioned to Godlove to drive away. Godlove attempt When to do so, Lawlor climbed onto the hood of the car and began hitting and kicking the windshield until he managed to put a hole in it. Lawlor reached through the windshield, turned off the car, opened the door, dragged Godlove out, threw her into his car, and drove away. Eventually, Lawlor's rage dissipated and he freed Godlove after she feigned a severe asthma attack. 29 Based upon this testimony, the jury knew Godlove was afraid of Lawlo~ long before he abducted her. Thus, Lawlor has failed to demonstrate that but for counsel's alleged errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. CLAIM (XI) In claim (XI), Lawlor contends he was denied the effective assistance of counsel because counsel failed to elicit from Lawlor's therapist, Mary Fisher, evidence that Lawlor had to her that he had been sexually abused by his father. of this claim, Lawlor p~ovides In support an affidavit from Fisher in which she avers she is a nurse practitioner and mental health issues. ed cializing in psychological She treated Lawlor in the 11 of 2005, and she diagnosed Lawlor with poly-substance abuse, poly-substance dependence, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of being the victim of childhood physical and sexual abuse. Fisher avers that Lawlor disclosed to her in their initial meetings that he had been physically and sexually abused multip he had been sexually abused by his father. times and that sher further avers that Lawlor suffered from flashbacks of being sexually abused by his father and of his sister being sexually abused by their father. Fisher further avers that she provided this information to Lawlor's defense team prior to trial. Lawlor contends that had the jury known he had been sexually abused by his father, there is a reasonable likelihood that the jury would not have sentenced him to death. The Court holds claim (XI) satisfies neither the performance nor the prejudice prong of the two-part test enunciated in Strickland. The record, including the trial transcript, 30 demonstrates that Fisher testified on Lawlor's behalf during the sentencing phase of his trial. Fisher testified that she had diagnosed Lawlor with PTSD, that such a diagnosis re red at least one qualifying traumatic event in the patient's past, and that she had based her diagnosis of Lawlor, in part, on his "revelation of both physical and probable history of sexual abuse" of "himself and family members." When asked what that revelation of probable sexual abuse was, Fisher responded that the revelation was "innuendo that he also had a history of sexual abuse himself, but I don't I he ever specifically said that at that point until we terminated treatment." Fisher further testified that in her init I meetings with Lawlor there was some "reference made to possible abuse by a peer, but was not specifically addressed in the short time that we had to talk." sher went on to explain that when dealing with a new patient it was important to ask open-ended questions and establish a trusting relationship and that it is not unusual for a patient to initially deny having a history of sexual abuse. Fisher elaborated that she would not have expected Lawlor to immediately disclose all of the sexual abuse he suffered. Fisher further testified that Lawlor had specifically described flashbacks involving traumatic events with peers, and "violent incidents between he [sic] and his dad and his sister that he was involved in." Finally, Fisher testified that toward the end of Lawlor's treatment, which lasted several weeks and spanned four to five sessions, she had referred Lawlor for inpatient treatment, for which he had en refused, and that during the intake procedure Lawlor reported he had a history of physical and sexual abuse by 31 someone he lived with after he ran away from home at t sixteen. age of Thus, despite being asked numerous open-ended questions by Lawlor's counsel, Fisher's testimony established that during her treatment of Lawlor, he never specifically stated he had been sexually abused, although he had suggested that might be the case, and that his suggestions of abuse involved peers, not his father. The first direct report of sexual abuse, according to Fisher's testimony, was in Lawlor's intake report. To the extent this testimony differs from Fisher's affidavit, this Court need not decide which is more credible. Counsel could reasonably have determined, based on Fisher's testimony at trial, that if asked directly if Lawlor had ever reported to her that he had been sexual~y "No." abused by his father, Fisher's response would have been, As Lawlor concedes, he had repeatedly attempted throughout the course of the trial to establish that he had been sexually abused by his father, and counsel could reasonably have determined that asking this question would have been more detrimental than helpful to his case. Thus, Lawlor has failed to demonstrate that counsel's performance was deficient or that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's alleged errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. CLAIM (XII) In claim (XII), Lawlor contends he was denied the effect assistance of counsel because counsel failed to present testimony from Dr. James Hopper, a clinical psychologist with expertise in the long-term effects of childhood abuse, who was appointed by the trial court to assist Lawlor. Lawlor contends that Dr. Hopper's testimony should have been presented as part of his mitigation 32 evidence to put Lawlor's prior bad acts and Orange's murder into context by showing Lawlor's criminal acts were rooted in the trauma he suffered during his childhood and adolescence. Lawlor further contends that Dr. Hopper's testimony should have been presented to show Lawlor's mental health and substance abuse treatment programs had been ineffective because they fail to address his underlying mental health issues, and to support the central mitigation theme that Lawlor was an abused and neglected child who turned to drugs and alcohol, that his violent acts had been the result of his addictions, and that he should not be sentenced to death. Lawlor proffers that Dr. Hopper would have testified the abuse and neglect Lawlor suffered as a child negatively affected his ability to plan, make decisions, and regulate his emotions and behavior. Dr. Hopper would have testified that Lawlor's history of neglect and abuse and the resulting behavioral and interpersonal deficits led Lawlor to addiction and a cycle of sobriety and relapse, often involving criminal act ty and incarceration, and this cycle was exacerbated by the lack of treatment for his underlying issues. Lawlor her proffers Dr. Hopper would have testified Lawlor's cocaine and alcohol binge on the night of the murder was an inevitable result of his initial success maintaining sobriety and a good job, which led him to distance himself from his support network and stop attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. When his grandmother and a friend subsequently died, Lawlor had completely isolated himself from his support network and began a downward spiral. The Court holds claim (XII) satisfies neither the performance nor the prejudice prong of the two-part test enunciated in 33 Strickland. The Un ed States Supreme Court has held that, in determining whether a petitioner has established prejudice based upon counsel's failure to present additional mitigation evidence, a reviewing court should consider whether a competent attorney, aware of the evidence, would have introduced it at sentencing and whether, had the jury been confronted with the evidence, there is a reasonable probability it would have returned a different sentence. v. Belmontes, 558 U.S. 15, 20 (2009). In evaluating this second question, a reviewing court must consider all t relevant evidence the jury would have considered, not just the proffered additional mitigation evidence but also any rebuttal evidence the prosecution might have offered, and determine if the petitioner has shown "a reasonable probability that the jury would have rejected a capital sentence after it weighed the entire body of mitigating evidence." Id. Here, the record, including the trial transcript, demonstrates that much of the mitigating evidence Lawlor faults counsel for failing to introduce was cumulative of the substantial mitigation evidence already introduced. Many witnesses, including Lawlor's family members, probation officers, and Mary Fisher, presented evidence that Lawlor was an abused and neglected child who turned to drugs and alcohol. Dr. Morton, Lawlor's expert psychopharmacologist, and Fisher presented evidence that individuals who suffer childhood trauma and have untreated psychiatric problems often turn to drugs and alcohol to "self icate," and that Lawlor's mental health and substance abuse treatment programs had been ineffective because they failed to address his underlying mental health issues. 34 Morton and John Sullivan, the clinical coordinator for S that Lawlor completed just months s to Recovery, a program fore he killed Orange, presented evidence that Lawlor's addictions had precipitated numerous violent acts. Morton and Sullivan also presented evidence regarding the cycle of addiction, sobriety, and relapse, and Morton explained how such cycles may be aggravated by untreated underlying psychiatric problems. The cumulative mitigating evidence Lawlor contends counsel should have introduced would not have Lawlor. §~~ i<L._ at 22 (finding no prej udice where ded itioner's proffered mitigating evidence "was merely cumulative" of the mitigating evidence counsel had presented) . In addition, the record, including the trial transcript, demonstrates that some of the mitigating evidence Lawlor faults counsel for failing to adduce would have contradicted mitigating evidence that Lawlor had already introduced. Lawlor's mitigation witnesses testified Lawlor began to discontinue his participation in AA meetings as soon as he graduated from Steps to Recovery and his participation was no longer required. died in July 2008, however, ci When Lawlor's friend e of support he had generated while at Steps to Recovery was still available to him. that Members of rcle gave Lawlor a ride to the memorial, called and encouraged him to go to AA meetings, and even went to Lawlor's place of employment to persuade him to do so. Steps to Recovery encouraged graduates to visit and held alumni nights once a month. Friends and members of Lawlor's church remained available to and supportive of him. The proffered expert testimony that Lawlor no longer had a support network available to him would have contradicted his own witnesses. 35 Further, the additional mitigation evidence Lawlor contends should have been introduced would have opened the door to rebuttal evidence from Dr. Hagan, who had examined Lawlor in accordance with Code § 19.2-264.3:1. The record, including Dr. Hagan's report, demonstrates that Dr. Hagan's rebuttal testimony would have been potentially damaging to Lawlor. It was Dr. Hagan's opinion that Lawlor was not suffering from severe emotional or mental disturbance at the time of the murder, and that Lawlor was fully able to apprec e the criminal nature of his acts and had the capacity to control his conduct, as evidenced by Lawlor's deliberate and strategic behavior in the hours leading up to the murder. It was Dr. Hagan's opinion that Lawlor's behavior toward others, especially women, was "entirely self-centered and devoid of empathy," that Lawlor appeared to have no real concept of guilt or remorse and had a "poor reputation for truthfulness," even among his biggest supporters, and that Lawlor often responded to rejection with "sudden, unpredictable and serious violence." Hagan noted that Lawlor had 40 or more se Dr. s, programs, interventions, and treatment providers, as well as prescriptive care available to him between 1978 and 2008, and that turned down or failed to appear for other services. either Finally, it was Dr. Hagan's opinion that while Lawlor's "dreadful developmental circumstances" contributed to his difficulties and shaped his character, interpersonal problem-solving ability, and patterns of emotional regulation, those circumstances did not cause his attack on Orange. Cons ring all the relevant evidence the jury would have had before it, including the Commonwealth's rebuttal evidence, Lawlor 36 cannot show a reasonable probability the jury would have rejected a capital sentence had counsel submitted the proffered mitigation evidence. Nor, given the cumulative or conflicting nature of much of the evidence and the damaging nature of the Commonwealth's rebuttal evidence, was it unreasonable for counsel to decide not to submit this evidence. Thus, Lawlor has failed to demonstrate that counsel's performance was deficient or that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's alleged errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. CLAIM (XIII) In claim (XIII) (A) and a portion of claim (XIII) (C), Lawlor contends that, during the guilt phase of his trial, the evidence was in dispute whether he raped or attempted to rape Orange. Lawlor contends the jury verdict, under the indictment cha ng him alternately with capital murder in the commission of rape or attempted rape, left the dispute unresolved. Lawlor argues that because the question was unresolved, the prosecutor's questions and argument during the sentencing phase of the t Lawlor had raped Orange were improper. al asserting that Lawlor contends this confused the jurors and led them to presume he had raped Orange and to improperly base their sentencing decision on that presumption. The Court rejects claim (XIII) (A) (XIII) (C) because this non-ju and this portion of claim sdictional issue could have been raised at trial and on direct appeal and, in a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. thus, Sl is not cognizable on ---";~- 215 Va. at 29, 205 S.E.2d at 682. In claim (XIII) (B) and a portion of claim (XIII) (C), Lawlor contends he was denied the effective assistance of counsel because 37 counsel failed to object to the prosecutor's improper questions and argument during the sentencing phase of trial. Lawlor contends that the prosecutor's questions to Lawlor's mitigation witnesses and closing argument improperly asserted that Lawlor had raped Orange, and that whether Lawlor had completed the rape was a question left unresolved by the jury's verdict. Therefore, Lawlor argues, any assertion that he was guilty of a completed rape was improper, and he was prejudiced by counsel's failure to object because the jury was likely to infer counsel conceded that he was guilty of rape. The Court holds that claim (XI I I) (B) and this portion of claim (XIII) (C) fail to satisfy the prejudice prong of the two-part test enunciated in Strickland. "Under Code § 18.2-31(5) willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing is capital murder if committed in the cowmission of or subsequent to either rape or attempted rape." Lawlor, 285 Va. at 222, 738 S.E.2d at 866. The jury was permitted to find Lawlor guilty if it found either predicate. at 222, 738 S.E.2d at 867. Id. The sentencing phase jury was composed of the same jurors who convicted Lawlor during the guilt phase of tal. Consequently, the jurors knew during the sentencing phase which predicate they had found in the guilt phase. Lawlor therefore cannot establish that he was prejudiced by the prosecutor's references to rape. Thus, Lawlor has failed to demonstrate that, but for counsel's alleged errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. 38 CLAIMS (XIV) & (XV) In claim (XIV) and a portion of claim (XV), Lawlor contends the cumulative effect of counsel's deficient performance undermines confidence in the jurors' decision. The Court holds that claim (XIV) and this portion of claim (XV) are without merit. As addressed previously, Lawlor has failed to demonstrate prejud as a result of counsel's alleged errors. "Having rejected each of itioner's individual claims, there is no support for the proposition that such actions when considered collectively have deprived petitioner of his constitutional to effective assistance of counsel." I State Prison, 267 Va. denied, 542 U.S. ght Lenz v. Warden of the Sussex 318, 340, 593 S.E.2d 292, 305, cert. 953 (2004). In the remaining portion of claim (XV), Lawlor contends the cumulative effect of trial errors produced a trial that was fundamentally unfair, thereby depr ng him of his constitutional right to due process. The Court holds that this portion of claim (XV) is barred because this non-jurisdictional issue could have been raised at trial and on direct appeal and, thus, is not cognizable in a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. Sl 215 Va. at 29, 205 S.E.2d at 682. Upon consideration whereof, Lawlor's motion to make the joint appendix from the direct appeal part of the record is granted. Lawlor's motions for discovery, for expert assistance, and for an evidentiary hearing are denied. 39 Upon consideration of Lawlor!s motion to strike the Warden!s evidence and the Warden's motions to stri the motions are denied. Lawlor's affidavits, The exhibits and affidavits are considered pursuant to the appropriate evidentiary rules. Upon consideration of the Warden!s motions to amend the motion to dismiss and to file a supplemental affidavit, the motions are granted. Accordingly, the petition is dismissed and the respondent shall recover from petitioner the costs expended in his defense herein. This order shall be published in the Virginia Reports. Respondent's costs: Attorney's fee $50.00 A Copy, Teste: Clerk 40
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
