State v. Murphy

[¶ 1] Carol A. Murphy appeals from the judgment of the Superior Court (Franklin County, Murphy, J.) entered following a jury verdict convicting her of assault on an officer (Class C), 17-A M.R.S. § 752-A(1)(A) (2009); refusing to submit to arrest (Class D), 17-A M.R.S. § 751-B(1)(C) (2009); 1 criminal use of an *699 electronic weapon (Class D), 17-A M.R.S. § 1004(1) (2009); and two counts of cruelty to animals (Class D), 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(E) (2009). The record reflects that the State’s evidence supporting conviction for each offense was uncontested at trial and is sufficient to support each conviction.

[¶ 2] Murphy does not contest the evidence on appeal; instead, she contends that: (1) her purported removals of the case to the United States District Courts in Massachusetts and Wyoming, a habeas corpus petition she filed in the United States District Court in Arizona, 2 and an appeal she had filed deprived the Superior Court of jurisdiction to hear the matter; (2) her actions and complaints against the trial judge, 3 the prosecutor, and the State’s witnesses in the matter barred their participation in the proceedings; (3) the statutes upon which her prosecution was based are unconstitutional; (4) her prior cruelty to animals conviction that we affirmed in State v. Murphy, Mem 06-125 (decided July 27, 2006), is void, as are actions taken to enforce the lifetime prohibition on possession of animals imposed in that case; and (5) the warrant that supported search and seizure of animals at her home was overly broad. Each of these five claims is frivolous, and we do not review them further. See State v. Estabrook, 2007 ME 130, ¶ 4 n. 1, 932 A.2d 549, 550; State v. Smen, 2006 ME 40, ¶ 7, 895 A.2d 319, 321; In re Michael M., 2000 ME 204, ¶¶ 13-15, 761 A.2d 865, 868.

[¶ 3] Murphy also contends that (6) the prosecution and trial deprived her of due process, and (7) a competency exam ordered by the court violated her Fifth Amendment rights. Murphy has failed to demonstrate that the actions of the court and the State’s witnesses incident to the proceedings deprived her of due process or any other constitutional rights, and the record indicates neither clear error nor abuse of discretion in the court’s ordering a competency examination, finding her competent to stand trial, and permitting her to represent herself with assistance of available standby counsel. However, we examine these issues briefly to note the trial court’s exemplary performance and vigilance to assure that Murphy’s fundamental constitutional rights were respected and protected, and that she received a fair trial despite Murphy’s continually disruptive and disrespectful conduct toward the court and the jury.

I. CASE HISTORY

[¶ 4] This case arose on October 14, 2009, when a State Police trooper was sent to Murphy’s residence in New Sharon to investigate complaints that she was keeping animals at her residence in violation of the lifetime ban on keeping animals imposed after conviction in a 2004 cruelty to animals case. We had affirmed the conviction in the 2004 case in State v. Murphy, Mem 06-125.

*700 [¶ 5] While en route to Murphy’s residence, the officer was advised of an outstanding warrant for Murphy’s arrest. When the officer arrived at the residence, he encountered Murphy outside the residence and advised her that he had a warrant for her arrest. He then let Murphy go into the residence, unescorted, to get some things for the trip to the jail. When Murphy emerged from the residence five minutes later, she attacked the officer with a Taser gun. That attack led to the first three charges.

[¶ 6] A subsequent search of Murphy’s premises led to discovery of many animals on the premises in violation of the previously-issued lifetime ban on possession of animals. Most of the animals were in very poor condition and difficult circumstances. This discovery led to the two charges of cruelty to animals.

[¶ 7] A competent and very experienced criminal defense attorney was appointed to represent Murphy in the proceedings. The court ordered a mental status examination, see 15 M.R.S. § 101-D (2009), in which Murphy refused to cooperate. Murphy, on her own behalf and without assistance of counsel, began filing removal petitions and actions against the court and various anticipated trial participants in federal courts outside the State of Maine. Also, without the assistance of her court-appointed counsel, she began filing various court papers indicating that the Superior Court had been deprived of jurisdiction of the case, that all claims against her violated her constitutional rights, and that the prior judgment and any restrictions on her liberty were void.

[1Í8] As the trial date neared, Murphy’s counsel filed a motion seeking leave to withdraw and to be appointed as standby counsel, while permitting Murphy to represent herself at trial. The case then proceeded to jury selection. The court permitted Murphy to represent herself at jury selection, with court-appointed counsel as standby counsel. Murphy then began objecting that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. She refused to participate in jury selection and also directed standby counsel not to participate in jury selection. The court held that Murphy would not be permitted to avoid or delay trial by requesting a jury and then refusing to cooperate or participate in jury selection. After taking appropriate precautions to prevent the jurors from perceiving that Murphy was in custody, the court proceeded to jury selection.

[¶ 9] Before finally deciding Murphy’s motion to be permitted to represent herself at trial, the court ordered a competency examination pursuant to 15 M.R.S. § 101-D(4). Murphy refused to cooperate with the examination, asserting her right to remain silent. The examiner completed the exam by observing Murphy, reviewing files about Murphy, and, apparently, watching or reviewing the record of one or more proceedings in which Murphy participated.

[¶ 10] The examiner filed a report recommending that Murphy was competent to stand trial. At a brief hearing following receipt of the competency report, Murphy’s only statements were claims that, because she had removed the case to federal court, the Superior Court had no authority to act; and a disrespectful question to the trial court, “How is it that you continue to sit on the bench?” The court then entered an order finding Murphy competent to stand trial and allowing her to represent herself at trial, with appointed counsel as standby counsel.

[If 11] Orders in the court file and references in some of the transcripts that have been prepared indicate that both the court and assigned counsel had advised *701 Murphy of her rights and the risks inherent in self-representation, while respecting Murphy’s right to represent herself, if her choice to represent herself was made voluntarily and knowingly. Courts evaluate whether a defendant’s waiver of the right to counsel was voluntary, knowing, and intelligent by considering whether the defendant was informed of the right to counsel by the court, as well as the totality of relevant circumstances “including the background, experience, and conduct of the accused.” State v. Watson, 2006 ME 80, ¶¶ 17-20, 900 A.2d 702, 708-10 (quotation marks omitted); State v. Morrison, 567 A.2d 1350, 1352 (Me.1990).

[¶ 12] Although Murphy does not raise this issue on appeal, we can infer from the available record that Murphy was properly advised of the rights at stake and risks inherent in self-representation and that the court concluded that Murphy had voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently chosen to proceed with only standby counsel.

[¶ 13] At trial, Murphy did not seriously contest the State’s evidence or cross-examine the State’s -witnesses on the facts. She made an opening statement to the jury that asserted that the court was without authority to act and was disrespectful of the court and the jury. At one point, she told the jury, “Whatever you decide is irrelevant.” At another point, after describing the proceedings as “a kangaroo court,” Murphy stated, “The Judge has no jurisdiction. Unfortunately, neither do you.” She made several other critical and disrespectful statements before completing her opening statement. 4

[¶ 14] Following the opening, Murphy’s trial participation was limited to comments critical of the court and other trial participants, and her claims that the court lacked jurisdiction to undertake the proceedings and was committing constitutional violations by maintaining the proceedings. She cross-examined no witnesses, offered no evidence, and directed standby counsel not to participate. At one point, she swore at the judge. Later she got up from her seat, walked out of the courtroom, and refused to return. The court then took a recess.

[¶ 15] The court offered to allow Murphy to listen to the proceedings in a room near the courtroom, but Murphy refused that offer and elected to return to the county jail. After questioning the court officers regarding Murphy’s actions, the court found that she had voluntarily absented herself from the proceedings, was choosing not to participate further in the proceedings, and should not be forced to return to the courtroom because such an action would result in a prejudicial scene in front of the jury. The trial then resumed and was completed with Murphy not present and standby counsel present but not participating, as directed by Murphy.

[¶ 16] After the jury found Murphy guilty of all five charges presented to it, the court sentenced Murphy to four years straight time on Count I, the Class C felony, and nine months, concurrent, on each misdemeanor charge. No term of probation was imposed. However, on the two cruelty to animals counts, the court imposed a lifetime ban on possessing or owning animals. Murphy then brought this appeal.

II. JUDICIAL RESTRAINT

[¶ 17] The court’s actions here, dealing with a competent but continually disruptive and disrespectful defendant, were a model of restraint, fair warning, *702 and measured response to inappropriate statements and actions, demonstrating a continued focus on ensuring that Murphy-received the fairest trial possible in light of the circumstances she chose to create. The court ensured that the disruptions were properly reflected in the record. See United States v. Brazel, 102 F.3d 1120, 1156-58 (11th Cir.1997). The court’s response to Murphy’s actions was appropriately measured, beginning with warnings but leading to the defendant not being in the courtroom when Murphy gave the court no alternative. See Illinois v. Allen, 397 U.S. 337, 346, 90 S.Ct. 1057, 25 L.Ed.2d 353 (1970); Brazel, 102 F.3d at 1157; United States v. Beasley, 72 F.3d 1518, 1530 (11th Cir.1996); United States v. Stewart, 20 F.3d 911, 915 (8th Cir.1994). The court’s offer to provide a room where Murphy could hear the proceedings, and the court’s findings and jury instructions regarding Murphy’s choice to refuse to participate further in the proceedings, were consistent with our direction to address a situation of a defendant who, by choice or because of disruptions, is removed from the presence of the jury. See State v. Barrett, 577 A.2d 1167, 1172-73 (Me.1990); see also L’Abbe v. DiPaolo, 311 F.3d 93, 96-99 (1st Cir.2002); United States v. Stotts, 792 F.2d 1318, 1322 (5th Cir.1986). A disruptive defendant should not be allowed to turn the disruption to advantage by causing a mistrial or other result in the defendant’s favor. Maine Jury Instruction Manual § 4-11 at 4-22 to 4-23 (4th ed.2010).

[¶ 18] Despite Murphy’s provocations and claims that the judge should have recused because of Murphy’s filing actions against the judge and criticism of the judge, the court appropriately maintained the proceedings to them completion. Recusal is discretionary and, as we have observed, judges should avoid recusal in situations when parties engage in actions seeking to cause recusal.

A judge should not recuse himself or herself “merely because a completely unfounded claim of prejudice [is] lodged against him by a defendant.” State v. Aubut, 261 A.2d 48, 50 (Me.1970). We recognize the sensitivity with which a motion for recusal must be treated by a judge. Judges must ascertain whether they, in fact, come within any of the categories requiring disqualification in the Code of Judicial Conduct and whether there is any other basis upon which their impartiality may reasonably be questioned. See Maine Code of Jud. Conduct, Canon 3(E)(2)(a)-(c). At the same time judges must not allow litigants to utilize the process of a recusal motion to delay or thwart the judicial proceedings where there is no reasonable basis for the motion and it is obvious on its face that it was intended to halt or delay the litigation. “A judge is as much obliged not to recuse himself when it is not called for as he is obliged to when it is.” In re Drexel Burnham Lambert, Inc., 861 F.2d 1307, 1312 (2d Cir.1988).

In re Michael M., 2000 ME 204, ¶ 14, 761 A.2d at 868.

[¶ 19] The trial court acted appropriately, and with commendable restraint and responsible concern for Murphy’s fundamental rights in assuring itself of Murphy’s competence to stand trial; allowing her to represent herself; composing a measured response to Murphy’s disrespect and disruptions; and maintaining and completing the proceedings despite Murphy’s provocations and demands that the court recuse. Murphy received the fair trial to which she is entitled under the Constitution.

*703 The entry is:

Judgment affirmed.