Document: 543 U.S. 175 FLORIDAv.NIXON No. 03-931. Supreme Court of United States. Argued November 2, 2004. Decided December 13, Respondent Nixon was arrested for a brutal murder. Questioned by the police, described in graphic detail how he had kidnaped and killed his victim. After gathering overwhelming evidence guilt, State indicted first-degree murder related crimes. Assistant public defender Corin, assigned to represent Nixon, filed plea not guilty deposed all State's potential witnesses. Satisfied that Nixon's guilt subject reasonable dispute, Corin commenced negotiations, but prosecutors refused recommend sentence other than death. Faced with inevitability going trial on capital charge, strong case prosecution, concluded best course would be concede thereby preserving credibility penalty phase mental instability, defense pleas spare life. several times attempted explain this strategy remained unresponsive, never verbally approving or protesting proposed strategy. Overall, gave very little, if any, assistance direction preparing case. When began, engaged disruptive behavior absented himself from most proceedings. In opening statement, acknowledged urged jury focus phase. During chief, objected introduction crime scene photographs as unduly prejudicial, cross-examined witnesses clarification, contested aspects instructions. closing argument, again conceded declaring hoped persuade during should sentenced The found counts. At phase, argued "an intact human being" committed while afflicted multiple disabilities. called relatives friends who childhood emotional troubles erratic preceding also presented expert testimony concerning antisocial personality, history instability psychiatric care, low IQ, possible brain damage. emphasized youth, evidence, jury's discretion consider any mitigating circumstances; that, death, released; maintained death appropriate person impairments; asked recommended, court imposed, penalty. Florida ultimately reversed, holding attorney's concession client murder, made without defendant's express consent, automatically ranks prejudicial ineffective counsel necessitating new under standard announced States v. Cronic, 466 U. S. 648. Corin's concession, according court, functional equivalent it allowed prosecution's guilt-phase proceed essentially opposition. Under Boykin Alabama, 395 238, 242-243, consent cannot inferred silence; similarly, stated, at requires affirmative, explicit acceptance, which counsel's performance is presumably inadequate. While acknowledging uncooperative may have been interest, nevertheless declared silent acquiescence enough: Counsel conceding inevitably defendant does expressly approve course. Held: Counsel's failure obtain render deficient. Pp. 187-192. (a) erred requiring acceptance because mistakenly deemed statements plea. Despite retained rights accorded criminal trial. Cf. S., n. 4. obliged present competent, admissible establishing essential elements crimes charged. That aggressive thus separated enabling concentrate portion factors. Further, reserved right cross-examine prosecution could endeavor, did, exclude evidence. Furthermore, event errors instructions, hinder appeal. to, fact Nixon. characteristic silence each time information conveyed him did suffice unreasonable decision home in, instead, life issue. 187-189. (b) effectiveness evaluated Cronic standard, prescribed Strickland Washington, 668, 688: Did representation "f[a]ll below an objective reasonableness?" Court's erroneous equation led apply wrong standard. first presumed deficient performance, then applied presumption prejudice situations has entirely failed function client's advocate, 659. rank such failure. Id., 666. Although run-of-the-mine might closer question, gravity proceeding's two-phase structure vitally affect strategic calculus. Attorneys representing defendants face daunting challenges developing strategies: Prosecutors are more likely seek penalty, refuse accept sentence, when heinous. therefore reasonably decide trial's mission trier spared. Defense must strive avoid counterproductive Mounting "defendant commit crime" risks destroying incline against leniency defendant. case, conjunction both phases determining proceed. informs believes interest choice impeded blanket rule demanding consent. Instead, strategy, given bearing satisfies end matter; no tenable claim remain. 189-192. 857 So. 2d 172, reversed remanded. GINSBURG, J., delivered opinion Court, Members joined, except REHNQUIST, C. took part 1 CERTIORARI TO THE SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA. 2 George Lemieux, Deputy Attorney General Florida, cause petitioner. With briefs were Charles J. Crist, Jr., General, Carolyn M. Snurkowski, Curtis French, Senior General. 3 Irving L. Gornstein amicus curiae urging reversal. brief former Solicitor Olson, Wray, Dreeben, Sri Srinivasan. 4 Edward H. Tillinghast III respondent. Eric Freedman.* 5 JUSTICE GINSBURG Court. 6 This concerns concede, trial, commission establishing, sparing Any order, held, consent—however gruesome despite strength guilt—automatically We reverse judgment. 7 undoubtedly duty discuss strategies See 688 (1984). But defendant, informed counsel, neither consents nor objects describes promising means avert barred pursuing reasonableness after consultation yields response, judged accord inquiry generally applicable ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claims: reasonableness"? 688, 694. applying, well prejudice; latter presumption, we instructed, cases fails meaningfully oppose 648, 659 A order based solely provide adequately disclosed discussed 8 * On Monday, August 1984, near dirt road environs Tallahassee, passing motorist discovered Jeanne Bickner's charred body. State, 572 1336, 1337 (Fla. 1990) (Nixon I); 13 Record 2464-2466. Bickner tied tree set fire still alive. 2475, 2483-2484. Her left leg arm, her hair skin, burned away. 2475-2476. next day, police car, abandoned Tallahassee street corner, fire. 2520. Police 23-year-old Joe Elton later morning, brother sheriff's office confessed 2559. 9 Bickner, her.1 He recounted approached stranger, mall, help jump-start car. id., 919-921. offered ride 1973 MG sports 922. Once road, directed drive remote place; en route, overpowered stopped 924, 926-927. put MG's trunk, drove into wooded area, removed jumper cables. 930-931. pleaded release her, offering money exchange. 928. Concerned identify him, decided kill her. 929. personal belongings ignited burning objects. 934-935. away MG, told girlfriend what done. 938, 961. Tuesday, 14, reading newspaper body discovered. 963, 982. 10 gathered manner described. witness saw approach mall's parking lot 12, observed taking cables out trunk car giving them 2447-2448, 2450. Several they driving around hours days following 2456, 2487-2488, 2498, 2509. palm print 2548-2549. girlfriend, Wanda Robinson, brother, John stated someone showed two rings identified Bickner's. 971, 987; 2565. According pawned rings, 986, sell 973. local pawnshop, recovered receipt driver's license number; pawnshop owner sold him. 2568-2569. 11 late Leon County, kidnaping, robbery, arson. App. 1, 55. Michael see 232, guilty, 468-469, witnesses, 53-58. concluded, "subject dispute." 490.2 thereupon hoping drop exchange charges. 336-338, 507. Negotiations broke down indicated their unwillingness 339, 508. 12 turned attention believing only way save extensive mitigation centering instability. 261, 473; 102. Experienced defense, 248-250, feared denying kidnaping compromise ability jury, conduct product illness. 473, 490, 505. 458, least three times. 254-255. represented previously unrelated charges good relationship estimation, 466-467, unresponsive discussions, 478-480. approved protested 234-238, 255, 501. 478, attend pretrial dispositions various motions, I, 2d, 1341; 478. eventually exercised professional judgment pursue As explained: "There many lawyers make decisions nothing." 486. 14 began July 15, 1985, unresponsiveness deepened violent behavior. second day selection, pulled off clothing, demanded black judge lawyer, escorted courtroom, threatened force guards shoot 1934-1935. An extended on-the-record colloquy followed bizarre behavior, ascertain whether understood significance absenting restraining compelling eyes jury. 1918-1920. examined record cell, misbehave forced attend. 1926-1931. ruled intelligently voluntarily waived 1938; 2020. 15 absence.3 phase: 16 "In there won't none whatsoever, my client, caused Jeannie . [T]hat will proved your satisfaction beyond doubt. 17 "This about occur within few years electrocution maybe its natural expiration lifetime confinement. 18 19 "Now, arriving verdict, recommendation, get far, you learn facts Some those good. seem clear time. But, sadly, things I'm suggesting seen testimony, heard shown, reasons why spared." 71-72. 20 introduced tape confession, died, regarding confessions possession effects. these felt needed see, e. g., 2504, 3741. object 2470, actively instructions charge conference, 2050-2058. 73, reminded importance "I hope argue give Mr. spared one final terminal confinement forever, die," 74. 21 start "Joe normal organically, intellectually, emotionally educationally way." eight Relatives See, 108-120. psychiatrist psychologist addressed possibility some point suffered 143-147, 162-166. little simply incorporating reference, introducing over objection, underwear terrorize 105-106. 22 circumstances, 194-199; [n]ever released confinement," 207. maintained, "intact being[s]," those. He's those." 209. concluded: "You know, we're here long. And it's rare opportunity take ask do that. Thank you." Ibid. deliberating approximately hours, recommended 4013. 23 imposed 1338. Notably, close commended stating "the tactic employed excellent analysis [the] reality case." 4009. "would persuaded doubt," "[f]or deprived [counsel] phase." 4010. 24 direct appeal rendered obtaining 1338-1339. Relying 648 (1984), unexposed "meaningful adversarial testing," 658-659. remanded evidentiary hearing consented 216-217, declined matter, finding interactions inconclusive, 1340. 25 motion postconviction relief pursuant Rule Criminal Procedure 3.850 (1999), renewed Cronic-based "presumption prejudice" claim.4 rejected claim, Case 84-2324 (Cir. Ct., Oct. 22, 1997), 389-390, further Singletary, 758 618, 625 (2000) II). "functional plea" 622-624. 242-243 (1969), affirmations voluntarily. Similarly, "affirmative, acceptance," presumptively II, 624. "very trial," "counsel's interest." 625. Nevertheless, firmly "[s]ilent enough," 624; concedes ineffective, ruled, course, 26 remand, testified explained view times, 479-480, consultation, "did nothing affirmative negative," 481-482; 486-487. Failing elicit definitive response chose because, judgment, appeared [Nixon's] life." 472. testify hearing. "natural pattern communication" involved passively receiving information, "through behavior." R84-2324AF Cir. Sept. 20, 2001), p. 13; 378. 27 Observing "no substantial establish[ed] affirmatively explicitly agreed strategy," 176 (2003) III) (emphasis original). Three justices disagreed majority's determination 183 (Lewis, concurring result); 189 (Wells, joined Shaw, dissenting). 28 granted certiorari, 540 1217 (2004), resolve important question constitutional law, i. e., renders deficient, Strickland. now II 29 attorney consult "important decisions," including questions overarching Strickland, 688. obligation, however, require "every tactical decision." Taylor Illinois, 484 400, 417-418 (1988) (an authority manage approval). certain exercise waiver basic moment surrogate. affirmed, ultimate authority" determine "whether plead waive own behalf, appeal." Jones Barnes, 463 745, 751 (1983); Wainwright Sykes, 433 72, 93, (1977) (Burger, concurring). Concerning decisions, action. 30 plea, recognized 238 signal proceeding. By entering waives inhere protection self-incrimination, confront one's accusers. 243. tactically advantageous 240, choice; "itself conviction," 242, high stakes utmost solicitude," Accordingly, lacks Brookhart Janis, 384 6-7 (1966); moreover, tacit insufficient valid, Boykin, 242. 31 just observed, supra, 185-186, required acceptance" plea." disagree assessment. 32 (a "more confession admits accused acts," "stipulation proof need advanced" (internal quotation marks omitted)). 181, 183-184. 183. addition, 33 urges, relying already requirement proceedings "surrender[ing] contest factual issue innocence." Brief 32. "prima facie" bench relieved obligation "complete proof" 5-6. contrast Brookhart, "truncated" proceeding, 6, shorn "beyond fairly characterized plea," 7, full presentation resemble severely abbreviated short, carry weight place it. 34 186. Given constant resistance answering inquiries III, 187-188 dissenting), additionally gain before guilt. hearings conducted demonstrate doubt fulfilled informing benefits. sum, 35 ranked assistance. advocate. hold 668 show unreasonable. Justice Lewis court's majority misunderstood realities defending charge. 180-183 (opinion result). 36 narrow exception Strickland's asserts deficiency prejudiced defense. instructed "circumstances so cost litigating effect particular unjustified." 658. elaborated: "[I]f meaningful testing, denial Sixth Amendment makes adversary process itself unreliable." 659; Bell Cone, 535 685, 696-697 (2002) (for Cronic's apply, "failure complete"). illustrated infrequently "surrounding circumstances [will] justify ineffectiveness" itself. Appeals ruling prejudicially inadequate inexperienced, underprepared complex mail fraud 662, 37 far developed, "fail[ure] sense Government's adversary." 666.5 strategies, often clear. Goodpaster, Trial Life: Effective Assistance Death Penalty Cases, 58 N. Y. Rev. 299, 329 (1983).6 cases, "avoiding execution [may be] realistic result possible." ABA Guidelines Appointment Performance Cases § 10.9.1, Commentary (rev. ed. 2003), reprinted Hofstra 913, 1040 (2003). 38 Unable negotiate Lyon, Defending Case: What Makes Different? 42 Mercer 695, 708 (1991) ("It `he didn't it' sorry mitigation. work. and, essence, attorney."); Sundby, Capital Jury Absolution: Intersection Strategy, Remorse, Penalty, 83 Cornell 1557, 1589-1591 (1998) (interviews jurors trials indicate juries sentencing "cynically" where sentencing-phase logically inconsistent defense); 1597 (in "run-of-the-mill challenging failing prove doubt" can dire implications phase). light, attempting impress candor engage "a useless charade." 656-657, 19. Renowned advocate Clarence Darrow, note, famously similar youthful, cold-blooded killers Richard Loeb Nathan Leopold. Imploring boys' lives, Darrow declared: know much salvage boys. I honest tried beginning. boys fit large." Damned: Courtroom 84 (A. Weinberg 1989); Tr. Oral Arg. 40-41 (Darrow's clients did. saved lives."); cf. Yarborough Gentry, 9-10 (per curiam). 39 To summarize, 40 For opinion. 41 It ordered. CHIEF Notes: Kent Scheidegger Hobson Legal Foundation initially 11, occurred Sunday, 1984. 3768-3770 Every presided assessment See,e. 2000) curiam) (evidence "overwhelming"); 385; 4009-4010. Except period absent throughout SeeNixon 1341-1342 1990); Petitioner 8. contended alternative inStrickland 385, 389; 178. raised conviction sentence. 378-384, 390-392. inconsistencies 13-22. explore inconsistencies, measured theStrickland 690, maintains, constituted counsel. address alleged decline matter instance. determined here, pleading guarantee holds benefit 10.9.2, 1045 ("If written obtained extremely reluctant participate rights."). Pleading relinquishes rights, increases likelihood introduce details fresh jurors' minds deliberate Rev., 331;supra, 184, 188.

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