Case Name: Christopher Tyler SCHWAB, Petitioner and Appellant v. STATE of North Dakota, Respondent and Appellee
Court: North Dakota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: North Dakota
Decision Date: 2019-01-15
Citations: 921 N.W.2d 174
Docket Number: No. 20180230
Parties: Christopher Tyler SCHWAB, Petitioner and Appellant
v.
STATE of North Dakota, Respondent and Appellee
Judges: 
Reporter: North Western Reporter 2d
Volume: 921
Pages: 174–174

Head Matter:
Christopher Tyler SCHWAB, Petitioner and Appellant
v.
STATE of North Dakota, Respondent and Appellee
No. 20180230
Supreme Court of North Dakota.
Filed January 15, 2019
Kiara C. Kraus-Parr, Grand Forks, ND, for petitioner and appellant.
Fallon M. Kelly, Assistant State's Attorney, Lisbon, ND, for respondent and appellee.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
[¶1] Chris Schwab was found guilty at a jury trial of accomplice to gross sexual imposition and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. In April 2017, Schwab filed an application for post-conviction relief alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. After a hearing, during which Schwab and the attorneys in question testified, the district court denied the application.
[¶2] On appeal, Schwab argues the district court should have granted his application for post-conviction relief because his counsel was deficient in several respects: (1) his trial counsel was ineffective due to lack of communication and diligence; (2) he was unable to assist in his defense, in particular, his attorneys did not allow him to review discovery materials or to provide any input at trial; and (3) he was denied his constitutional right to testify in his own defense. "If it is easier to dispose of an ineffective assistance of counsel claim on the ground of lack of sufficient prejudice, that course should be followed." Roth v. State , 2007 ND 112, ¶ 9, 735 N.W.2d 882. Schwab has not shown sufficient prejudice, and we summarily affirm the district court's order under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(7).
[¶3] Gerald W. VandeWalle, C.J.
Jon J. Jensen
Lisa Fair McEvers
Daniel J. Crothers
Carol Ronning Kapsner, S.J.
[¶4] The Honorable Carol Ronning Kapsner, S.J., sitting in place of Tufte, J., disqualified.