Opinion ID: 1702221
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Defense Counsel Failed to Adequately Prepare for Trial.

Text: ¶ 23. Bishop makes a very brief argument that his counsel failed to adequately prepare for trial. Bishop notes that pretrial motions were not heard until the eve of trial, rendering them untimely. Bishop's allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel lack[s] the `specificity and detail' required to establish a prima facie showing. Ford, 708 So.2d at 75; Wilcher, 863 So.2d at 742. ¶ 24. Additionally, this Court considered and rejected a related claim in Bishop's direct appeal. Bishop argued that the trial court erred in failing to hold the omnibus hearing at least three days prior to trial. This Court found that Bishop has failed to demonstrate any actual prejudice that resulted from the failure of the circuit court to hold a timely omnibus hearing. Bishop, 812 So.2d at 939. If the merits of the underlying issue have been considered and rejected on direct appeal, then the [petitioner] cannot show deficiency or prejudice in counsel[s]' performance with regard to that issue. Wiley v. State, 750 So.2d 1193, 1200 (Miss.1999). Bishop has failed to show that counsels' performance was deficient, or that he was prejudiced. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S.Ct. at 2064.