Opinion ID: 1490004
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Testimony of Emily's Sister

Text: In Brown's cross-appeal, he argues for the first time that John Brown was ineffective because he called Emily's sister, Kimberly R., as a witness at trial. Even overlooking its procedural infirmities, this assertion lacks merit because the decision to call Kimberly as a witness and present her testimony cannot be viewed as anything but tactical, and such a decision, even if ill-advised, does not contribute to a finding of ineffective assistance of counsel. Vorgvongsa, 785 A.2d at 549. Kimberly testified that she heard from Julie that something happened between Brown and Emily. Brown argues that there is simply no reason to bring out this testimony that the mother told this witness that something happened between the complainant, and the defendant. However, Kimberly also testified that she got ready for school with Emily and that they ate breakfast together each day. John Brown argued that this occurred at the same time that Brown was alleged to have been abusing Emily. In his closing argument, John Brown asked the jury to consider that Emily's testimony was not consistent with what it had heard from Kimberly. After analyzing the record, it is our opinion that John Brown was attempting to discredit Emily's testimony by casting doubt on her version of events. This of course was purely tactical and therefore, even if ill-advised, under our well settled law, it cannot contribute to a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. See Chalk, 949 A.2d at 400 (tactical decision of trial counsel not to object to amended indictment was not `deficient performance' and could not amount to ineffective assistance of counsel). 3