Opinion ID: 885610
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Lack of investigation

Text: ¶ 14 Thee claims defense counsel failed to investigate Thee's allegations of physical assault by jail inmates and guards during his pre-judgment incarceration in the county jail. Olson counters that he and co-counsel Carl Jensen communicated with detention center personnel and prepared a report of their findings that Olson shared with Thee and jail administrator, Dan O'Fallon. Neither a copy of defense counsel's report nor any information regarding the nature of the findings and what actions, if any, Cascade County personnel may have taken to address the alleged jailhouse violence against Thee is included in the record on appeal. ¶ 15 To constitute ineffective assistance, counsel's challenged action must stem from neglect or ignorance rather than from informed professional deliberation. Aliff, ¶ 13 (citing Gonzales, 278 Mont. at 532, 926 P.2d at 710). In this case, defense counsel investigated Thee's allegations of violence, prepared a report of their findings, discussed these findings with Thee, and brought the matter to the attention of appropriate authorities. With the deference afforded counsel under the Strickland test, the concerted actions of Olson and Jensen preclude a finding of deficient counsel performance due to failure to investigate allegations of physical assault.