Opinion ID: 1768435
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Whether trial counsel for Howard Goodin were ineffective at the penalty phase of his capital trial, depriving him of his Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment right to competent counsel, and his Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment right to have mitigating evidence presented to the jury, as well as his right to counsel under Article III, Section 26, of the Mississippi Constitution.

Text: ¶ 28. As a preliminary matter the State argues that Goodin's direct appeal attorney, Edmund Phillips, raised the issue of ineffective assistance of trial counsel, Robert Brooks and Shawn Harris, on direct appeal. At trial, Will Rigdon, grandson of the victim, identified two videotapes of the occurrence in the victim's store and identified Goodin as the person on the tapes who was robbing his grandfather. The specific issue raised on direct appeal was whether trial counsel was ineffective for failure to object to Will Rigdon's identification of Goodin. This Court resolved the matter as follows: First, Goodin must show that the defense counsel's performance was deficient. Perhaps Goodin's defense counsel should have objected to the identification by Will Rigdon pursuant to M.R.E. 602. However, this does not automatically mean that the error made was so serious as to deny Goodin the counsel guaranteed him under the Sixth Amendment. Goodin must overcome the presumption that, under the circumstances, the challenged action might be considered sound trial strategy. Goodin has failed to show any evidence that would overcome this presumption. However, even if Goodin had indeed met his burden of proof under the first prong of this test, he has failed to meet the second requirement set out in Strickland. [1] Goodin must show secondly that the deficient performance prejudiced his defense. The record simply does not support this argument. Even if defense counsel had objected to the identification by Will Rigdon and had the trial court sustained the objection, the tow truck driver later testified that he identified Goodin from the surveillance tapes shown during a news broadcast. This identification prompted him to call the police. Finally, Goodin identified himself on the tapes from Rigdon's Store during direct examination. We find that Goodin's argument does not in any way satisfy the requirements of Strickland. The conduct of defense counsel did not fall below the level of effective assistance of counsel as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. This argument is without merit. Goodin, 787 So.2d at 652. ¶ 29. The State argues that Goodin is procedurally barred from raising any additional issues based on ineffective assistance of trial counsel, as this could have been raised on direct appeal by Edmund Phillips and was not. The State cites Lockett v. State, 614 So.2d 888 (Miss.1992), where this Court found that Lockett's attempt to raise ineffective assistance of trial counsel was procedurally barred, where appellate counsel, being different from trial counsel, had failed to do so. ¶ 30. Goodin cites Faraga v. State, 514 So.2d 295 (Miss.1987) (direct appeal), and 557 So.2d 771 (Miss.1990) (post-conviction). Faraga was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. On direct appeal Faraga's appellate counsel, being different from trial counsel, raised numerous issues of ineffective assistance of trial counsel at the guilt and sentencing phases. This Court found all such issues without merit and affirmed. Faraga subsequently filed an application for post-conviction relief in this Court. This application raised the issue of possible withholding of exculpatory material by the State from Faraga, or ineffective assistance of counsel for failure to request the material. This issue was not raised on direct appeal. This Court granted Faraga's application to proceed in the circuit court. Faraga, 557 So.2d at 775. See also Hymes v. State, 703 So.2d 258, 261 (Miss. 1997) (ineffective assistance claim was arguably procedurally barred on post-conviction because of not being raised on direct appeal but Court would allow inmate to proceed where appellate counsel's brief was exceedingly incoherent and post-conviction proceeding was usual avenue for pursuing ineffective assistance claim even where trial and appellate counsel are different). Therefore, there is conflicting authority on whether this Court should apply the procedural bar. ¶ 31. The issue of Goodin's mental capacity was first raised when defense counsel filed a Motion for Psychiatric Examination on December 7, 1998. Defense counsel attached his affidavit stating that he believed that Goodin was of insufficient soundness of mind to make a rational defense in the case and should be ordered to submit to psychiatric examination, observation, and evaluation. The motion also stated that Goodin had been released from prison in June 1998 and during that prison term he was incarcerated in the psychiatric ward and was treated by the psychiatrist of said ward. Also on December 7, during Goodin's arraignment, defense counsel mentioned the motion to Judge Gordon, who indicated he would grant the motion. ¶ 32. On December 10, 1998, Judge Gordon entered an Order for Psychiatric and Psychological Examination stating that Goodin should be examined by Dr. Gerald O'Brien, a psychologist, and Dr. Donald Guild, a psychiatrist. The order stated that the doctors should determine [Goodin's] present ability to stand trial and assist his attorneys in his defense; and further examine him to determine his ability to know the difference between right and wrong and to understand the nature and quality of his actions at the time of the alleged offenses. Upon completion of said examination, said psychologist and psychiatrist shall make a written report of his findings.... ¶ 33. On February 10, 1999, Judge Gordon entered an Order for Psychological Examination stating that Goodin should be examined by Dr. O'Brien. On February 16, 1999, during motions hearing, Judge Gordon asked if Goodin had been examined. Defense counsel stated that he had, but that Dr. Guild in his report requested further examination by Dr. O'Brien, and there is an order entered February 10th ordering that and scheduled him to go [on] an appointment this Friday, February 19th, 1999, for further additional examination. ¶ 34. The reports made by Drs. O'Brien and Guild were not included as a part of this record in Goodin's direct appeal. Judge Gordon made no findings on the record and entered no orders on the mental state of Goodin. Goodin was apparently determined to be competent because otherwise the trial would not have taken place. ¶ 35. Goodin has attached Dr. O'Brien's report, dated February 24, 1999, as Exhibit 2 to his application. Dr. O'Brien administered, or attempted to administer, a number of tests. Dr. O'Brien suggested in several places that Goodin may not have been trying very hard: [H]is degree of apparent effort and motivation strongly suggest these scores underestimate his level of functioning.... Results on all these tasks must be viewed with caution as they are confounded with this questionable effort and motivation.... [A]bility test results tend to underestimate his overall intellectual functioning and reflect his level of motivation and cooperation.... This pattern is characteristic of individuals who are feigning a mental disorder, and is rarely seen in those responding truthfully. ¶ 36. As to Goodin's mental status examination, Dr. O'Brien stated that Goodin was less than cooperative, giving a slightly incorrect response to an arithmetic question, or refus[ing] to respond when asked a question which should have been well within his apparent ability range. Goodin described hearing voices which he said were connected to demons and Satan. Goodin said that he had trouble sleeping and had suicidal thoughts when incarcerated at Parchman in 1993. He had received some psychological treatment when previously incarcerated. He complained about not getting his SSI check. He denied that he was guilty of capital murder. ¶ 37. Dr. O'Brien concluded: Howard Goodin is a 44 year old African American male whose intellectual functioning falls at least in the borderline range, and whose test scores underestimate his intellectual functioning. Generally there is no substantial evidence of significant neuropsychological problems. His performance on ability tests and his approach to other tasks reflect his level of motivation and cooperation, which is strongly suggestive of intentional distortion and feigning psychological and emotional difficulties. Clinical observations reveal a minimal level of distress, which is likely attributable to his current legal situation. He is certainly suspicious of others, especially those in authority, which seems consistent with past cultural and institutional experiences. His reported hallucinations and other reported beliefs may have similar underpinnings, but appear at best extremely exaggerated as to their effect on his functioning. It is my opinion, based on all the information available, that he does not exhibit a psychosis or other significant psychological disorder which would affect his understanding the nature and quality of his actions, including whether they were right or wrong, and conforming his behavior to the requirements of the law. He also appears competent to stand trial and to assist in his own defense. ¶ 38. Goodin also attached, as Exhibit 4 to his application, an evaluation of him by Michael Whelan, Ph.D., a psychologist in Greenwood. The evaluation is dated May 13, 1998, and was apparently performed during Goodin's incarceration, though the reason for the evaluation is not known. The unsigned evaluation is divided into History, Daily Activities, Mental Status, and Conclusion. The primary mental symptom Goodin complained of for the previous three to five years was auditory hallucinations, for which he had been treated with anti-psychotic medication. The hallucinations seemed to have a religious basis, dealing with Jesus, Satan and demons. Goodin also complained of having trouble sleeping. Goodin had not been hospitalized for psychosis but had been treated as an outpatient. Dr. Whelan did not think Goodin should be considered competent to manage money should he be awarded disability benefits because he had been incarcerated most of his adult life. Dr. Whelan found that Goodin probably has an IQ in the middle 70's. Dr. Whelan concluded: I think the patient suffers from chronic paranoid schizophrenia. His institutional record suggest that he is a withdrawn and isolated inmate. He is described as rarely participating in conversations on the unit and tends to stay to himself. I think his prognosis for the future is guarded due to the chronicity of his symptoms. He probably has a very low tolerance for stress and his insight into his illness is limited. However, he has been compliant with medication and if he remains compliant when is released from prison, then he should be able to function with at least minimal adequacy if his sister's environment is stress free. ¶ 39. Goodin attached an affidavit from Dr. O'Brien to his rebuttal which states that Dr. O'Brien conducted his competency evaluation of Goodin with only the documents supplied by the State. Dr. O'Brien states that he has now reviewed additional materials supplied by Goodin which would have been a significant factor in my forensic evaluation. Dr. O'Brien found that the records showing Goodin to be schizophrenic would have been significant, not just in terms of determining whether Mr. Gooden was mentally ill but also for assessing whether he was mentally retarded. Dr. O'Brien stated that Goodin had an IQ of 60, in the mildly mentally retarded range, but he suspected at the time that Goodin was malingering. Dr. O'Brien stated that he might have reached a different conclusion had he known of the records in question. Dr. O'Brien stated that Goodin's school records and social security records were significant in a determination of retardation. Dr. O'Brien stated that Goodin should have been treated for schizophrenia and then reevaluated and retested. Dr. O'Brien stated that it was difficult to evaluate whether someone was retarded when they also suffered from mental illness. Dr. O'Brien strongly recommended that Mr. Goodin receive a thorough evaluation both to thoroughly assess his mental illness and to determine whether he is mentally retarded. Based on the records and my prior testing, I believe that there is a significant likelihood that Mr. Gooden may in fact be mentally retarded.