Opinion ID: 1369544
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Additional family witnesses

Text: Storey complains that counsel was ineffective for not utilizing evidence from family witnesses, Susie Storey, Johnny Dees, and Patricia Dees Heath. Susie Storey would have testified of the bruises she saw on Storey as a baby and that she had threatened Storey's father about it. She also would have testified that Storey was a sweet boy. Johnny Dees would have testified of the physical abuse inflicted on Storey by his father and that Storey was a happy person who did not get into fights. Patricia Dees Heath is Johnny Dees' daughter, and she would have testified that Storey was polite, respectful, and did not cause trouble. Counsel testified that there was no good reason why Johnny Dees' deposition was not taken or Susie Storey was not called to testify. Counsel testified regarding Patricia Dees Heath, I think she fit in with our strategy, the only question I would have is whether what she had to say might have become cumulative in light of the other information we had presented. The motion court held that Mr. Dees was contacted, and the attorneys were familiar with his potential testimony.... The Court does not find trial counsel's claim that she `should have' called Mr. Dees at trial persuasive. His testimony would not have been persuasive nor helpful. Counsel introduced this type of mitigation evidence through other family members. Storey has not shown that additional testimony from these witnesses, would have presented a viable defense to the sickening photographs and evidence of Storey's crime. Harris, 870 S.W.2d at 817.