Opinion ID: 1444170
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Ineffective Counsel Allegations [7]

Text: Although we have concluded that the petition fails to state a prima facie case for relief on ineffective counsel grounds with respect to guilt, prejudice not having been established as to that phase of the trial, we include in our summary those factual allegations of the petition related to the quality of counsel's representation prior to the penalty phase which had an impact on the penalty determination. Petitioner alleges in substance that Shinn engineered his appointment in the case by lies, misrepresentations, and unethical conduct. Petitioner's retention of Shinn occurred at a time when petitioner was represented by a deputy public defender. Shinn, accompanied by an African-American man in clerical garb, approached petitioner in the county jail. Shinn stated that he was an experienced criminal lawyer and that his companion was a minister who represented a group of African-American businessmen who were interested in paying for petitioner's defense because they were sure he would not otherwise receive a fair trial. The pairurged petitioner to retain Shinn because he needed a good lawyer, and petitioner did so. When petitioner appeared for the preliminary hearing, Shinn told petitioner to falsely tell the court that petitioner's parents had given Shinn a $5,000 retainer. Petitioner did so and Shinn was substituted as counsel. Petitioner's mother declares that she did not provide funds to retain Shinn and he did not request a retainer. Neither Shinn nor his investigator ever interviewed petitioner's parents. His mother did not meet with Shinn until the day she testified at the penalty phase of the trial. After the preliminary hearing Shinn told petitioner to tell the court that he was without funds to pay Shinn and that Shinn should be appointed under the authority of section 987.2. Prior to the penalty phase, Shinn arranged for petitioner to see Dr. Weaver, a psychiatrist. Weaver's assistant, Dr. McBroom, was the minister who had accompanied Shinn to the jail when Shinn solicited employment. Petitioner alleges that Shinn's performance at the penalty phase was deficient in numerous ways. Possibly the most damaging allegation was that, after falsely assuring petitioner the statement could not be used against him at trial, Shinn misled petitioner into making a statement to investigating officers in which petitioner admitted participating in the robberies with which he was charged. Shinn also failed to adequately investigate and discover available mitigating evidence, used an incompetent mental health expert, and had no coherent penalty phase strategy. Petitioner attributes Shinn's selection of Dr. Weaver as his mental health expert to a conflict of interest arising out of an allegedly improper capping arrangement whereby Dr. McBroom solicited clients for Shinn who then retained Dr. Weaver, for whom McBroom was an assistant. Petitioner alleges that at the time Shinn represented him, Shinn labored under another clear, but undisclosed, conflict of interest arising out of complaints made against Shinn by a former client to the State Bar, various legislators, and the district attorney regarding Shinn's misappropriation of client funds. The State Bar investigation threatened Shinn's license and livelihood. At the time Shinn was acting on his own behalf in these investigations; he was unable to devote full time to the representation of or adequately defend petitioner.