Opinion ID: 1110827
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Allowing Hughes to Testify in His Own Behalf.

Text: ¶ 16. Hughes submits the affidavit of a psychologist who opines that Hughes should not have been allowed to testify because of his diminished mental capacity. The decision to call a witness is generally considered a matter of trial strategy. Marler v. Blackburn, 777 F.2d 1007, 1010 (5th Cir.1985). It should also be remembered that Hughes had a constitutional right to testify in his own behalf. Culberson v. State, 412 So.2d 1184 (Miss.1982). Prior to trial, Hughes was evaluated at the direction of the circuit court, and it was determined that despite his low verbal score, Hughes had a full scale IQ of 81. Hughes is not mentally retarded, and the decision to have him testify must be regarded as strategic. This issue is without merit.