Opinion ID: 2378907
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to Request MAI-CR 3d 310.10

Text: The prosecutor asked Shurn about his 1985 conviction for possession of heroin and his 1979 conviction for failure to appear. MAI-CR 3d 310.10 instructs the jury that it must not consider prior convictions as any evidence that the defendant is guilty of any offense for which he is now on trial. The trial court must give this instruction when a party requests it. MAI-CR 3d 310.10, Note on Use 2. Shurn claims that trial counsel erred by not requesting this instruction. However, during the post-conviction proceeding, trial counsel stated he did not request the instruction because he did not want to underscore the prior conviction. This reasonable trial strategy is not ineffective assistance of counsel.