Opinion ID: 1353958
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Lack of Penalty Phase Preparation

Text: Sanders alleges that his counsel did not prepare for the penalty phase until the jury returned the verdict, leaving less than three days to prepare for the penalty phase. He contends that apart from his own testimony which lasted less than 8 minutes, testimony from witnesses presented by his counsel in the penalty phase only lasted 9 minutes and 46 seconds. Sanders also claims that counsel inadequately prepared him for testifying during the penalty phase, in that he only spoke with him for two minutes before the testimony. The complaints by Sanders about inadequate investigation and failure to call additional witnesses in the penalty phase are not sufficient to require either relief or an evidentiary hearing. He asserts that additional family members were available to testify but does not indicate what testimony they would have offered. He also maintains that unidentified friends and clergy could have been called to testify, but does not offer any specifics as to what they would have testified about. The allegations are vague and general. They do not rise to the standards required by RCr 11.42(2). There is no statement about the facts on which he would rely to support his motion. Failure to provide factual support as required by RCr 11.42 provides the basis for summary dismissal of that part of his claim. Foley, supra . The reasonableness of an investigation by defense counsel must take into consideration all the circumstances. It is not an investigation that the best criminal defense lawyer in the world would conduct. The burden is on Sanders to give specific facts to establish ineffective assistance of counsel claims, both as to unreasonable performance and prejudice which would produce an unreliable trial. Strickland . The decision as to whether or not to call family members as mitigation witnesses is a strategic one which will not be second-guessed by hindsight. See Fretwell v. Norris, 133 F.3d 621 (8th Cir.1998). See also McQueen v. Com., supra . Sanders testified on his own behalf during the penalty phase and stated that he was suffering from some kind of mental disease. He did not present anything but speculation to support his claim that he was not fully informed of his right to testify and was not adequately prepared for his testimony. The circuit judge properly denied his RCr 11.42 request. Sanders also complains that his trial counsel should have requested another competency evaluation. The same claim was raised during his direct appeal. It cannot be presented again at this time. Sanborn, supra .