Opinion ID: 75617
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Greene's Preparation

Text: 7 Hagins asserts that Greene's performance was deficient because he conducted no independent investigation of Hagins' case and made no effort to interview witnesses, including Johnson. Hagins argues that he was prejudiced by Greene's failure to interview Johnson because Johnson gave inconsistent statements at trial and to the probation officer preparing Hagins' PSI. Hagins' claim is without merit. Greene extensively prepared for trial and paid a law student to help him organize, index and review the file compiled by Hagins' previous counsel. He met with Hagins to discuss trial strategy and attempted to discover any information Hagins might have that would assist in his defense. Greene contacted the prosecutor several times to make sure he had received all discoverable information. 8 At trial, Greene cross-examined effectively and pointed out every weakness in the government's case. Hagins cannot demonstrate that Greene's trial performance was deficient. The only specific criticism he offers, the failure to interview Johnson, is based on a post-hoc complaint that Johnson gave different statements about the number of times he got drugs for Everette from Hagins. At trial, Johnson testified that the drugs came from Hagins once, but he told the probation officer that both sales to Everette came from Hagins. Hagins cannot show that Greene would have discovered Johnson's confusion if he interviewed Johnson prior to trial. Hagins also cannot show that he was prejudiced by Greene's failure to interview Johnson. Johnson was not at all confused about his general pattern of obtaining drugs from Hagins, and Hagins' own confession and other evidence presented at trial adequately demonstrated his guilt.