Opinion ID: 1654600
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: whether counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the admission of evidence of prior bad acts.

Text: ¶ 25. McGilberry argues that trial counsel was ineffective for not objecting when his own expert testified that he (McGilberry) had once been accused of sexually molesting a small child. The information was disclosed during the guilt phase when defense counsel asked Dr. Deal what medical records he reviewed. Dr. Deal responded that his review included the records of the Keesler Air Force Base Family Advocacy Program which had conducted an investigation. Trial counsel was attempting to establish a defense of insanity at the time of the question. ¶ 26. The record indicates that trial counsel intentionally elicited this testimony as part of a showing that McGilberry's psychological instability was evident at an earlier age. Counsel's choice of whether to ask certain questions or make certain objections falls within the realm of trial strategy and does not amount to ineffective assistance of counsel. Cole v. State, 666 So.2d 767, 777 (Miss.1995). Such choices are presumed strategic unless counsel's tactics are shown to be `so ill chosen that it permeates the entire trial with obvious unfairness.' Teague v. Scott, 60 F.3d 1167, 1172 (5th Cir.1995) (quoting Garland v. Maggio, 717 F.2d 199, 206 (5th Cir.1983)). This issue is without merit.