Opinion ID: 1090851
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: Expert on Prison Administration

Text: ¶ 108. Russell argues that Donald Cabana would have been an impressive witness for the defense. Russell cites to an affidavit of Cabana which is not included in the exhibits volume. A blank page containing the statement he is sick, and we will provide it as soon as practicable is attached. F. FAILURE TO BE SUFFICIENTLY FAMILIAR WITH THE LAW ON CAPITAL CASES. ¶ 109. Russell states that defense counsel was ineffective for failure to object to the State's instruction on self-defense. Russell further argues that defense counsel was ineffective for failure to have the jury instructed on the new theory of self-defense Russell is now attempting to raise, and failure to mention this theory on closing argument. ¶ 110. Russell states that defense counsel was ineffective for failure to object to State's Instruction S-3. The State admits that S-3, given alone, was determined by this Court to be an incomplete instruction on the law of self-defense in Reddix v. State, 731 So.2d 591 (Miss.1999), because it did not instruct the jury to acquit the defendant if the jury found that he was acting in self defense. The State also argues that in 1990, the time of Russell's trial, the giving of S-3 alone was not improper, and therefore defense counsel could not be seen as ineffective for failure to object or submit an additional instruction to complete Instruction S-3. We agree. ¶ 111. Russell also argues that defense counsel should have argued Russell's new theory of self-defense on closing argument and should have requested an instruction on it. As stated, no one, including Russell, testified in support of this new theory at the 1990 trial. Therefore, an instruction based on this new theory would not have been justified. G. FAILURE TO INVESTIGATE ADEQUATELY. ¶ 112. Russell states generally that defense counsel has a duty to investigate and prepare, particularly where it involves investigation of a potential defense. We agree with this general statement.