Opinion ID: 624307
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Mental Impairment Defense

Text: In denying Companioni's claim that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to present a mental impairment defense, the SJC noted that counsel had investigated the defense by retaining Dr. Moore. The court also observed that Companioni's post-trial failure to present any expert opinion testimony that he lacked the requisite mental capacity by itself doomed his ineffective assistance claim. Id. at 146. Moreover, the SJC agreed with the Superior Court that counsel's decision to forego the mental impairment defense was not unreasonable, given that the decision was based on [Companioni's] personal choice against the advice of counsel. Id. -12- Finally, the SJC found no error in the denial of a second evidentiary hearing, noting that Dr. Bard's 2003 affidavit raised no substantial issue. Id.