Opinion ID: 1611770
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Failure to Present Evidence of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Text: In his first subclaim, Cole posits that trial counsel should have presented evidence of Cole's long-term history of drug and alcohol abuse. Cole argues that even though counsel presented evidence of marijuana abuse, counsel should have presented evidence of additional drug use. In ruling on Cole's rule 3.850 motion, the trial court in its detailed order stated: Defendant alleges that counsel was ineffective for failing to present evidence of Defendant's history of alcohol and drug abuse during the penalty phase of this trial. In addition, Defendant alleges that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to call William Paul to testify as to alcohol and drug use by the Defendant at the time of the crime. Defendant alleges that evidence of past alcohol and drug abuse, as well as evidence of alcohol and drug use at the time of the crime, was a mitigating factor and that presentation of this evidence would have resulted in a life sentence. Upon review of the record, it is clear that trial counsel presented extensive evidence of Defendant's history of alcohol and drug use during the penalty phase. Ann Marie Powers, Defendant's [stepsister], testified that Defendant had a marijuana problem from age 12. Beverly Jean Helm, who was a foster parent for Defendant at one time, testified that Defendant had an alcohol and drug problem while he lived with her and that this problem continued after Defendant left her care. Ms. Helm also testified that when she last saw Defendant, he appeared to have a long-term problem with marijuana. There was also ample evidence presented during the guilt phase that Defendant used alcohol and marijuana immediately before, during, and after the crimes. Allen Detwiler testified that before Pam and John Edwards were attacked, Defendant bought a case of beer when Detweiler [sic] took him to the store. Pam Edwards testified that Defendant told both she and her brother that Defendant and Paul had a lot to drink. Pam Edwards testified Defendant's campsite had a lot of empty beer cans. Pam Edwards testified that during her abduction she saw Defendant smoke marijuana. Danielle Zimmerman testified that she saw Defendant smoke marijuana after the murder of John Edwards. In addition, Dr. Berland testified about the effects of drug and alcohol on someone who had mental illness. Trial counsel presented argument that alcohol and marijuana affected Defendant in relation to his mental illness during the penalty phase of the trial. Defendant's allegation that his counsel was ineffective for failing to present evidence of alcohol and drug use is amply refuted by the record. Any additional evidence of drug and alcohol use would have been cumulative of that actually presented. State v. Cole, No. 94-498-CF, order at 8-9 (Fla. 5th Cir. Ct. order filed Feb. 18, 2000) (footnote and record citations omitted). We find no error in the trial court's conclusion that Cole was not entitled to an evidentiary hearing to present what the trial court found would have been cumulative evidence. See Valle v. State, 705 So.2d 1331, 1334-35 (Fla.1997) (affirming trial court's summary denial of ineffective assistance claim based on allegation that trial counsel failed to present cumulative evidence). [7]