Opinion ID: 1826001
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 16

Heading: Delegation of Responsibilities

Text: Stephens alleges that either through neglect or willfulness, counsel essentially delegated the role of attorney for Stephens to counsel for codefendant Cummings. In making this argument, Stephens seems to repeat certain claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, such as the failure to attend depositions and the failure to argue certain pretrial motions. We found that the trial court properly denied relief on these claims. Stephens also alleges that counsel for Cummings conducted the vast majority of cross-examinations, and called the witness most critical to Stephens' defense, Dr. Steven Frank Dunton. With regard to the alleged failure to cross-examine witnesses, Stephens fails to demonstrate how he was prejudiced by this inaction because he does not point to any questions that counsel should have asked that were not asked by co-counsel. He simply states that counsel failed to cross-examine numerous witnesses and then lists the different witnesses. Such a bare-bones claim is not enough to demonstrate that Stephens was prejudiced under Strickland. With regard to Dr. Dunton, the trial court found that counsel was not ineffective because it did not matter which defendant presented Dr. Dunton. We agree. Regardless of who called Dr. Dunton, Dr. Dunton's direct examination benefited both Stephens and Cummings because he rebutted the testimony of the State's medical expert, Dr. Floro, and testified that Little Rob died from hyperthermia, not suffocation or strangulation. Furthermore, counsel testified at the evidentiary hearing that although Cummings' counsel called Dr. Dunton as a witness, it was Stephens' counsel who suggested they call Dr. Dunton as a medical expert. He also testified that by not calling Dr. Dunton, Stephens had a significant advantage because it preserved the right to final argument at closing for Stephens. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's denial of relief on this claim.