Opinion ID: 2537242
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether Counsel Was Ineffective in Failing to Present Evidence Implicating Isidoro in the Crime

Text: Rodriguez asserts his counsel was ineffective in failing to present testimony from Luis's girlfriend that would have implicated Isidoro and failing to present evidence alleging that Isidoro or Luis's family had sold the jewelry belonging to the crime victims. As to the first aspect of this claim, Rodriguez alleged that his counsel was ineffective for failing to present available evidence from Luis's girlfriend (Cathy Sundin) that Luis and Isidoro drove together from Orlando to Miami to commit the crimes. Contrary to Rodriguez's allegations regarding this claim, he failed to present any testimony to establish that such available evidence existed. At the trial, Luis testified that he flew to Miami in order to participate in the crime. Although Luis did testify at the evidentiary hearing, counsel did not inquire as to this matter. The only evidence upon which Rodriguez relies to support this claim is the pretrial deposition of Cathy Sundin, who was Luis's girlfriend at the time of the crimes. The postconviction court refused to consider this pretrial deposition, holding that the deposition constituted hearsay. However, even if this deposition had been considered, it would not support a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. Specifically, in her pretrial deposition, Sundin surmised that Isidoro drove Luis to Miami because Isidoro was the only one around with a car. She had no distinct memory of Isidoro picking up Luis. Further, she had no knowledge that Isidoro helped in committing the crime. However, Sundin mentioned on numerous occasions throughout her deposition that Rodriguez was the person who had planned the crime and that Luis believed he would obtain a significant amount of money if he helped Rodriguez. Because Rodriguez has failed to establish that favorable evidence existed as to this issue, we deny this subclaim. As to the second aspect of this subclaim, Rodriguez also asserts that his counsel should have presented available evidence that members of Isidoro's or Luis's family had and sold jewelry belonging to the victims. Although Rodriguez was permitted an evidentiary hearing on this claim, no evidence was presented that any specific person kept or sold the jewelry. Rodriguez has failed to demonstrate any available evidence that his trial counsel failed to present. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court correctly denied this claim.