Opinion ID: 1920175
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Failure to Present Mitigating Evidence of Johnson's Adjustment Disorder

Text: Johnson alleges that counsel was ineffective for failing to present testimony concerning his alleged adjustment disorder. Johnson argues that the mental health testimony offered by Dr. Haber presented an evidentiary basis to assert the statutory mitigating factor that he was under the influence of extreme duress or under the substantial domination of another person at the time of the crime. Further, Johnson argues that the psychological profile offered by Dr. Haber could have made Johnson's age more relevant and persuaded the court not to reject the age mitigating factor. Dr. Haber testified at the evidentiary hearing that no serious mental health disorders were present. It is also clear from the evidentiary hearing that the introduction of testimony concerning his alleged adjustment disorder and sexual disorder would have opened the door to discussion of Johnson's antisocial features or traits. Counsel cannot be deemed ineffective for failing to present evidence that would open the door to damaging cross-examination and rebuttal evidence that would counter any value that might be gained from the evidence. See Breedlove v. State, 692 So.2d 874 (Fla.1997). Johnson has not shown that there is a reasonable probability [6] that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the [sentencing] proceeding would have been different. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052. That is, even if we were to assume that counsel's performance was deficient, Johnson has not established a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel because he has not shown that there is a reasonable probability that, had Dr. Haber's testimony been presented, the jury would have concluded that the balance of aggravating and mitigating circumstances did not warrant death. Id. at 695, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Johnson's claims are without merit.