Opinion ID: 1974831
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: need for a hearing

Text: D.C.Code § 23-110(c) (1989) provides that [u]nless the motion and files and records conclusively show that the prisoner is entitled to no relief, the judge must grant a prompt hearing thereon. Where the court is faced with a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, the quoted language creates a presumption that a hearing should be held. Bruce v. United States, 617 A.2d 986, 995 (D.C.1992); Gibson v. United States, 388 A.2d 1214, 1216 (D.C.1978) (per curiam). This is especially true where the allegations of ineffectiveness relate to facts outside the trial record. Sykes, supra, 585 A.2d at 1339. In the final analysis, however, the question whether a hearing is required is confided to the sound discretion of the trial court, for the trial judge, who has seen the defense attorney in action and watched the evidence unfold, is in a far better situation than an appellate court to determine whether there is any appreciable possibility that a hearing could establish either constitutionally defective representation or prejudice to the defendant in the Strickland sense. Id. at 1340. In the present case, the trial judge's order denying the motion without a hearing was quite perfunctory, and we are less inclined than we would otherwise be to approach his decision deferentially. Nevertheless, we agree with him that a hearing is unnecessary. Our decision is based on the assumption, arguendo, that trial counsel's performance was deficient. The only issue is whether Webster was prejudiced. The alleged errors by counsel are all reflected in the trial transcript; there is no allegation of omissions dehors the record, such as failure to interview witnesses. Under these circumstances, we do not see how an evidentiary hearing could significantly add to the available information on the question whether it is reasonably probable that, but for trial counsel's errors, Webster would have prevailed. Given the uncanny similarity between the suspect described by Quander and the man seized by the arrest team, we are satisfied that despite the absence of a hearing, the record conclusively shows that Webster is entitled to no relief. Cf. Bruce, supra, 617 A.2d at 995-97. Accordingly, no hearing was required.