Opinion ID: 1822143
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel for Failing to File a Change of Venue Motion

Text: Wike first contends that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a change of venue motion to have the trial moved out of Santa Rosa County. [3] In its order denying Wike relief on this issue, the trial court determined that trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to bring a change of venue motion against Wike's wishes. In addition, the trial court found that Wike had failed to establish that grounds for a venue change existed because both the State and defense counsel engaged in extensive voir dire before the trial, and the parties conducted individual voir dire of each prospective juror. [4] The trial court found that Wike had failed to demonstrate that he had substantial difficulty seating a jury in Santa Rosa County. Further, the trial court determined that the media exhibits that Wike introduced at the evidentiary hearing did not demonstrate inflammatory media coverage. To establish a claim that defense counsel was ineffective, a defendant must prove two elements: First, the defendant must show that counsel's performance was deficient. This requires showing that counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not functioning as the counsel guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment. Second, the defendant must show that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. This requires showing that counsel's errors were so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial, a trial whose result is reliable. Unless a defendant makes both showings, it cannot be said that the conviction or death sentence resulted from a breakdown in the adversary process that renders the result unreliable. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); see also Rutherford v. State, 727 So.2d 216 (Fla.1998). In establishing deficiency, the defendant must show that counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness based on prevailing professional norms. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688, 104 S.Ct. 2052. In establishing prejudice: The defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Here, the trial court determined that trial counsel's performance was not deficient. Defense counsel discussed the venue issue with Wike, received affidavits from fifty individuals, and prepared for filing a motion for change of venue. Counsel's decision not to file the motion for change of venue was premised upon Wike's opposition to a change of venue. Competent, substantial evidence supports the trial court's findings of fact, and, under all of these circumstances, we agree that trial counsel's performance was not deficient. Likewise, we agree with the trial court's determination as to the prejudice prong. The trial court determined that Wike failed to establish that grounds for a venue change existed, or that there was substantial difficulty in seating a fair or impartial jury. When applying the prejudice prong to a claim that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to move for a change of venue, the defendant must, at a minimum, bring forth evidence demonstrating that there is a reasonable probability that the trial court would have, or at least should have, granted a motion for change of venue if [defense] counsel had presented such a motion to the court. Meeks v. Moore, 216 F.3d 951, 961 (11th Cir.2000); see also Provenzano v. Dugger, 561 So.2d 541, 545 (Fla.1990) (concluding that counsel was not ineffective for failing to renew the motion for change of venue because it was a tactical decision and because it is most unlikely that a change of venue would have been granted because there were no undue difficulties in selecting an impartial jury). We agree with the trial court's determination as to both prongs, and therefore, reject Wike's claim on this issue.