Opinion ID: 1129352
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: victim impact evidence/motion to withdraw

Text: Schoenwetter next argues the trial court erred in denying defense counsel's motion to withdraw. He further argues the trial court's rulings on the admissibility of the victim impact evidence, based on arguments made by Schoenwetter and not his attorneys, resulted in a denial of effective assistance of counsel. The trial court denied counsel's motion to withdraw and found the victim impact evidence admissible. The record supports these findings by the trial court; therefore the trial court did not abuse its discretion. We affirm the trial court's denial of relief. Prior to the penalty proceedings, the defense attorneys filed motions challenging the victim impact evidence. During the penalty phase, the testimonies of three witnesses who would offer victim impact testimony were proffered to the court. During each proffered testimony, defense counsel objected but Schoenwetter interjected that the evidence should be allowed and that his attorneys should not object. The attorneys argued that the decision on whether or not to make objections rests with the attorneys and that Schoenwetter's comments should not be considered. After hearing the arguments of counsel and the defendant, the trial court noted that all objections were a part of the record and found the proffered evidence conformed to the requirements of the statute. The standard applicable to a trial court's ruling on the admission of evidence is whether there has been an abuse of discretion. See Zack v. State, 911 So.2d 1190 (Fla.2005). The trial court's ruling will not be disturbed on appeal absent a clear showing of abuse. See Boyd v. State, 910 So.2d 167 (Fla.2005). It is clear from this record that the trial court did not abuse its discretion. Prior to the penalty phase, Schoenwetter pled guilty, over counsel's advice, to all of the offenses charged, including the two charges of first-degree murder. In an abundance of caution, the trial court allowed the defendant to address the court on the victim impact issue. Despite the fact that the trial court allowed the defendant to speak, the trial court's ruling on the admissibility of this evidence was based on the trial court's belief that the admitted evidence was admissible under section 921.141(7), Florida Statutes (2000). [6] This is evident by the fact that after listening to the proffers, the trial court placed limitations on the testimonies of two of the victim impact witnesses. In addition to the provision for this type of testimony in section 921.141(7), this Court has held that victim impact evidence is relevant even though it does not address any aggravating circumstance or rebut any mitigating circumstance. See Burns v. State, 699 So.2d 646, 653 (Fla.1997). Based on the facts of this case and the proffered victim impact evidence, the trial court properly admitted the testimonies of the three victim impact witnesses. See Kormondy v. State, 845 So.2d 41, 53 (Fla. 2003). Based in part on the trial court's rulings on the victim impact evidence, defense counsel filed a motion to withdraw as counsel for Schoenwetter. [7] Defense counsel stated they would not have the defense controlled by Schoenwetter. The trial court denied the motion and in so doing noted that the rulings on the victim impact evidence were based on the fact that the evidence as limited was admissible under the statute. Moreover, the trial court attempted to alleviate any concerns by having the defendant evaluated despite the trial court's belief that no additional competency evaluation was necessary. The trial court properly denied the motion to withdraw. This record does not demonstrate that the attorney-client relationship had deteriorated to the point where counsel could no longer give effective aid in the fair representation of the defense. See Wilson v. State, 753 So.2d 683, 688 (Fla. 3d DCA 2000). General loss of confidence or trust standing alone will not support withdrawal of counsel. See Johnston v. State, 497 So.2d 863, 868 (Fla. 1986).