Opinion ID: 1822567
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Failing to Prepare Lay Witnesses

Text: Kearse alleges that defense counsel failed to prepare him, Pamela Baker, and his aunt and uncle to testify. Kearse's claim that counsel failed to prepare him is based on an exchange at resentencing in which defense counsel asked Kearse where he had been incarcerated before his arrest for the murder. Kearse answered that he had been on death row at Raiford, which is where he was incarcerated after the trial. This answer was unresponsive to the question. Accordingly, Kearse fails to demonstrate that counsel was deficient. Kearse's claim regarding his relatives was not raised in his postconviction motion and thus it is unpreserved for appeal. Further, in his brief the claim is conclusory, meeting neither prong of Strickland. Kearse's claim that counsel was ineffective for allowing Ms. Baker to testify regarding his juvenile record is also conclusory and meritless. He claims without explanation that the evidence was not admissible. As the testimony at the postconviction hearing made clear, the evidence was admissible and defense counsel chose to admit it through Ms. Baker who could present it in context with Kearse's mental health and social services history. Accordingly, the trial court was correct to deny relief on all of these claims. [5]