Opinion ID: 2497384
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Ineffective Investigation of Other Suspects and Leads

Text: Rimmer also argues that trial counsel was ineffective because he failed to properly investigate other suspects and leads. Rimmer's argument fails because he has not demonstrated prejudice that undermines this Court's confidence in his guilt. Two eyewitnesses, Burke and Moore, identified Rimmer as the person who robbed Audio Logic and shot Krause and Knight. The description that Burke provided to the sketch artist was so consistent with Rimmer's actual appearance that an employee of one of Audio Logic's competitors recognized the person in the sketch as Rimmer. Burke also had an opportunity to view Rimmer in a nonconfrontational mode while sitting in the waiting room before she walked into the installation area and observed the robbery taking place. Additionally, at the time of his arrest, Rimmer had just led police on a high-speed chase during which he threw the gun stolen from Audio Logic, one of the victims' wallets, and the murder weapon out of the car. Moreover, Rimmer owned a car of the same make, model, and description that was seen at Audio Logic before and during the robbery. Audio equipment stolen from Audio Logic and bearing Rimmer's fingerprints was found in a storage unit that Rimmer rented just days after the robbery. In light of this overwhelming evidence of guilt, Rimmer cannot demonstrate prejudice. Rimmer is not entitled to relief.