Opinion ID: 2240218
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to Interview Defense Witness

Text: At trial, Sparks presented the testimony of David Sparks, who had pled guilty to the instant homicide. David testified that he alone had fired the shots that killed the victim, and that Paul had not fired at the victim. However, David also testified that Paul had urged him to shoot the victim a second time. Appellant now alleges that this damaging evidence was a result of counsel's failure to interview the witness. Whether counsel failed to interview David Sparks was the subject of conflicting testimony at the post-conviction hearing. While David testified that counsel did not talk to him prior to trial, counsel testified that we talked to David and had an idea of what he would testify to. Moreover, counsel testified that, regardless of the damaging testimony given by David Sparks, his exculpatory testimony was still necessary to defendant's case. Deciding whether to call a witness is a matter of strategy Stanley, 479 N.E.2d 1315. Counsel was familiar with the testimony to be offered by David Sparks and could have weighed the exculpatory evidence gained against the inculpatory statement which would come with it. Appellant had approved and in fact insisted upon calling this witness. Counsel's decision to present the witness was not unreasonable.