Opinion ID: 1784669
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Loss of Trial Counsel's Files

Text: In his fifth claim, Jones argues that the loss of trial counsel's files in a fire hindered collateral counsel's investigation and violated Jones's due process rights. At the evidentiary hearing, trial counsel testified that there was a fire in his office on or around March 21, 1994. The fire destroyed trial counsel's office building and his files related to Jones's case, including pleadings, correspondence, transcripts, and personal notes. The fire was caused deliberately because Molotov cocktails were thrown through the window. However, the trial court found that the fire was not specifically intended to destroy counsel's files related to Jones's case. In denying this claim, the circuit court found as follows: Defendant's trial file was destroyed through no fault of any one directly involved in this case. [Trial counsel's] testimony establishes that the fire at his office was an uncontrollable and unforeseeable act that was not intended purposely to destroy Defendant's . . . file. Although the destruction of the . . . file is unfortunate, this Court finds that the absence of a . . . file has not prejudiced Defendant and thus a violation of Defendant's constitutional rights has not been established. Defendant was granted a hearing and was permitted to question [trial counsel] concerning all aspects of his representation of Defendant. Accordingly, Defendant has been afforded a sufficient opportunity to adequately explore his claims for post-conviction relief. The standard of review for the circuit court's denial of this claim is abuse of discretion. Parker, 904 So.2d at 379. The law is scarce on this issue. However, the Eleventh Circuit has stated that [w]hen a defendant asserts prejudice because of the loss of evidence, he must show that the loss impaired his ability to provide a meaningful defense. United States v. Solomon, 686 F.2d 863, 872 (11th Cir.1982) (citing United States v. Cederquist, 641 F.2d 1347 (9th Cir.1981)) (denying appellant's claim that the records destroyed in a fire at his motel would have shown facts essential to his defense because he suffered minimal prejudice). We agree with the circuit court's analysis. Jones cannot demonstrate that the absence of trial counsel's files hindered collateral counsel's investigation. Furthermore, the only items destroyed in the fire that could not be recreated or replaced were trial counsel's personal notes of any interviews he had with Jones, Jones's relatives, or other witnesses, as well as phone messages and impressions and theories of the case. It is highly unlikely that these notes would have provided any additional information beyond what trial counsel testified about at the hearing. Moreover, these personal notes and impressions most likely would support the State's position by identifying specific reasons for trial counsel's choice not to call certain witnesses or pursue various courses of action. The circuit court did not abuse its discretion in denying this claim. Accordingly, we affirm that decision.