Opinion ID: 1796115
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Reduction of the Charge to Simple Murder or Manslaughter.

Text: ¶ 48. Powers next argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to move to have the capital murder charge reduced to manslaughter. First, the charge, or reduction thereof, is completely in the discretion of the prosecutor and ultimately the trial judge at the trial stage. Second, trial counsel attempted twice to have the indictment quashed. Trial counsel also moved for a directed verdict after the State rested. Powers then renewed the motion after the defense rested. ¶ 49. We are unable to find any basis in the record to support a reduction to manslaughter given the fact that Powers could not have accidently shot Lafferty at point blank range and near contact range in the head five times. As trial counsel explained at the evidentiary hearing to supplement the record: Well, if they struggled over the gun and the gun went off, I think common horse sense tells you it didn't accidentally go off five times causing wounds to the fact, side of the head and the back of the head. Further, Powers cites no applicable authority to support this contention. ¶ 50. Since the record is clear that trial counsel consistently fought the capital murder charge, Powers's argument that his trial counsel was ineffective in failing to move to reduce the charge is without merit.