Opinion ID: 2145408
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Whether Morgan Received Ineffective Assistance of Counsel.

Text: As this is a constitutional claim, review is de novo. Kellogg v. State, 288 N.W.2d 561, 563 (Iowa 1980). Morgan bears the burden of demonstrating ineffective assistance of counsel. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688-90, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 2065-66, 80 L.Ed.2d 674, 693-94 (1984); State v. Risdal, 404 N.W.2d 130, 131-32 (Iowa 1987). Morgan must show that under the entire record and totality of the circumstances his attorney's performance was not within the normal range of competence. State v. Miles, 344 N.W.2d 231, 233-34 (Iowa 1984). Morgan must show that his lawyer failed to perform an essential duty, and that failure resulted in prejudice. Risdal, 404 N.W.2d at 130-31. Morgan's ineffective-assistance-of-counsel argument takes two forms. First, he uses it as a backstop in case we hold that his trial counsel failed to preserve error for appellate review on the following three issues: suppression of Morgan's confession, change of venue, and jury selection errors. Having considered these issues on the merits, we need not address any contention that Morgan's trial counsel did not adequately preserve those issues for our review. Second, Morgan asserts that his trial counsel failed to object to improper statements made by the prosecutor during closing arguments. We have considered this contention in the light most favorable to Morgan and find that it is without merit. We have considered all issues, whether fully discussed or not, and conclude that the judgment of conviction on the first-degree sexual abuse charge must be vacated. In all other respects the judgments of the district court are affirmed. Costs of appeal are assessed ninety percent to the appellant and ten percent to the appellee. AFFIRMED IN PART AND VACATED IN PART.