Opinion ID: 852183
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Trial Counsel's Attempt to Plead GBMI

Text: Baer contends that trial counsel's attempt to plead GBMI was ineffective because of counsel's failure to know the law and failure to present available evidence in support of the plea. (Appellant's Br. at 47-50.) Baer says that his lawyers did not know the law relevant to GBMI and the death penalty. (Appellant's Br. at 48.) Specifically, he contends that counsel did not know the holding of Harris v. State, 499 N.E.2d 723 (Ind.1986), or that there was a statute for GBMI. (Appellant's Br. at 48.) The State contends that trial counsel held an accurate view and interpretation on the current state of the law regarding GBMI and the death penalty. (Appellee's Br. at 58.) Trial counsel discussed both Harris and Prowell with the court during the two hearings on Baer's GBMI plea. (Trial Tr. at 183-84.) It seems that the current debate focuses on the parties' contentions before (and during) trial about whether a GBMI defendant might be ineligible for the death penalty or avoid death because a formal finding of GBMI might be a winning mitigator in a penalty phase or on appeal. The latter was among the prosecutor's objections to a GBMI judgment either by plea or jury finding. Baer has failed to show that trial counsel's knowledge of the law led to any confusion or mistaken understanding of a GBMI plea by the trial court. As for whether counsel were deficient in supplying enough mental health evidence to persuade the judge to accept his GBMI plea, it is plain that counsel believed there was adequate evidence to support such a finding, an abundance of evidence that there was mental illness in Mr. Baer's past, as counsel testified during postconviction proceedings. (PCR Tr. at 59-60.) The heart of the current contention is that had counsel called live witnesses and used more of them, rather than submitting the experts' written reports, Judge Spencer would have permitted a plea of GBMI. The written reports reflect some disagreement among the experts about the impact of Baer's illness on him at the time of the crime. In light of that and given the strategic advantage both sides sought in gaining or preventing a GBMI finding, we think Judge Spencer was right to disallow the plea and that he would not have acted otherwise had trial counsel proceeded the way Baer says they should have.