Opinion ID: 2629866
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Hearing Impairment

Text: [¶ 31] Chapman claims that, because he suffers from an 80 percent loss of hearing, he could not hear and understand the trial proceedings and, thus, he was denied his constitutional rights to confrontation and to be present at trial. Without going into an extended and unnecessary constitutional analysis, suffice it to say that nothing in the record demonstrates that Chapman could not hear what was going on. During trial, neither Chapman nor his trial counsel indicated that Chapman was not hearing testimony; defense counsel asked the judge to instruct the victim to move closer to the microphones to be heard; and the record indicates that the courtroom had an amplified sound system. In addition, during an in-chambers discussion among Chapman, his attorney, and the district court judge regarding Chapman's decision not to testify, Chapman carried on a lengthy conversation with the district court and his attorney, and he even indicated he could hear witness questioning and testimony. Thus, nothing in this record leads this court to conclude Chapman was unable to hear. Cf. Sorensen v. State, 6 P.3d 657, 661-62 (Wyo.2000) (Nothing in the record indicated that juror was unable to hear the evidence.) Based on this record, Chapman's claim must fail both as a substantive matter and as a matter of ineffective assistance of counsel. [¶ 32] The judgment and sentence entered in the district court is affirmed.