Opinion ID: 1923504
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 19

Heading: Presentation of Mrs. McAdams' Prior Deposition Testimony

Text: Kormondy next argues that his appellate counsel was ineffective for not presenting Mrs. McAdams' deposition testimony on direct appeal to this Court. On appeal to this Court from the second penalty phase, appellate counsel argued that Kormondy was denied his Sixth Amendment right to cross-examine a witness when he attempted to impeach Mrs. McAdams' testimony by questioning her about a prior inconsistent deposition statement. This Court rejected the claim and noted that after the objection was sustained, [t]here was no explanation or proffer made at this point concerning what the defense was seeking with this question. Kormondy v. State, 845 So.2d 41, 52 (Fla. 2003). Kormondy now argues that in his presentation of the claim of violation of his right to cross-examine a witness, appellate counsel should have presented Mrs. McAdams' deposition testimony to this Court. Kormondy argues that had appellate counsel done so, this Court would have ruled on the merits of the issue. Because the record demonstrates that no proffer was made as required under Finney v. State, 660 So.2d 674 (Fla.1995), appellate counsel could not present to this Court evidence that was not proffered to the trial court. Accordingly, Kormondy is not entitled to habeas relief on this claim.