Opinion ID: 573090
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Counsel Claim.

Text: 70 Wilkerson contends that the district court erred in denying his ineffective assistance of counsel claim based on the presumed correctness of state court findings under 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). He asserts he was entitled to a federal evidentiary hearing. To receive such a hearing, Wilkerson must allege facts that, if proved, would entitle him to relief. Townsend v. Sain, 372 U.S. 293, 312, 83 S.Ct. 745, 756-57, 9 L.Ed.2d 770 (1963); Wilson v. Butler, 825 F.2d 879, 880 (5th Cir.1987), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 1079, 108 S.Ct. 1059, 98 L.Ed.2d 1021 (1988). 71 We substantially adopt the district court's analysis of Wilkerson's counsel claims. Wilkerson v. Collins, No. H-91-2252 (S.D.Tex. August 14, 1991) (Memorandum Opinion). 72
73 Ineffective assistance of counsel claims are reviewed for federal constitutional error under the two-prong standard of Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). See Burger v. Kemp, 483 U.S. 776, 107 S.Ct. 3114, 97 L.Ed.2d 638 (1987). To satisfy this standard a criminal defendant must establish: 74 First ... that counsel's performance was deficient. This requires showing that counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not functioning as the counsel guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment. Second, the defendant must show that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. This requires showing that counsel's errors were so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial, a trial whose result is reliable. Unless a defendant makes both showings, it cannot be said that the conviction or death sentence resulted from a breakdown in the adversarial process that renders the result unreliable. 75 Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S.Ct. at 2064. 76 Judicial scrutiny of counsel's performance must be highly deferential. Id. at 689, 104 S.Ct. at 2065. Every effort must be made to eliminate the distorting effect of hindsight. Id. Courts must indulge a strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance and a defendant must overcome the presumption that the challenged action 'might be considered sound strategy.'  Id. (quoting Michel v. Louisiana, 350 U.S. 91, 101, 76 S.Ct. 158, 164, 100 L.Ed. 83 (1955)). 77 To demonstrate prejudice the defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. Id. 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S.Ct. at 2068. When a defendant challenges his death sentence, the question is whether there is a reasonable probability that, absent the errors, the sentencer--including the appellate court, to the extent it independently reweighs the evidence--would have concluded that the balance of aggravating and mitigating circumstances did not warrant death. Id. at 695, 104 S.Ct. at 2068-69. 78
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80 Wilkerson asserts that trial counsel were ineffective for failing to conduct a reasonable investigation to determine what defenses were available. Specifically, he argues that trial counsel should have fully investigated his mental condition, and sought an expert evaluation of his mental and psychological state. 81 Strategic choices of trial counsel are granted a heavy measure of deference in a subsequent habeas corpus attack. Strickland, at 690-91, 104 S.Ct. at 2066. In the present case, the trial court found as a factual matter that counsel conducted reasonable inquiry into the applicant's psychological history and, based upon information received as well as observations of the applicant, made a decision to forego further inquiry into matters of sanity, competency, or psychological status. Ex Parte Wilkerson, No. 383749-B (Harris County, Tex. August 12, 1991). The record reflects that trial counsel retained an investigator to explore Wilkerson's background and mental condition. Counsel talked with and observed Wilkerson. He interviewed Wilkerson's family. This investigation did not lead counsel to believe that Wilkerson's mental state would support a defense at the guilt-innocence phase or produce different evidence for mitigation of punishment. When viewed under the deferential Strickland standard, these procedures and this conclusion do not demonstrate that the alleged limits of trial counsel's investigation constituted unreasonable assistance of counsel for Wilkerson's defense. 82
83 Wilkerson asserts that he was denied effective assistance of counsel because trial counsel failed to investigate factors in his background and mental competency which would have produced mitigating evidence. Wilkerson argues that, had trial counsel conducted an independent background investigation, they would have discovered substantial mitigating evidence. 84 The mitigating evidence Wilkerson now asserts was available consists of: school records which reveal that a psychologist or psychiatrist interviewed Wilkerson as a child and found he had mental limitations; his alleged present mental impairment; his alleged deprived family background; and, his asserted past good behavior and lack of criminal record. Because his attorneys at trial failed to discover or develop this mitigating evidence, Wilkerson claims he is entitled to relief. 85 These allegations are not sufficient, however, to demonstrate that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel. We must strongly presume that trial counsel rendered adequate assistance and that the challenged conduct was the product of reasoned trial strategy. Strickland at 690, 104 S.Ct. at 2066. Wilkerson's assertions do not counteract Strickland 's presumption. Although no mitigating evidence or witnesses were presented by defense counsel at the punishment phase, failure to present mitigating evidence if based on an informed and reasoned practical judgment, is well within the range of practical choices not to be second-guessed. Mattheson v. King, 751 F.2d 1432, 1441 (5th Cir.1985). 86 Wilkerson's trial counsel interviewed Wilkerson, his mother, and other relatives. Neither Wilkerson nor his relatives were able to supply the names of potential defense witnesses. Investigation did not reveal reason to suspect that Wilkerson's mental capacity was in any fashion impaired. [W]hen a defendant has given counsel reason to believe that pursuing certain investigations would be fruitless or even harmful, counsel's failure to pursue those investigations may not later be challenged as unreasonable. Burger v. Kemp, 483 U.S. 776, 795, 107 S.Ct. 3114, 3126, 97 L.Ed.2d 638 (1987) (quoting Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. at 691, 104 S.Ct. at 2066). Wilkerson does not here assert the failure of trial counsel to object to the prosecutor's peremptory challenges as ineffective assistance of counsel. Wilkerson has failed to demonstrate that counsel's performance was defective within the meaning of Strickland. 87
88 Wilkerson claims that there exists a reasonable probability that, but for the failure of trial counsel to investigate, the result of the proceeding would have been different. Under Strickland, however, a petitioner cannot simply allege but must 'affirmatively prove' prejudice. Celestine v. Blackburn, 750 F.2d 353, 356 (5th Cir.) (citation omitted), cert. denied, 472 U.S. 1022, 105 S.Ct. 3490, 87 L.Ed.2d 624 (1985). Assuming arguendo that Wilkerson's counsel's performance was deficient, Wilkerson has not shown that presentation of the allegedly mitigating evidence would have affected the outcome of his trial. Wilkerson has failed to establish prejudice. He has failed to show the existence of evidence of sufficient quality and force to raise a reasonable probability that, had it been presented to the jury, a life sentence would have resulted. When either prong of Strickland, deficient performance or prejudice, is not proved the petitioner is not entitled to relief. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S.Ct. at 2064. 89
90 Wilkerson asserts that the Texas statute so chilled counsel that he was deterred from developing or presenting mitigating evidence. Alternatively, Wilkerson argues that trial counsel did not make strategic decision not to pursue or present such evidence, but, rather, counsel had no idea that mitigating evidence existed. These contentions are also without merit. Trial counsel argued to the jury Wilkerson's age and his acceptance of responsibility as if they could be considered within the Texas special issues. Cf. Russell v. Lynaugh, 892 F.2d 1205, 1215 (5th Cir.1989). No chilling effect was shown or could be implied.