Opinion ID: 158616
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: failure to investigate and present mitigation evidence

Text: 40 Petitioner argues that even if he waived his right to conflict-free counsel, he made no waiver of his right to effective representation. Essentially, petitioner complains counsel did not investigate and present mitigating evidence. According to petitioner, counsel failed to investigate his background; did not interview his family members; and failed to request or review records regarding his previous incarcerations, hospitalizations, and commitments. If counsel had done so, petitioner believes he would have found evidence of physical and sexual abuse, a family history of mental illness, and a previous horrific incarceration in Arkansas. Also, petitioner complains that counsel did not present evidence about his cooperation in prison. Because counsel allegedly conducted no investigation, petitioner maintains the decision not to present mitigating evidence was not an informed tactical decision. 41 On direct criminal appeal, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals held petitioner was permitted to waive presentation of mitigating evidence. See Wallace, 893 P.2d at 508, 515 n.10. The court determined if counsel had presented mitigating evidence, he would have contravened petitioner's wish that no evidence be presented. See id. at 515 n.10. 42 On post-conviction review, the Oklahoma appellate court first determined petitioner had waived his claims that ineffective assistance of counsel deprived him of mitigating evidence and that his waiver of the presentation of mitigating evidence was not knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. See Wallace, 935 P.2d at 370. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, however, recognized that it had made a determination on direct appeal that 43 Petitioner had the capacity to understand the choice between life and death and to knowingly and intelligently waive all rights to present mitigating evidence. Petitioner knew what mitigating evidence was, as his attorney discussed it with him. He likewise knew he had the right to present mitigating evidence. Petitioner refused to cooperate with his attorney in the presentation of mitigating evidence; indeed, Petitioner would not even let his attorney cross-examine prosecution witnesses during the sentencing hearing. 44 Id. at 376. The court concluded [p]etitioner understood the nature of mitigating evidence, understood the choice between life and death, and knowingly and intelligently waived all his rights to present mitigating evidence. Id. 45 The federal district court determined that counsel did as petitioner wished and that petitioner failed to show he would not have pleaded guilty if counsel had more thoroughly investigated mitigating evidence. 46 Claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are mixed questions of law and fact. See Miller v. Champion, 161 F.3d 1249, 1254 (10th Cir. 1998) (applying AEDPA). To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, a petitioner must prove that counsel's performance was constitutionally deficient and that counsel's deficient performance prejudiced the defense . . . . Boyd, 179 F.3d at 913 (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687); see also Hill v. Lockhart, 474 U.S. 52, 58 (1985) (holding this two-part test applies to challenges to guilty pleas based upon ineffectiveness of counsel). To prove deficient performance, petitioner must overcome the presumption that counsel's conduct was not constitutionally defective. See Boyd, 179 F.3d at 914. Judicial scrutiny of counsel's performance is highly deferential. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689. To establish prejudice, petitioner must show that but for counsel's deficient performance, there is a reasonable probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different. See id. at 694. 47 [C]ounsel's duty to investigate all reasonable lines of defense is strictly observed in capital cases. Nguyen v. Reynolds, 131 F.3d 1340, 1347 (10th Cir. 1997), cert. denied, 119 S. Ct. 128 (1998); see also Brecheen v. Reynolds, 41 F.3d 1343, 1366 (10th Cir. 1994) (in context of sentencing phase, attorney has duty to conduct reasonable investigation, which includes investigation into defendant's background; failure to conduct reasonable investigation may be deficient performance). Counsel, however, may make a reasonable decision that investigation is unnecessary. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691; Williamson v. Ward, 110 F.3d 1508, 1514 (10th Cir. 1997). A decision not to investigate is assessed for reasonableness, giving deference to the attorney's judgment. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691; Williamson, 110 F.3d at 1517. The reasonableness of counsel's decision not to investigate may be determined or greatly influenced by the petitioner's statements or behavior. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691. 48 Failure to present mitigating evidence is not per se ineffective assistance of counsel. See Boyd, 179 F.3d at 918. Where available mitigating evidence is not presented, this court focuses on the reason for the decision not to present the evidence. See Brecheen, 41 F.3d at 1368. '[T]he reasonableness of counsel's actions may be determined or substantially influenced by the defendant's own statements and actions.' See id. at 1370 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691). 49 Although the decision to introduce mitigating evidence is a nonfundamental right which is waivable by the defense attorney on the defendant's behalf, see id. at 1368-69, petitioner here actually waived investigation and presentation of mitigating evidence himself after conferring with counsel. At all times, counsel acted in accordance with petitioner's wishes not to cross-examine State witnesses, object to State evidence, or present mitigating evidence. See Tr. of 4/4/91 Hr'g at 51-52, 58-59, 67, 70-71, 84, 97, 102-03, 105 (counsel stated that at petitioner's request and instructions he would not cross-examine witnesses; petitioner confirmed counsel's statements and said he understood he could receive death penalty and death penalty was what he wanted; petitioner stated he did not want counsel to object to the videotape deposition of Ferguson; counsel stated that at petitioner's direction he would not object to exhibits and petitioner confirmed). 50 Petitioner, the only defense witness at the punishment trial, testified: (1) counsel presented no defense at his instructions; (2) he understood counsel could have vigorously presented a defense if he had desired one; (3) he pleaded guilty against his attorney's advice and he informed counsel from the outset he wanted the death penalty; (4) the aggravating evidence was overwhelming and damning; (5) he instructed counsel not to cross-examine witnesses or to object to the evidence because his goal was to obtain the death penalty; (6) if he had not been caught, he would engage in the same behavior again; and (7) he had no desire to present mitigating evidence. See id. at 106-08. Defense counsel's closing statement confirmed that he represented defendant's professed interests. See id. at 115-16. At sentencing, petitioner again declined to present any evidence to mitigate punishment. See Tr. of 4/12/91 Hr'g at 5. Based on the unique facts of this case, counsel's decision not to investigate or present mitigating evidence was completely determined by petitioner and was within the realm of reasonable tactical decisions. Cf. Brecheen, 41 F.3d at 1369 (deciding failure to present additional mitigating evidence was tactical decision where petitioner did not want to delay proceedings). We conclude petitioner has failed to show that counsel's performance was deficient. 51 Also, petitioner has not shown prejudice. He has not shown that but for any failure of counsel to investigate he would not have pleaded guilty or sought the death penalty. See Hill, 474 U.S. at 59. Rather, the record shows petitioner was absolutely determined to plead guilty and to obtain the death penalty. 52 Because petitioner has failed to make the required showings under Strickland and Hill, we conclude the state court decisions that counsel was not ineffective and that petitioner waived presentation of mitigating evidence are not unreasonable. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d).