Opinion ID: 1611770
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to Present Evidence of Childhood Abuse

Text: Cole next contends that trial counsel failed to present evidence of child abuse. For example, Cole specifically asserts that his mother should have been called as a witness. In ruling on Cole's rule 3.850 motion, the trial court explained: Defendant alleges that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to present sufficient mitigating evidence of child abuse and Defendant's poor upbringing. Specifically, Defendant states that trial counsel was deficient for failing to call Defendant's mother, Ann Cole, during the sentencing phase. Defendant alleges that sufficient evidence of childhood abuse would have resulted in substantial mitigation and a life sentence. Trial counsel presented extensive evidence of Defendant's childhood abuse and poor upbringing during the sentencing phase of this case. Andrea Jane Headlee, Defendant's step-sister, testified that she lived in the same household as Defendant until he was 12. She testified that during that time both she and the Defendant were placed in foster homes more than once, that Ann Cole (Defendant's mother) was sent to prison during their childhood, that Defendant's father, Don Cole, was an alcoholic, and that Don and Ann Cole fought frequently during their marriage. Ann Marie Powers, another one of Defendant's step-sisters, testified that she lived in the same household as Defendant until he was 8. She testified that during that time the children were placed in foster homes at least twice, that Ann Cole was sent to prison one of those times, that Don Cole abused alcohol and that alcohol made him abusive, and that Don and Ann Cole fought frequently and that these fights included physical altercations. Don Cole, Defendant's father, testified that Defendant lived with him until Defendant was three or four. He testified that during that time Ann Cole was physically abusive towards the children and that she exhibited signs of mental illness. Defendant's allegations that his counsel was ineffective for failing to present evidence of childhood abuse and poor upbringing is amply refuted by the record. Any additional evidence of childhood abuse would have been cumulative of that actually presented. Additionally, this Court specifically inquired of Defendant as to whether he wanted his mother to testify on his behalf during [the] sentencing hearing. Defendant unequivocally stated that he did not wish his mother to testify. Defendant cannot now be heard to complain that his trial counsel was ineffective for not calling his mother to testify when Defendant himself specifically stated that he did not wish his mother to testify. State v. Cole, No. 94-498-CF, order at 10-11 (Fla. 5th Cir. Ct. order filed Feb. 18, 2000) (footnote and record citations omitted). We find no error in the trial court's determination that Cole's claim is refuted by the trial record and that the evidence which Cole now asserts should have been presented would have been cumulative. See Valle, 705 So.2d at 1334-35. As to Cole's specific claim about his mother, the record establishes that the trial court offered to send a deputy to pick up Cole's mother, who was under subpoena, but Cole on the record unequivocally declined the trial court's offer after conferring with trial counsel.