Opinion ID: 1268223
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Available Mitigating Evidence

Text: [22] Counsel would have learned extensive information about Hamilton's background if he had conducted a reasonably thorough investigation. Various family members, physicians, and others could have testified about the abusive environment in which Hamilton grew up and his ongoing mental health problems. [12] This information could have been corroborated and supplemented by available records. [13] Because of counsel's deficient performance, however, the jury heard almost none of the following mitigating evidence. i. Family Background and Social History For most of his childhood, Hamilton lived with his father, Bob, his mother, Jackie, and his younger sisters, Carolyn and Vicki. The family moved eleven times over a fourteen-year period due to Bob's service in the U.S. Air Force. Bob began drinking heavily when Hamilton was only six months old. As his drinking worsened, Bob became an increasingly mean and vicious man. He physically abused Jackie throughout their marriage. He also attempted to control her and the children at all times. He killed any pets to which the children grew attached. He also frequently terrorized the children by forcing them to watch as he battered and degraded their mother, often threatening to kill her. If the children attempted to flee, Bob would drag them back by their limbs or hair. At times, he and Jackie wielded butcher knives at one another while the children watched. They both regularly beat Hamilton using either a paddle, switch, belt, or closed fists, but otherwise ignored him. Hamilton's parents engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior as well. Both parents walked around the home naked, fondling each other and making lewd comments in front of their children. On at least two occasions, Bob ritualistically lined up Hamilton and his sisters and made them watch as he forced Jackie to copulate him orally. Bob also sexually abused Carolyn for approximately four years. The abuse, which began when Carolyn was only ten years old, happened two to three times per week and included sexual intercourse and oral copulation. All of this occurred with the full knowledge of Hamilton's mother. Rather than protecting Carolyn from the abuse, she at times guarded the door to prevent Hamilton and Vicki from disturbing Bob and Carolyn in the bedroom. Jackie was also frequently present in the bed with her husband and daughter. On several occasions, Jackie pinned Carolyn to the bed and covered her mouth so that Hamilton and Vicki would not hear her crying. Other times, Jackie participated in a three-way deal with her husband and Carolyn; Jackie would engage in mutual foreplay and intercourse with Bob before he penetrated Carolyn. Jackie also bought contraceptive jelly for her. Hamilton was aware of his father's sexual abuse and of his mother's acquiescence in it. He tried to defend his sister, but his father beat him and threatened to kill him. The sexual abuse extended beyond Hamilton's immediate family. Bob's father had sexually abused both of Bob's sisters, and had tried to molest Carolyn. Two of Bob's brothers, Marvin and Don, sexually abused their daughters as well. Unbeknownst to Hamilton at the time, Marvin also sexually abused Carolyn. That abuse began after Bob's abuse was discovered, and continued sporadically for seven years until Carolyn was twenty-one. Carolyn told Marvin and her aunt Karen about her father's abuse in March 1967, when she was fourteen and Hamilton was fifteen. Marvin and Karen in turn reported the abuse to the police. Bob was arrested immediately, and Jackie was arrested three days later. Hamilton and his siblings were then taken into protective custody. In a dependency petition filed in the Kern County Juvenile Court the following day (one of the documents in defense counsel's possession at the time of trial), [14] a probation officer described Hamilton's home as an unfit place for him by reason of neglect, cruelty, or depravity and detrimental to said minor's moral upbringing in that said minor was present in the family home when incestuous acts occurred between said minor's sister, Carolyn Hamilton, and her father; further, said minor's mother, who had knowledge of the above mentioned incestuous activity, did nothing to inhibit these acts. A ten-page report filed by another probation officer approximately two weeks later contains additional detail about the sexual abuse and family history. The report also includes statements by Hamilton, Carolyn, and Jackie. The Kern County Juvenile Court adopted the report's recommendation and declared Hamilton a dependent of the court and placed him temporarily in shelter care. Approximately a month after his arrest, Bob pled guilty to the charge of willfully, unlawfully, feloniously, knowingly and incestuously hav[ing] sexual intercourse with [his daughter] Carolyn Marie Hamilton, of the age of fourteen years old. After several psychiatric evaluations, Bob was adjudged a mentally disordered sex offender and committed to Atascadero State Hospital. He was released less than a year later and sentenced to five years' probation. He was also required to register as a sex offender and to avoid any contact with his wife and children. Jackie was charged with a misdemeanor violation of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She also underwent psychiatric evaluation. One examiner noted that Jackie demonstrated no great remorse for her role in the abuse. The court ultimately determined that Jackie was not a mentally disordered sex offender. She was sentenced to thirty days' imprisonment and three years' probation. She was later sentenced to another year in prison for violating her condition of probation that she not see her children without court permission. Hamilton spent the next few years moving from one foster home to another. In May 1967, shortly after his parents' arrests, he was placed with his uncle Marvin, with whom he had a friendly relationship. This relationship ended after a few months, however, when Carolyn moved in and Hamilton witnessed his uncle molesting her. Marvin was convicted of grand theft shortly thereafter, and Hamilton and his sister returned to shelter care. Hamilton was then placed with the Rogers, with whom he had difficulty adjusting. His placement was terminated after a few months for unspecified reasons. In January 1968, at the age of sixteen, Hamilton was placed in the foster home of Ernest and Nellie Underwood. In his declaration, the Underwoods' son, Bill, stated that Hamilton had two sides to his personality. One side was a quiet, helpful, shy, obedient, and introverted child. The other was an irritable and agitated individual who did things on impulse. Most of these dark periods came after [Hamilton] had either personal or telephone contact with family members. Bill also noted that Hamilton was a loner who had no close friends and few if any acquaintances. In December 1968, Hamilton was sent to juvenile hall on two separate occasions for using the Underwoods' truck and for attending his high school prom, both without their permission. On January 10, 1969, the Kern County Juvenile Court adjudged Hamilton a ward of the court. Hamilton remained in juvenile hall until February 7, 1969, when he was placed in his third foster home. The home was run by Ruby and Oliver Carter, who were known for physical punishment. According to their nephew, James Beasely, Hamilton was beaten by Ruby with a belt. Hamilton requested that his case worker remove him from their home. His placement with the Carters was terminated after only four months. Hamilton returned to his mother's home in June 1969. As he had complied with the terms of his probation, Hamilton's wardship was dismissed on December 19, 1969, shortly after he married Christine Grealish. On April 23, 1970, their son was born. Hamilton's union with Christine was shortlived, however; they separated after a year and divorced in July 1973. During their marriage, Hamilton had a difficult time retaining a job and committed a number of relatively minor crimes. In April 1974, Hamilton married Gwen, whom he had been dating since his divorce. Between 1975 and 1980, he and Gwen had four children together. His employment and legal troubles continued during their marriage. ii. Mental Health History Even a cursory investigation would have revealed that Hamilton has suffered from serious mental health problems throughout most of his life. The problems were first discovered when Hamilton was twelve years old, around the time he became aware of his father's sexual abuse of Carolyn. In February 1964, William Karwacki, then a school psychologist, conducted a clinical examination of Hamilton at the request of one of his middle school teachers. Karwacki noted that his 1964 report observed that Hamilton's feelings of resentment and isolation have caused him to react negatively and antisocially in some instances, and violently and destructively in others. [15] Karwacki also noted Hamilton's feeling that his life and efforts have generally ended in failure. Hamilton appeared well trained to offer a positive account of his home environment to outsiders, and although acknowledging frequent physical punishment, he hastened to add that he always `had it coming.'  After evaluating Hamilton, Karwacki concluded that Hamilton was in critical need of immediate therapeutic intervention, through treatment by either a child psychiatrist or a psychiatric social worker. Karwacki attempted to conference with Hamilton's parents, but they were evasive and expressed ignorance of any reasons for [Hamilton's] psychological distress. Approximately a year later, Hamilton took a personality test used to assess mental, emotional, and psychological pathology, which was administered by the Juvenile Court for the Grant County Superior Court in Ephrata, Washington, where Hamilton's family lived at the time. James Wilkins, a clinical psychologist, examined the results of that test. Wilkins diagnosed Hamilton as suffering from schizophrenic paranoid disturbances and feelings of depression and hopelessness. In a letter written to the Juvenile Probation Officer, [16] Wilkins noted that Hamilton's results demonstrated unpredictability in behavior and attitude and [i]nner conflicts regarding sexual matters . . . [that] relate to feelings generated within the family. Based on his psychological assessment, Wilkins determined that Hamilton was in immediate need of intensive psychological and/or psychiatric evaluation and treatment. The Juvenile Probation Officer agreed with Wilkins's recommendation and informed the Juvenile Department that Hamilton is in definite need of either professional psychological help and [sic] possibly psychiatric care. Hamilton's parents were aware of his mental health problems. In April 1967, Bob and Jackie requested that the Grant County Juvenile Department provide professional help for Hamilton due to his adjustment problems. The following month, Bob requested a discharge from the Air Force on the ground that both his wife and son were suffering from mental health problems. In his request letter, Bob states that Hamilton has a mental problem . . . [and] needs special schooling and psychiatric care. Although Bob's discharge request was granted, Hamilton never received any treatment. By age eighteen, Hamilton's condition had worsened. According to Shirley Reece, a clinical social worker who evaluated him in 1994, [17] Hamilton recalled feeling hopeless and despondent about his life at the time. Hamilton's mental health further deteriorated after he joined the Army at nineteen. Shortly after enlisting, he went AWOL and attempted suicide by slashing his wrists with a pen knife. Hamilton's then-wife Christine recalled Hamilton being severely depressed. Between January 1971 and July 1972, Hamilton went AWOL five more times. During one of his absences, he shot himself in the leg and refused hospital attention for fear of being arrested. Mental health problems, like sexual abuse, were rampant in Hamilton's immediate and extended family as well. Prior to being discharged, Bob had threatened to commit suicide on several occasions. A clinical report prepared by Army medical examiners notes that, on one occasion in July 1964, Bob made out a will in a local tavern, handed it to the tavern owner and stated he was going to commit suicide. In April 1965, Bob discharged a shotgun in his home while Hamilton and his siblings were there. Although Bob later said to the Army officials that it was an accident, he had initially told Jackie that it was a suicide attempt. He confirmed his statement to Jackie at the time of his arrest for incest. Carolyn later reported that Bob tried to kill himself on at least one other occasion when he was home alone with her. Jackie also experienced mental health problems. In October 1965, she voluntarily admitted herself to the Agnews Developmental Center in San Jose. According to her record of admission, which Hamilton submitted at the evidentiary hearing, Jackie complained of experiencing depression for several months. She cried frequently and reportedly threatened to harm her husband and children. Jackie was discharged with a diagnosis of Psychoneurotic Reaction and Depressive Reaction. Although further treatment was recommended, there is no record of any follow-up. Members of Hamilton's extended family suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts as well. His paternal greatgrandmother spent time in a mental institution and later committed suicide. More recently, his cousin Roy, the son of Bob's brother Don, committed suicide in 1989. Roy's sister, Sandi, stated in her declaration that Roy was antisocial, moody, and paranoid in the years before his death. iii. Mental Health at the Time of Trial Hamilton's mental health showed no signs of improvement two decades after his initial psychiatric evaluations. Rather, the available documentary evidence reveals he was still suffering from depression at the time of trial. Hamilton testified that he had attempted suicide in prison in December 1981, shortly after his wife's death, by injecting toilet bowl cleaner into his arm. Defense counsel was aware of the incident before trial began but disputed that it was a legitimate suicide attempt. Hamilton allegedly told counsel that he faked the attempt so he could sleep in a better bed, eat a good meal, and try to escape. Hamilton unequivocally denied making this statement. Approximately five months after the alleged attempt, Hamilton was treated for depression while awaiting trial. The attending psychologist diagnosed him as having [a]djustment disorder, with depressed mood subsequent to being incarcerated and charged with murder. A physician thereafter prescribed an antidepressant medication, Tofranil. On October 18, 1982, one month before the penalty phase, Hamilton wrote defense counsel a note telling him that he was taking Tofranil. Hamilton provided a telephone number followed by the words, Mental Health; beneath the number, Hamilton wrote, Ask to speak to someone concerning my medication. Counsel testified at the evidentiary hearing that he never investigated the specific effects of Tofranil. It is undisputed that defense counsel was not a physician or otherwise qualified to evaluate Hamilton's mental health at the time of trial. When Hamilton was reevaluated for purposes of his habeas petition by Shirley Reece, George Woods (a psychiatrist), and James Merikangas (a psychiatrist and neurologist), [18] they all agreed that his abusive childhood had adversely impacted his mental health and that the negative effects had worsened over time. These effects were explained in the declarations that these doctors submitted at the evidentiary hearing. Reece summarizes her evaluation of Hamilton as follows: To know and understand Michael Hamilton, one must consult many first hand sources, most important of which are the family into which he was born. By all current measures, he was raised in an environment of intergenerational alcoholism, child abuse, and domestic violence . . . . [Y]et, tragically no individual, agency, nor military authorities ever intervened to protect the children . . . . . There is abundant evidence that all of the children in the Hamilton family were severely deprived in every sense of the word and lacked the normal affectional bonds and guidance which foster healthy development and prosocial behavior . . . . Michael was repeatedly subjected to gross maltreatment and incredible psychological abuse; and surely by all reasonable standards his parents' behavior was both deviant and depraved. Woods's declaration corroborates Reece's assessment of Hamilton's background and supplements it with medical opinions. Woods observes that Hamilton's sense of hopelessness, learned helplessness and chronic anxiety have their roots in those times he was forced to witness sadistic attacks against family members and was unable to help them. Woods concludes that, throughout his life, Hamilton has endured environmental, developmental and traumagenic factors beyond his control, which have resulted in serious psychiatric disorders that substantially altered his ability to understand and function in the world around him. Woods determines that these disorders compromise [Hamilton's] ability fully to appreciate the nature and consequences of his acts or to conform his conduct to the requirement of law. Woods adds that the medication Hamilton was taking during trial exacerbated preexisting mental disorders and made it extremely unlikely that he would have been able to weigh and consider such issues as the advantages and disadvantages to testifying. Merikangas's review of the relevant records similarly led him to conclude that Hamilton in all likelihood has significant neurological dysfunction and psychiatric impairments that affected his behavior both at the time of the offense and subsequently. The State offered no testimony or declarations to rebut the conclusions of Reece, Woods, and Merikangas. [23] We realize that the duty to investigate and prepare a defense is not limitless, and that it does not necessarily require that every conceivable witness be interviewed or that counsel must pursue every path until it bears fruit or until all conceivable hope withers. United States v. Tucker, 716 F.2d 576, 584 (9th Cir. 1983) (quoting Lovett v. Florida, 627 F.2d 706, 708 (5th Cir. 1980)) (internal quotation marks omitted). We impose nowhere near that standard of perfection here. Defense counsel did not even exhaust the few sources of information of which he was aware. Rather, he effectively abandoned his investigation after having acquired only rudimentary knowledge of [the defendant's] history from a narrow set of sources. Wiggins, 539 U.S. at 524. Given the abundance of classic mitigating evidence that was available, we conclude that counsel's investigation fell far below the constitutional floor.