Opinion ID: 1866971
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Trial counsel was ineffective during the penalty phase.

Text: Provenzano argues that his trial counsel should have called additional witnesses to demonstrate mitigation on his behalf. First, he faults counsel for not presenting expert testimony during the penalty phase concerning his mental condition. However, the defense presented extensive medical testimony during the guilt phase that Provenzano was paranoid. Both Drs. Pollack and Lyons expressed the opinion that Provenzano was insane when the shootings occurred. Such testimony as might have been presented during the penalty phase would have been largely repetitive. Provenzano also argues that counsel was derelict in not calling additional family witnesses to tell of his difficult background. However, Provenzano himself testified in great detail during the penalty phase, thereby giving the jurors an opportunity to observe his conduct and demeanor and to hear his life story. Further, Provenzano's sister described Provenzano's life history in detail in the guilt phase as a predicate for her opinion that he was insane during the shooting. Two other family members also testified concerning his mental condition, and many other witnesses testified about his peculiar conduct. The additional testimony which Provenzano now suggests should have been given would have been largely cumulative. Without reaching the question of whether counsel would have been well advised to present more witnesses with respect to Provenzano's background, we are convinced that had the witnesses whose testimony is now proffered been presented, the result would have been the same. Thus, Provenzano clearly failed to meet the second prong of Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984).