Opinion ID: 213787
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Application of AEDPA Deference

Text: Turning first to the prior false allegations of sexual assault, Mr. Sussman takes the view that we should not apply the deferential standard set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d) because the state court did not resolve on the merits the question of whether Mr. Sussman was prejudiced by his counsel's actions. Mr. Sussman's own submission, however, belies his assertion. He states in his brief that, [a]s to the false accusation, the state court held Sussman did not meet the prejudice test because no prejudice could accrue from defense counsel's failure to file a pre-trial motion that would have been denied. Petitioner's Br. 16. At bottom, Mr. Sussman's argument is not that the state court failed to resolve the issue of prejudice, but that, because the state appellate court incorrectly concluded that the motion would have been unsuccessful, the court never weighed the potential impact of the omitted evidence on the jury. Resolving a claim on an improper or faulty basis is not the same as failing to adjudicate the claim on the merits. See Malinowski v. Smith, 509 F.3d 328, 332-34 (7th Cir.2007). Here, there is no question that, as Mr. Sussman tacitly acknowledges, the state court held that Mr. Sussman had not been prejudiced by his counsel's error. Therefore, we must evaluate this determination of the state appellate court under the deferential AEDPA standard. See Harrington, 131 S.Ct. at 787-88.