Opinion ID: 1931059
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 20

Heading: Failure to Disclose Pertinent Facts

Text: Wright first argues that the State intentionally deceived this Court regarding issues he raised in his direct appeal. In his direct appeal, Wright challenged numerous rulings made by the judge at trial. Wright now asserts that the State was in possession of, but did not divulge, pertinent information that would have favorably resolved his challenges on appeal. This is a claim that was or could have been presented in Wright's direct appeal or his 3.850 proceedings. Issues which were or could have been presented in prior proceedings cannot be reconsidered in a petition for writ of habeas corpus. See Mann v. Moore, 794 So.2d 595, 600-01 (Fla.2001). This procedural bar also acts to prohibit variant claims previously decided. See Jones v. Moore, 794 So.2d 579, 586 (Fla. 2001) (finding procedural bar to habeas claim which was variant to claim previously addressed). This claim is therefore procedurally barred. In a footnote to this claim, Wright also asserts that appellate counsel failed to address the State's misrepresentation in his reply brief, and thus rendered ineffective assistance of appellate counsel. While claims of ineffective assistance of appellate counsel are appropriate considerations in habeas corpus petitions, see Rutherford v. Moore, 774 So.2d 637, 643 (Fla.2000), Wright does not develop this issue beyond the bare assertion. In order to prevail on this issue, Wright would have to show that [appellate] counsel's performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, there is a reasonable probability that the result of the proceedings would have been different. Scott v. Dugger, 604 So.2d 465, 469 (Fla.1992). The defendant bears the burden of establishing a prima facie case based upon a legally valid claim. Mere conclusory allegations are not sufficient to meet this burden. See Kennedy v. State, 547 So.2d 912, 913 (Fla.1989). Wright's conclusory allegation that appellate counsel was ineffective is legally insufficient.