Opinion ID: 1826001
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Failure to Attend Depositions

Text: Stephens asserts that his lead counsel failed to attend several depositions. The trial court found that such absence is presumptively deficient, and we agree. The absence of counsel at discovery depositions in a criminal case where the State is seeking the death penalty is very disturbing. However, Stephens fails to demonstrate how he was prejudiced by counsel's failure to attend these depositions. Stephens simply contends that counsel failed to attend certain depositions, but does not provide any argument to demonstrate that, but for counsel's failure to attend these depositions, there is a reasonable probability that the outcome of the trial would have been different. Because Stephens fails to satisfy the prejudice prong of Strickland, we affirm the denial of relief on this claim.