Opinion ID: 1377007
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Counsel's Failure to Investigate Skillicorn's Clay County Jail Records

Text: For his next point, Skillicorn argues that his counsel was ineffective for not introducing records from the Clay County jail indicating that he was a model prisoner and did not behave violently while incarcerated. Counsel did not obtain these records from the jail. The postconviction court determined that the evidence in the file was cumulative to other evidence and that the information in the file did not aid Skillicorn. As noted above, one of Skillicorn's jailers, Sabri Esmahan, who had daily contact with him, testified on his behalf during the penalty phase. Esmahan testified that Skillicom was nonviolent, adapted well to incarceration, and had no problems while in custody. Counsel's stated purpose for having Esmahan testify was to show that Skillicorn would adjust well to incarceration if sentenced to life in prison and would not be a threat to others. Skillicorn's Clay County jail file has no information that better illuminates Skillicorn's behavior than the testimony given by Sabri Esmahanthe only recorded information in the file details Skillicorn's showering habits and minor conduct violations by Skillicorn while in custody. Counsel is not ineffective for not putting on cumulative evidence. Johnston, 957 S.W.2d at 755. The post-conviction court did not clearly err in making its findings of fact and conclusions of law as to this issue. Counsel was not ineffective for not presenting redundant evidence. Hall, 982 S.W.2d at 680; Johnston, 957 S.W.2d at 755.