Opinion ID: 73176
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: issues

Text: 1. Whether Sims's attorneys were ineffective for the following reasons: a. failure to challenge the suggestive identification procedures; b. failure to object to the use of hypnotically-induced testimony; c. failure to object to the use of shackles on the defendant; d. failure to adequately confront and cross-examine Baldree; e. failure to object to improper prosecutorial comment; and f. counsel's commission of numerous omissions and errors that undermined confidence in the verdict. 2. Whether Sims's constitutional rights were violated when unreliable hypnotically enhanced testimony was used against him. 3. Whether the trial court unconstitutionally curtailed defense counsel's cross-examination of witness Curtis Baldree. 6 4. Whether the prosecution failed to reveal the actual terms of the plea agreement extended to James B.B. Halsell in exchange for his testimony.3 5. Whether the prosecution withheld exculpatory documentary and testimonial evidence. 6. Whether there was prosecutorial misconduct during closing argument at the penalty stage. 7. Whether the trial court erred when it denied Sims's request for an evidentiary hearing to determine the prosecution-proneness of the jury empaneled in his case. 8. Whether Sims was denied a fair trial because the trial court denied a motion for mistrial based on a witness's reference to Sims's mug shot during trial. 9. Whether Sims's federal rights were violated when the trial court ended post-trial inquiry of a juror and denied Sims's motion for a new trial. 10. Whether the trial court erred in permitting the jury to return general verdicts on allegedly multiple and inconsistent counts of first degree murder. 11. Whether Sims received ineffective assistance of appellate counsel on direct appeal. 12. Whether Sims was denied the right to present a defense and have a fair trial because of the trial court's exclusion of three documents. 13. Whether errors during the guilt phase require vacating Sims's death sentence. 14. Whether there was constitutional error with regard to Sims's sentencing due to a Hitchcock violation.