Opinion ID: 2735768
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Post-Conviction Motion in State Court

Text: After his conviction and direct appeal, Fennell filed a post-conviction motion, pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850, raising an ineffective assistance claim based on trial counsel’s failure to strike Abdool for cause. After an evidentiary hearing, the state 3.850 court denied relief. After stating Strickland’s test for ineffective assistance, the state 3.850 court determined that the proper inquiry was whether trial counsel’s failure to object to, or move to strike, a particular juror resulted in a biased juror serving on the jury. Based on the testimony, transcripts, and exhibits, the state 3.850 court found that: (1) Fennell had not shown by competent and substantial evidence that Abdool had actual bias against him; and (2) “trial counsel’s performance, viewed from her perspective at the time of trial, considering all the facts and circumstances, was reasonable under prevailing professional norms.” The state appellate court affirmed. See Fennell v. State, 77 So. 3d 190 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2011) (unpublished table decision).