Opinion ID: 2504293
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Preparation of Evidence

Text: We begin our analysis of the assistance trial counsel rendered by summarizing their pre-trial preparations. Counsel focused much of their efforts on supporting a possible defense theory that was based on the allegedly-spontaneous nature of the murders, and they attempted to prepare evidence of Morrow's background and mental state that would support their theory that he had acted impulsively and out of character. Counsel testified that they believed that the domestic circumstances of the case could possibly support a verdict of voluntary manslaughter, and they pressed the State to consider a plea bargain to life without parole based on this characterization of the murders. Trial counsel met repeatedly with Morrow, his mother, and his sister, and the record makes clear that counsel discussed Morrow's childhood background with them extensively, despite the fact that counsel believed that a sound strategy would be to focus on Morrow's character as an adult. Counsel found Morrow's sister to be a more-reliable source of information than his mother. Contrary to Morrow's argument, it is simply not correct that trial counsel ignored information from the years during Morrow's childhood when he lived in New York and New Jersey, although we acknowledge that they relied heavily on Morrow, his mother, and his sister to provide information about that portion of Morrow's life. Counsel testified that they also contacted jail staff, Morrow's former co-workers, and numerous other potential witnesses. Counsel obtained funds for a private investigator, and counsel testified that they closely monitored the investigator's progress and that the investigator concentrated about 65 percent of his efforts on mitigation witnesses. The investigator testified that he was relatively inexperienced in mitigation investigations; however, we note that trial counsel retained ultimate responsibility for the defense strategy. Counsel had Morrow examined by a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist's report stated that Morrow's mother had been battered by Morrow's father and that Morrow had been abandoned by his father, had been picked on as a child because he was on welfare, and was currently depressed and remorseful. However, the psychiatrist's report also unflatteringly indicated that Morrow had been suspended from school numerous times for fighting, that Morrow had battered his ex-wife and his girlfriend, and that Morrow had a diagnosis of alcoholism, polysubstance abuse, and a personality disorder that included antisocial features. The psychiatrist's report indicated a sexual history that was unremarkable, except perhaps for the fact of Morrow's promiscuity with women. After concluding that the psychiatrist's report was potentially harmful to the defense on the whole, counsel eventually arranged for Morrow to be examined repeatedly by a psychologist in an effort to get Morrow to open up more about his background, to prepare Morrow emotionally to testify well, and to prepare the psychologist's possible trial testimony, which is outlined below. Before having Morrow examined, counsel briefed the psychologist on what their investigation had revealed about Morrow, and the psychologist never expressed to counsel any concern that additional information was necessary to his conclusions. Counsel and their investigator made reasonable attempts to contact a person who reportedly had served as a personal mentor to Morrow when he lived in the Northeast, to contact members of Morrow's extended family through Morrow's mother, and to obtain Morrow's school records and childhood psychological records. Counsel considered hiring a social worker but concluded that there was no need for one in the light of the preparation that they, their investigator, and their psychologist were doing.