Opinion ID: 777262
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Counsel's failure to cross-examine key witnesses

Text: 49 As the second basis for his ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim, Moss focuses on his counsel's failure to cross-examine Freeman and Purdie. Moss contends that his counsel could have attempted to impeach Freeman's credibility by exploring the possibility that Freeman misidentified Moss, emphasizing Freeman's testimony that he had been drinking when he saw Moss and Gould run by his apartment. 50 With regard to Purdie, Moss argues that his counsel should have cross-examined Purdie on several grounds. First, he contends that her testimony was inconsistent, because she testified that she could not see Manley after he fell, yet claims that she saw Manley moving on the ground and attempting to get up. She further claimed that Moss stood directly over Manley and shot him. Second, Moss argues that Purdie's account conflicts with the medical examiner's testimony, which was introduced at the preliminary hearing, that no evidence of close-range firing existed. Moss next claims that his counsel could have cross-examined Purdie about the accuracy of her identification of Moss, given that Moss and Thomas allegedly resemble each other. Finally, Moss contends that his counsel failed to explore Purdie's possible bias, based on Purdie being a friend of Manley but only an acquaintance of Moss. 51 Modelski's testimony at the evidentiary hearing indicates that her decision not to cross-examine Freeman was a strategic choice. She considered his testimony to be inherently unbelievable and thought that cross-examination would simply focus additional attention on Moss's alleged admission. Although other attorneys might have reached a different conclusion about the value of cross-examining Freeman, Modelski's decision was within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Indeed, her strategic choice is virtually unchallengeable because she made it after considering the relevant law and facts. Id. at 690, 104 S.Ct. 2052 (noting that strategic choices made after thorough investigation of law and facts relevant to plausible options are virtually unchallengeable). We therefore conclude that Modelski's decision not to cross-examine Freeman did not constitute a constitutionally deficient performance. 52 The dissent reaches the opposite conclusion. In doing so, the dissent speculates as to possible lines of cross-examination, including the possibility that Freeman might have had hearing problems. The dissent's position that cross-examination might have led to a different outcome at trial is similarly speculative because Moss did not provide any evidence that Freeman would have testified any differently even if Modelski had cross-examined him. We believe that the dissent's reliance upon hypotheticals contradicts Strickland's admonition against second-guessing the performance of counsel. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. 2052 (Judicial scrutiny of counsel's performance must be highly deferential. It is all too tempting for a defendant to second-guess counsel's assistance after conviction or adverse sentence, and it is all too easy for a court, examining counsel's defense after it has proved unsuccessful, to conclude that a particular act or omission of counsel was unreasonable.... Even the best criminal defense attorneys would not defend a particular client in the same way.) Moreover, we disagree with the dissent's implication that the only way to discredit a witness is through cross-examination. Finally, we believe that the dissent fails to take into account the potential risk of having the damaging testimony repeated during cross-examination, a risk which could easily outweigh the possibility of identifying weaknesses in the witness's account. 53 Modelski's decision not to cross-examine Purdie presents a more difficult question. Although Modelski believed that cross-examination was unnecessary because Gould's counsel had cross-examined Purdie, a strong likelihood exists that Moss and Gould would have benefitted from different trial strategies. In fact, Purdie testified that she did not see Gould at the scene of the crime. Gould's counsel would therefore have had no incentive to challenge Purdie's credibility. As a result, Modelski's decision not to cross-examine Purdie was not a reasonable strategic decision entitled to deference. See Groseclose v. Bell, 130 F.3d 1161, 1170 (6th Cir.1997) (concluding that defense counsel's decision to defer completely to codefendant's counsel was deficient performance given the defendants' antagonistic defenses and the poor performance of the latter's attorney). 54 This determination, however, does not compel the conclusion that Modelski's decision not to cross-examine Purdie constituted constitutionally ineffective assistance. First, regardless of any inconsistencies in Purdie's testimony concerning her ability to see Manley after he fell to the ground, she unequivocally stated that she could see Moss very clearly, and she unhesitatingly identified Moss as the shooter at both the preliminary hearing and at trial. Moss also fails to explain what questioning Purdie about the alleged inconsistencies would have accomplished. As the magistrate judge noted, Purdie might have clarified her account, and her testimony would almost certainly have led to repetition of the most damaging testimony in the trial—that Purdie saw Moss shoot Manley. 55 Moss's reliance on the medical examiner's testimony to expose inconsistencies in Purdie's testimony is similarly misplaced. In addition to the fact that Moss does not present a definition of close-range firing, Purdie might have easily explained any discrepancy between her testimony and the medical examiner's report. For these reasons, failing to cross-examine Purdie in an attempt to expose the inconsistencies in her testimony did not establish a reasonable probability that ... the result of the proceeding would have been different. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052. 56 The second line of questioning that Moss contends his counsel should have pursued—an attack on the accuracy of Purdie's identification of Moss—also fails to establish a reasonable probability of a different outcome. Purdie testified that she saw Moss on a daily basis and she identified him at trial. She further identified him at the preliminary hearing where both Moss and Thomas were present. 57 Finally, Moss challenges Modelski's failure to cross-examine Purdie regarding her possible bias. But as the magistrate judge noted, 58 Purdy's [sic] acquaintance with both the victim and Moss were explored in her direct testimony and in her cross-examination by [Gould's counsel]. Repetition of that testimony on cross-examination by Modelski is unlikely to have yielded evidence of bias. Moss does not offer any fact that was not introduced at trial and which would suggest that Purdy's [sic] testimony was influenced by her relationship with any person. Mere speculation that such influence existed is insufficient to warrant serious consideration. 59 The magistrate judge's analysis thoroughly addresses Moss's claim and indicates that cross-examining Purdie about her potential bias would not have created a reasonable probability of a different outcome in Moss's trial. 60 In contrast to our conclusion, the dissent believes that Modelski's failure to cross-examine Purdie constituted deficient performance and was prejudicial to Moss. To the extent that the dissent relies upon the inherent unreliability of eyewitness testimony to establish prejudice, we have already explained why we do not agree with this reasoning. We also disagree with the dissent's position that relying on the testimony of two eyewitnesses as an indication of the strength of the government's case against Moss conflicts with our conclusion that failing to cross-examine Purdie was harmless error. In our view, the problem with the dissent's reasoning is that it relies upon speculation regarding the potential benefits of cross-examination. Such possibilities do not constitute a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052. 61 For all of the reasons stated above, we conclude that Modelski's decision not to cross-examine Purdie did not violate Moss's Sixth Amendment right to the effective assistance of counsel. And even if his counsel's performance was deficient, Moss has failed to establish a reasonable probability that the outcome of his trial would have been different if Modelski had cross-examined Purdie. 62