Opinion ID: 2613357
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Trial Strategy

Text: Giles and Wright assert that counsel's failure to challenge the State's medical evidence was not a strategic decision; rather, it was due to lack of preparation. They challenge also counsel's strategic choices in calling witnesses and in presenting medical evidence. Finally, they argue that counsel's strategy of conceding that sexual abuse had occurred while attempting to cast doubt as to who were the perpetrators, was doomed to failure and therefore was not a reasonable course of action. Petitioners seem to be complaining that because their counsel was unsuccessful in obtaining an acquittal, ergo, he was incompetent and ineffective. We decline to take this view of the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of effective assistance of counsel and we require substantive proof rather than mere dissatisfaction with the outcome of one's trial. The standard for evaluating a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel was set forth by the United States Supreme Court in Cuyler v. Sullivan, 446 U.S. 335, 100 S.Ct. 1708, 64 L.Ed.2d 333 (1980), and in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). Idaho has explicitly adopted this standard. McNeeley v. State, 111 Idaho 200, 202, 722 P.2d 1067, 1069 (Ct.App.1986). The standard established in those cases is that counsel's performance must have been so incompetent that the trial can not be relied upon as having produced a just result. It is for the accused to show that counsel made serious errors and that the errors resulted in actual prejudice. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 686, 104 S.Ct. at 2064, 80 L.Ed.2d at 692. Giles and Wright present no convincing evidence that their counsel was incompetent or ineffective, or that either of them might not have been convicted were it not for his mistakes. There is ample evidence in the record which demonstrates counsel's familiarity with the evidence and his extensive pre-trial preparation. The petitioners' counsel clearly had a rational trial strategy and his tactical decisions will not be second-guessed on review. State v. Roles, 122 Idaho 138, 145, 832 P.2d 311, 318 (Ct.App.1992) (quoting Davis v. State, 116 Idaho 401, 406, 775 P.2d 1243, 1248 (Ct.App.1989)). In our view, counsel's choice of witnesses, manner of cross-examination, and lack of objection to testimony fall within the area of tactical, or strategic, decisions, as does counsel's presentation of medical evidence. See State v. Chapman, 120 Idaho 466, 469, 816 P.2d 1023, 1026 (Ct.App.1991). Without evidence of unfairness to Giles and Wright, we refuse to hold that the trial did not produce a just result. Neither are we persuaded that counsel made serious errors which prejudiced the outcome. Unless prejudice is presumed, the accused bears the burden of demonstrating prejudice to the outcome. Prejudice is presumed only when a defendant is denied counsel or when counsel represents conflicting interests. State v. Charboneau, 116 Idaho 129, 137, 774 P.2d 299, 307 (1989), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 922, 110 S.Ct. 287, 107 L.Ed.2d 267 (1989), and 493 U.S. 923, 110 S.Ct. 290, 107 L.Ed.2d 270 (1989), overruled on other grounds by State v. Card, 121 Idaho 425, 825 P.2d 1081 (1991). As discussed above, Giles and Wright have failed to show any actual conflict of interest in counsel's representation; accordingly, they are not entitled to a presumption of prejudice. We therefore hold that Giles and Wright have not met their burden of showing that counsel was incompetent or that their trial did not produce a just result.