Opinion ID: 1622453
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: whether trial counsel walters and kesler failed to provide howard with constitutionally effective assistance of counsel.

Text: ¶ 46. The first argument Howard raises in his pro se brief is the ineffectiveness of his trial counsel. The specific instance of ineffective assistance, according to Howard, was his counsel's failure to retain an expert in forensic odontology to rebut Dr. West's testimony. However, Kesler and Walters did consult with a Dr. Richard Souviron in anticipation of Howard's first conviction being reversed. Dr. Souviron indicated that he would probably concur in Dr. West's findings because of Howard's partial upper denture and the fact that Kemp's body was never exposed to the elements. Howard's attorneys made the tactical decision not to call Dr. Souviron because, according to Kesler, we didn't want to take the risk of giving the State another expert and an expert that in my opinion [was] more credible than Doctor West.... ¶ 47. The standard of review is well-settled: The standard of review for a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is a two-part test: the defendant must prove, under the totality of the circumstances, that (1) his attorney's performance was deficient and (2) the deficiency deprived the defendant of a fair trial. Hiter v. State, 660 So.2d 961, 965 (Miss.1995). This review is highly deferential to the attorney, with a strong presumption that the attorney's conduct fell within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance. Id. at 965. With respect to the overall performance of the attorney, counsel's choice of whether or not to file certain motions, call witnesses, ask certain questions, or make certain objections falls within the ambit of trial strategy and cannot give rise to an ineffective assistance of counsel claim. Cole v. State, 666 So.2d 767, 777 (Miss.1995). Anyone claiming ineffective assistance of counsel has the burden of proving, not only that counsel's performance was deficient but also that he was prejudiced thereby. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). Additionally, the defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for his attorney's errors, he would have received a different result in the trial court. Nicolaou v. State, 612 So.2d 1080, 1086 (Miss.1992). Finally, the court must then determine whether counsel's performance was both deficient and prejudicial based upon the totality of the circumstances. Carney v. State, 525 So.2d 776, 780 (Miss.1988). Jackson v. State, 815 So.2d 1196, 1201 (Miss.2002). See also Pruitt v. State, 807 So.2d 1236, 1239-40 (Miss.2002); Powell v. State, 806 So.2d 1069, 1076-77 (Miss.2001); Simmons v. State, 805 So.2d 452, 479 (Miss.2001); Sanders v. State, 801 So.2d 694, 702 (Miss.2001); Spry v. State, 796 So.2d 229, 232 (Miss.2001). ¶ 48. Howard cites no authority in support of his assertion of ineffective assistance of counsel. That aside, he also fails to establish both deficient performance and prejudice. The argument that counsel's failure to obtain an expert to counter Dr. West is not only wrong but also is indicative of sound trial strategy. This assignment of error is without merit.