Opinion ID: 1786306
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to Call Dr. McMahon

Text: The postconviction court denied the first claim after careful analysis. The crux of its denial is summarized in its statement that: Bowles' trial counsel recognized that some of Dr. McMahon's testimony would be helpful, but also recognized that some of her opinions about Bowles' personality would be harmful. . . . After weighing the benefit of her testimony against its potential harm, trial counsel made a strategic trial decision not to call Dr. McMahon. State v. Bowles, CR-A 16-1994-CF-12188-AXXX-MA (Fla. 4th Cir. Ct. order filed Aug. 12, 2005) (Postconviction Order) at 9. Specifically, the postconviction court noted that Dr. McMahon would have testified that: (1) Bowles was only mildly impaired; (2) his impairment did not stem from problems with his brain; (3) Bowles possessed rage; (4) he had poor impulse control; and (5) Bowles had an impairment in empathy. Given these facts, the postconviction court held it was reasonable not to have Dr. McMahon testify. The postconviction court also considered Dr. Krop's testimony. It noted that Dr. Krop faulted Dr. McMahon for not performing a comprehensive neurological examination of Bowles. It also noted that Dr. Krop testified that it was possible that Bowles suffered from an organic brain impairment, including a likelihood of frontal lobe impairment. Id. at 10. The postconviction court concluded that Bowles' claim was nevertheless insufficient because, [e]ven had [Dr. Krop testified], the court is not convinced that the outcome would have been any different in light of the overwhelming evidence of aggravation in this case. Id. at 11. Finally, the postconviction court concluded that trial counsel made a strategic decision not to have Dr. McMahon testify: Trial counsel decided not to present Dr. McMahon as a witness after weighing the benefit of her testimony against its potential harm. This decision was made after a thorough investigation of existing mitigation and careful analysis of Dr. McMahon's testimony by Bowles' attorneys. It was a strategic trial decision for which lawyers are given wide latitude. Considering Dr. McMahon's views regarding Bowles' lack of empathy and dangerousness and her own statements that her testimony would have been devastating to Bowles, and Dr. Krop's testimony that even some of his opinions regarding Bowles anti-social traits (which he felt would be harmful but could be explained to a jury), the Court concludes that trial counsel acted in a prudent manner in deciding against presenting Dr. McMahon as a witness. Id. at 10-11 (record reference and citations omitted). Competent, substantial evidence supports the postconviction court's conclusion that this decision was strategic. The decision was also reasonable. Dr. McMahon was a very risky witness to present. She was a well-qualified clinical psychologist who concluded that Bowles did not suffer from anything beyond mild impairments. She further concluded that he was impulsive and dangerous. She stated that she would have to discuss three other murders that would not otherwise be introduced. It was not unreasonable for trial counsel to withhold her testimony from the jury. Because the decision was reasonable, Bowles' trial counsel were not ineffective under Strickland. See, e.g. Gaskin v. State, 822 So.2d 1243, 1248 (Fla.2002) (Trial counsel will not be held to be deficient when she makes a reasonable strategic decision to not present mental mitigation testimony during the penalty phase because it could open the door to other damaging testimony.). [3]