Opinion ID: 1099739
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 25

Heading: Failure to develop viable defenses to the charges.

Text: ś 129. The brothers argue that in addition to the conflict of interest, trial counsel also failed to develop viable defenses for the charges against them. The issue of the conflict of interest was addressed in Issue 1. There was no conflict of interest, and, thus, we need not address that assertion further. ś 130. As to the viable defense argument, the brothers cite the example that trial counsel did not develop a self-defense argument for Doc. In addition, the brothers state that trial counsel's assertion that Pool's cause of death was by drowning rather than by fatal blows was not to any of their benefits. Specifically, because this alleged cause of death leaves Crimm without a defense since Watson placed the drowning on Crimm. Again, these instances do not amount to ineffective assistance of counsel.