Opinion ID: 2332913
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Claim 8Mental Health Evidence

Text: Chambers next alleges that prior counsel was ineffective for failing to present evidence of organic brain damage to the guilt phase jury. To support this argument, Chambers introduced a report by Dr. Patricia Flemings (Dr. Flemings), a psychologist who examined Chambers in March of 1998. Dr. Flemings found that Chambers had suffered head trauma, which would cause organic brain damage. During the guilt phase, Chambers staunchly maintained his innocence. The presentation of evidence of his mental health problems would have militated against that stance, so counsel had a reasonable basis for not presenting this evidence. Evidence of Chambers' mental health problems would likely have been more relevant during the penalty phase, but we do not discuss that issue because we have already determined that Chambers is entitled to a new penalty phase. Accordingly, trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to present evidence of Chambers' organic brain damage to the guilt phase jury.