Opinion ID: 2615564
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Failure to have McNelton's mother testify during the penalty phase

Text: McNelton contends that trial counsel were ineffective because they failed to call his mother as a penalty phase witness. He argues that while counsel are bound, for example, by a client's decision regarding whether the client will testify, counsel were not bound by McNelton's decision that his mother not testify. Cf. SCR 152(1) (a lawyer shall abide by a client's decision concerning the objectives of representation). At the evidentiary hearing on the petition, defense counsel Christensen testified that although McNelton's mother was present in the courtroom, she was not called as a witness in mitigation because McNelton forbade the defense from calling her. The decision as to what mitigating evidence to present was a tactical one. See Howard, 106 Nev. at 722, 800 P.2d at 180. Because defense counsel attempted to have McNelton's mother testify but McNelton refused to allow them to do so, we conclude that defense counsel were not ineffective. Cf. Singleton v. Lockhart, 962 F.2d 1315 (8th Cir.1992) (holding that defense counsel was under no duty to put on mitigating evidence where the defendant made a knowing and intelligent decision not to present any mitigating evidence).