Opinion ID: 1210535
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Facilitation of the Press Conference

Text: Whittier arranged for a press conference at which Wood made incriminating statements. Prior to this time Wood had initiated calls to members of the press and had responded to calls from the press despite Whittier's advice to Wood that he should refrain from such communications. Apparently Whittier's thought in arranging for the press conference was that this would demonstrate to Wood that he could not trust the press to convey the information he wished to give in the manner he desired. Whatever the theory, it was flawed due to the obvious risk involved that Wood might make statements that could be used against him. Counsel's conduct in this regard fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. However, the second element to establish ineffective assistance of counsel is that, but for counsel's errors, the result of the proceedings would have been different. Charboneau, 116 Idaho at 137, 774 P.2d at 309. Wood has not met the second element. Wood had already confessed to Detective Shaw. Both the district court and this Court have ruled that Wood has shown no basis to suppress that confession. Also, contrary to counsel's advice, Wood had already admitted to members of the press that he killed Jeralee. Whittier's tactic was ill-advised, but it was apparently born of desperation to control a client who was uncontrollable. Once again, tactical decisions will not be second-guessed on review. Giles, 125 Idaho at 924, 877 P.2d at 368.