Opinion ID: 2997111
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Summary of counsels’ preparation and

Text: strategy Conner was represented by two court-appointed attorneys during the guilt and penalty phases, Ricardo Mendez and Steven Lazinsky. At the time of his trial in 1988, Mendez had over ten years of criminal experience, including the representation of capital defendants, and had received training in capital defense. Lazinsky had prosecuted murder cases, as well as either prosecuting or defending approximately twenty Class A and B felony cases. In preparation for Conner’s defense, the two attorneys undertook substantial work and consulted with each other regarding the case. Although Mendez, the attorney who was initially designated as the lead attorney, did not in fact take charge of Conner’s case, Lazinsky did fulfill that role. Trial 22 No. 03-1951 counsel sought some assistance from the Indiana Public Defender Council and visited Conner on several occasions to discuss his defense. Counsel timely filed numerous motions, including a motion to suppress Conner’s confession, perhaps the most damning piece of evidence against Conner. Other motions included: funding requests for an investigator and a mental health evaluation by a psychiatrist of Conner’s choosing, voir dire requests, a motion to dismiss the death penalty information, and at least six motions to restrict the prosecution’s presentation of evidence and argument. Specifically with respect to Conner’s mental health, counsel received three reports from three separate evaluations. Two court-appointed doctors, Drs. Hull and Schuster, concluded that Conner suffered from no mental diseases or defects based upon an examination conducted by Dr. Fredrickson. A third mental health examination was later conducted by Dr. King at defense counsels’ request, in order to explore any potential defenses. Counsel concluded that Dr. King’s report could not support a mental-health defense, and none was pursued at trial. Counsel also requested and received funds for an investigator. Counsel hired a former homicide detective who had conducted over 150 homicide investigations. The investigator looked into Conner’s case and reported back to counsel. The record also shows that counsels’ theory of defense during the guilt phase of Conner’s trial was that the prosecution could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Conner had committed all three murders. During trial, defense counsel effectively cross-examined the state’s witnesses and objected to the admission of evidence in order to create reasonable doubt. Specifically, counsel pointed to factual disputes regarding Voge’s murder which suggested that Mark Via, not Conner, may have actually killed Voge. Likewise, counsel also suggested that Moore was actually responsible for Wentland’s murder. No. 03-1951 23 At the penalty phase, counsels’ strategy was to humanize Conner. Defense counsel argued during opening and closing arguments that although Conner had in fact killed those three men in 1988, he should nonetheless be spared. Conner’s mother, step-father, step-sister, girlfriend, and a family friend all testified. Specifically, evidence was presented showing Conner’s alcoholism and other drug problems; his use of alcohol on the night of the murders; his background and family issues, including Conner’s adoption, his much-loved adoptive father’s death early in Conner’s life, and his step-father’s abuse of alcohol and violent behavior; Conner’s stable employment history; his good qualities, including generosity, affection, and concern for his family and friends; and his relatively minor criminal history. Also during the penalty phase, counsel conducted effective crossexamination of the prosecution’s witnesses, objected to the admission of evidence, pointed out corrections which needed to be made to the pre-sentence investigation report, and identified mitigating circumstances.