Opinion ID: 2448475
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: preventing whitfield from testifying in his own behalf

Text: Whitfield next contends that his counsel was ineffective in preventing him from testifying in his own behalf at trial. In support, Whitfield refers only to the end of the prosecution's closing argument during the penalty phase of the trial, at which time Whitfield asked the court, [c]an I talk in my own behalf? The court properly denied Whitfield's request to speak extemporaneously to the jury at the end of opposing counsel's penalty phase closing argument. Cf. U.S. v. Blum, 65 F.3d 1436, 1444 (8th Cir.1995) (affirming trial court's decision not to allow defendant to testify at the close of evidence during the guilt phase of trial), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 116 S.Ct. 824, 133 L.Ed.2d 767 (1996). Had Whitfield so desired, he could have testified during the trial or penalty phases during his case-in-chief. See § 546.260, RSMo 1994. Whitfield's trial counsel testified at the 29.15 hearing that at trial she had discussed with Whitfield her opinion that it was better trial strategy for him not to testify, and that he had agreed to this course of action. Whitfield did not testify at the postconviction proceeding and did not refute his counsel's testimony. Further, Whitfield does not allege what he would have testified to had he taken the stand. In sum, we cannot say that the Rule 29.15 court clearly erred in deeming Whitfield's counsel's testimony credible and finding that counsel did not prevent Whitfield from testifying in his own behalf. This claim is rejected.