Opinion ID: 2310175
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to call Williams as a witness

Text: Taylor next asserts that his trial counsel should have called Williams as a witness. The trial court ruled, however, that Williams could assert his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. Before ruling, the court conferred with Williams' counsel in chambers, out of the presence of the prosecutor and both defense counsel. [21] Williams' counsel told the court that his client had informed him that his involvement in the crimes was different from what he had told the grand jury. The court then declined to ask any other questions, holding that to do so would violate Williams' attorney-client privilege, and then ruled that Williams could assert a blanket Fifth Amendment privilege. It is for the trial court to determine whether a witness may assert a Fifth Amendment privilege, after conducting an inquiry out of the hearing of the jury to determine whether the witness has reasonable grounds to apprehend prosecution. Reese v. United States, 467 A.2d 152, 156-157 (D.C.1983). The court in this case did just that and concluded that Williams could be prosecuted for certain crimes. Because this decision was legally unassailable, id. at 157, Taylor's attorney was not ineffective for failing to challenge it. Taylor also argues that his counsel should have asked the court to grant Williams use immunity in order to compel him to testify. The Supreme Court, however, has categorically declared, No court has authority to immunize a witness. Pillsbury Co. v. Conboy, 459 U.S. 248, 261, 103 S.Ct. 608, 616, 74 L.Ed.2d 430 (1983). Binding precedent in the District of Columbia is to the same effect. See Devore v. United States, 530 A.2d 1173, 1174 n. 1 (D.C.1987); In re J.W.Y., 363 A.2d 674, 684 (D.C.1976); Morrison v. United States, 124 U.S.App.D.C. 330, 333, 365 F.2d 521, 524 (1966); Earl v. United States, 124 U.S.App.D.C. 77, 80, 361 F.2d 531, 534, rehearing denied, 124 U.S.App.D.C. 273, 364 F.2d 666 (1966), cert. denied, 388 U.S. 921, 87 S.Ct. 2121, 18 L.Ed.2d 1370 (1967); accord, United States v. Lugg, 282 U.S.App.D.C. 85, 88, 892 F.2d 101, 104 (1989) (noting the existence of a universal rule that only the executive branch has the power to grant immunity from prosecution). Counsel's failure to ask the court to do what it had no power to do cannot be regarded as ineffective assistance.