Opinion ID: 2069959
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: Alleged Failure to Present Evidence of Good Conduct During Incarceration

Text: Johnson also alleges that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to present to the jury evidence of his good behavior while in prison awaiting trial as a mitigating circumstance pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(e)(8) (the catchall mitigator). However, the PCRA transcript clearly indicates that Johnson never informed trial counsel or Attorney Adams that such evidence existed. See PCRA N.T., 5/11/01, page 149 (We were never made aware by him that he had an outstanding prison record, and I am not aware of his prison record). Trial counsel did not present this evidence to the jury because Johnson himself never made his defense team aware of his good prison conduct or the existence of witnesses to that effect. We refuse to deem trial counsel ineffective for failing to present mitigation evidence that he did not know existed.