Opinion ID: 2492624
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Presentation of Mental Health Mitigation

Text: Johnston next argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to present significant information regarding his mental health issues. At the evidentiary hearing on this issue, Johnston offered the testimony of forensic expert Dr. Mark Cunningham, who testified that counsel did not put mental health mitigation evidence before the jury in sufficient detail. Johnston further argued that counsel diminished the significance of the available mitigation by referring to it as stuff. We disagree. Counsel may rely on the evaluations conducted by qualified mental health experts, even if, in retrospect, those evaluations may not have been as complete as others may desire. Darling v. State, 966 So.2d 366, 377 (Fla.2007). This Court has held that counsel will not be rendered ineffective for relying on a mental health expert's opinion during the penalty phase, even if in hindsight the testimony is somehow incomplete or deficient in the opinion of others. Id. Here, Johnston's counsel relied on the testimony of two qualified mental health experts during the penalty phase. The defense presented Dr. Krop, a board-certified neuropsychologist, who testified to Johnston's long history of behavioral problems, his frontal lobe impairment, organic brain syndrome, and corroborating PET scan results. The defense also presented Dr. Maher, a board-certified forensic psychiatrist, who testified after interviewing Johnston and reviewing the following information: Johnston's hospital, jail, and prison medical records; Dr. Krop's findings and test results; and examination and test results from two other doctors who treated Johnston. Dr. Maher further explained multiple neurodiagnostic test results and testified that Johnston suffered from organic brain injury or frontal lobe damage. Thus, these experts presented thorough analyses for the defense on the issue of mental health mitigation, and counsel's reliance on their testimony cannot be second-guessed in hindsight. See id. The trial court properly denied Johnston relief on this claim.