Opinion ID: 2487462
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Investigation into Wyatt's Personal and Family Life

Text: Wyatt argues that penalty-phase counsel failed to conduct a reasonable investigation into certain aspects of Wyatt's personal and family life (i.e., his social history), which would have unearthed substantial mitigating evidence that could have been presented at trial. He contends that this error rendered his waiver of mitigation invalid. In support, Wyatt relies principally on the evidentiary-hearing testimony of Dr. Faye Sultan, a clinical psychologist, who spoke to several of Wyatt's family members and a family friend, all of whom reported that Wyatt had a troubled childhood characterized by physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father and stepfather, a mentally ill mother who was neglectful and diagnosed with schizophrenia, and a drug and alcohol abuse problem beginning in middle school and that he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of an elementary school teacher. This Court's precedent establishes that a defendant may waive the presentation of mitigation evidence so long as [his or] her waiver is knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently made. State v. Larzelere, 979 So.2d 195, 204 (Fla.2008). However, the Court has also recognized that a defendant's waiver of his right to present mitigation does not relieve trial counsel of the duty to investigate and ensure that the defendant's decision is fully informed. Grim v. State, 971 So.2d 85, 100 (Fla.2007). As explained in State v. Pearce, 994 So.2d 1094, 1102 (Fla.2008), irrespective of a defendant's waiver of mitigation, an attorney's obligation to investigate and prepare for the penalty portion of a capital case cannot be overstated because this is an integral part of a capital case. See State v. Lewis, 838 So.2d 1102, 1113 (Fla.2002) (citing Rose [v. State ], 675 So.2d 567 [(Fla.1996)] (holding that an attorney's failure to conduct a reasonable investigation for possible mitigating evidence may render counsel's assistance ineffective)). Although a defendant may waive mitigation, he should not do so blindly. Counsel must first investigate and advise the defendant so that the defendant reasonably understands what is being waived and reasonably understands the ramifications of a waiver. The defendant must be able to make an informed, intelligent decision. Consistent with Pearce, Wyatt contends that trial counsel did not adequately investigate possible mitigating evidence regarding Wyatt's personal and family life during childhood and adolescence and that counsel failed to apprise him of such evidence, the results of which rendered his waiver of mitigation invalid. The record in this case demonstrates that contrary to Wyatt's contention, counsel conducted a reasonable investigation into Wyatt's personal history and family life and informed him of the results of that investigation before Wyatt decided to waive the presentation of mitigation. Both Sidaway and Litty testified at a hearing during the trial proceedings that despite their client's wishes, they still continued to develop mitigation by retaining an investigator and traveling to North and South Carolina to interview Wyatt's family members, non-family members, and neighbors. Sidaway and Litty were aware of potentially helpful mitigation regarding Wyatt's personal and family life, did in fact obtain and review relevant records, were prepared to present at least twelve witnesses in mitigation, and had subpoenas issued, but not delivered, for the witnesses who had been notified that they might be called to testify. At the 2007 evidentiary hearing, Litty confirmed that throughout her investigation into Wyatt's childhood for potential mitigation, she would present her findings to Wyatt as potential mitigation, but Wyatt refused to allow her to offer it even after she tried to persuade him. We conclude that defense counsel conducted a reasonable investigation into Wyatt's personal and family life prior to his decision to waive mitigation and that Wyatt's waiver was not rendered invalid. We therefore affirm the postconviction court's denial of this claim.