Opinion ID: 158868
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Failure to Investigate Mitigating Evidence Adequately

Text: 40 Petitioner contends that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate other possible mitigating evidence. Counsel has a duty to conduct reasonable investigation for mitigating evidence or to make a reasonable decision that particular investigation is unnecessary. See, e.g., Stouffer v. Reynolds, 168 F.3d 1155, 1167 (10th Cir. 1999). In a capital case the attorney's duty to investigate all possible lines of defense is strictly observed. Id. (further quotation omitted); see also Boyd v. Ward, 179 F.3d 904, 915 (10th Cir. 1999). That duty includes investigating petitioner's background. See Duvall v. Reynolds, 139 F.3d 768, 778 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 119 S. Ct. 345 (1998). 41 Even assuming counsel's investigation and preparation of mitigating evidence was deficient, petitioner is unable to show prejudice. Petitioner submits the affidavits and deposition testimony of a number of people indicating that, had they been asked, they would have testified in petitioner's behalf at sentencing. Those witnesses include a number of family members, the mothers of petitioner's two children, friends, his childhood pastor, a coach and a former boss. These witnesses assert they could have offered testimony concerning petitioner's close family; the effect of his mother's death on him; his love and care for his children and his family; his reliability and good attitude at work; his easy going, likable personality; his school and athletic activities; his church attendance as a youth; his politeness and respect for others; and his history of nonviolence. Petitioner also asserts that the testimony of the mother of his child living in California could have ameliorated the earlier evidence concerning his kidnaping his daughter. 42 Petitioner, however, is unable to show that this mitigating evidence would have resulted in the jury sentencing him to life in prison, in light of the brutal and senseless nature of this crime and the strength of the State's evidence supporting the three aggravating circumstances, including evidence of a prior rape conviction, his threatening a cellmate, and his possession of a weapon in jail. See Boyd, 179 F.3d at 918. (Even if we assume the failure to present mitigating evidence in the form of testimony from childhood acquaintances and family members is deficient performance, petitioner was unable to establish prejudice in light of existence of minimal other mitigating evidence and overall strength of State's case against petitioner, including facts of crime itself); see also Foster, 182 F.3d at 1189.