Opinion ID: 1090533
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel and Prosecutorial Misconduct

Text: Dailey first claims that trial counsel was ineffective during closing argument for failing to object to three alleged instances of prosecutorial misconduct. These were: (1) a statement by the prosecutor concerning Dailey's constitutional presumption of innocence; (2) improper vouching for the credibility of witness Paul Skalnik; and (3) an alleged blatant misstatement of fact regarding when [Dwayne] Shaw went to use the phone on the night of the murder. In Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984), the Supreme Court established a two-part test governing ineffective assistance of counsel claims. First, a defendant must demonstrate that counsel's performance was deficient. Id. at 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052. An attorney's performance is deficient when it falls below an objective standard of reasonableness under prevailing professional norms. Burns v. State, 944 So.2d 234, 239 (Fla.2006). Second, a defendant must show that he was prejudiced by the deficiency. Id. Prejudice is demonstrated when `there is a reasonable probability that but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.' Id. (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052). There is a strong presumption that counsel's performance was not deficient. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Regarding the prosecutor's statements concerning Dailey's presumption of innocence, we agree with the trial court that when read in context, the comments appear to be a statement by the prosecutor of her belief that the State satisfied its burden of proof. Therefore, counsel's failure to object was not deficient. We also find that the prosecutor's alleged improper vouching for Skalnik was a fair comment in response to defense counsel's attack on Skalnik's credibility during closing argument. Defense counsel referred to Skalnik as a professional thief and a poor police officer. The State was entitled to rebut these comments. Accordingly, Dailey has failed to demonstrate that counsel's failure to object constitutes deficient performance. With regard to the prosecutor's alleged blatant misstatement of fact concerning Shaw's testimony, this claim was never raised in Dailey's postconviction motion. Therefore, it is not cognizable on appeal. See Gordon v. State, 863 So.2d 1215, 1219 (Fla.2003) (holding that a claim is procedurally barred where it was not raised in [the defendant's] motion for postconviction relief). Dailey also argues that the cumulative effect of seven instances of prosecutorial misconduct undermined the validity of the trial to the extent that a guilty verdict could not have been reached without the assistance of these errors. [5] Because these claims of prosecutorial misconduct are all premised on facts in the record, they could have and should have been raised on direct appeal. The claims are therefore procedurally barred. See Spencer v. State, 842 So.2d 52, 60-61 (Fla.2003) (holding that claims alleging prosecutorial misconduct, which were based on facts in the record, could have and should have been raised on direct appeal and were thus not cognizable in postconviction proceedings).