Opinion ID: 1821648
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: ineffective assistance at the sentencing phase.

Text: ¶ 32. The defense offered no witnesses during the sentencing phase. The defense stipulated only that Burns was 26 years old at the time of the crime. Burns now claims that his attorney was ineffective in failing to present witnesses at the sentencing phase. He submits affidavits from Burns's mother, his sister, the mother of one of his children, a former girlfriend, a former employer and two former co-workers. The affidavits are attached to the supplemental application. These potential witnesses generally state that Burns had some redeeming qualities and that they would have been willing to testify at Burns's trial. ¶ 33. Jean Henry, Burns's mother, states that she would have been willing to testify at the sentencing phase if Burns's attorneys had called her. She states that she would have told the jury that she loved her son and that he grew up without a real father-figure. She also claims that her only other son has since died. Dalana Loveless Green, Burns's sister, states that he was a good father, a good brother, and a hard worker. Two co-workers and a former employer state that Burns was a good worker and that he was dependable. ¶ 34. Some of the evidence as proposed in the affidavits probably would not have aided the defense. Burns's mother states that Burns has a temper. His sister states that Jo Jo had a problem with crystal methamphetamine at the time of the crimes. The mother of his child has submitted an affidavit in which she also claims that Burns had a drinking and drug problem. She also claims that he had been involved in numerous fights which might have resulted in a head injury. ¶ 35. Because some of the information was not helpful to the defense, it is possible that the decision not to call any witnesses was defensible trial strategy. There are indications in the record that Burns had prior felony convictions, although his criminal record is not explicitly explained. Given his criminal background, his history of drug and alcohol abuse, and his history of involvement in fights, the defense likely feared that calling some of these witnesses would do more harm than good. ¶ 36. Burns also presents affidavits from three jurors who sat during his trial and returned the death penalty. Each of those jurors claims that they would have been interested in his family background and personal history. Two claim that that information might have made the difference between death and life. The third states only that she would have taken any additional information into consideration. ¶ 37. The State argues that the decision not to call any witnesses was made by Burns himself. The trial court questioned Burns outside the presence of the jury and he acknowledged that he understood that he had the right to testify and the right to call witnesses. He stated that it was his ultimate decision not to present any evidence in mitigation. However, Burns has submitted an affidavit from one of his attorneys at trial who states that the lead attorney decided not to call any witnesses at the sentencing phase. ¶ 38. This Court has held that the failure to present a case in mitigation during the sentencing phase of a capital trial is not, per se, ineffective assistance of counsel. Williams v. State, 722 So.2d 447, 450 (Miss.1998), citing Williams v. Cain, 125 F.3d 269, 277 (5th Cir.1997). ¶ 39. In Woodward v. State, 635 So.2d at 809, 810 (Miss.1993), the Court granted leave to file a post-conviction relief petition after finding that the defendant's attorneys were ineffective during the sentencing phase. The attorneys failed to present all available mitigating evidence and the Court found that prejudice resulted to Woodward. ¶ 40. In Leatherwood v. State, 473 So.2d 964, 970 (Miss.1985) this Court considered a death penalty case in which the defense had called only four witnesses in mitigation although others were apparently available. The Court found: Although, complaints of uncalled witnesses are not favored because presentation of testimony is a matter of trial strategy, Boyd v. Estelle, 661 F.2d 388, 390 (5th Cir.1981), the failure to call available witnesses on critical issues is a factor to be considered under the totality of the circumstances.... In view of the importance of mitigating evidence in the sentencing phase it is difficult to understand why favorable, willing witnesses who could be discovered by questioning the defendant would not be called. If it were within the financial ability of the defendant to arrange for the appearance of a representative group of them, this would have a strong bearing on whether trial counsel provided effective assistance. Of course, counsel's overall performance must be considered. Id. at 970. ¶ 41. Under the totality of the circumstances here, the Court finds that this issue should be presented to the trial court for a full hearing. Burns has made a sufficient allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel in the failure to put on any mitigating evidence when several witnesses were willing to testify for Burns at the sentencing phase. Although it is entirely possible that the decision not to present any mitigation witnesses was defensible as trial strategy, absent explanatory testimony, the Court finds that leave to file a motion for post-conviction relief should be granted on this claim.