Opinion ID: 1188886
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Trial counsel's failure to offer adequate and available documentary and testimonial evidence at the penalty phase.

Text: Riley contends that trial counsel failed to produce and offer available mitigating evidence, both documentary and testimonial, at the penalty phase of his trial. He argues that this was not reasonably effective assistance in a capital case. The only mitigating evidence offered and admitted was a parole board and referral report dated December 11, 1969 (the report). This report was compiled as part of the records regarding Riley's parole release for an earlier offense. The report tended to show that Riley strived for achievement and discipline in a structured environment, notably prison, and Dahl argued this point. Thus, it was evidence that possibly could have convinced the jury that prison was an acceptable alternative to the death penalty. The report also included a statement on Riley's upbringing in a violent atmosphere, and counsel addressed this in the penalty phase closing argument. Riley contends, however, that Dahl should have inquired further into Riley's psychological traits and history after Dahl reviewed a pre-trial psychiatric evaluation (the pre-trial evaluation) conducted by a Dr. Jurasky. Dahl had hired Jurasky to conduct the pre-trial evaluation to determine Riley's competence to stand trial. The pre-trial evaluation contained negative information about Riley's criminal history, but also discussed some of Riley's positive qualities and described the violent atmosphere of Riley's youth. [5] Riley concedes the evaluation was limited to [the issue of] competence, but argues that it should have prompted further investigation into Riley's overall mental/emotional state and personal history. [6] If mental health records indicate that a psychological evaluation may produce favorable reports sufficient to mitigate a sentence of death, counsel's failure to request such an evaluation is both inadequate and prejudicial. See, e.g., Deutscher v. Whitley, 946 F.2d 1443, 1446 (9th Cir.1991), vacated, ___ U.S. ___, 113 S.Ct. 367, 121 L.Ed.2d 279 (1992), aff'd sub nom. Deutscher v. Angelone, 16 F.3d 981, 984 (9th Cir.1994); Evans v. Lewis, 855 F.2d 631, 636-39 (9th Cir. 1988). [7] In Deutscher, the court found ineffective assistance where counsel failed to investigate and offer mental health records showing defendant's history of schizophrenia, pathological intoxication, and organic brain damage. 946 F.2d at 1446. In addition, the court focused on counsel's failure to inquire into the defendant's commitments to mental institutions. Id. In Evans, counsel's failure to investigate defendant's mental condition for the purpose of presenting evidence in mitigation of a death sentence was ineffective where the defendant had a prior diagnosis of schizophrenia that could have shown he had an impaired mental state at the time of the crime. 855 F.2d at 636. The pre-trial evaluation in the instant case does not contain any information approaching the type of indications present in Deutscher and Evans, namely the existence of particular psychological conditions or disorders that may have shown prior mental disturbance or impaired mental state. The records in the instant case show the existence of industrial head injuries, for which Riley received insurance benefits, and that Riley was admitted to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation at the age of 16. Although the evaluation indicated a history of extensive drug use, there was no indication in the pre-trial evaluation, conducted to determine psychological fitness to stand trial, that Riley's mental health or physical functioning was affected by such drug use. As a result, we hold that it was not ineffective assistance of counsel, without stronger indications, for Dahl to have failed to order a psychiatric evaluation of Riley based on the information contained in the pre-trial evaluation. [8]