Opinion ID: 2286083
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Pre-Trial Claims of Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

Text: Thomas contends that the trial court conducted an inadequate pre-trial hearing concerning his assertions of ineffective assistance of counsel. [W]hen a criminal defendant complains pretrial about the performance of counsel, the trial judge must make an on-the-record inquiry to elicit whether or not the criteria of professional competence have been met and make findings of fact sufficient to permit appellate review of the ability and preparedness of counsel to render effective assistance. Gordon v. United States, 582 A.2d 944, 945 (D.C.1990) (citing Monroe v. United States, 389 A.2d 811 (D.C.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1006, 99 S.Ct. 621, 58 L.Ed.2d 683 (1978)). The trial court may, in its discretion, determine `the exact nature of the inquiry....' Lane v. United States, 737 A.2d 541, 552 (D.C.1999) (quoting Nelson v. United States, 601 A.2d 582, 592 (D.C.1991)); see also Wingate v. United States, 669 A.2d 1275, 1279 (D.C.1995). The record before us shows that the trial court fully explored Thomas's alleged dissatisfaction with his counsel. Prior to trial, the trial judge specifically asked Thomas: [I]s there anything about your preparation for trial with [defense counsel] that causes a problem for our proceeding to trial? I mean, are you ready for trial? ... [D]ifferences in personality and style can exist no matter who your lawyer is. [B]ut objectively ... are there any witnesses ... is there any evidence, is there something that is out there that [defense counsel] has not investigated for you? To this question, Thomas responded: Just about everything I think he did, that I think that he did. I can't think of nothing right offhand that he hasn't. . . . I think all I would like to do is contact some people, but I have no access to that, so. Defense counsel stated: If I might, Your Honor, one of the witnesses that Mr. Thomas is referring to is somebody who we think was an eyewitness to the offense. And my investigator is trying to get him served.... [a]s we speak. My understanding from my investigator is that he had contact with this individual on Tuesday. . . . And apparently did not serve a subpoena on him for reasons known to him, and what I understand were good reasons, but I have told him to go back again and try to locate this individual and serve him. After learning that Thomas's counsel essentially had resolved the main issue behind his pre-trial claim, the trial judge then stated, [s]o I gather all of these matters are being worked on even as we speak? Defense counsel agreed. In viewing the record, we conclude that the trial judge's specific inquiry was sufficient to determine the truth and scope of [Thomas's] allegations, Monroe, supra, 389 A.2d at 820, and was designed to elicit whether or not the . . . criteria of professional competence ha[d] been met. Id. at 821. Defense counsel devoted time during a two-year period to the preparation of Thomas's case and there is no indication, as there was in McFadden v. United States, 614 A.2d 11 (D.C.1992), that he had insufficient time to prepare Thomas's case. Thomas's chief complaint was that he wanted to contact certain witnesses. However, the record shows that none of the witnesses would have testified that Thomas did not commit, or could not have committed, the acts with which he was charged. Furthermore, based upon Thomas's responses to the trial judge, the trial court was not required to appoint new counsel because there was clearly no `good cause, such as conflict of interest, a complete breakdown of communication, or an irreconcilable conflict which [could] lead. . . to an apparently unjust verdict.' Johnson v. United States, 585 A.2d 766, 771 (D.C.1991) (quoting McKee v. Harris, 649 F.2d 927, 931 (2d cir.1981), cert. denied, 456 U.S. 917, 102 S.Ct. 1773, 72 L.Ed.2d 177 (1982)). Therefore, we conclude that defense counsel was prepared `within the range of competence demanded of attorneys in criminal cases.' Nelson, supra, 601 A.2d at 592 (quoting McMann v. Richardson, 397 U.S. 759, 771, 90 S.Ct. 1441, 25 L.Ed.2d 763 (1970)). In addition, we are satisfied that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in conducting its inquiry into Thomas's complaint, since Thomas was questioned on the record about his complaint, and defense counsel provided details for the trial judge. Id.