Opinion ID: 6978999
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Strickland issue

Text: Even if Keel could have established a prima facie case, counsel’s failure to raise the issue does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. In order to prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the defendant must show that (1) counsel’s conduct fell below the conduct reasonably expected of counsel, as measured objectively and (2) the defendant was actually prejudiced by counsel’s substandard conduct. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687-88, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 2064-65, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984), reh’g denied, 467 U.S. 1267, 104 S.Ct. 3562, 82 L.Ed.2d 864 (1984). Here, counsel’s failure to raise the Batson issue was reasonable. As stated above, there is ample evidence in the record to suggest racially neutral reasons for excusing the nine jurors. Thus, there is no need to reach the question of whether Keel was actually prejudiced. Moreover, appellate counsel is not required to raise an issue on appeal merely because it is not frivolous. See Jones v. Barnes, 463 U.S. 745, 751-54, 103 S.Ct. 3308, 3312-14, 77 L.Ed.2d 987 (1983). Since both sets of counsel could reasonably have concluded that there was sufficient evidence to conclude that there was no Batson violation, them failure to raise the issue does not give rise to an ineffective assistance of counsel claim. See Smith v. Murray, 477 U.S. 527, 106 S.Ct. 2661, 91 L.Ed.2d 434 (1986)(stating that appellate counsel need not pursue a futile issue).