Opinion ID: 1217589
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Preparation of Testimony by Cook's Father

Text: The warden next challenges the habeas court's conclusion that trial counsel failed to adequately prepare Cook's father for his testimony. Counsel testified in Cook's habeas proceedings that in preparing for trial he considered Cook's father to be the most important witness for the sentencing phase. Counsel and Cook's father both testified in Cook's habeas proceedings that they had frequent contact with each other and that Cook's father provided the defense assistance in preparing for trial, but they also testified that their relationship had to be somewhat circumscribed given the fact that Cook's father was going to be the State's most important witness in the guilt/innocence phase. Counsel testified that he expressed to Cook's father his belief that life without parole was not going to be a viable option in Cook's case but that he did not attempt to dictate testimony to him in advance. In the sentencing phase, Cook's father gave moving testimony. He began as follows: Yesterday, of course, I sat up here as a cop. And now I'd like to tell you a little bit about Andy as the father. He explained to the jury how his son was already dead in some ways and how Cook, along with his family, now must live in shame. He explained that he felt he had failed to protect his own son from the evil. He urged the jury to consider that justice without compassion or mercy was mere vengeance, which he said should belong to God alone. He testified that he was uncertain whether death or life without parole was the more severe punishment, and he urged the jury to consider if Cook might now have or might ever have something of value in him that might warrant the possibility of parole. Cook argues that the reference to life without parole possibly being worse than death prejudiced his defense. Many jurors, however, may have been moved by the forthrightness of Cook's father. Moreover, regardless of the opinion of Cook's father about life without parole, this testimony may have prompted many jurors to consider whether any residual value in Cook could justify his continued existence, even if he were incarcerated without the possibility of parole. Cook's father further recounted how his son called him after his guilt/innocence phase testimony to tell him that he was proud of him, that he had done the right thing, and that he loved him. Cook's father asked the jury to close their eyes, to remember the victims' families, to think of him and the rest of Cook's family, and to picture themselves on their knees before God. He concluded by telling the jury that Cook had tried to enter a guilty plea to save everyone from having to open these sores and feel this pain. [2] Testimony in the habeas court proceedings indicates that most persons in the courtroom, including counsel and jurors, were in tears during this testimony. In light of the testimony actually presented at trial, we hold both that trial counsel did not perform deficiently and that counsel's failure to prepare Cook's father in a different manner did not create prejudice sufficient to warrant the success of his overall ineffective assistance of counsel claim. See id. (holding that the combined effect of trial counsel's various professional deficiencies should be considered).