Opinion ID: 2062580
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Investigation and Cross-Examination

Text: The record clearly showed that trial counsel met with McChristion in jail numerous times, presented a defense engineered by McChristion, familiarized himself with the facts and evidence in the case, and raised numerous objections at trial. Furthermore, trial counsel vigorously and effectively cross-examined the State's witnesses. McChristion's disappointment with cross-examination appears to lie more with the witness' answers than with counsel's questions. [1] While petitioner apparently believes that witnesses would have responded more favorably if counsel had asked questions propounded in writing by McChristion, the record indicates that is unlikely. In any case, trial counsel has no obligation to follow a script authored solely by his client. See Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975) (law and tradition may allocate to counsel the power to make binding decisions of trial strategy). The record clearly supports a denial of relief on McChristion's claims that counsel failed to prepare or cross-examine properly.