Opinion ID: 1832087
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to Raise Other Issues

Text: The gist of Coney's claim on this point is that appellate counsel was ineffective in failing to raise on appeal the following issues: (a) conflict of interest; (b) this Court's allegedly improper harmless error analysis concerning the striking of an aggravating circumstance; and (c) the constitutionality of the death penalty. We reject each of Coney's claims on this point for the following reasons. (a) As for Coney's claim that trial counsel suffered from a conflict of interest, the record fails to show any adverse effect on trial counsel's performance other than that discussed above under Coney's ineffectiveness claim. (b) As for Coney's claim that this Court erred in conducting its harmless error analysis after striking one aggravating circumstance, this claim now is moot in light of the circuit court's order granting a new penalty phase proceeding. And (c) as for Coney's claim that Florida's capital sentencing statute is unconstitutional, Coney fails to show that such is the case. In sum, Coney has failed to show that appellate counsel rendered deficient performance under Strickland by failing to raise these issues on appeal; nor has Coney shown how he was prejudiced by appellate counsel's performance. We reject this claim as well as Coney's remaining habeas claim. [25]