Opinion ID: 164887
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: guilt stage

Text: 21 As errors in the guilt stage of his trial, Mr. Smith cites prosecutorial misconduct and ineffective assistance of counsel. We address each argument in turn. 22 Mr. Smith contends the prosecutors in his case embarked on an improper course ... of innuendo and misrepresentation of the record, entitling him to relief on grounds of prosecutorial misconduct. Aplt. Br. at 88. Mr. Smith brought this claim on direct appeal, but the OCCA did not address the various instances of alleged prosecutorial misconduct individually, and it is difficult to discern from its opinion which allegations received merits review and which did not. See Smith, 932 P.2d at 532. Mr. Smith then raised another set of misconduct allegations in his application for post-conviction relief, but the OCCA held them procedurally barred. See Smith, 955 P.2d at 737. We need not determine the level of deference owed the OCCA's conclusions as to these various misconduct claims or which are barred on independent and adequate state grounds. Where an issue may be more easily and succinctly affirmed on the merits, judicial economy counsels in favor of such a disposition. Miller v. Mullin, 354 F.3d 1288, 1297 (10th Cir.2004) (quoting Romero v. Furlong, 215 F.3d 1107, 1111 (10th Cir.2000)). 23 As instances of prosecutorial misconduct, Mr. Smith cites the prosecutors' (1) attacks on defense expert witnesses, (2) appeals to passion and prejudice, (3) improper revelation to the jury that Mr. Smith invoked his right to counsel, (4) recitation of facts not in evidence calculated to inflame the jury, (5) name-calling, (6) statements of personal opinion and sense of justice, (7) misstatement of the date of death, (8) assertion of a false motive, and (9) reference to photographs ruled inadmissible in the penalty phase of trial. When claims such as these are brought in a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, we review them only for a violation of due process. See Darden v. Wainwright, 477 U.S. 168, 181, 106 S.Ct. 2464, 91 L.Ed.2d 144 (1986). [N]ot every trial error or infirmity which might call for application of supervisory powers correspondingly constitutes a failure to observe that fundamental fairness essential to the very concept of justice. Donnelly v. DeChristoforo, 416 U.S. 637, 642, 94 S.Ct. 1868, 40 L.Ed.2d 431 (1974) (citations and quotations omitted). For us to grant Mr. Smith relief on these claims, we must find that the prosecutors' remarks so infected the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial of due process. Id. at 643, 94 S.Ct. 1868. This determination may be made only after tak[ing] notice of all the surrounding circumstances, including the strength of the state's case. Coleman v. Brown, 802 F.2d 1227, 1237 (10th Cir.1986). Having thoroughly reviewed the record of Mr. Smith's trial, we find many improper statements but none that resulted in a denial of due process. 24 Mr. Smith contends his claim that prosecutors improperly revealed his invocation of the right to counsel demands more exacting review than what is envisioned by Donnelly. In Donnelly, the Supreme Court excepted from its fundamental-fairness analysis prosecutor's remarks [which] so prejudiced a specific right... as to amount to a denial of that right. Donnelly, 416 U.S. at 643. Thus, if prosecutorial misconduct sufficiently impacts a specific right, we apply the constitutional standard applicable to that right. We found such a denial in Mahorney v. Wallman, 917 F.2d 469 (10th Cir.1990). The specific right at issue there was the presumption of innocence, which we ruled the prosecutor effectively denied when he made the following argument to the jury: 25 I submit to you, under the law and the evidence, that we are in a little different position today than we were when we first started this trial and it was your duty at that time, under the law of this land, as you were being selected as jurors, to actively in your minds presume that man over there not to be guilty of the offense of rape in the first degree, but, you know, things have changed since that time. I submit to you at this time, under the law and under the evidence, that that presumption has been removed, that that presumption no longer exists, that that presumption has been removed by evidence and that he is standing before you now guilty. That presumption is not here any more. 26 Id. at 471. In Mahorney, defense counsel vigorously objected to this patently erroneous statement about the constitutionally protected presumption of innocence. Id. at 473. The trial court failed to minimize the effect of the statement through admonishment or special instructions to the jury. Id. 27 The facts surrounding revelation of Mr. Smith's invocation of the right to counsel are substantially less invasive of that right than was the case in Mahorney. At Mr. Smith's trial, the State introduced a videotape of Mr. Smith's interaction with police officers shortly after he was placed in custody. At the end of the tape, Mr. Smith displayed his attorney's business card and said, There's a guy who came to see me yesterday. St. Ex. 124. When the officers confirmed that Kenneth Watson, the attorney, did indeed represent Mr. Smith, they ended the interview. Id. After the jury viewed this portion of the video, Mr. Watson moved for a mistrial. The court denied the motion, but admonished the jury to disregard anything it had viewed past the point where Mr. Smith removed Mr. Watson's card because what appeared on the screen after that point did not tend to prove or disprove any issue that we're here for you to determine. Tr., vol. V, at 77-78, 80. This scenario did not so prejudice Mr. Smith's right to counsel as to amount to a violation of that right. It is thus subject to fundamental-fairness analysis. Applying that analysis, we hold that Mr. Smith's trial was not so infected ... with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial of due process, Donnelly, 416 U.S. at 643, 94 S.Ct. 1868, and he is therefore not entitled to relief on this claim. 28 Mr. Smith also contends his trial counsel, Mr. Watson, was constitutionally ineffective at the guilt phase of his trial. Specifically, he points to the following deficiencies on Mr. Watson's part: (1) failure to investigate, develop, and present evidence establishing Mr. Smith's incompetence to stand trial; (2) failure to challenge Mr. Smith's confessions with available legal arguments and to present evidence showing Mr. Smith's waiver of rights was not knowing and intelligent and his confession was not voluntary; (3) failure to investigate, develop, and present available evidence refuting the State's theory of motive; (4) failure to understand the mental health evidence at issue in Mr. Smith's trial and the incoherent and haphazard manner in which it was presented; and finally, (5) failure to investigate, develop, and present an insanity defense. The State argues Mr. Watson's performance was constitutionally sufficient, and even if it was not, Mr. Smith cannot show he was prejudiced by Mr. Watson's ineffectiveness. 29 The general principles governing an ineffective assistance of counsel claim are set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). Because the OCCA never reached the merits of Mr. Smith's ineffective assistance of counsel claim, we review de novo the district court's legal determinations regarding this issue and its factual determinations for clear error. Romano, 278 F.3d at 1150; LaFevers, 182 F.3d at 711. The district court concluded that Mr. Watson's guilt phase performance did not fall below constitutional requirements. Smith, No. CIV-98-601-R, at 19. While Mr. Watson's performance at the guilt stage gives us pause, we are not convinced Mr. Smith was prejudiced thereby. 30 The gravity of a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel cannot be overstated. Of all the rights that an accused person has, the ability to be represented by counsel is by far the most pervasive, for it affects his ability to assert any other rights he may have. Kimmelman v. Morrison, 477 U.S. 365, 377, 106 S.Ct. 2574, 91 L.Ed.2d 305 (1986) (quoting Walter V. Schaefer, Federalism & State Criminal Procedure, 70 HARV. L.REV. 1, 8 (1956)). The Supreme Court's Strickland decision established the legal principles that govern claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. Wiggins v. Smith, 539 U.S. 510, 123 S.Ct. 2527, 2535, 156 L.Ed.2d 471 (2003). In order to prevail on this claim, Mr. Smith must demonstrate both that Mr. Watson's performance was deficient and that Mr. Watson's deficiencies prejudiced Mr. Smith's defense. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Our review of counsel's effectiveness is highly deferential. Id. at 689, 104 S.Ct. 2052. In assessing Mr. Watson's performance, we consider all the circumstances, making every effort to `eliminate the distorting effects of hindsight,' and view his `conduct from [his] perspective at the time.' Hooper v. Mullin, 314 F.3d 1162, 1169 (10th Cir.2002) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. 2052). By the same token, we must eschew post hoc rationalizations for Mr. Watson's deliberations, investigations, and defense strategy, or lack thereof. See Wiggins, 123 S.Ct. at 2538. 31 Mr. Smith calls our attention to various failings in Mr. Watson's performance at the first stage of Mr. Smith's murder trial. Many of these deficiencies are troubling. Strickland, however, requires a showing of both deficient performance and prejudice. If it is easier to dispose of an ineffectiveness claim on the ground of lack of sufficient prejudice, ... that course should be followed. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697, 104 S.Ct. 2052. We take that course with regard to counsel's guilt stage assistance. 32 First, Mr. Smith claims Mr. Watson was ineffective in failing to investigate and assert Mr. Smith's incompetence after the initial competency hearing. The mandate barring trial of the incompetent dates to the days of Blackstone and is fundamental to an adversary system of justice. Drope v. Missouri, 420 U.S. 162, 171-72, 95 S.Ct. 896, 43 L.Ed.2d 103 (1975). The Supreme Court has insisted that a person whose mental condition is such that he lacks the capacity to understand the nature and object of the proceedings against him, to consult with counsel, and to assist in preparing his defense may not be subjected to trial. Id. at 171, 95 S.Ct. 896. 33 A claim of incompetency raises issues of both substantive and procedural due process. Walker, 167 F.3d at 1343. A procedural competency claim arises from a trial court's alleged failure to hold a competency hearing, or an adequate competency hearing. McGregor v. Gibson, 248 F.3d 946, 952 (10th Cir.2001). [A] substantive competency claim is founded on the allegation that an individual was tried and convicted while, in fact, incompetent. Id. Mr. Smith asserts Mr. Watson's shortcomings led to violation of both his procedural and substantive rights. 34 A court's failure to observe procedures adequate to protect a defendant's right not to be tried or convicted while incompetent to stand trial deprives him of his due process right to a fair trial. Drope, 420 U.S. at 172, 95 S.Ct. 896. The trial court in Mr. Smith's case held a competency hearing pre-trial, but it held Mr. Smith to a clear-and-convincing-evidence standard of proof of his incompetence. See Smith, 932 P.2d at 527. In Cooper v. Oklahoma, 517 U.S. 348, 116 S.Ct. 1373, 134 L.Ed.2d 498 (1996), the Supreme Court declared this standard unconstitutional. On direct appeal, the OCCA acknowledged the Supreme Court's holding in Cooper, but held Mr. Smith had not proven his incompetence even by the constitutional preponderance of the evidence standard. Smith, 932 P.2d at 528. We agree. 35 In McGregor, we set forth the standard governing procedural competency claims under the circumstances presented in this case: 36 [T]o prevail on a procedural competency claim after a trial in which a petitioner was found competent under an unconstitutional burden of proof, the petitioner must establish that a reasonable judge should have had a bona fide doubt as to his competence at the time of trial. We view the evidence in the record objectively, from the standpoint of a reasonable judge presiding over petitioner's case at the time of trial. A petitioner establishes a bona fide doubt if he shows that a reasonable judge should have doubted whether petitioner had sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding and whether petitioner had a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him. [ Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960).] We stress that the due process requirement is continuing; a defendant must be competent throughout the entire trial. See Drope, 420 U.S. at 171-72, 95 S.Ct. 896. 37 McGregor, 248 F.3d at 954. 38 We emphasized in McGregor that a person making a procedural incompetence claim need not establish facts sufficient to show he was actually incompetent or to show he was incompetent by a preponderance of the evidence. Id. Rather, we look to evidence of ... irrational behavior, ... demeanor at trial, and any prior medical opinion to determine whether further inquiry on the part of the trial judge was required. Id. (quoting Drope, 420 U.S. at 180, 95 S.Ct. 896). [E]vidence of mental illness and any representations of defense counsel about the defendant's incompetence would also be significant. Id. (quoting Walker v. Gibson, 228 F.3d 1217, 1227 (10th Cir.2000)). We examine the totality of the circumstances.... The question is ... whether the trial court `fail[ed] to give proper weight to the information suggesting incompetence which came to light during trial.' Id. at 955 (quoting Drope, 420 U.S. at 179, 95 S.Ct. 896). 39 The evidence of Mr. Smith's competence encountered by the trial court was mixed. Before trial, Mr. Smith's attorney moved for a determination of competency, stating that Mr. Smith was unable to comprehend his attorney or to meaningfully assist in the defense of his case, and that his mental state and communication abilities are such that they seriously interfere with the understanding of proceedings against him and with his capability of aiding his attorney in preparation for this trial. O.R., vol. I, at 24. In response to this motion, the trial judge ordered a competency evaluation. Id. at 25. Dr. Edith King, a psychologist, performed the evaluation, interviewing Mr. Smith three times and speaking with his mother. Id. at 28-31. Although she recommended Mr. Smith receive a neurological examination, she concluded he was competent to stand trial. Id. at 31. At a post-examination hearing on competency, Mr. Watson submitted only Dr. King's report and the court found Mr. Smith competent to stand trial. The court made clear, however, that he would entertain further evidence of incompetence at any time. Motion Tr., Sept. 3, 1993, at 5. While Mr. Watson never again formally challenged Mr. Smith's competency in court, he t[ook] issue with Dr. King's finding of competence when he moved for access to the resources of the public defender's office, O.R., vol. I, at 44-46. He also requested funds for further medical investigation into Mr. Smith's competency, O.R., vol. II, at 218, 329; funds for a SPECT scan, an MRI, and an EEG, O.R., vol. II, at 301; and a continuance so he could seek a more adequate examination of Mr. Smith's competence, O.R., vol. II, at 320. 40 Mr. Watson testified at the evidentiary hearing that Mr. Smith was withdrawn in their conversations and unhelpful in obtaining information about the murders and any possible defense. E.H., vol. VIII, at 13-14. In Mr. Watson's assessment, Mr. Smith earnestly believed a fanciful story about a DEA agent's having killed his family. Id. at 19. Gary Ray, a former employee of the Oklahoma County jail, encountered Mr. Smith talking to himself in his cell and described Mr. Smith as a few french fries short of a Happy Meal. Id. at 142. Joseph Ward, a mitigation investigator, testified as to both Mr. Smith's withdrawn and then his hypervigilant or hyperactive behavior. Id. at 244. Mr. Ward wrote a memo to Mr. Watson's attention raising the issue of Mr. Smith's competence to stand trial and his ability to waive constitutional rights during police interrogation. E.H., vol. III, at 30-31. 41 Both of Mr. Smith's medical experts, Dr. John Smith, a clinical psychiatrist, and Dr. Philip Murphy, a neuropsychologist, testified to Mr. Smith's severe mental impairments, but they also found him competent to stand trial. Tr., vol. VIII, at 46, 91. 4 At the evidentiary hearing, Dr. Alan Hopewell testified that Mr. Smith's mental capacity was similar to that of a twelve-year-old, but he agreed that twelve-year-olds know right from wrong and can understand criminal charges on a basic level. E.H., vol. X, at 417-18, 429. 42 There is no record of Mr. Smith exhibiting bizarre behavior before the trial court. The court's most extended interaction with Mr. Smith took place when he presented several pro se motions. Taking into account the evidence gathered in federal district court, it seems quite clear that Mr. Smith did not write these motions; they were composed by jailhouse lawyer Ronald Veatch. See Rec., vol. III, at docs. 10-12, 32, 35. But Mr. Smith orally presented the motions. While Mr. Smith's presentation did not reveal the skills of a trained legal mind, he put forth a coherent argument and demonstrated comprehension of both a lawyer's duties and the concept of a fair trial. Tr., vol. II, at 3-6; Tr., vol. IV, at 197-202. Based on the totality of these circumstances, we are not persuaded the trial court should have had a bona fide doubt regarding Mr. Smith's competence. Consequently, Mr. Smith cannot show prejudice resulting from any deficiencies in Mr. Watson's performance with respect to his procedural incompetency claim. 43 In order to state a valid substantive due process competency claim, Mr. Smith must show he was, in fact, tried and convicted while mentally incompetent. Walker, 228 F.3d at 1229. The burden of proof on a substantive claim of incompetency is higher than that on a procedural claim. To prevail, Mr. Smith must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence a real, substantial, and legitimate doubt regarding his competence to stand trial. Id. Given that the evidence fails to satisfy the bona fide doubt standard, it necessarily also does not satisfy the more demanding standard for a substantive claim. Walker, 167 F.3d at 1347. Therefore, any deficiencies in Mr. Watson's performance were non-prejudicial. 5 44 Next, Mr. Smith challenges Mr. Watson's performance in failing to prevent introduction of his confession. Twice Mr. Smith gave incriminating statements to police detectives. Mr. Smith claims that the waiver of rights preceding each confession was invalid, and that Mr. Watson should have been more vigilant in keeping the confession out of his state court trial. 45 In order to be effective, a waiver must be made voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently. Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 444, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966). The Supreme Court has held that a court's inquiry into a waiver's validity has two distinct dimensions: 46 First, the relinquishment of the right must have been voluntary in the sense that it was the product of a free and deliberate choice rather than intimidation, coercion, or deception. Second, the waiver must have been made with a full awareness of both the nature of the right being abandoned and the consequences of the decision to abandon it. Only if the totality of the circumstances surrounding the interrogation reveal both an uncoerced choice and the requisite level of comprehension may a court properly conclude that the Miranda rights have been waived. 47 Moran v. Burbine, 475 U.S. 412, 421, 106 S.Ct. 1135, 89 L.Ed.2d 410 (1986) (citations and quotations omitted). 48 For a waiver to be knowing and intelligent, it must have been made with a full awareness both of the nature of the right being abandoned and the consequences of the decision to abandon it. United States v. Morris, 287 F.3d 985, 989 (10th Cir.2002) (quoting Colorado v. Spring, 479 U.S. 564, 573, 107 S.Ct. 851, 93 L.Ed.2d 954 (1987)). No doubt a defendant's mental capacity ... is relevant to whether or not he or she is capable of such a waiver. Id. 49 As evidence that he did not knowingly and intelligently waive his rights, Mr. Smith cites his mental retardation, mental illness, and the police detectives'intentional and calculated misrepresentation[s]. Aplt. Br. at 80. Mr. Smith's cognitive difficulties are apparent. Each doctor who examined him placed his intellectual functioning in the range of mild to borderline mental retardation. Tr., vol. VIII, at 15; E.H., vol. X, at 448; E.H., vol. XI, at 675, 693; E.H., vol. XII, at 740. Dr. Hopewell, a clinical neuropsychologist, testified that Mr. Smith's comprehension is similar to that of a twelve-year-old's. E.H., vol. X, at 403. Mr. Smith suffers from brain damage as a result of a near-drowning as a child, and that injury affects his cognitive abilities. Id. at 374-75. After administering a Grisso test, which is designed to test one's ability to waive Miranda rights, Dr. Hopewell concluded Mr. Smith could make no such waiver. E.H., vol. X, at 399. 6 50 Mr. Smith alleges police detectives questioned him improperly, exacerbating the problems presented by his mental impairments. Prior to each confession, police detectives went over each Miranda right and Mr. Smith stated he believed he understood each right. St. Exs. 94, 124. The detectives began their interviews, however, not with discussion of the murders but with questions regarding a car accident Mr. Smith reported and the head injury he may have suffered as a result. Id. Mr. Smith describes this questioning as the sort of trickery that can vitiate the validity of a waiver. Aplt. Br. 80. 51 We disagree. The totality of the circumstances support the conclusion that Mr. Smith did in fact make a knowing and intelligent waiver of his Miranda rights. First, while Mr. Smith's intellectual functioning was limited, Dr. Hopewell testified he would understand the role of police officers and the concept of a criminal charge. E.H., vol. X, at 430-31. Second, the Grisso test Dr. Hopewell administered took place years after Mr. Smith's interrogation and the deterioration of his condition in jail could have affected the results. Additionally, while Mr. Smith's cognitive abilities may have mirrored those of a twelve-year-old, id. at 403, this fact alone does not render his waiver ineffective. See Fare v. Michael C., 442 U.S. 707, 725, 99 S.Ct. 2560, 61 L.Ed.2d 197 (1979) (totality-of-the-circumstances approach determines validity of even a juvenile's waiver). The videotapes of Mr. Smith's confessions reveal that, while his memory was not wholly intact and his responses to answers came slowly, he stated his understanding of the Miranda rights, he comprehended the questions the officers presented, and he provided an accurate description of the crimes and crime scene. St. Exs. 94, 124. Significantly, Mr. Smith had prior experience with the criminal justice system. In 1986, he retained counsel to defend him on an assault charge, eventually pled guilty, and served time in prison. The concepts encompassed by Miranda were not foreign to him. 52 The detectives' queries about Mr. Smith's car accident and head injury do not change the calculus. Contrary to Mr. Smith's characterization, these questions did not represent an affirmative misrepresentation. The officers were interested in Mr. Smith's whereabouts and activities in the days immediately preceding the interview. They were also curious as to whether the accident occurred before or after Mr. Smith committed the crimes. The Constitution does not require that a criminal suspect know and understand every possible consequence of a waiver of the Fifth Amendment privilege. Spring, 479 U.S. at 574, 107 S.Ct. 851. Nor does it require that police interrogations commence immediately with the subject matter of the crime. The relevant inquiry is whether the suspect understands the rights at stake and the consequences of waiving them. Id. at 574-75, 107 S.Ct. 851. Regardless of the level of preparedness and vigilance Mr. Watson demonstrated concerning Mr. Smith's knowing and intelligent confession, Mr. Smith cannot show he was prejudiced by his attorney's performance. 53 Mr. Smith marshals the same evidence as proof that his waiver and subsequent confession were involuntary and therefore Mr. Watson should have sought more actively to have the court suppress them. The constitutional question posed by such a claim is whether a defendant's will was overborne by the circumstances surrounding the giving of a confession. Dickerson v. United States, 530 U.S. 428, 434, 120 S.Ct. 2326, 147 L.Ed.2d 405 (2000) (quotation omitted). The Supreme Court has held coercive police activity to be a necessary predicate to the finding that a confession is not `voluntary.' Colorado v. Connelly, 479 U.S. 157, 167, 107 S.Ct. 515, 93 L.Ed.2d 473 (1986). We assess voluntariness of a suspect's waiver of his Miranda rights by examining the totality of the circumstances. See United States v. Nguyen, 155 F.3d 1219, 1222 (10th Cir.1998). 54 Factors relevant to determining voluntariness of a suspect's waiver include his age, intelligence, and education, and the details of the interrogation, such as whether the suspect was informed of his rights, the length of the detention and the interrogation, and the use or threat of physical force. Id. Although Mr. Smith was an adult at the time of interrogation, his cognitive abilities were similar to those of a twelve-year-old, E.H., vol. X, at 403, his intellectual functioning was quite low, Tr., vol. VIII, at 15; E.H., vol. X, at 448; E.H., vol. XI, at 675, 693-94; E.H., vol. XII, at 740, and his education was minimal, E.H., vol. XI, at 572. But in response to Mr. Smith's hesitant responses to questioning, the detectives in both interrogations went over each of the Miranda rights slowly and repeatedly, and Mr. Smith eventually reported he understood them. St. Exs. 94, 124. The police questioning was fairly gentle, and the interviews were relatively brief. Id. And despite Mr. Smith's contentions, the questioning did not include affirmative misrepresentation. 55 Mr. Smith's mental impairments are nonetheless relevant to our scrutiny of his interrogation because they enhance his susceptibility to police coercion. Connelly, 479 U.S. at 165, 107 S.Ct. 515. Police may not exploit[ ] this weakness with coercive tactics. Id. Our examination of the record reveals that the tactics used by police in this case did not overbear Mr. Smith's will. Taking into account the care with which officers must question a person of Mr. Smith's abilities, we see no overreaching. Any lack of effort at suppression on Mr. Watson's part is irrelevant; the confessions were constitutionally admissible. Because Mr. Smith has not established a constitutional violation, he cannot show he was prejudiced by Mr. Watson's performance in this regard. 7 56 Finally, Mr. Smith assails Mr. Watson's performance in challenging the state's theory of motive, presenting mental health evidence, and failing to raise an insanity defense. Having carefully reviewed the record, we see no prejudice. At the evidentiary hearing in federal district court, counsel for Mr. Smith described the evidence of Mr. Smith's guilt as overwhelming. E.H., vol. X, at 477. The state's theory of motive — that Mr. Smith may have murdered his wife and stepchildren to collect on their life insurance — was but a small part of this overwhelming evidence, and we are convinced a successful challenge thereto would have had no effect on the jury's finding of guilt. The quantity and quality of the evidence of Mr. Smith's mental illness and retardation, as well as counsel's skill in presentation of this evidence, differed significantly at trial and at the evidentiary hearing in federal district court. Nevertheless, the district court was unconvinced by Dr. Smith's new diagnosis of DID, see Smith, No. CIV-98-601-R, at 34, and we must defer to this credibility determination. See Anderson v. City of Bessemer City, 470 U.S. 564, 575, 105 S.Ct. 1504, 84 L.Ed.2d 518 (1985) (citations omitted); Gonzales v. Thomas, 99 F.3d 978, 985 (10th Cir.1996). Oklahoma follows the demanding rule of M'Naghten's Case, 8 Eng. Rep. 718 (1843), determining insanity by putting to the jury the ultimate question of whether a defendant was capable of knowing right from wrong at the time of the offense. Jacobson v. State, 684 P.2d 556, 561 (Okla.Crim.App.1984). Even on the evidence available to Mr. Watson, should he have obtained and presented it, an acquittal was highly unlikely. 57 Mr. Smith has not shown there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the jury would have acquitted Mr. Smith of the crimes for which he stood accused. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Consequently, he was not prejudiced by any deficiencies in his counsel's performance during the guilt phase of his trial. 8