Opinion ID: 1616730
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Applicable Legal Principles and Analytical Framework.

Text: A. Ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claims. Two elements must be established to show the ineffectiveness of defense counsel: (1) trial counsel failed to perform an essential duty; and (2) this omission resulted in prejudice. State v. Greene, 592 N.W.2d 24, 29 (Iowa 1999). A defendant's inability to prove either element is fatal. In re Interest of C.M., 652 N.W.2d 204, 207 (Iowa 2002). Generally, ineffective-assistance claims are preserved for postconviction relief proceedings to afford the defendant an evidentiary hearing and thereby permit the development of a more complete record. State v. Reynolds, ___ N.W.2d ___, ___, 2003 WL 21659144,  (Iowa 2003). If the record on appeal shows, however, that the defendant cannot prevail on such a claim as a matter of law, we will affirm the defendant's conviction without preserving the ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claims. Id. Conversely, if the record on appeal establishes both elements of an ineffective-assistance claim and an evidentiary hearing would not alter this conclusion, we will reverse the defendant's conviction and remand for a new trial. See State v. Allison, 576 N.W.2d 371, 374 (Iowa 1998). We turn now to the law applicable to claims of prosecutorial misconduct. B. Due process violation based on prosecutorial misconduct. The initial requirement for a due process claim based on prosecutorial misconduct is proof of misconduct. State v. Piper, 663 N.W.2d 894, 913 (Iowa 2003). Evidence of the prosecutor's bad faith is not necessary, as a trial can be unfair to the defendant even when the prosecutor has acted in good faith. State v. Leuty, 247 Iowa 251, 258, 73 N.W.2d 64, 69 (1955). The second required element is proof the misconduct resulted in prejudice to such an extent that the defendant was denied a fair trial. Piper, 663 N.W.2d at 913. Thus, it is the prejudice resulting from misconduct, not the misconduct itself, that entitles a defendant to a new trial. Id. In determining prejudice the court looks at several factors within the context of the entire trial. Id. We consider (1) the severity and pervasiveness of the misconduct, State v. Webb, 244 N.W.2d 332, 333 (Iowa 1976); (2) the significance of the misconduct to the central issues in the case, see Piper, 663 N.W.2d at 903, 913; (3) the strength of the State's evidence, Greene, 592 N.W.2d at 32; (4) the use of cautionary instructions or other curative measures, State v. Anderson, 448 N.W.2d 32, 33 (Iowa 1989); and (5) the extent to which the defense invited the misconduct, State v. Swartz, 601 N.W.2d 348, 353 (Iowa 1999). C. Analytical framework. In analyzing the defendant's ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim, our first step is to assess whether the record demonstrates, as a matter of law, the existence or absence of a meritorious due process violation. Thus, we must consider whether the prosecutor was guilty of misconduct in the particulars identified by Graves and whether the record shows Graves was prejudiced, i.e., denied a fair trial. If the record is insufficient to make this determination, we must preserve the defendant's ineffective-assistance claim for a fuller development of the pertinent facts. If, however, the record shows that either element is lacking as a matter of law, we will affirm Graves' conviction without preserving his due process claim for a later postconviction relief action. Finally, if both elements of Graves' due process claim are established as a matter of law, Graves will have proved that the assertion of such a claim at the time of the prosecutor's misconduct would have had merit. If it is determined that defense counsel failed to raise a meritorious issue, we must then consider whether an attorney performing within the range of normal competency would have made an objection and/or requested a mistrial. If there is no possibility that trial counsel's failure to act can be attributed to reasonable trial strategy, then we can conclude the defendant has established that counsel failed to perform an essential duty. If trial counsel's conduct might be characterized as a reasonable trial tactic, then Graves' ineffective-assistance claim must be preserved for trial in a possible postconviction relief action. The final step of our analysis, should the defendant's claim survive to this point, will be to assess whether the record permits a determination of the prejudice prong of the ineffective-assistance claim. In this regard, we will examine whether there is a reasonable probability the outcome of the trial would have been different had trial counsel performed competently.