Opinion ID: 886072
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to Investigate Enger's Prior Criminal Acts

Text: ¶ 27 Hagen next contends that had his trial counsel investigated Enger's background, he would have discovered a history of disorderly conduct. Evidence was introduced at the hearing that Enger was convicted of criminal trespass in 1986 and disorderly conduct in 1987, in addition to misdemeanor convictions for theft and possession of a concealed weapon. The District Court found that no evidence had been introduced as to what effect, if any, such evidence would have had on Enger's credibility as a witness. We agree that the relevancy of Enger's criminal background was questionable considering the remoteness of his convictions and the fact that he was invited to the Hagen property by the Defendant's wife. Most importantly, however, the record indicates that Hagen's trial counsel did conduct some sort of investigation into Enger's background. At the hearing, Hagen himself testified as follows: Q: Did you tell Mr. Pavelich anything about Jim Enger's reputation for violence and troublemaking? Hagen: Yes, I did. Q: And what did you tell him? Hagen: I told him that he had a reputation for fighting and picking on people instead of  trying to be a bully, especially when he had been drinking. And I also heard from Matt [Pavelich] himself that he had a criminal record, that they were checking on him in Plains for stealing from mailboxes. [Emphasis added.] Therefore, Hagen's trial counsel did perform some type of investigation into Enger's criminal record. Based on all the foregoing considerations, we conclude Hagen has not proven ineffective assistance of counsel for failure to investigate Enger's criminal background.