Opinion ID: 1217589
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Cross-Examination of Michael Hancock

Text: Cook argues in his cross-appeal that the habeas court erred by not finding that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance during the cross-examination of Michael Hancock, the friend to whom Cook confessed. On direct examination at trial, Hancock described Cook's confession to him in detail. However, on cross-examination, counsel questioned him about his having initially given a more limited version of Cook's confession to a ranger working for the Department of Natural Resources. Hancock explained in his trial testimony that the ranger had told him to be quiet for the moment and asked him if he instead would make a statement to the GBI. The cross-examination Cook now claims trial counsel should have conducted is equivalent to the cross-examination that counsel actually did conduct. Accordingly, we conclude that this claim shows neither deficient performance by counsel nor any prejudice to Cook's defense.