Opinion ID: 1938175
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure of Byrom's trial counsel to conduct an adequate investigation generally.

Text: ¶ 16. Byrom next makes a general argument of law, citing Wiggins v. Smith, 539 U.S. 510, 123 S.Ct. 2527, 156 L.Ed.2d 471 (2003), as the most recent definitive pronouncement from the United States Supreme Court concerning ineffective assistance of counsel claims. The United States Supreme Court found Wiggins received ineffective assistance of counsel where his trial counsel had failed to investigate and present mitigating evidence of Wiggins's background, including physical and sexual abuse committed by his mother, by a series of foster parents, and by a Job Corps supervisor, as well as evidence of mental retardation. 539 U.S. at 516-18, 123 S.Ct. at 2533. Counsel for Wiggins failed to make this investigation even though the State made funds available for this purpose. 539 U.S. at 524, 123 S.Ct. at 2536. Trial counsel instead attempted to show that Wiggins was not responsible for the murder in question. 539 U.S. at 519, 123 S.Ct. at 2534. The Supreme Court stated: In finding that Schlaich and Nethercott's investigation did not meet Strickland's performance standards, we emphasize that Strickland does not require counsel to investigate every conceivable line of mitigating evidence no matter how unlikely the effort would be to assist the defendant at sentencing. Nor does Strickland require defense counsel to present mitigating evidence at sentencing in every case. Both conclusions would interfere with the constitutionally protected independence of counsel at the heart of Strickland, 466 U.S., at 689, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674. We base our conclusion on the much more limited principle that strategic choices made after less than complete investigation are reasonable only to the extent that reasonable professional judgments support the limitations on investigation. Id., at 690-691, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674. A decision not to investigate thus must be directly assessed for reasonableness in all the circumstances. Id., at 691, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674. Wiggins, 539 U.S. at 533, 123 S.Ct. 2527. Under Wiggins, counsel may make strategic decisions to introduce, pursue or ignore certain evidence, but these decisions may amount to ineffective assistance if made based on an inadequate or unreasonable investigation. ¶ 17. Byrom further argues that the key element in Wiggins is the Supreme Court's use of the phrase prevailing professional standards. After appearing to argue that Wiggins set a new standard in ineffective assistance cases, Byrom states that the United States Supreme Court specifically made it clear that Wiggins does not create new law but simply readopts and clarifies the import of Strickland.  Byrom then cites numerous cases from other states and the federal courts where counsel was found to be ineffective. Of particular import, however, is that Byrom did not raise ineffective assistance of counsel on direct appeal. Likewise, in her PCR petition Byrom did not raise ineffective assistance of counsel on direct appeal. Likewise, in her PCR petition before us today, Byrom asserts no specific ground of her trial counsel's ineffective assistance, but instead makes the general assertion that Wiggins somehow changes the procedure for appellate review of ineffective assistance of counsel claims pursuant to Strickland. We disagree and thus find this issue to be without merit.