Opinion ID: 1844309
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Counsel failed to present evidence of an abusive childhood.

Text: ¶ 36. Carr offers the hearsay affidavit of an investigator who asserts a preliminary background investigation revealed claims of child abuse which Carr purportedly suffered. The failure to call available witnesses on critical issues is a factor to be considered in analyzing an ineffective assistance claim. Leatherwood v. State, 473 So.2d 964, 970 (Miss.1985). The State responds that there is no specific allegation from any identifiable family member such that the claim's validity can be determined. Complaints of uncalled witnesses are typically not favored since presentation of testimony is generally a matter of trial strategy, Boyd v. Estelle, 661 F.2d 388, 390 (5th Cir.1981). Without knowing what specific evidence might have been given by a particular witness, it is impossible to say whether the failure to call such a witness amounted to ineffective assistance of counsel. Without an affidavit from the potential witness, it is speculative at best as to whether the testimony would have more likely than not altered the sentence imposed. Brown v. State, 749 So.2d 82, 91 (Miss.1999). Carr has failed to prove that his trial counsel was ineffective.