Opinion ID: 2335896
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Counsels' Lack of Preparation

Text: For his final point on appeal, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in finding that counsel were not ineffective for lack of preparation during both the first trial and the resentencing. The basis of this argument is Appellant's assertion that counsel did not have enough personal contact with him prior to both proceedings. Appellant asserts that if counsel had been more prepared and had visited him more often, they might have convinced him to testify on his own behalf and to call former employers and friends as witnesses. He also complains that counsel did not present testimony from any of his relatives during the resentencing. Appellant does not state what particular witnesses or relevant facts counsel would have discovered had they adequately investigated and prepared the case. As such, his allegations are conclusory and will not provide a basis for postconviction relief. A bare allegation that there are witnesses that could have been called in the petitioner's behalf will not support a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. Nelson v. State, 344 Ark. 407, 39 S.W.3d 791 (2001) ( per curiam ). This court will not grant postconviction relief for ineffective assistance of counsel where the petitioner fails to show what the omitted testimony or other evidence was and how it would have changed the outcome. See Noel, 342 Ark. 35, 26 S.W.3d 123; Johnson v. State, 321 Ark. 117, 900 S.W.2d 940 (1995). Appellant's reliance on Williams v. Taylor, 529 U.S. 362, 120 S.Ct. 1495, 146 L.Ed.2d 389 (2000), is misplaced. In that case, the Court held that counsel is obligated to conduct an investigation for the purpose of ascertaining mitigating evidence, and that the failure to do so is error. Such error, however, does not automatically require reversal unless it is shown that, but for counsel's errors, there is a reasonable probability that the sentence would have been different. Thus, the Court's holding did not change the law regarding claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, as set out in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). As with any other claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a petitioner cannot succeed merely by alleging that counsel was not prepared or did not spend enough time on his case. Rather, he still must show what evidence or witnesses would have been discovered had counsel properly investigated the case and that, but for counsel's lack of preparation, there is a reasonable probability that the outcome of his trial or sentence would have been different. Because Appellant has failed to make such a showing, we affirm the trial court's denial of relief on this point. Affirmed.