Opinion ID: 2168156
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Available Mitigating Evidence

Text: Forrest argues the motion court clearly erred in denying the ineffective assistance of counsel claim that trial counsel failed to introduce available mitigating evidence. Forrest alleges Dr. Cunningham, a clinical and forensic psychologist, should have testified about Forrest's low risk of future dangerousness and risk factors and he was prejudiced.
Dr. Cunningham, a clinical and forensic psychologist, determines a defendant's level of dangerousness based on risk factors. Trial counsel decided not to retain Dr. Cunningham after a brief meeting with him. Trial counsel testified Dr. Cunningham was not called as a witness because they were not impressed with preliminary statistical figures about Forrest's probability of future dangerousness and they were concerned about the disclosure of a homicide where Forrest was a possible suspect. Dr. Cunningham testified in the post-conviction hearing that Forrest is unlikely to be involved in violence in prison due to his age, adjustment to prison, and having a high school diploma. Dr. Cunningham also testified about Forrest's family situation, substance abuse, and brain dysfunction. The State addressed Forrest's dangerousness in the penalty phase's closing argument. The State argued: [Defense Counsel] says putting [Forrest] in prison is enough, for life. You know, well, unfortunately there are people in prison too: prisoners and staff and guards. It's not like he's going to be inside of a concrete box with no access to anybody so society is still at risk.
The motion court found Dr. Cunningham's testimony was not credible because he vastly underestimate[d] the circumstances of the crimes, specifically the death of a law enforcement officer; he would alienate the jury by implying the jury could not analyze the mitigating evidence without his testimony; and he earned most of his income from testifying for capital defendants. Trial counsel made a strategic decision not to call Dr. Cunningham because evidence of another homicide may come out. Additionally, Dr. Cunningham's testimony was cumulative to evidence already admitted and Forrest was not prejudiced.
The motion court's findings are supported by evidence in the record. Trial counsel did not render deficient performance in representing Forrest. This Court will not challenge the motion court's determination of Dr. Cunningham's credibility as it could make the best observation, State v. Simmons, 955 S.W.2d 729, 747 (Mo. banc 1997), or trial counsel's strategic decision not to call a witness, see Goodwin, 191 S.W.3d at 29. In addition, trial counsel was not ineffective because Dr. Cunningham's testimony was cumulative. See id. at 38. The State argued Forrest's future dangerousness in closing arguments. Even if Dr. Cunningham's opinion might have assisted in responding to this argument, trial counsel made a strategic decision on the matter, which will not be challenged. See id. at 25. Forrest was not prejudiced. There is no reasonable probability the jury would have entered a different sentence due to Dr. Cunningham's testimony, because it had the underlying evidence Dr. Cunningham relied on and could have independently evaluated the evidence. Forrest failed to show trial counsel's performance was deficient and failed to show he was prejudiced. The motion court's findings are not erroneous. The point is denied.