Opinion ID: 1841380
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Tire Tracks

Text: Grim claims trial counsel was ineffective for failing to point out that Deputy McCauley's report indicated that there were two sets of tire tracks in Grim's backyard. Grim claims this information would place doubt on his guilt and lend credence to the defense theory that the crime scene was unsecured. At the evidentiary hearing, Hill testified that he vaguely remembered that there were two sets of tracks, but given the other evidence in the case, he did not think it was significant. The trial court rejected this claim, concluding trial counsel made a sound strategic decision. We agree. Pointing out that there were two sets of tire tracks in Grim's backyard would not lend credence to the theory that the crime scene was left unsecured. The unsecured crime scene theory was that there was a period between the time all of the officers initially left the scene and the time officers arrived to secure the scene after the body was discovered. McCauley observed the two sets of tracks upon the initial investigation of Grim's vehicle by Deputy Rutherfordbefore Grim left the scene in his vehicle, before the officers left the scene, and before the victim's body was recovered. Therefore, the report of two sets of tracks adds nothing to the unsecure crime scene theory, and trial counsel made a reasonable strategic decision not to raise the issue at trial. See Brown, 846 So.2d at 1125 ([T]his Court will not second-guess counsel's strategic decisions on collateral attack.).