Opinion ID: 1621175
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: failure to properly investigate mitigation evidence claim

Text: Holland's second claim involving ineffective assistance of counsel alleges that his penalty phase counsel was ineffective because the sole defense investigator did not investigate Holland's background or social history to discover evidence of mitigating factors. While we recognize that the obligation to investigate and prepare for the penalty portion of a capital case cannot be overstated, State v. Lewis, 838 So.2d 1102, 1113 (Fla.2002), and that attorneys have a strict duty to conduct a reasonable investigation of a defendant's background for possible mitigating evidence, Ragsdale v. State, 798 So.2d 713, 716 (Fla.2001) (quoting State v. Riechmann, 777 So.2d 342, 350 (Fla.2000)), we find this claim is without merit. Holland has not established that any unpresented mitigation actually existed; therefore, there is no evidence his counsel was deficient or that he was prejudiced by this deficiency. In evaluating claims that counsel was ineffective for failing to present mitigating evidence, this Court requires that the defendant bear the burden of establishing that counsel's ineffectiveness deprived the defendant of a reliable penalty phase proceeding. Asay v. State, 769 So.2d 974, 985 (Fla.2000) (quoting Rutherford v. State, 727 So.2d 216 (Fla.1998)). The principal concern, as recognized by the United States Supreme Court, is not whether a case was made for mitigation but whether the investigation supporting counsel's decision not to introduce mitigating evidence . . . was itself reasonable  from counsel's perspective at the time the decision was made. Wiggins v. Smith, 539 U.S. 510, 523, 123 S.Ct. 2527, 156 L.Ed.2d 471 (2003). In conducting our review, we accord deference to the trial court's findings of fact that are supported by competent, substantial evidence. See Stephens v. State, 748 So.2d 1028, 1034 (Fla.1999). We also note two maxims that assist our review. First, counsel cannot be deemed deficient for failing to investigate or present mitigation evidence unless the defendant establishes that mitigation exists. Gore v. State, 846 So.2d 461, 469-70 (Fla.2003) (holding, in part, that defendant failed to prove his ineffectiveness claim by failing to present any evidence at the evidentiary hearing from witnesses he claimed would be helpful). Second, defense counsel cannot be deemed deficient for failing to present cumulative evidence. Gudinas v. State, 816 So.2d 1095, 1106 (Fla.2002) (finding that trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to present evidence in mitigation that was cumulative to evidence already presented in mitigation). Employing these maxims, as well as the relevant case law, we find that Holland has failed to establish that his counsel's conduct warrants a new penalty phase proceeding. Penalty phase counsel explained that he considered Holland's background not only in his review of the records but also in speaking with Holland and Holland's father. While we recognize that counsel failed to make use of the available investigator and never spoke with the three family members he expected to appear and testify on Holland's behalf, [5] Holland has not met his burden of establishing that his penalty phase counsel's conduct was deficient. At trial, counsel presented Holland's family history through Holland's father, who arguably was able to give the jury a sufficient picture of Holland's life. More importantly, there was no evidence presented at the evidentiary hearing as to what any other witness would have testified to in mitigation, and the evidentiary hearing demonstrates that the testimony of the family members who did not appear would have likely been cumulative to the father's testimony. Moreover, even assuming penalty phase counsel's background investigation was deficient, Holland's claim still fails because he did not establish that he was prejudiced by this deficiency. See Maxwell v. Wainwright, 490 So.2d 927, 932 (Fla.1986). Holland's allegation that he was prejudiced because penalty phase counsel's deficiencies substantially impair confidence in the outcome of the proceedings is merely conclusory and must be rejected. See Gaskin v. State, 737 So.2d 509, 516 n. 14 (Fla.1999) (Prejudice, in the context of penalty phase errors, is shown where, absent the errors, there is a reasonable probability that the balance of aggravating and mitigating circumstances would have been different or the deficiencies substantially impair confidence in the outcome of the proceedings.); see also Armstrong v. State, 862 So.2d 705, 712 (Fla.2003) (finding that a mere conclusory allegation of prejudice was legally insufficient). Accordingly, we deny relief on this claim.