Opinion ID: 1804987
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Denial of Right to Competent Medical Assistance

Text: Windom argues that Leinster's failure to investigate and present evidence regarding Windom's mental state denied him his right to competent assistance by a mental health expert. The post-conviction court denied this claim, explaining that it harbored grave reservations about whether Windom ever suffered any sort of meaningful head injury prior to the murders. Even though [Dr. Pincus and Dr. Beaver] had an opportunity to review a far more extensive background record than did Dr. Kirkland, I cannot accept their opinions. Specifically, Mr. Windom's conduct on the day of the murders refutes rather than supports their opinions that his acts were the product of brain damage or delusion. Post-conviction order at 31. Dr. Kirkland further testified that Windom showed no significant signs of brain damage. The trial court's findings of fact and weight given to the evidence is supported by competent, substantial evidence. Based on these findings, Windom has failed to demonstrate that his defense was devastated by the absence of a psychiatric examination and testimony [and that] with such assistance, the defendant might have [had] a reasonable chance of success. Ake v. Oklahoma, 470 U.S. 68, 83, 105 S.Ct. 1087, 84 L.Ed.2d 53 (1985).