Opinion ID: 752499
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Duty to Investigate, Prepare, and Present Potential Mitigating Evidence

Text: 23 The duty to investigate derives from an attorney's basic function, which is to make the adversarial testing process work in the particular case. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690, 104 S.Ct. at 2066. Because that testing process generally will not function properly unless defense counsel has done some investigation into the prosecution's case and into various defense strategies, [the Supreme Court has] noted that 'counsel has a duty to make reasonable investigations or to make a reasonable decision that makes particular investigations unnecessary.'  Kimmelman v. Morrison, 477 U.S. 365, 384, 106 S.Ct. 2574, 2588, 91 L.Ed.2d 305 (1986) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691, 104 S.Ct. at 2066). 24 In a capital case the attorney's duty to investigate all possible lines of defense is strictly observed. Coleman v. Brown, 802 F.2d 1227, 1233 (10th Cir.1986); see also Stafford v. Saffle, 34 F.3d 1557, 1563-64 (10th Cir.1994) (finding that counsel's failure to conduct any investigation for possible mitigating evidence was unreasonable); Osborn v. Shillinger, 861 F.2d 612, 626-31 (10th Cir.1988) (finding that counsel's lack of investigation and preparation was unreasonable). An attorney's duty to investigate, however, is not unlimited. As we explained in Brecheen v. Reynolds, 41 F.3d 1343 (10th Cir.1994): 25 In stating that an attorney has an affirmative duty to conduct an investigation into the existence of potential mitigating evidence, we do not imply that this duty is boundless. To the contrary, an attorney is not required to investigate all leads as long as the decision not to pursue a particular lead, or to pursue a particular lead only so far, is reasonable under the circumstances. 26 Id. at 1366 (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). 27 In Brecheen, we also addressed an attorney's duty to present mitigating evidence. We stated: 28 We agree ... that counsel has no absolute duty to present mitigating character evidence at all. From this, it follows a fortiori that the failure to present available mitigating evidence is not per se ineffective assistance of counsel. 29 If counsel has mitigating evidence available but elects not to present that evidence, then the inquiry must focus on the reason or reasons for the decision not to introduce that evidence. If counsel had a reasonable basis for his strategic decision that an explanation of petitioner's history would not have minimized the risk of the death penalty, then that decision must be given a strong presumption of correctness and the inquiry is generally at an end. If, however, the decision is not tactical, and counsel's performance is therefore deficient, then the first prong of Strickland is satisfied. 30 Id. at 1368 (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). The duty to present mitigating evidence, of course, is not independent of the duty to investigate and prepare. As we emphasized in Brecheen: 31 [T]he relevant inquiry is whether trial counsel's decision was an informed tactical decision that was reasonable under the circumstances of the case. Having delineated the appropriate legal framework, it is important to note that the mere incantation of strategy does not insulate attorney behavior from review; an attorney must have chosen not to present mitigating evidence after having investigated the defendant's background, and that choice must have been reasonable under the circumstances. 32 Id. at 1369 (citations and internal quotation marks omitted) (emphasis in original). [S]trategic choices made after less than complete investigation are reasonable precisely to the extent that reasonable professional judgments support the limitations on investigation. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690-91, 104 S.Ct. at 2066. With these standards in mind, we now turn to whether Mr. Prince's decision not to present any mitigating witnesses constituted a reasonable tactical choice based on reasonable investigative efforts. 33 B. Investigation, Preparation, and Presentation of Mitigating Evidence During the Penalty Phase of the Trial 34 At the evidentiary hearing, Mr. Prince testified about his investigation and preparation for Mr. Duvall's trial. Mr. Prince stated that he had spoken to all of the police officers and detectives in the case, as well as Jim Minter, a jailer. Mr. Prince also contacted Russell Bill and Tony Link, attorneys who had previously represented Mr. Duvall. He interviewed Hazel Branch and Gene Christian about collateral matters involving Karla, such as a protective order she obtained against Mr. Duvall. Mr. Prince spoke with a number of doctors about Mr. Duvall's competency and mental condition at the time of the murder. Three psychological examinations were performed on Mr. Duvall, one at the direction of Mr. Prince. Mr. Prince acknowledged that he did not really talk to any of the family members to that great an extent. He testified, however, that he did speak with Mr. Duvall's mother (Pearl Duvall), his brother (Jerry Duvall), and his brother-in-law (Eric Gorbid). More importantly, Mr. Prince stated that in preparing for the trial, he spent several hundred hours talking to Mr. Duvall. Evid. Hear. at 82. 35 At the evidentiary hearing, Mr. Prince also testified about his trial strategy and how it changed as the trial unfolded. Based on his investigation, Mr. Prince had concluded that Mr. Duvall should take the stand during both the guilt and penalty stages of the trial. Mr. Prince acknowledged that Mr. Duvall had flip-flopped several times in deciding whether to testify. Id. at 94. Nevertheless, Mr. Prince emphasized that when the trial started, Mr. Duvall had decided that he would testify. Thus, Mr. Prince voir dired prospective jurors about Mr. Duvall testifying. Mr. Prince also was prepared to present mitigating witnesses: 36 I had Dr. Mynatt and Virginia Hoover on subpoena. I had Dr. Bonner on stand-by. I had his mother. As I recall, the brother--and I don't remember if the brother-in-law had started backing up on me at that point or not. I had some witnesses that could have testified about some of these good things.... 37 Id. at 79. Although Mr. Prince was prepared to present these witnesses, he planned to call them only if Mr. Duvall first testified. Mr. Prince stated that he had expected Mr. Duvall to testify and had planned to use the witnesses to bolster Mr. Duvall's testimony. Id. at 81. Three days into the trial, Mr. Duvall decided not to testify and expressed that he did not want anyone else to testify, forcing Mr. Prince to change his trial strategy. Id. at 78-79. 38 Once Mr. Duvall refused to testify during either phase of the trial, the trial judge, at Mr. Prince's request, conducted an in camera hearing concerning Mr. Duvall's decision and its impact on Mr. Prince's defense strategy. The following exchange transpired between Mr. Prince and Mr. Duvall at that hearing, which occurred before the penalty phase: 39 Q: Previously, we had made a Record concerning whether or not you should testify in the first stage of the proceedings? 40 A: True. 41 Q: You and I have discussed this matter concerning the second stage as well, have we not? 42 A: True. 43 Q: And I had advised you that if you did take the stand [i]n the second stage that there are certain matters that you are aware of that the District Attorney would be able to cross examine you concerning, as well as perhaps bringing in additional evidence and additional witnesses. Is that correct? 44 A: True. 45 Q: And you and I discussed the pros and cons, pluses and minuses of your testimony, and you decided you did not wish to testify in the second stage? 46 A: Right. 47 Q: You understand that by not testifying in the second stage that we also had some other witnesses that could have come in and testified concerning your--your mental condition, in the sense of your suicidal efforts at the time of this transaction, as well as your examination by Dr. Mynatt and Dr. Bonner, but that by you not testifying in the second stage, we did not feel it would be beneficial to bring any other witnesses to testify in the second stage either? 48 A: (John Duvall moved his head up and down.) 49 Q: Have you done that knowingly and intelligently, waiving your right to take the stand in the second stage? 50 A: Yes, sir. 51 Q: And you do agree that you did not want these other witnesses called as well? 52 A: Yes, I did. 53 Q: So the Record is silent as far as any defense to this second stage, but that is done with your consent, your full knowledge-- 54 A: Yes. 55 Q: --and you believe that it was done in your best interest? 56 A: Yes. 57 Q: No one forced or threatened you to do that, did they? 58 A: No. 59 Q: You did it based on our evaluation of the evidence from the prosecution standpoint, as well as from a defense standpoint? 60 A: Right. 61 Q: Do you have any complaints about the way we conducted this trial? 62 A: No. 63 Tr. at 761-72. 64 Following the in camera hearing, the trial judge read the penalty phase instructions to the jury. Instruction No. 8 provided: 65 Evidence has been offered as to the following mitigating circumstances: 66
67
68
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70 5. Defendant cooperated with law enforcement authorities;6. Defendant was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident; 71 7. The Defendant did not attempt to flee the jurisdiction of the State. 72 Whether these circumstances existed, and whether these circumstances are mitigating, must be decided by you. 73 R. at 176. 74 After the trial judge read the jury instructions, the parties made their closing statements. During his argument, Mr. Prince commented on the mitigating circumstances identified in Instruction No. 8, attempting to persuade the jury to spare Mr. Duvall from the death penalty. Nevertheless, the jury found the existence of both aggravating circumstances and recommended that Mr. Duvall receive the death penalty. 75 Despite Mr. Duvall's request that Mr. Prince forego the introduction of mitigating evidence at trial, he now complains that Mr. Prince should have introduced such evidence. In particular, Mr. Duvall contends that his attorney should have introduced evidence of: (1) Mr. Duvall's family history, (2) Mr. Duvall's alcohol abuse, (3) Mr. Duvall's recent church activity, (4) Mr. Duvall's remorse, and (5) the victim's drug abuse. In reviewing Mr. Duvall's contentions, we note that [t]he reasonableness of counsel's actions may be determined or substantially influenced by the [accused's] own statements or actions, Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691, 104 S.Ct. at 2066-67, but the ultimate decision to introduce mitigating evidence (other than the defendant's own testimony) is vested in the defendant's trial counsel, see Brecheen, 41 F.3d at 1368-69. 1. Duvall's Family History 76 Mr. Duvall first asserts that Mr. Prince should have conducted more extensive interviews with his family members and called several of them to testify about the mitigating aspects of Mr. Duvall's history. The evidentiary hearing in the court below revealed much about Mr. Duvall's difficult upbringing and troubled history. 77 The evidentiary hearing indicated that Mr. Duvall was born on May 21, 1951, into a very poor family. The youngest of twelve children, he grew up in a three-bedroom house in the small town of Duncan, Oklahoma. His father died when Duvall was ten years old. His mother provided the sole support for the family. 78 By the time he reached his early teens, Mr. Duvall had developed a problem with alcohol and drugs. Although Mr. Duvall maintained a good disposition when he was sober, he often became violent when he consumed alcohol or drugs. 79 Mr. Duvall dropped out of school after the ninth grade and eventually left home when he was sixteen or seventeen. He worked primarily as a laborer in oil refineries and as a pipe fitter. His alcohol problem and associated behavioral problems continued. 80 Following two failed marriages and another long-term relationship, Mr. Duvall became involved with Karla in 1981. When he met Karla, she was using narcotic pain killers. The couple soon began using drugs together. Although their drug use diminished during Karla's pregnancy, the couple resumed heavy use of narcotic pain killers following the birth of their son in the summer of 1982. 81 In 1985, Mr. Duvall began working part time for Joe Howard at Joe's Electric. Due to the encouragement of Joe Howard and his wife Wanda, Mr. Duvall began attending church. According to Wanda Howard, Mr. Duvall was trying to overcome his substance abuse problem to create a more stable family environment for his son. Family members and friends indicated that Mr. Duvall wanted Karla to stop using drugs as well. 82 A month or two before she was murdered, Karla obtained a restraining order against Mr. Duvall. Days before her death, Joe Howard overheard Mr. Duvall making calls to local doctors asking them to stop giving Karla drugs. According to Mr. Duvall, on September 15th, the day of Karla's death, Karla phoned Duvall at work and informed him that she had resumed taking drugs. 83 In conjunction with his continual substance abuse, Mr. Duvall had many encounters with the local law enforcement. Some of these encounters resulted in convictions for violent felonies. For example, in August 1969, Mr. Duvall pled guilty to a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon when he threatened two men with a shotgun. In May 1976, Mr. Duvall was convicted of another charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. In July 1984, Mr. Duvall was convicted on two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon after he threatened to kill Karla and two other women with a knife in a convenience store. 84 During the evidentiary hearing, Mr. Prince admitted that he could have called mitigating witnesses during the penalty phase of the trial. He explained, however, that for everything someone would say good about [Duvall] they would have to say other things that were so negative that it got to the point where we were afraid that the negative outweighed the positive. Evid. Hear. at 78. Thus, Mr. Prince feared that the testimony of the defense's own potential witnesses would result in the introduction of evidence on cross-examination such that the overall effect of these witnesses would be more aggravating than mitigating. In addition, he was concerned that the prosecution would call members of Karla's family to rebut and contradict much of the mitigating testimony that he was able to elicit from others. 85 We hold that Mr. Prince's decision not to present mitigating evidence involving Duvall's family history was a reasonable one based on a constitutionally sufficient investigation. Mr. Prince was aware of most of Mr. Duvall's history prior to the trial, and the record gives us no reason to believe that Prince's investigation of Duvall's family history was inadequate. Based on his conversations with Mr. Duvall and his family members, Mr. Prince concluded that his client's interests would not be served by introducing testimony concerning Mr. Duvall's family history. 86 Mr. Prince's reluctance to present the above evidence was justifiable. Although grievous, Mr. Duvall's life history does not automatically mitigate the aggravating circumstances that the jury found present here. As the Supreme Court has stated regarding evidence of a defendant's life history: 87 On one hand, a jury could react with sympathy over the tragic childhood [the defendant] endured. On the other hand, since [the defendant's] sanity was not in issue in this case, the prosecution could use this same testimony, after pointing out that petitioner was nevertheless responsible for his acts, to emphasize that it was this same unpredictable propensity for violence which played a prominent role in the death of [the defendant's] victim. Mitigation, after all, may be in the eye of the beholder. 88 Burger v. Kemp, 483 U.S. 776, 794, 107 S.Ct. 3114, 3125-26, 97 L.Ed.2d 638 (1987) (citations, alterations, and internal quotation marks omitted). See also Davis v. Executive Dir. of Dep't of Corrections, 100 F.3d 750, 762 (10th Cir.1996) ([W]e agree with the district court that a decision to present mitigation testimony from family members was fraught with peril, because [the defendant's] background contained numerous instances of conduct that [were] more likely to make a jury feel unsympathetic towards him, than sympathetic towards him.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 117 S.Ct. 1703, 137 L.Ed.2d 828 (1997); Brewer v. Reynolds, 51 F.3d 1519, 1527 (10th Cir.1995) (finding that evidence of a defendant's turbulent and violent upbringing could justify either the inference that the defendant was an unfortunate victim of his environment or that the defendant's crime was the culmination of defendant's own voluntary violent behavior and irresponsibility). For example, although the State introduced evidence that Mr. Duvall had been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon three times, the jury was unaware of the factual circumstances underlying these convictions. The jury also was unaware of Mr. Duvall's uncharged violent conduct. Once Mr. Duvall declined to testify during the penalty phase, Mr. Duvall's family members were the primary remaining source of evidence concerning Duvall's family history. Mr. Prince knew that each of Mr. Duvall's family members were aware of his prior convictions and violent tendencies. 2 Testimony on cross-examination concerning the factual circumstances of Mr. Duvall's prior violent conduct could have been devastating. Brewer, 51 F.3d at 1527. This observation is particularly true regarding Duvall's prior assaults of Karla. 89 Moreover, Mr. Prince was rightly concerned that the district attorney might call members of Karla's family as rebuttal witnesses to testify about the violent past between Mr. Duvall and Karla. In short, the testimony of Mr. Duvall's family members would have presented the jury with information about his troubled background that could have also adversely affected the jury by introducing damaging facts not otherwise disclosed at trial. Thus, we hold that Mr. Prince's decision to forego evidence of Mr. Duvall's family history was a reasonable tactical decision based upon a constitutionally adequate investigation. 2. Substance Abuse 90 Mr. Duvall next argues that Mr. Prince should have introduced evidence of Mr. Duvall's alcohol abuse. According to Mr. Duvall, the jury would have considered evidence of his troubled history with alcohol and the fact that he was drinking on the day of the murder as compelling mitigating evidence. The evidentiary hearing testimony of Jerry Duvall, Mr. Duvall's brother, is indicative of the available evidence concerning Mr. Duvall's substance abuse: 91 Well, when Johnny was--when he wasn't on anything, I mean he was real jovial; everybody liked him and he got along great with everybody. But when he got on alcohol and drugs, I mean it was--I mean it was a hundred percent turnaround. He could be sarcastic, belligerent. It didn't make any difference, I don't care if you were ten-foot tall and if you said anything to him and it just happened to hit him wrong, he was liable to hit you. 92 Evid. Hear. at 24. Whatever the mitigating effect of such testimony might have been standing alone, Mr. Prince's decision not to introduce such testimony was reasonable in light of two complicating factors. First, even though Mr. Duvall contended that he had been drinking on the day of the murder, see Evid. Hear. at 88, there was evidence that Mr. Duvall's decision to murder his wife had nothing to do with his consumption of alcohol. As Mr. Prince explained: 93 [S]everal of the witnesses, the two guys that took him over to the house, one said he didn't even have an odor of alcohol; the other said, Well, he had a couple of beers but he certainly wasn't out of control. He was very calm, deliberate, very normal. They had known him. 94 Evid. Hear. at 83-84. 95 Second, Mr. Prince faced the same strategic dilemma as he did with the evidence of Mr. Duvall's family history. Testimony concerning Mr. Duvall's substance abuse would have resulted in the introduction of details of Mr. Duvall's prior convictions and violent conduct, which invariably resulted from his substance abuse. The jury could have perceived such evidence as aggravating rather than mitigating. See Davis, 100 F.3d at 763 (We agree that it is just as likely the jury would react negatively to [the defendant's] repeated failures to effectively address his alcoholism.); Jones v. Page, 76 F.3d 831, 846 (7th Cir.) (noting that failure to introduce evidence of the defendant's long history of substance abuse was a reasonable tactical choice because such evidence was a 'double-edged sword,' that is, it could easily have been considered either aggravating or mitigating evidence), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 117 S.Ct. 363, 136 L.Ed.2d 254 (1996). Under these circumstances, we hold that Mr. Prince reasonably decided not to introduce evidence of Mr. Duvall's substance abuse. 3. Church Activity 96 Mr. Duvall asserts that Mr. Prince should have presented evidence of his recent church attendance and his relationship with Wanda and Joe Howard. At the evidentiary hearing, the Howards testified that Mr. Duvall had begun attending church on a regular basis in the two months preceding the murder. Mr. Prince testified that Mr. Duvall contended that he was trying to turn his life around and that Mr. Duvall and his son had attended church within the couple of weeks preceding the murder, but Mr. Prince admitted that he did not interview Joe or Wanda Howard regarding Mr. Duvall's recent church activity. 97 Although Mr. Prince admitted that such evidence might have constituted a mitigating circumstance, he explained why he did not investigate the matter more fully or present this line of defense: 98 I think it would have been rather difficult. Because at the same time frame that he was supposedly trying to turn his life around was when he went over to Connie McKinney's, the lady next door, and tried to assault his wife just a week or two before the murder. 99 So this was during the same time frame that he was supposedly turning his life around. 100 Evid. Hear. at 77. 101 In our view, Mr. Prince acted reasonably in concluding that this line of defense did not require further investigation. The record indicates that the prosecution likely would have questioned Wanda and Joe Howard about their knowledge of Mr. Duvall's long history of drug and alcohol abuse, his tendency toward violence when drunk, and his prior physical abuse of Karla. Furthermore, Mr. Duvall's behavior during the weeks preceding Karla's murder belied the sincerity of his alleged reform. Mr. Prince's decision not to present evidence of Mr. Duvall's turnaround was reasonable because of the substantial risk that this highly disputable evidence would lead directly to the introduction of evidence with a negative impact that would far outweigh any mitigating effect. 4. Remorse 102 Mr. Duvall also asserts that Mr. Prince should have presented evidence regarding Mr. Duvall's remorse. In particular, Mr. Duvall asserts that Mr. Prince should have told the jury that Mr. Duvall was depressed and suicidal after the murder. 103 Contrary to Mr. Duvall's assertions, the record discloses that the jury was well aware of Mr. Duvall's remorse. The jury heard Mr. Duvall cry during one or more of his confessions. Instruction No. 8 expressly required the jury to consider Mr. Duvall's remorse as a mitigating circumstance. The instruction also reminded the jury that Mr. Duvall had surrendered himself, had informed the authorities about the killing and its details, and that no law enforcement agency had previous knowledge of Karla's death. Mr. Prince emphasized Mr. Duvall's remorse in closing arguments: 104 Now, remorse. What does it take for remorse. Some people cry inside. Some people don't. You heard the statements. You heard the tape. What did the tape show you. The very first tape. No one forced him to say anything. He came to the District Attorney's Office to look for Assistant D.A. .... They asked him, John, are you telling us this because you regret it. Naturally I regret it.... 105 Tr. at 778. 106 In sum, our review of the record indicates that Mr. Prince presented substantial evidence of Mr. Duvall's remorse. Thus, we hold that Mr. Prince's failure to specifically mention Mr. Duvall's depression and suicidal tendencies was not unreasonable and did not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel.
107 Mr. Duvall contends that Mr. Prince should have investigated and produced evidence that Karla Duvall was a drug user and that, during the weeks before Karla's death, John Duvall repeatedly encouraged her to stop using drugs. Although Mr. Prince initially thought that Karla's drug use might be the source of mitigating evidence because it could support Duvall's claim that he was frustrated by her drug abuse, after investigation he concluded otherwise. 108 As a result of conversations with Mr. Duvall, Mr. Prince investigated a number of leads dealing with Karla's recent drug use. One doctor from whom Karla had purportedly illegally obtained drugs indicated that Karla's drug prescriptions were just normal. Evid. Hear. at 72. Two potential witnesses, Stanley Puet and Kenneth Atkinson, denied that they had ever helped Karla obtain drugs. When Mr. Prince spoke with Jerry Duvall before trial about Karla's drug use, Mr. Prince concluded that Jerry Duvall had no direct knowledge that Karla had recently used drugs. At the time of trial, Mr. Prince was unable to find any witnesses willing to testify that they gave or sold drugs to Karla or that they witnessed Karla using drugs in the months leading up to the murder. In fact, Mr. Duvall himself disclosed to Mr. Prince that Mr. Duvall had overstated Karla's drug use: [Mr. Duvall] told me on many occasions that she wasn't really that much of a pill user.... Evid. Hear. at 90. 109 In addition to a lack of witnesses to Karla's drug use, the record contains substantial evidence that she was not using drugs at the time of the murder. The state's medical examiner, Dr. Fred Jordan, testified that he found no needle marks on Karla's body and no drugs in her system at the time of the murder. Evid. Hear. at 86, 90. Connie McKinney, the victim's neighbor, testified that Karla did not appear to be under the influence of drugs when she spoke with Karla on the evening of her death. Tr. at 666. Ms. McKinney also testified that she had not observed Karla using drugs during the year that she had known the victim. Id. 110 Faced with no objective evidence of Karla's drug use and reliable evidence to the contrary, Mr. Prince was unable to find a single witness to testify firsthand about Karla's drug purchases or abuse. We therefore conclude that Mr. Prince's decision not to present evidence that John Duvall urged Karla Duvall to stop abusing drugs in the weeks prior to her death was a reasonable strategic choice based upon reasonable investigative efforts.
111 After carefully reviewing the record, we are unpersuaded that Mr. Duvall's trial counsel inadequately investigated and prepared for the penalty phase of the trial. Although Mr. Duvall's trial counsel could have investigated several other leads, we agree with the courts below that Mr. Prince's decision not to conduct more exhaustive investigation was supported by reasonable professional judgment. Moreover, Mr. Prince's decisions concerning the presentation of evidence of Mr. Duvall's family history, substance abuse, remorse, church attendance, and attempts to stem Karla's purported drug consumption fall within the broad range of reasonable trial strategy. This is especially true given the complications created by Duvall's decision not to testify three days after the trial had begun. Thus, we hold that the representation received by Mr. Duvall during the penalty phase of his trial fell within the range of reasonable legal assistance that complies with the Sixth Amendment. C. Prejudice 112 In addition to our conclusion that Mr. Prince acted reasonably, we find that there is no reasonable probability that the omitted evidence would have changed the jury's conclusion that the balance of aggravating and mitigating circumstances warranted death. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 695, 104 S.Ct. at 2068-69. In evaluating the probability of a different outcome, we must keep in mind the strength of the government's case and the aggravating factors the jury found as well as the mitigating factors that might have been presented. Stafford, 34 F.3d at 1564. Both the government's case against Mr. Duvall and the aggravating factors weighing in favor of a death sentence were particularly strong. No one disputes that Karla Duvall was brutally murdered by a man who had been convicted of violent felonies in the past. Moreover, the record clearly indicates that if Mr. Prince had introduced the omitted evidence, the jury would have learned about the details of Mr. Duvall's criminal record and violent tendencies, possibly offsetting any potential mitigating effect. Under these circumstances, Mr. Duvall has failed to demonstrate a reasonable probability that the outcome of his sentencing would have been different. Thus, we conclude that Mr. Duvall is not entitled to habeas relief on his ineffective assistance of counsel claim.