Opinion ID: 288980
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: lack of effective counsel for bryan.

Text: 37 On this appeal, Bryan contends that his trial counsel was not competent to defend him effectively. He suggests that had there been a probing in chambers there may have been circumstances brought to light which made the initial search of Bryan illegal; he points out that fingerprint evidence was admitted without objection; he observes that there was no motion made for a severance; he points out the admission of certain testimony without objection. We have carefully examined the record and in our opinion, Bryan was ably represented by counsel at his trial as he most certainly was on this appeal. As we recently said in United States v. Long: 28 38 'Appellant contends that the fact that trial counsel failed to object to testimony except in one instance, failed to summon character witnesses to support him and moved for a verdict of acquittal only upon being 'reminded' by the Court, establishes lack of effective assistance. A review of the record simply does not bear this out. In almost any case a hindsight combing of the record will reveal possible alternatives in trial tactics. For this reason the rule is well established that counsel's actions or omissions must be of such a nature as to render the trial a farce and a mockery of justice which shocks the conscience of the court. Odom v. United States, 377 F.2d 853, 858-859 (5th Cir. 1967). Appellant's allegations are insufficient to point to anything more than tactical decisions of counsel and do not support a claim of ineffectual assistance. 29 39 Nothing in the present record indicates that Bryan's trial was a farce or a mockery of justice. Our conscience is far from shocked. His trial was fair and his trial counsel was effective, though not victorious. We therefore conclude that his appeal on this point fails also. 40 Affirmed.