Opinion ID: 853352
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Failure to Present Mitigating Evidence During The Sentencing Phase

Text: Wrinkles argues the post-conviction court erred when it refused to conclude that counsel were ineffective based on their alleged failure to present evidence during the sentencing phase of trial supporting a sentence other than death. Contrary to Wrinkles' claim, the record shows that counsel prepared a thorough and detailed forty-page sentencing memorandum and attorney Danks made an oral argument to the trial court on why the court should not impose the death penalty. R. at 267-307, 3362, 3368-70. The record also shows that during the penalty phase of trial counsel presented evidence concerning Wrinkles' drug use, personality, and social history. To the extent Wrinkles argues that counsel should have presented the evidence anew during the sentencing phase of trial, he is mistaken. Where counsel has already presented mitigating evidence during the guilt phase of trial and discussed it during the penalty phase, presenting the evidence again during the judge sentencing phase of trial is cumulative. Wisehart, 693 N.E.2d at 49. We find no error on this issue.