Opinion ID: 2756888
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Trial court denies Herring’s petition

Text: {¶ 40} On January 6, 2003, the trial court granted the state’s motion for summary judgment and overruled Herring’s requests for discovery and an evidentiary hearing. The trial court rejected Herring’s claim that counsel were ineffective in conducting their mitigation investigation, stating: It is clear from the transcript of the sentencing phase that counsel elected to present positive evidence from the Defendant’s family, and not to present negative evidence concerning the Defendant’s childhood. At this point, one can only speculate as to what effect, if any, negative evidence would have had in the jury’s 11 SUPREME COURT OF OHIO deliberations. Tactical decisions and strategic choices must be reviewed with the strong presumption that effective legal counsel is rendered.    A different opinion, which varies from the theory used at trial does not depict ineffective assistance of counsel.    In the instant case, Defendant simply suggests and speculates that trial counsels [sic] failure to present an alternative theory, specifically, negative testimony concerning his childhood, amounts to ineffective assistance of counsel. This Court does not agree, and the Defendant is not entitled to a hearing as to these claims. {¶ 41} The trial court also rejected Herring’s claim that trial counsel were ineffective by failing to hire a neuropsychologist to examine him. The trial court noted that Dr. Darnall prepared and submitted a report and did “not recommend that the Defendant be examined by a neuro-psychologist. Additionally, there were specific findings made by Dr. Darnall that were not favorable to the Defendant.”