Opinion ID: 1831577
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Counsel's failure to offer lesser-included offense instructions.

Text: ¶ 26. Walker's next contention is that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to offer additional lesser-included offense instructions for consideration by the trial court. The jury was instructed on the offenses of murder and manslaughter in this case. However, Walker contends that he should have been granted a culpable negligence manslaughter instruction. ¶ 27. This Court imposed a procedural bar to this claim on direct appeal for failure of counsel to object, but this Court alternatively addressed the merits of this claim and held the claim to be without merit. See Walker, 671 So.2d at 596-98. Since we held the claim to be without merit on direct appeal, Walker cannot demonstrate the required prejudice to sustain a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel under Strickland. ¶ 28. Walker is not entitled to seek relief on this claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.