Opinion ID: 1598027
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Ineffective AssistanceSpecial Verdict Form

Text: Heath next contends that he received ineffective assistance during the penalty phase due to the failure to request a special verdict form with regard to the specific aggravating factors found by the jury. However, this Court has previously rejected the contention that Florida's capital sentencing structure is unconstitutional because it does not require a special verdict form that indicates the aggravating circumstances found by the jury. See Kormondy v. State, 845 So.2d 41, 54 (Fla. 2003). Additionally, in 2005 we held that it constitutes a departure from the essential requirements of law for a trial court in a death-penalty proceeding to utilize a penalty-phase special verdict form that details the findings of the jurors with regard to aggravating circumstances. See State v. Steele, 921 So.2d 538, 550 (Fla.2005). Hence, had trial counsel presented this challenge during the trial proceedings, it would have been rejected. Trial counsel is not ineffective for failing to raise a meritless challenge, see Vining, 827 So.2d at 213, and Heath is not entitled to relief on this claim.