Opinion ID: 885610
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Failure to seek suppression of evidence

Text: ¶ 16 Thee alleges Olson failed to seek the suppression of certain statements Thee made to police officers prior to the appointment of counsel. Olson claims he reviewed and conferred with Thee about all statements attributed to Thee in police reports and transcripts of interviews. In his response to Thee's petition for post-conviction relief, Olson states he researched the viability of suppression of the statements and, for various reasons, determined that such a challenge would not be legally viable. Olson also directed forensic psychologist Dr. Duane Green to investigate mental infirmity, mental disease or defect, or suggestibility as grounds for challenging statements made by Thee to the authorities. Dr. Green found no psychological or medical basis for such a challenge. ¶ 17 Given the deference afforded counsel under the Strickland test, strategic choices made after thorough investigation of the law and facts relevant to plausible options are virtually unchallengeable. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690, 104 S.Ct. at 2066, 80 L.Ed.2d at 695. According to Olson's statement, he investigated all statements made by Thee to police investigators, conferred with his client and researched the legal bases for possible suppression of certain statements. The fact that defense counsel reached a legal conclusion on an evidentiary challenge contrary to Thee's hopes provides no ground for finding deficient attorney performance.