Opinion ID: 1705889
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Trial Counsel Improperly Conducted Investigation during Cross-examination.

Text: ¶ 40. Spicer contends that counsel was ineffective in bringing out favorable character evidence of the decedent during cross-examination of the victims's mother, Patricia Elder. He asserts that counsel failed to investigate prior to trial and waited until cross-examination of Mrs. Elder to investigate. During questioning, Mrs. Elder testified that her son came to her house every morning for coffee. On direct appeal, this Court addressed Mrs. Elder's testimony on the merits and found that it was admissible, holding that such testimony did not amount to victim-impact testimony. Spicer, 921 So.2d at 307. This underlying issue is procedurally barred. Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(2) (Rev.2007). Notwithstanding this procedural bar and assuming, arguendo, that trial counsel was ineffective, Spicer cannot meet the second prong of Strickland by showing prejudice. ¶ 41. Spicer also contends that counsel should have investigated ahead of time whether Michael Chubby Jones, a convicted felon, had received anything from the State in exchange for his testimony. Jones testified that he received nothing in exchange for his testimony. Spicer's assertion assumes that counsel did not already know the answer to the question and was not merely putting skepticism in the jurors' heads. Spicer cannot show that this question was anything more than trial strategy, especially when defense counsel effectively broached the subject again in closing arguments and told the jury that Jones was a convict and questioned his truthfulness. This claim does not pass the standard set forth in Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052.