Opinion ID: 2100111
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 19

Heading: State Patrol Investigator Chris Blubaugh

Text: Benzel claimed that direct appeal counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to appeal the trial court's sustaining the State's objection to certain testimony Benzel wished to elicit from Blubaugh, a State Patrol investigator. Blubaugh testified that Golle had contacted him after being jailed in connection with the Atkinson shooting incident and that she sought to gain release from jail in exchange for providing information. He testified that he had known Golle for a few years prior to the shooting and that contacts during that time involved Golle's exchanging information for help with her legal problems. On cross-examination, defense counsel attempted to ask Blubaugh whether Golle made a habit of contacting the authorities to try to help her get out of trouble. The trial court upheld the State's objection. The postconviction court concluded that Benzel failed to show prejudice because he failed to establish what Blubaugh would have testified and how such testimony would have helped his defense.