Opinion ID: 1678008
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether the failures of counsel to investigate the mental health of Shorty, move for a competency evaluation, move for severance based on Shorty's co-defendant's relationship with law enforcement, and the failure to object to the sentencing of Shorty constitute ineffective assistance of counsel.

Text: ¶ 39. To prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, Shorty must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceedings would have been different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome. Cabello v. State, 524 So.2d 313, 315 (Miss. 1988). An appellant must meet both prongs of the Strickland test to prove ineffectiveness of counsel: that the legal representation was deficient and that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984); Edwards v. State, 615 So.2d 590, 596 (Miss.1993). As discussed above, Shorty cannot show that the failure to conduct competency proceedings was in error and, therefore, cannot show that his attorney was ineffective in failing to move for a competency hearing. This argument therefore fails. ¶ 40. Shorty next argues that his attorney was ineffective in failing to move to sever his trial from Cox's. The record shows that Cox was an active informant with the local authorities and was facing charges for providing false information at the time of the robbery. On the night of the robbery, when he used the telephone at Donnie's Deli prior to midnight, the record shows that Cox was calling his contact at the police department to attempt to set up an undercover drug buy. ¶ 41. Shorty contends that the evidence indicated that Cox was guiltier than he. Therefore, he argues, severance was necessary under Rule 9.03, UCCCR, to prevent a conflict of interest. However, as an accomplice, Shorty was culpable for the acts of the principal, Cox. Cox did not present a defense that Shorty was the robber and only made such a statement at the time of his arrest. The decision whether to move for severance was therefore within the purview of trial strategy. In the context of a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, we must presume that the defense provided by counsel was effective and within the broad range of professional conduct. McQuarter v. State, 574 So.2d 685, 687 (Miss.1990). Shorty has not shown a conflict of interest or that Cox had attempted to exculpate himself at the expense of Shorty. Severance is therefore not required. See Duckworth v. State, 477 So.2d 935, 937 (Miss.1985). ¶ 42. Shorty's contention that his counsel was ineffective in failing to object to his sentencing also lacks merit. As previously discussed, Shorty has failed to show that his sentence was imposed in error. He therefore has failed to show that his counsel was ineffective in failing to object to it.