Opinion ID: 852183
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to Seek a Continuance

Text: Baer argues that trial counsel violated his Sixth Amendment rights by failing to ensure they had adequate time to prepare. (Appellant's Br. at 51.) His theory is that requesting more time may have avoided the problems that occurred in Dr. Davis' testimony, during which he could not locate a particular record during cross-examination and appeared disorganized. (Appellant's Br. at 52-53.) Lead counsel Jeffrey Lockwood began representing Baer just four months before jury selection. (Direct Appeal App. at 1155.) Baer believes lead counsel should have requested a continuance because Lockwood did not have ample time to develop and litigate a respectable trial strategy, pointing to the fact that former lead counsel Douglas Long was not certain he would be ready for the trial in April 2005 because Long felt as though he was working on the case alone. Baer contends that the mitigation specialist was overwhelmed with the records in the case and further explains that more time may have avoided the problems during Dr. Davis's testimony where he could not locate a particular record during cross-examination and appeared disorganized. (Appellant's Br. at 53.) Neither of Baer's trial lawyers believed they needed a continuance. (Appellant's Br. at 52.) Baer acknowledges that his second attorney Bryan Williams, who had been his counsel from the beginning, had extensive trial experience. (Appellant's Br. at 51.) Both lawyers, of course, met the requirements of Ind. Criminal Rule 24(B), and Lockwood had a great deal of experience in capital trials. (PCR Tr. at 20, 51-52.) We are not convinced that some momentary fumbling to locate certain documents during cross-examination is sufficient to demonstrate deficient performance.