Opinion ID: 1768435
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Whether counsel failed to investigate mental retardation.

Text: ¶ 40. Goodin argues that his trial attorneys failed to investigate his mental retardation at trial. Robert N. Brooks, one of Goodin's trial attorneys, executed an affidavit which was attached to Goodin's Rebuttal Brief. Brooks's affidavit contained the following statement: When I represented Mr. Gooden, I had just litigated the capital murder trial of Mack Wells. In Mr. Wells' case I presented evidence of mental retardation. Because Mr. Wells was still sentenced to death, I felt presenting such evidence was futile. Even though I was aware of the fact that Mr. Gooden's IQ was low and that I had great difficulty communicating with him, I did not raise his retardation or investigate it further for mitigation purposes. ¶ 41. In addition, even though it could have been raised for mitigation purposes, at the time of Goodin's trial and direct appeal, execution of the mentally retarded was constitutional. This Court is granting Goodin's leave to seek post-conviction relief in the trial court based upon his alleged mental retardation. If Goodin is found to be mentally retarded within the meaning of Atkins then he cannot be executed. However, if he is found not to be retarded then counsel's allegedly deficient conduct in this area is irrelevant.