Opinion ID: 853198
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Wentz's Decision to Testify

Text: Counsel is afforded considerable discretion in choosing strategy and tactics, and we will accord those decisions deference. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. 2052. A strong presumption arises that counsel rendered adequate assistance and made all significant decisions in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment. Id. at 690, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Even the finest, most experienced criminal defense attorneys may not agree on the ideal strategy or the most effective way to represent a client. Id. at 689, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Isolated mistakes, poor strategy, inexperience, and instances of bad judgment do not necessarily render representation ineffective. Timberlake v. State, 753 N.E.2d 591, 603 (Ind.2001). Wentz's counsel made a strategic call that it would be in Wentz's best interest to testify and explain his limited role in this series of crimes. Whitener v. State, 696 N.E.2d 40, 42 (Ind.1998) (The determination of whether or not a defendant should testify is a matter of trial strategy.). Further, although Wentz now contends that he should not have taken the stand, he did so freely. We cannot say it was unreasonable strategy to have Wentz testify in an attempt to distinguish himself from Henson.