Opinion ID: 1377007
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Skillicorn's Claims

Text: Skillicorn raises eight points on appeal. (1) Skillicorn argues his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate and present available evidence during the penalty phase regarding his good character, conduct, and habits at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center and that this failure prejudiced him. (2) Skillicorn argues he was prejudiced by his trial counsel's failure to put on penalty phase evidence of traumatic events in Skillicorn's childhood, his history of chemical abuse and dependency, and of his submissive personality, which allowed others to exercise dominion over him. (3) Skillicorn believes he was prejudiced by his trial counsel's failure to enter into evidence during the penalty phase jail records from Clay County indicating that Skillicorn behaved well while incarcerated and that he displayed no violent tendencies. (4) Skillicorn claims he was prejudiced by trial counsel's failure to obtain hearsay evidence from a co-defendant's girlfriend that he claims would have been admissible under Chambers v. Mississippi, 410 U.S. 284, 93 S.Ct. 1038, 35 L.Ed.2d 297 (1973), and that such evidence would have provided mitigating facts on the issue of deliberation. (5) Skillicorn argues he was prejudiced by trial counsel's failure to supply this Court with the mental health records of his co-defendant because the records could have been helpful in establishing Skillicorn's defense that his co-defendant exerted dominance over him and that his participation in the murder was minimal. (6) Skillicorn maintains he was prejudiced by his trial counsel's failure to effectively address evidence showing that Skillicorn was aware that his co-defendant did not have a rope when counsel had earlier attempted to argue that the co-defendant would merely tie the victim up instead of murdering him. (7) Skillicorn alleges his appellate counsel was ineffective for not raising the issue of unadjudicated bad acts on appeal and, instead, raising less meritorious claims. (8) Skillicorn maintains the motion court violated his constitutional rights by adopting the findings of fact and conclusions of law prepared by the state without any independent review of the findings and conclusions.