Document: 535 U.S. 685 BELL, WARDENv.CONE No. 01-400. Supreme Court of the United States. Argued March 25, 2002. Decided May 28, CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR SIXTH CIRCUIT Respondent was tried in a Tennessee court for murder an elderly couple, whose killings culminated 2-day crime rampage which respondent also committed robbery and shot police officer another citizen. At his trial, prosecution adduced overwhelming evidence that perpetrated crimes killed couple brutal callous fashion. His defense he not guilty by reason insanity due to substance abuse posttraumatic stress disorders related Vietnam military service supported expert testimony about drug use mother's returned from changed person. The jury found him on all charges. next day, during opening statements at sentencing hearing murders, said it would prove four aggravating factors warranting death penalty, called jury's attention mitigating already before it. Defense counsel cross-examined witnesses, but no witnesses. After junior prosecutor gave low-key closing, waived final argument, prevented lead prosecutor, accounts extremely effective advocate, arguing rebuttal. circumstances, which, under law, required sentence. State affirmed. respondent's trial testified, Criminal denied petition postconviction relief, rejecting contention rendered ineffective assistance phase failing present waiving argument. In affirming, Appeals counsel's performance within permissible range competency attorney-performance standard Strickland v. Washington, 466 U. S. 668. Subsequently, Federal District federal habeas petition, ruling did meet 28 C. § 2254(d)(1)'s requirement state decision be "contrary to," or involve "an unreasonable application of, clearly established law." Sixth Circuit reversed with respect sentence, finding suffered Amendment violation prejudice should presumed States Cronic, 648, because counsel, asking mercy after prosecutor's subject State's penalty call meaningful adversarial testing; court's adjudication claim therefore law announced Strickland. Held: Respondent's governed Strickland, neither nor involved law" 2254(d)(1). Pp. 693-702. (a) Section to" "unreasonable application" clauses have independent meaning. A may grant relief former clause if applies rule different governing set forth this Court's cases, decides case differently than has done materially indistinguishable facts. Williams Taylor, 529 362, 405-406. latter correctly identifies legal principle decisions unreasonably particular case. Id., 407-410. Such must objectively unreasonable, is incorrect. To satisfy Strickland's two-part test evaluating claims performed so incompetently defendant's sentence conviction reversed, defendant representation fell below objective reasonableness there reasonable probability that, unprofessional error, proceeding's result been different. identified three situations possible presume defense. argues fits exception cases where "counsel entirely fails prosecution's testing," S., 659 (emphasis added), failed mount life imprisonment introduced closing statement. Under attorney's failure complete. Here, oppose throughout proceeding, do specific points. challenged aspects — adduce argument are plainly same ilk as other attorney errors components. See, e. g., Darden Wainwright, 477 168, 184. Because principles those analysis claim, merit contrary law. 693-698. (b) Nor requires overcome "presumption ... action `might considered sound strategy.'" 689. 2254(d)(1) more, i. e., show applied manner. This cannot do. Counsel faced onerous task defending client who had senseless who, despite relatively normal upbringing, become addict robber. reasonably could concluded medical experts' guilt still fresh phase, mother made good witness stage subjected further crossexamination. sister refused testify, tactical reasons calling himself. feared might elicit information criminal history witnesses called, youth cut way eyes. Counsel's final-argument options were make reprise primary evidence, plead client's life, impress upon other, less significant facts, knowing give persuasive chance depict heartless killer just jurors began deliberation; prevent own summation relying jurors' familiarity plea few hours before. Neither option outweighs deem choice competent lawyers disagree. 698-702. 243 F. 3d 961, remanded. REHNQUIST, J., delivered opinion Court, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, SOUTER, THOMAS, GINSBURG, BREYER, JJ., joined. STEVENS, filed dissenting opinion, post, p. 702. Michael E. Moore, Solicitor General Tennessee, argued cause petitioner. With briefs Gordon W. Smith, Associate General, Jennifer L. Assistant Attorney General. Lisa Schiavo Blatt amicus curiae urging reversal. her brief Olson, Chertoff, Deputy Dreeben. Robert Hutton, appointment 534 1111, respondent.* CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST Court. 1 rejected 668 (1984). 648 (1984), controlled granted conditional writ corpus. We hold provisions 2 * 1982, convicted sentenced for, Memphis, Tennessee. when robbed Memphis jewelry store approximately $112,000 merchandise Saturday August 1980. Shortly 12:45 p.m. robbery, unmarked vehicle spotted driving speed follow him. blocks, accelerated, prompting high-speed chase through midtown into residential neighborhood abandoned vehicle. Attempting flee, apprehend him, citizen confronted and, gunpoint, demanded hand over car keys. As helicopter hovered overhead, shoot fleeing owner, frustrated gun out ammunition. 3 Throughout afternoon morning, managed elude detection combed surrounding area. meantime, officers inventorying array illegal prescription drugs, stolen merchandise, more $2,400 cash. reappeared early Sunday morning drew resident let telephone. Later afternoon, broke home Shipley Cleopatra Todd, aged 93 79 years old, them repeatedly beating head blunt instrument. He moved their bodies they visible front rear doors ransacked first floor home. shaving beard, traveled Florida. arrested robbing drugstore Pompano Beach. admitted killing Todds shooting officer. 4 grand charged two counts first-degree perpetration burglary connection Todds' deaths, assault intent shootings attempted one count deadly weapon theft. Shelby County, physical testimonial showing 5 conceded most acts question, sought insanity. clinical psychologist testified Vietnam. neuropharmacologist recounted length illicit use, joined Army escalated point daily consuming "rather horrific" quantities. Tr. 1722-1763. That according expert, caused chronic amphetamine psychosis, hallucinations, ongoing paranoia, affected mental capacity ability obey mother, spoke son coming back 1969 person, honorable discharge service, graduation honors college, deaths father fiancée while prison 1972-1979 robbery. Although take stand, able expressed remorse killings. Rejecting defense, 6 Punishment fixed separate took place day lasted hours. then-applicable unanimously proved beyond doubt existence least statutory circumstance outweighed any circumstance. Tenn. Code Ann. 39-2-203 (1982). making these determinations, (and instructed could) consider both punishment phases. Ibid.; 2219. 7 During its statement, factors: (1) previously felonies involving threat violence person; (2) knowingly created great risk persons victim act murder; (3) especially heinous, atrocious, cruel; (4) purpose avoiding lawful arrest. them. suggested influence extreme disturbance duress, problems stemmed felt remorse. urged preserving looked "the whole man." App. 26. asked mercy, blessing raise above level God. 8 then records custodian fingerprint examiner establish armed convictions unsuccessfully arrest heist. Through cross-examination custodian, brought awarded Bronze Star successfully objected proffer photos decomposing bodies, sides rested. prosecuting what courts described "low-key" closing.1 preventing circumstances substantial enough outweigh affirmed appeal, Cone, 665 2d 87, we certiorari, 467 1210 9 petitioned contending division contention. Cone State, 747 353 (1987). appellate reviewed explanations concerning 356-357. Describing "very conscientious," competency, citing Baxter Rose, 523 930 (Tenn. 1975), deems Burns, 453, 461 (1999). view received based shortcomings counsel. 2d, 357-358. permission review, 488 871 (1988). 10 1997, second dismissed, corpus 2254 amended Antiterrorism Effective Death Penalty Act 1996. alleged numerous grounds including phase. ruled 2254(d)'s requirements petition. 11 refusal issue conviction, 979 (CA6 2001). It held testing. 3d, 979. Appeals' analysis, 1064 (2001), now reverse Appeals. II 12 1996 modified role reviewing prisoner applications order "retrials" ensure state-court given effect extent See 403-404 (2000). ends, provides: 13 "(d) An behalf person custody pursuant judgment shall adjudicated merits proceedings unless 14 "(1) resulted to, determined States."2 15 stated Williams, 404-405. our facts 407-408. focus inquiry whether stressed incorrect one. 409-410. id., 411 (a "simply concludes relevant erroneously incorrectly"). 16 Petitioner contends exceeded authority counters entitled wrong rule. view, governs hearing. address first. 17 decided reversed. reasoned sufficient indication defective undermine confidence things: first, "representation reasonableness," 688; second, "there errors, proceeding different," 694. Without proof deficient concluded, "resulted breakdown adversary process unreliable," 687, stand. 18 correct reversing without inquiring actual requiring trial. 650, 658. erred remanded allow test. 666-667, n. 41. course deciding implicating right "so likely accused cost litigating unjustified." 658-659. 19 First "[m]ost obvious" "complete denial counsel." 659. presumptively unfair, said, presence "a critical stage," 659, 662, phrase used Hamilton Alabama, 368 52, 54 (1961), White Maryland, 373 59, 60 (1963) (per curiam), denote step such arraignment, consequences accused.3 Second, posited similar presumption warranted testing." supra, Finally, like Powell 287 45 (1932), render very not, need affected. 659-662. 20 Cronic "mount some life" Brief When possibility presuming case, indicated "if added). whole, For purposes distinguishing between difference degree kind.4 21 waiver 184 (1986), example, evaluated put capital Burger Kemp, 483 776, 788 (1987), presented challenge offer all. 22 hold, therefore, claim. Consequently, find Cf. 405 ("The word `contrary' commonly understood mean `diametrically different,' `opposite character nature,' `mutually opposed'" (quoting Webster's Third New International Dictionary 495 (1976))). III 23 remaining issue, then, can obtain ground "[j]udicial scrutiny highly deferential" "every effort [must] eliminate distorting effects hindsight, reconstruct conduct, evaluate conduct perspective time." Thus, even ineffective-assistance deference, strategy.' " Ibid. Michel Louisiana, 350 91, 101 (1955)). 24 succeed, however, satisfied being analyzed instance, 2254(d)(1), convince judgment, incorrectly. 411. Rather, This, conclude, 25 formidable horribly against unarmed civilian, near conclusive charges well extensive demonstrating cruelty Making situation respondent, high intelligence turned convictions. 26 defense's theory insanity, believed compelling regarding change underwent serving Vietnam; dependency, apparently drove commit place; effects. Before courts, faulted recalling experts But think jury. Each taken stand long before, focused held. suggestion fully health potentially finds support record. advised specifically disease defect insufficient mitigation. 2221. 27 assigned error recall mother. While recognized provided childhood spoken love she stage, wish cross-examination. advances assessment question. preparations, investigated thought sister, closest witness, want testify. And agreed, putting allowed question fact house consulting client, opted himself witness. angry lash pressed cross-examination, only alienated eyes There days Army. history.5 might, eyes, way. 29 focuses waive points explained significance decoration advocate necessarily left impression deserved die. "reject[ed] hand" idea ever strategy. "unreasonable." statement discussing choose particularly dramatic impressive testimony. rather briefly undisputed prior evading 30 matter-offact dwell crime, choice. jury, perhaps greater detail opening, dependency again importance expression knew opportunity, agreed persuasive, deliberation. Alternatively, option, seems us, 31 cautioned indulge "strong presumption" falls wide professional too easy conclude omission harsh light hindsight. Given choices available identified, say unreasonable. consistent opinion. 32 ordered. Notes: Briefs ofamicus reversal Ohio et al. Betty D. Montgomery, Ohio, David M. Gormley, Solicitor, Matthew Hellman, Attorneys respective jurisdictions follows: Bill Pryor Janet Napolitano Arizona, Lockyer California, Jane Brady Delaware, A. Butterworth Florida, Steve Carter Indiana, Richard P. Ieyoub J. Joseph Curran, Jr., Jeremiah (Jay) Nixon Missouri, Mike McGrath Montana, Don Stenberg Nebraska, Frankie Sue Del Papa Nevada, Samson Jersey, Drew Edmondson Oklahoma, Hardy Myers Oregon, Mark Barnett South Dakota, John Cornyn Texas, Shurtleff Utah, Iver Stridiron Virgin Islands, Jerry Kilgore Virginia, Christine O. Gregoire Hoke MacMillan Wyoming; Justice Legal Foundation Kent Scheidegger. Walter Dellinger, Pamela Harris, Porter National Association Lawyers affirmance. Larry Yackle Steven R. Shapiro American Civil Liberties Union curiae. SeeCone 353, 357 Crim. 1987). STEVENS' dissent does cite provision much explain how meets standards footnote, cited besidesHamilton Alabama Maryland prejudice. defendants actually constructively government action. (1984) (citing Geders States, 425 80, 91 (1976) (order "about anything" 17-hour overnight recess impinged counsel); Herring York, 422 853, 865 (1975) (trial judge's denying opportunity close bench Brooks 406 605, 612-613 (1972) (law testify deprived `guiding counsel' timing element defense," stand); Ferguson Georgia, 365 570, 596 (1961) (statute retaining commonlaw incompetency defendants, inconsistent Fourteenth Amendment); Kaiser, 323 471 (1945) (allegation petitioner requested receive time process)). concluding thatCronic relies part inferences draws treatment illness 715-716 (opinion J.). admits "may onset [respondent's] trial," speculates earlier reading transcript [counsel's] actions trial." Post, 716. But, concedes, proceedings. argue obtained assessing suggest Furthermore, implication impaired contradicted Both experience familiar abilities. Wayne Emmons "not capable, conscientious [he] knew." Postconviction 73. Stephen Shankman "to finest practitioners [the] community area work," 182, experienced lawyer" whom "hardpressed guess," 190. citesCozzolino 584 765 1979), additional opened door bad acts. express except Cozzolino broad, categorical admitting raised 767-768. minimum, relied 33 dissenting. 34 my "entirely fail[ed] included interview evidence; introduce conclusion was, subsequent diagnosed unqualified practice led suicide. 88-89. These "justify insufficiently reliable Constitution." 662. 35 Certain Gary dispute. "gentle child," exceptional intelligence, outstanding academic record school. 62-63. firm disciplinarian. enjoyed loving relationship older brother sisters. age 9, witnessed drowning brother. 1966, 18, enlisted sent Germany. eventually transferred Vietnam, served supply clerk until 1969. involved, among things, transporting corpses performing guard duty. Star, discharge. 36 returning graduated college although accepted school August/ September 1980, never enrolled. According drugs mainly amphetamines perform extended duties, continued apparent fund growing habit, robberies, 1972, incarcerated Oklahoma 1979. prison, died fiancée, met raped murdered. release kept touch (who lived Arkansas) Chicago), stay place. lack gainful employment post-1979, coupled travels Florida Hawaii, suggests habit activity. 37 fairly crime. Ante, 689-690. However, understand why completely I describe events detail. Dice, charged, condition excessive "Vietnam Veterans Syndrome." 956-957.1 Dice Cone's transformed leading promised several aid Susan, aunts, "testify knew," 953, is, pre-Vietnam Cone. victim's written letter forgiveness "one letters I've read life," Dice's words. 965-966.2 38 Despite promises, affirmative defense: behavior return largely precluded life; resulting service; paint picture "amphetamine psychosis" became "junkie unbelievable proportions impossible form intent." 957. though outside 39 rebuttal Aileen Blankman, visited murders. She visiting her, appeared recently thereby addiction. co-counsel, Blankman's "utterly destroyed totally unprepared that." 42. contact "absolutely" aware Blankman 138.3 rebuttal, questioned Syndrome, standard. 1957, 1983. verdict counts. 40 attitude toward frame consideration constitutional applicable Once Syndrome" appears approached sense hopelessness "basic tactic try insane commission acts, 109. perceived "made absolutely jury," 159, "weren't buying it," 156, lens mitigation penalty.4 co-counsel echoed sentiment foregone conclusion: "I don't discussion, really, feeling guess [Witherspooned] in,5 it's They're going penalty.... almost hopeless problem solved Appeals, verdict." 39. Indeed, began; told [the prosecutor] elect your boy chair there's darn thing I'm stop maybe screw up prosecution." 108. Moreover, reveals "radical" 122. "individualize defendant," replied "[t]hat's lawyer, mine," 124, bifurcated, "God knows," 125.6 co-counsel's confirms misguided views. Discussing stated: believe nature necessity producing also." 49. 41 parties agree things 36. First, mercy. referenced Syndrome Third, remarks And, fourth, presence, introduction photographs victims. Aside doing nothing aside phase; available; 42 various people past, teachers classmates, engage pre-Vietnam. had, words, "been stupid on." 104. Apparently, individuals preparation assumed emphasize seriousness post-Vietnam behavior. 104-105, 137. reasoning doubtful because, regardless see ante, 696, 3, known Further, hard imagine assessments indeed, changed.7 43 hand. aunts interviewed ready access well: (in have, discussed brother's fiancée's murder), experts. post hoc puzzling, appear rest assumption "what little had," 133, fear "who advocate," 692; see, 105, 107-108, 123, 136, 44 behavior, life.8 difficult convincing addiction seriously attempt childhood. revealed quiet, studious "absolutely behavioral disturbance, adolescence." 93. "perfect" child, ibid., wanted "wouldn't she'd "did feel stand," skills involved." 97-98, 193. 700, straightforward testimony, 1631-1656, desire surely reason, absent spare son's life. either sisters aunt, testify," [Cone] [victims'] killings," unfounded: Evidence record, reference conceivable harm justification merely illustrates extraordinary adversaries. explanation Rita, unsatisfying: exchange phone call. My tactics family down here again, position tenuous outset." 136. aunt unexplained. offering prayers 2, supra. 46 forfeiting felt, 1675. testifying, "lash crossexamination." 700. claimed prosecutor. "realized intelligent skilled cross-examiner go off stand." 103. conspicuously echoes fears prowess. "urged [him] testifying 204, duties include 119. courtroom anything exemplary, lawyer readily abandon persuade stake. permit reach simply credible. fearful discuss taking occasion trial.9 47 closer justified belief add jury.10 Nevertheless, point, lost "strategy," appraisal significance, vast utterly incurred military. By emphasizing distinction, far treat trauma tour duty Vietnam11 traumatic life12 mitigating. appreciate "jury rejected" losing 156. 48 addition investigation mitigation, death. "strategy" rely refer unclear end, "completely ibid. "stress strain combat service," 2118, combat. Otherwise, aware: Star; entering military; family; rape fiancée; relationships sisters, aunt. best, perfunctory; occupies 4½ total 2,158 pages. 49 strongly motivated depicting killer. costs, avoid "slash[ing] me pieces rebuttal," "[h]e's hundred times." 123. hoped "kind follo[w] primrose path." 107. Of course, proved, judge instruct persuaded evidence. Perhaps burden insurmountable, viewed absence response concession made. inevitable outcome "primrose path" sentence.13 50 categorically appropriate fail abnormal, unprecedented 51 On properly controls presumed. repeated unequivocal truthfulness, together feelings remorse, 1675, bewildering. phase,14 face request death,15 short incredible. uncorroborated, were, patently unsatisfactory. rambling often incoherent descriptions unusual strategy lend strong evaluation defer participation "strategy."16 52 benefit health, severe impairment. suicide six months symptoms disorder "confused thinking, memory, inability concentrate period time, grandiosity, [and] inappropriate behavior." 88. complete 53 theme counterthrusts adversaries permeates loquacious decisions. opponent justify absolute dereliction lawyer's facing "[t]he premise system justice partisan advocacy will best promote ultimate innocent free." 862 (1975). timidity "meaningful testing" examination produced Cronic's prong whole." 697 exactly did. true, claims, complaints framed "at points," concern "points" encompass fundamental investigation, "entirely," omitted)). regard exemplifies proper recognize failures points" amount "entir[e] fail[ure]" meaning Cronic. exercise mechanical rules," "[i]n every concerned whether, reliability, unreliable produce results." 698. 55 majority apply "of ilk," 697, none previous applying ineffectiveness 362 (2000); 776 (1987); 168 (1986). Dice's, here. true "total" confront here, theoretically makes clear, 695-696, not. 56 function sense, reasons. illness, undermines basic assumption: judgment." 690. difficult, impossible, abdicated abdication results incomplete conduct. renders likelihood unreliable" caseby-case unnecessary." Mickens 166. 57 holding today recent Mickens. ethically, diligently, competently generally characterizes members profession. nevertheless rare blind reliance presumption, uncritical proffered aberrant courtroom, "right McMann Richardson, 397 759, 771, (1970). protecting overstated.17 provides means rights secured." 653. itself whenever happened 58 respectfully dissent. 59 APPENDIX OPINION Excerpt explains argument: 61 "Q: we're subject, you summarize us matter? 62 "A: Okay. Number one; had. Okay? 63 "Number two; sucker Mr. Patterson Strother having pretty tactics. know Blackwell unglued. 64 three; control unethical twice angry. forgive that. really believes it, he's position. 65 "Okay. saying general conducted neutrally judge. 66 "The got waive, blood they'd terms find. 67 Another factor probably explode anger cross-examiner. 68 Just we'll clear now. name Was possibly exploding, argument? 69 Absolutely didn't last moment all, Kopernak. carefully planned out. hour, tactic. Now, considered, 70 Go ahead, please. 71 72 Do you'll (Interrupted) 73 No, clearly. You know, we'd on, Ural Adams Groseclose spent talking opposition I'll tell much. Let's gotten kill once reported press well, people. forget live. portion So, chose suckered along mistake, concerned. keep alive." 130-133. credit developing unsubstantiated exaggerated 92. Nonetheless, stages 1982 widely asserted. Levin, Veteran Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Am. Jur. Trials 441 (1993 Supp. Psychiatric formally (PTSD), derive disturbing war experiences. Assn., Diagnostic Statistical Manual Mental Disorders 463-468 (rev. 4th ed. 2000) PTSD allegedly sensibly 37. viability unlikely context veteran attacks enemy soldier." Davidson, Note, Disorder: Controversial War, Wm. & Mary Rev. 415, 424 fit description. letter's significant. read, part: "Even tho am shock tragic dear wife, deepest sympathy. praying Gary. mind God him." Record, Exh. 29. 1280-1281 (referencing letter, marked Exhibit 29, submitted jury) failure, explained: "So, didn't. devastating wasn't, let's changed? If come assume." 140 phase,ante, 691, influenced relation debunked successful undermining potential Her comments toWitherspoon Illinois, 391 510, 518 (1968) (finding bar "exclusion opposed punishment," "death-qualification" "results unrepresentative substantially increases conviction"). erroneous content, tone. sentencing, notion Constitution individualized decision: reason's political method .... care wrong, insane." 124 choices, seeante, 699-702, gives legitimacy merits. Only lengthy answers confused was. supposed damage do, speaks generalities fears: "Picture scenario. You've stand; you've I, now? It's preponderance Comes Strother, there, says, oh, student school; right? mind; What robberies pulled? They Oklahoma. mean, once. Did things? about?" 104-105. ("Counsel needs draw contrast Vietnam") follows consulted once, three-person conference, testifying. 203-204. initially recalled meeting occurred uncertainty point; remained certain meeting. Seeibid. conference 1865-1866. remember discussion 35, 48; lie, 117, 120, 139, 141; unable 118. deficient, sort strategic owed deference underStrickland 668, 689 arguably "reasonable judgment," infra, 717-718. "Although soldier experiences there. stench corpses, stored refrigerators alongside food; witnessing death; required, fire weapon; duty; escalating abuse, ostensibly sanctioned superior officers." 96 psychologist's report major traumas been: "witnessing body removed lake"; "[h]is grandmother's death, graduation. safe haven father"; "[d]uty 1968-1969. soldier, realm 20-year-old"; "[r]ape December 1972."Id., 102. offered "screw[ed] aggravated circumstances" unsupported lives victims endangered defendant. realize mistake Seeid., 103-104. Not incredible, but, unsurprisingly, work "perfectly," did, 103, aggravators harmless, 95 1984). More importantly, appropriate; hope victory remainder proceeding. CfPenry Lynaugh, 492 302, 319 (1989) ("If sentencer appropriateness `evidence background belief, society, attributable disadvantaged background, emotional problems, culpable excuse'" California Brown, 479 538, 545 (1987) (O'CONNOR, concurring))). CfHerring ("In end basically factfinding process, aspect important finally marshal each side submission judgment"). main quoted appendix recent, comprehensive issued Governor's Commission Illinois' concluded: "`Providing qualified safeguard wrongful execution defendants. ignored.'" Report Capital 105 (2002) Project, Mandatory Justice: Eighteen Reforms (2001)) Members similarly frequent thereof. McFarland Scott, 512 1256 (1994) (Blackmun, certiorari) (describing "crisis defendants"); Lane, O'Connor Expresses Doubt; Says Innocent Be Killed, Washington July 4, 2001, A1 (reporting O'CONNOR's comment "Perhaps look minimum appointed cases" GINSBURG's yet dozens eve petitions, represented trial").

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