Legal Document

506 U.S. 364 113 S.Ct. 838 122 L.Ed.2d 180 A.L. LOCKHART, Director, Arkansas Department of Correction, Petitionerv.Bobby Ray FRETWELL. No. 91-1393. Argued Nov. 3, 1992. Decided Jan. 25, 1993. Syllabus * An jury convicted respondent Fretwell capital felony murder and sentenced him to death, finding, inter alia, the aggravating factor that murder, which occurred during a robbery, was committed for pecuniary gain. On direct appeal, argued his sentence unconstitutional under then-existing Eighth Circuit precedent Collins v. Lockhart, 754 F.2d 258, because it based on an duplicated element underlying felony—murder in course robbery. However, State Supreme Court declined consider whether follow had not objected aggravator's use sentencing phase, court later rejected state habeas corpus challenge he raised ineffective assistance counsel claim. The District conditionally vacated federal habeas, holding counsel's failure raise objection amounted prejudice Strickland Washington, 466 668, 104 2052, 80 674 deficient performance were identified as two components any Although Appeals overruled Collins, affirmed, reasoning trial would have sustained been made at Fretwell's death. Held: Counsel's make proceeding did constitute within meaning supra. To show Strickland, defendant must demonstrate errors are so serious deprive whose result is unfair or unreliable, id., 687, 2064, merely outcome different. Unfairness unreliability does unless ineffectiveness deprives substantive procedural right law entitles him. proceeding's present case neither nor Appeals, decided 1985, Perry 871 1384, 4 years later. Thus, suffered no from performance. Contrary argument, determined laws existing time trial. contemporary assessment conduct used when determining component test, component, with its focus fairness reliability, implicate same concerns motivated former component's adoption: more rigid requirement could dampen ardor impair independence defense counsel, discourage acceptance assigned cases, undermine trust between attorney client. instant inconsistent retroactivity rule announced Teague Lane, 489 288, 310, 109 1060, 1075, 103 334. circumstances gave rise do apply claims by petitioner, who has interest finality judgment incarcerated and, unlike States, ordinarily claim reliance past judicial basis actions. Pp. ____. 946 571 (CA8 1991), reversed. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion Court, WHITE, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, SOUTER, THOMAS, JJ., joined. J., filed concurring opinions. STEVENS, dissenting opinion, BLACKMUN, General Winston Bryant, Little Rock, AR, petitioner. Amy L. Wax, DC, amicus curiae, supporting Ricky Reed Medlock, (appointed this Court), respondent. Chief Justice REHNQUIST Court. 1 In we decide criminal proceeding—an supported decision subsequently overruled—constitutes "prejudice" our (1984). Because rendered unreliable fundamentally objection, answer question negative. hold otherwise grant defendants windfall they entitled. 2 August Bobby murder. During penalty evidence presented guilt phase established factors: (1) gain, (2) facilitate respondent's escape. Finding existence first these factors, mitigating 3 argued, should be reversed light 258 (CA8), cert. denied, 474 1013, 106 546, 88 475 (1985). held death if duplicates felony, such genuinely narrow class persons eligible penalty. Accordingly, gain conviction—murder failed object aggravator proceeding. Rejecting remainder claims, affirmed both conviction sentence. State, 289 Ark. 91, 708 S.W.2d 630 (1986). Respondent then challenge, arguing failing objection. courts passed 292 96, 97, 728 180, 181 (1987). petition seeking relief 28 U.S.C. § 2254 United States Eastern Arkansas. Among other things, perform effectively "had duty aware all relevant cases," 739 F.Supp. 1334, 1337 (ED Ark.1990). granted Id., 1338. 5 divided vote, even though earlier Lowenfield Phelps, 484 231, 108 98 568 (1988). See 1384 493 959, 110 378, 107 363 (1989). majority believed bound Supremacy Clause obey Circuit's interpretation Federal Constitution. Based belief, reasoned remanded, ordering district life imprisonment without possibility parole. It since entitled benefit original proceeding, only "perpetuate caused sixth amendment violation" resentence current law. F.2d, 578. 6 judge involves than determination different—it also concepts reliability fairness. 579 ("By focusing probable effect error sentencing, misses broader important point reached result"). We certiorari, 504 ----, 112 1935, 118 542 (1992), now reverse. 7 Our decisions emphasized Sixth Amendment exists "in order protect fundamental fair trial." supra, U.S., 684, S.Ct., 2062; Nix Whiteside, 157, 175, 988, 998, 89 123 (1986) (noting "benchmark" "fairness adversary proceeding"); Cronic, 648, 653, 2039, 2043, 657 (1984) ("Without itself little avail") (internal quotation marks footnote omitted); Morrison, 449 361, 364, 101 665, 667, 66 564 (1981) (the "is meant assure process"). "the effective recognized own sake, but ability accused receive Absent some challenged process, guarantee generally implicated." 658, 2046. 8 test formulated constitutionally reflects concern. claim: prejudice.1 Under decisions, alleging "that trial, reliable." 2064; see Kimmelman 477 365, 374, 2574, 2582, 91 305 ("The essence ineffective-assistance unprofessional upset adversarial balance prosecution verdict suspect"); 998. analysis focussing solely mere determination, attention defective.2 set aside different may entitle 9 makes very point. received refused cooperate presenting perjured testimony. Obviously, false testimony jury, there might reasonable probability returned guilty. Sheer however, sufficient out Amendment. "as matter law, . cannot establish required second strand inquiry." touchstone judging likelihood outcome, '[a] entitlement luck lawless decisionmaker.' " Ibid. (quoting 695, 2068); 186-187, 1004 (BLACKMUN, judgment) ("To extent Whiteside's rests assertion acquitted able testify falsely, Whiteside simply recognize. Since deprived specific constitutional rights designed prejudice").3 10 unreliable. four later.4 Had chosen "deprived chance favor." Brief Amicus Curiae 10.5 11 argues hindsight inappropriate For support, relies upon language discussing part necessary showing—deficient determine performed below level expected reasonably competent attorney, "judge facts particular case, viewed conduct." 690, 2066. 12 Ineffective will those cases where found guilty offense charged, perspective natural tendency speculate strategy successful. adopted "could client." But concerns. focusses renders unfair. Kimmelman, 393, 2592 (POWELL, concurring). Unreliability unfairness As noted, premise correctly decided, i.e., "double counting." therefore 13 dissent contends 1074, 334 (1989), think otherwise. stands proposition new rules procedure applied collateral review. 1074. acknowledges, post, ____, respect States' strong convictions, recognition penalized relying standards prevailed proceedings took place." Teague, 306, 1073 (plurality opinion) citations omitted). "The 'new rule' principle validates reasonable, good-faith interpretations precedents shown contrary decisions." Butler McKellar, 494 407, 414, 1212, 1217, 347 (1990). 14 A petitioner incarcerated: indeed, purpose overturn judgment. Nor actions corresponds State's described Butler, differences while not. This not, it, "windfall" instead perfectly logical limitation it. Cessante ratione legis, cessat et ipsa lex. 15 Reversed. 16 concurring. 17 I join Court's concur write separately today's will, vast inquiry determinative question—whether "a that, errors, different," 694, 2068—remains unchanged. unusual circumstance attempts considerations ought inform inquiry. explained certain real be, taken into account: 18 "An favorable exclude arbitrariness, whimsy, caprice, 'nullification,' like. decisionmaker, reviewed. proceed assumption decisionmaker reasonably, conscientiously, impartiallyapplying govern decision. depend idiosyncracies propensities toward harshness leniency." 2068. 19 likely impact meritless Fourth appropriate consideration (failure put testimony); 382, 2586, (where suppression motion, meritorious issue success claim" (emphasis added)). 20 Today identifies another Specifically, today making knows wholly governing considered omission. That holding, course, precisely disposes appeared before Circuit. omitted complained well reviewed claim, on-point authority meritless; well. 1392-1394 (1989); O'Rourke 295 57, 63-64, 746 52, 55-56 Consequently, allegation denied advantage permit predicated suggestion recognize," Nix, judgment), namely "have favor," ante, ____ (opinion Court) seems me advocating decidedly incorrect like influence testimony, proper assessing defendant." somewhat circumstances, concluded legally cognizable prejudice. 21 22 entirety. call what can misunderstanding Appeals. 23 concluding prejudiced attorney's (1985), said following: "[S]ince conclude one." 571, 577 1991). understand statement mean persuasive, Instead, appears impression compelled Clause. 24 mistaken. demands yield supremacy requires court's give way (lower) interpretation. system, less authoritative appeals circuit located. Steffel Thompson, 415 452, 482, n. 94 1209, 1214, 39 505 (1974) (REHNQUIST, concurring); ex rel. Lawrence Woods, 432 1072, 1075-1076 (CA7 1970), 402 983, 1658, 29 148 (1971); Shapiro, Courts Declaratory Judgments, 74 Nw.U.L.Rev. 759, 771, 774 (1979). (and Appeals') follows chooses must. 25 agree misinterpreted wish clear 26 whom BLACKMUN joins, dissenting. 27 Concerned imprisonment, reaches astonishing conclusion results erroneous imposition aversion windfalls disappear, favored recipient. end through coincidence inadequate representation fortuitous timing, carry invalid imposed. extraordinary entirely retrospective application changes occurring after sentencing. changes, explicitly, affected eligibility change, never directly such, unprincipled transformation introduction place jurisprudence. my view, "fundamental prisoner receives rather error."1 post hoc rationale avoiding conclusion, self-evident until today, unconvincing unjust. 30 "Unless charged invoke safeguards distinguish system justice, risk injustice infects itself." Cuyler Sullivan, 446 335, 343, 100 1708, 1715, 64 333 (1980). reason, squarely guaranteed Constitution "effective counsel." 654, 2044, ready subject prosecution's "crucible meaningful testing," function properly produce just reliable results. 656, 2045. 684-687, 2062-2064, 31 surrounding defendant's strongly suggest abridgment presumed. When, instance, prevented offering critical proceedings,2 labors conflict affects her performance,3 assume breakdown process resulting 658-660, 2046-2047. need could, inquire further precise nature sustained. Glasser 315 60, 75-76, 62 457, 467, 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942). enough testing envisioned thwarted; unacceptable, reversal automatic. 656-657, 2045-2046; Holloway Arkansas, 435 475, 489, 1173, 1181, 55 426 (1978).4 32 (1984), similar presumption breakdown. consequences attend presumption—the setting —are serious, pains limit support First, egregious indicates "deficient performance" falling outside "wide range professional assistance." 689, 2065. Second, severe gives prejudice, defined quite clearly different." Many significant 381-382, (1986), meet "highly demanding" standard. require reversal, discrete independent right, because, held, reflect "so undermined functioning relied having produced result." 686, 2064. 33 well-established standard, determined, wanting "deficient" purposes contested. seriously disputed "reasonably 696, 2069, double-counting law.5 magnitude falls precluding 691-692, 2067. terms, actual interest, complete absence proceeding: malfunctioned, therefore, more, unacceptable. 34 standard applies today. additional indicia unreliability, rights. Ante, kind harmless rejected, again, context. When "loses character confrontation adversaries," 2045-2046, harm done difficult define. consistently faces adequate how harmed result. 349, 1718; 489-491, 1181-1182; Hamilton Alabama, 368 55, 82 159, 114 (1961); Williams Kaiser, 323 471, 475-477, 65 363, 366-367, 398 (1945). too absolute allow indulge nice calculations amount arising denial." 76, 467.6 35 compounds insisting newly showing vantage hindsight. Hindsight jurisprudence focuses, rightly, protecting justify proceeding," 692, 2067, far satisfied Strickland's prong, severely lacking "would absent errors," prong. irrelevant say, hindsight, fact, prejudicial. happened, came signified process. vision bearing force showing. 36 Not surprisingly, finds itself. merits "viewed notes, stated explicitly quality What ignores, implicit entire discussion By defining terms proceedings, "totality jury," establishes reference firmly 37 revision large cannot, heavy assigns involved suffice say here remotely comparable, disingenuous. distinction needed, search find 38 refusal presentation perjury "well acceptable Strickland." 171, 996; cf. 656 19, 2045 ("Of impossible unethical. If bona fide charge, create one ."). words, frivolous unethical arguments dispensed recourse second, hence questions case. address "prejudice," context here. cautioned decisionmaker," fails "reasonably, impartially apply[ ] decision." faced perhaps paradigmatic example "lawlessness" referred, decisionmaker's judgment, rely outcome-determinative effects 998; 186, judgment). read suggesting fear label "lawless" Nix's lawlessness inapposite issues II 40 met deserves emphasis proven connection deficiency presumptive 41 committing separate hearing, devoted exclusively penalty, execute first—the alleged arrest —was unsupported evidence. gain—was obviously evidence, already robbery death-eligibility turned permissible, count" crime. 42 stage clear. addition general investigation preparation primary obligation advise about correct crucial handled responsibility anything approaching "reasonableness" demanded 687-691, 2064-2066, point, addressing statute double counting unconstitutional. 261-265, critically constitutes irrefutable fact minimize slightest 43 Moreover, circumstance, stated: "Although overruled, [respondent's] reason believe disregard it." Neither disagreement finding. 5, they. open argue idiosyncratic 44 Applying facts, judge's constituted "seriously process." F.Supp., 1336. basis, unnecessary reach investigate prepare phase. 1337-1338.7 conceded, affirm 577.8 45 performance, form discover bring attention, linked error, imprisonment. 577. much; errors." 2069. fortiori, outcome-determination 46 abject most legal client's hearing rise, powerful system. least strong, stronger, inferences malfunction Glasser, exceptional grievously prong functions equivalent generating automatic reversal. which, wrote Holloway, "even guilty." 1181 citation 47 Of go nearly resolve us. outcome. avoid effecting dramatic change applying retroactively startling unwise departure commitment ensures subjecting testing. III 48 Changes characteristic adjudication. Prior direction increasing protection afforded individual vindicate legitimate interests enforcement authorities, preserving trials adhering contemporaneous standards, often retroactively.9 full expression policy allowing "to keep prison conformed standards," petitioners judged prevailing trial.10 49 direction, affording defendants.11 even-handed approach seem continue evaluate defendants' stood If, take subsequent him, why adverse interests. 50 takes Today's existed sentencing; "then-existing ineligible 51 incompatible also, insists benchmark against measured. precludes taking post-conviction allows so, reconciled administer justice impartially. Elementary dictates sentenced—under understood 52 conferred assistance, execution regime included Collins. highly unlikely burden courts, almost certainly Now, permitted exploit lapse provided, capitalizing post-sentencing execution. prevents us bestowing, respectfully dissent. syllabus prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 499. Petitioner concedes deficient. He argument component. dissent's suggestion, involve Harmless triggered reviewing discovers committed. And occurs demonstrates nothing case-by-case always built test. harmlessness. attempt unpersuasive ignores employed reject "perhaps example" lawlessness. Post, Rather, demonstrating behavior. 175-176, 999. invoked factual oddity represents straightforward Strickland. still good despite (1988), urges threshold matter. decline invitation. "failed [his] objections questio[n] opposition certiorari," view longer Eastman Kodak Co. Image Technical Services, Inc., ---- 10, 2072, 2081 119 265 (1992). alternative Solicitor statute, 2254(a), provides applicant custody violation treaties States." According General, petitioned relief, currently disposition contention. See, e.g., Geders 425 80, 96 1330, 592 (1976) (attorney-client consultation overnight recess); (1961) (assistance arraignment). (1980) (actual adversely affecting reversible error); (1942) (joint codefendants interests, over error). "[T]his among basic their infraction treated error. presence either throughout in, least, offense, automatic." (1978) challenges unambiguous followed ruling motion." worth noting consistent line rendering petitioner's misplaced. although violations themselves review, Stone Powell, 428 465, 3037, 1067 (1976), litigate competently connected other, entitled, "upset[s] prosecution," suspect. 2582. refers necessity "meritorious" 2587, O'CONNOR concurrence, Simply put, alter meritless, Nothing suggests precedent, sustained, assistance. come surprise founded deficiencies. proportions respects. client convince favor. 1335. overall preclude remand, considering lack larger adequacy investigation. gloss THOMAS p. There text precedent. noted "bound law," added), giving content decisionmaking. infer plain actually express addressed THOMAS. Stovall Denno, 388 293, 300, 87 1967, 1972, 1199 (1967) ("factors administration justice" mandate retroactive Wade, 218, 1926, 1149 Gilbert California, 263, 1951, 1178 (1967), establishing pretrial identification); Johnson New Jersey, 384 719, 1772, 882 (1966) (declining Miranda Arizona, 436, 1602, 694 (1966), retroactively); Tehan Shott, 382 406, 459, 453 (Griffin 380 609, 85 1229, (1965), prohibiting comment silence, retroactively). Engle Isaac, 456 107, 128-129 33, 102 1558, 1572 71 783 (1982) (discussing "frustration" "faithfully law" Payne Tennessee, 501 -- --, 111 2597, 115 720 (1991) (Eighth victim overruling Booth Maryland, 482 496, 2529, 440 (1987), South Carolina Gathers, 490 805, 2207, 876 (1989)); Arizona Fulminante, 499 1246, 302 (harmless applicable admission involuntary confessions); Duckworth Eagan, 492 195, 2875, 166 (1989) (Miranda warnings lawyer appointed interrogation); Florida Riley, 488 445, 693, 835 (police greenhouse helicopter altitude 400 feet warrant).

Classification Label: 0