Court Opinion

ID: 9514597
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-06 22:50:37.636618+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:06:19.147755
License: Public Domain

SABERS, Justice
(concurring in result).
[¶ 29.] The majority opinion states: “[h]aving found no one issue sufficient to declare Molstad’s representation deficient or prejudicial, we cannot now say that the sum of any errors requires a new trial.” This statement is inherently inconsistent and in error. It is not necessary under the cumulative effect theory to “find one issue sufficient,” it is only necessary to find the representation deficient or prejudicial cumulatively from several issues to constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. See Roden v. Solem, 431 N.W.2d 665, 672 (S.D.1988) (Sabers, J., dissenting); State v. Woodfork, 454 N.W.2d 332, 342 (S.D.1990) (Sabers, J., dissenting). Because I agree that Molstad’s representation, measured cumulatively, did not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel, I concur in result.