Court Opinion

ID: 9565301
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 19:18:48.523521+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:19:32.172476
License: Public Domain

Justice Meyer
concurring in part and dissenting in part.
I concur in that portion of the majority opinion that reverses the Court of Appeals decision arresting judgment on defendant’s conviction of second-degree rape for variance in the indictment and the proof. I dissent from that portion of the majority opinion remanding the case for a new trial.
I am convinced that Judge Stephens’ conclusion that the result of the trial is unaffected by attorney Paul’s deficiencies is amply supported by his nine factual findings paraphrased in the majority opinion. These findings are conclusive on this Court if supported by the evidence, even though the evidence is conflicting. The majority correctly concludes that these findings are supported by the evidence, but, for reasons unsatisfactory to me, reaches a different conclusion of law. The majority concludes that a reasonable probability exists that, but for counsel’s ineffective performance, the result of the proceedings would have been different. I am frank to say that, had I been the trial judge, I would have reached that very conclusion. However, I am convinced that the findings of Judge Stephens, which the majority concedes are supported by the evidence, will also support the contrary conclusion he reached.
Even the defendant did not contest the fact that the incidents of vaginal and anal intercourse occurred, and they are in fact supported by the evidence of the physical injuries to the victim’s neck and rectum. As the majority indicates, this was essentially a credibility contest between the defendant, who contended that the incidents occurred with the prosecuting witness’ consent, and the prosecuting witness, who contended that they occurred by force and against her will. Virtually nothing attorney Jerry Paul did or failed to do would have had much, if any, effect on this aspect of the case.
As pitiful as defense counsel’s performance was in the conduct of the defendant’s case, I am unpersuaded that there is a reasonable probability that, but for attorney Paul’s ineffective assistance, the jury would have found the defendant innocent of the charges against him.
*404A disturbing aspect of the majority opinion is that it places in the hands of counsel the ability to automatically assure a new trial in any given case by including in his opening argument a promise to produce evidence which he has no intention of producing and/or by suggesting in his closing argument that some aspect of his client’s testimony is not worthy of belief. While every attorney wants to believe that none of his colleagues at the bar will intentionally engage in such unprofessional practices, this case demonstrates what counsel might do, either by design, through ignorance, or through negligent inattention to his duties as defense counsel.