Court Opinion

ID: 9487584
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 12:21:08.188942+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:52:22.377181
License: Public Domain

EBEL, Circuit Judge,
dissenting.
This is a difficult case and my decision to dissent is a close one. I agree with much of what the majority opinion says. Indeed, my only quarrel is with the majority’s conclusion that Brecheen failed to establish that he had ineffective trial counsel during the sentencing phase of the trial.
The sentencing phase of a capital case is a vitally important proceeding and it requires careful preparation, advanced consultation with the client, and vigorous advocacy. It is not a stepchild to the guilt phase of the trial, but itself deserves to share center stage with the guilt phase. “[Fjailure to present significant mitigating evidence creates a one-sided, non-adversarial sentencing hearing. Such a sentencing hearing undermines the proper functioning of the adversarial process and erodes confidence in the outcome of the case.” Ronnie Seidel, Right to Effective Assistance of Counsel at Capital Sentencing: Frey v. Fulcomer, 66 Tem.L.Rev. 1107, 1118 (1993). See Lockett v. Ohio, 438 U.S. 586, 602-06, 98 S.Ct. 2954, 2963-65, 57 L.Ed.2d 973 (1978); ABA Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Counsel in Death Penalty Cases, Guideline 11.4.1(A) & (C) (1989) (As soon as counsel begins a capital case he or she “should conduct independent investigations relating to the guili/innocence phase and to the penalty phase.... The investigation ... should be conducted regardless of any initial assertion by the client that mitigation is not to be offered.”). It is at the sentencing phase of the trial that the jury is asked to turn its attention away from whether the defendant is guilty or innocent and to focus on the defendant as an individual. The lawyer’s job is to assist the jury in its assessment of who the defendant is and why he or she committed the crime.
Brecheen claims that his counsel, Mr. Sleeper, was ineffective because he failed to discover and present mitigating evidence that raises a reasonable probability that the jury would have declined to vote for the death penalty if such evidence had been before it. We have to decide if Sleeper’s representation fell below the standard of Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 *1371L.Ed.2d 674 (1984), and, if so, whether Bre-eheen was thereby prejudiced.
I. Deficient Performance by Counsel
To prove that counsel’s performance was deficient, Brecheen bears the burden of meeting the two-prong test of Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). In Strickland, the Court held that a defendant must show: (1) “that counsel’s performance was deficient” with reference to prevailing professional norms, and (2) “that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense.” Id. at 687, 104 S.Ct. at 2064; United States v. Rivera, 900 F.2d 1462, 1472 (10th Cir.1990). Prejudice is shown by demonstrating that “there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S.Ct. at 2068; Rivera, 900 F.2d at 1472.
The majority found that Brecheen’s counsel did not perform below the Strickland standard and, therefore, the majority did not need to address the prejudice prong of Strickland. The majority offers essentially three explanations for finding Brecheen’s counsel not ineffective: (1) Brecheen did not want his attorney to present any mitigating evidence at the sentencing phase; (2) Sleeper adequately investigated Brecheen’s background; and (3) it was a legitimate trial strategy not to put on separate mitigating evidence. I will address each of these in turn.
The first issue is the effect to be given to Brecheen’s request that no mitigating evidence be put on at the sentencing stage of the trial. Although there is a dispute in the record, the district court in the state habeas proceeding concluded that Brecheen said he did not want mitigating evidence presented, and I am required to accept the state court’s factual finding in that regard.
I agree with the majority that this should be evaluated not as a question of a client’s waiver of an essential constitutional right, but rather as a question of whether his counsel performed up to the standards required by the Constitution in consulting with the client and in making the decision not to put on further evidence. That is, it is the counsel’s conduct that is being scrutinized in this ineffective counsel claim. The majority finds support for counsel’s decision not to put on further evidence from the fact that Brecheen asked that no further mitigating evidence be advanced. However, as the majority observed, the approach to be taken at the mitigation stage of a capital trial involves many technical and complicated considerations beyond the understanding and experience of most clients. The weight to be given a chent’s wishes either to put on evidence or to refrain from putting on evidence will depend on how well informed the client is and on the adequacy of the lawyer’s advice to the client in this regard. Blanco v. Singletary, 943 F.2d 1477, 1502 (11th Cir.1991) (“lawyers may not blindly follow” clients’ commands to forego presenting mitigating evidence because “the lawyer first must evaluate potential avenues and advise the client of those offering potential merit”) (quoting Thompson v. Wainright, 787 F.2d 1447, 1451 (11th Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 481 U.S. 1042, 107 S.Ct. 1986, 95 L.Ed.2d 825 (1987)); Jeffries v. Blodgett, 5 F.3d 1180, 1198 (9th Cir.1993) (counsel’s acquiescence in Jeffries’ informed and knowing decision to forego mitigating evidence was not an ineffective assistance of counsel), cert. denied, — U.S. —, 114 S.Ct. 1294, 127 L.Ed.2d 647 (1994). In order to give much weight to a client’s preferences as to how to present a defense, the client must have been adequately informed by his attorney about the legal ramifications of the decision and the factual evidence that could be presented and its potential significance. Most clients do not have the wherewithal to make such an important decision without their attorney’s advice and guidance.
Here, the record before us establishes that Sleeper did not provide Brecheen with such information. The testimony of Brecheen and others,1 including Sleeper, indicates that Bre-cheen was not so advised, nor was Sleeper in a position to give Brecheen the needed advice because Sleeper had not marshalled the *1372evidence that could have been presented on Brecheen’s behalf. Not only was a summary of the testimony that could have been presented not relayed to Brecheen, he was not made aware of the legal consequences of foregoing the presentation of separate mitigation evidence. Additionally, Brecheen was not given enough time to consider adequately the minimal information that his counsel provided to him after the jury returned its guilty verdict because the sentencing phase of the trial began almost immediately thereafter. Thus, I would give relatively little weight here to Brecheen’s reactive and ill-informed desire essentially to give up and not to put on any separate mitigation defense.
Turning to the second issue of the adequacy of Sleeper’s investigation, the record shows that Sleeper did not invest any significant effort in checking Brecheen’s character or background for the sentencing phase of the trial.2 Sleeper did investigate the crime; however, as the affidavits show, he did a wholly inadequate job of developing mitigating evidence of Breeheen’s background and character. Blake v. Kemp, 758 F.2d 523, 533 (11th Cir.) (“It should be beyond cavil that an attorney who fails altogether to make any preparations for the penalty phase of a capital murder trial deprives his client of reasonably effective assistance of counsel by any objective standard of reasonableness.”), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 998, 106 S.Ct. 374, 88 L.Ed.2d 367 (1985); Brewer v. Aiken, 935 F.2d 850, 858 (7th Cir.1991) (In the light of “attorney’s failure to make a reasonable investigation to discover ... readily available evidence regarding [defendant’s] low I.Q., susceptibility to the influence of friends and disadvantaged background, we hold that ‘counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.’ ”) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 688, 104 S.Ct. at 2064-65). The record reveals to me a wholly inadequate effort by Sleeper to develop and marshal mitigating evidence. He made very little effort to develop sympathetic evidence about Breeheen’s background, and no effort to contact most of the townsfolk who would have testified so favorably to him.
Finally, I address the claim that Sleeper’s decision not to put on mitigating evidence can be justified as trial strategy. The majority characterized Sleeper’s decision as a legitimate trial strategy to get the jury back into deliberations quickly because the jurors appeared agitated. However, a trial decision based on an inadequate investigation, resulting in insufficient information, cannot be a legitimate trial strategy. When the storm hits, it is hardly strategic to choose one’s course without first knowing from where the winds blow. Because Sleeper had not investigated what kind of mitigating evidence could be developed for Brecheen, he can hardly have made a defensible trial strategy at the last minute to forego' the mitigation phase of the trial.
In any event, Sleeper’s “trial strategy” was to get the jury back into deliberations quickly because some jurors seemed agitated. However, there was no explanation offered why a brief presentation of mitigating evidence would do anything other than increase whatever doubts the jurors may already have had. This is not a case where the record reveals that the state would have put on further damaging evidence if mitigation evidence were introduced. Nor is it a case where this evidence would significantly have delayed deliberations if it had effectively been marshalled in advance. Instead, no trial strategy is offered to explain why brief, highly favorable background evidence along the lines contained in the attached affidavits of potential witnesses would have been harmful to Brecheen.
In conclusion, there was simply no adequate effort to present “aspect[s] of [Bre-cheen’s] character” that the jury could use as a basis for determining that, notwithstanding the terrible crime for which he was convicted, he should not be given the death penalty. Lockett, 438 U.S. at 604, 98 S.Ct. at 2964-65. When I consider the critical role that effective presentation of mitigating evidence plays in a death penalty case, I conclude that Sleeper’s assistance fell below the prevailing *1373professional norms. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S.Ct. at 2064.
II. Prejudice
I next evaluate whether Sleeper’s ineffective assistance of counsel prejudiced Bre-cheen. Applying the Strickland standard in Osborn v. Shillinger, we said that because
the Court intended the prejudice standard to be flexible, it emphasized that “a defendant need not show that counsel’s deficient conduct more likely than not altered the outcome in the case.” Instead, the defendant bears the burden of showing “that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.”
861 F.2d at 626 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 693, 694, 104 S.Ct. at 2067-68) (internal citations omitted). When the ineffective assistance claim relates to the sentencing phase of the trial, the standard is whether there is “a reasonable probability that, absent the errors, the sentencer — including an appellate court, to the extent it independently reweighs the evidence — would have concluded that the balance of aggravating and mitigating circumstances did not warrant death.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 695, 104 S.Ct. at 2068. This is the test I have to apply. Do I harbor a significant doubt that this evidence would have caused at least one juror to choose life rather than death? Chaney v. Brown, 730 F.2d 1334, 1352 (10th Cir.1984). The jury found as an aggravating factor that Brecheen put more than one person at risk of death or great bodily injury. Against that aggravating factor and the facts of the murder, which the majority detailed, I have to decide whether the mitigating evidence that could have been presented on Brecheen’s behalf raises a significant doubt about the jury’s decision. See id. 466 U.S. at 696, 104 S.Ct. at 2068.
Habeas counsel compiled 39 affidavits from affiants who say they would have testified on Brecheen’s behalf had they been requested to do so. Although the majority opinion dismisses the volume of these affidavits as cumulative, I find strength in the number of these affidavits, especially because many of them are not from relatives. Person after person came forward and said what an exemplary child and young adult Brecheen had been. For a person convicted of murder and sentenced to death, his background is atypical. The record shows that Brecheen had served in the National Guard, he was not a drug user, he was never observed fighting or drunk, he was a model prisoner, and he had a steady job, had been trusted in supervisory positions, had former employers who spoke highly of him, had good relations with his family, and had a fiancee. Many people from the community who were not related to him would have testified to acts of kindness and generosity in his life, of his compassion for a mentally retarded little girl, and of his unwillingness to kill deer, squirrels, and the hog the family raised for meat. Brecheen was active in church and had served as a youth director for two years. While in high school, he won numerous medals on the track team and went to the State High School Track Meet his senior year. Not only did he graduate from high school, but he went on to receive some vocational education.
I am apologetic about burdening the Federal Reporter with additional material; however, I think the mitigating evidence in this case cannot be fully appreciated without reading directly the affidavits sworn to on Brecheen’s behalf. Considering the affidavits, one gets a sense of who Brecheen is through the eyes of those who know him and who thought his life was worthwhile and should be spared. When his conviction is considered in the context of his other life experiences, one is left with the distinct impression that his conduct the night of the murder was aberrational. Had the jurors heard this mitigating evidence, I must conclude there is a reasonable probability that at least one juror would have decided that Bre-cheen’s life should be spared — particularly considering the fact testified to by Sleeper that several jurors seemed genuinely shaken by the verdict of guilt that they had just returned.
Sleeper’s failure to present this evidence to the jury deprived Brecheen of the chance to have the jury focus on him as an individual *1374and on his humanity. The Supreme Court has stressed the importance of an individualized sentence determination in death penalty cases. See, e.g., Lockett, 438 U.S. at 602-06, 98 S.Ct. at 2963-65 (capital sentencing scheme must provide for an individualized assessment of the appropriateness of the death penalty). Breeheen did not receive that individualized consideration.
CONCLUSION
I am left with the firm belief that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the jury would have concluded that the balance of the one aggravating factor and the mitigating evidence did not warrant death. Therefore, I must respectfully DISSENT.
APPENDIX
Exhibit No. 1
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, MAMIE BRECHEEN, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
I am Robert Brecheen’s mother. Robert is the sixth child of ten children.
Robert never gave me any trouble. He was always willing to do anything and everything I asked him to do. And he never gave his dad any trouble. He was always interested in learning anything new that his daddy was doing. Robert got along with all of his brothers and sisters and was always willing to help them do anything that they had to do. If one of them was sick, Robert was always the one who wanted to wait on them. Even when he was nothing but a child, he would get up at all hours of the night to see after his brothers and sisters. If he ever made any money, he always brought it home to me. He always wanted to have Sunday School parties at our home and he would do any kind of odd jobs, mowing the eemetary, cutting brush, helping to build fences, picking up pecans, to make extra money for these parties. He would always ask his dad if he could use his lowboy and could he have two or three bales of hay so they could have a hayride. And afterwards, he wanted a weenie roast and some marshmellows. He always wanted me and his dad to be with them.
When we would have the Oddfellow and Rebekka picnic, Robert was always thrilled to death to get to go and be with all of the Oddfellows and paid strict attention to how they conducted themselves. He always tried to be like them, the way the acted and did. He would ask them questions. He wanted to be a Junior Oddfellow, but we moved and we lived so far out that we could not carry him to the meetings.
Robert was a cub scout and made all his medals, and I was his den mother. When his dad and I would go off on an Oddfellow meeting, he was ready and willing to take care of the smaller children. His dad and I belonged to the American Legion and the American Legion Auxilliary, and he liked to hang around the Legionaires as much as he could.
We raised a big garden. And if there was someone that didn’t have a garden, he would always want vegetables to take to them. He was so generous that way. He would share anything that he had with those that were without.
Robert was always interested in helping me to can and he always wanted to see that the flowers were tended to. He took a great deal of pride in our home. Every blade of grass had to be cut away from the fences. If he would come across a hurt bird or animal, he would take it and put it in a cage feed and water it and take care of it until it could get on its own. Then he would let it go. He would never hear of anyone robbing a bird’s nest. He would even squabble with me about the muddobbers nesting in the eaves of the house. He would say, mother, they’ve gotta have a place to build their nest.
He raised a calf for the 4-H. He would literally go out and sleep with that calf at night.
When my husband became ill with gilliam brarre (a numbing disease caused by severe staff infection), I called Robert and told him he would have to come and take his dad to St. Anthony’s Hospital in the City. That was *1375in 1983. Robert went with us up there and he would not leave his dad’s room, but stayed right there with him. When we came home, Robert moved in with us. He took care of his daddy. He seen that he had a bath; he would get into the bathtub with him and hold him up while he bathed him. He would ask his dad all through the day, if he was hungry or thirsty. He wanted to give him whatever he wanted. At this time, Robert had taken a leave from work so he could be with his dad, day and night.
I know that Robert did not need any money at the time of the so-called robbery/murder because he had over $2,000 in my checking account at that time. He had given it to me to keep for him, because he had such a tendency to give to anyone who needed money-
His dad had told him that if he ever at any time needed any money, to let us know. We knew Robert would pay it back, so I know he did not need any money. I told this to Robert’s trial attorney and even showed him the bank account. It was Robert’s income tax return and money he saved every two weeks from his paycheck. He had been saving this money for a long time. He did draw out money to get us a television set at Christmas, with remote control, but there was still over $2,000 at the time of this happening. We used part of the money to pay for Robert’s trial attorney.
Mr. Sleeper only spoke to Robert twice before the trial. He never talked to me except for one time. He didn’t tell us until the day of trial that he was not a criminal lawyer. Mr. Sleeper never asked me to testify for my son. I would naturally have been more than willing to testify. I would liked to have had a chance to tell the jury what kind of a son I had. Why, Robert wouldn’t even go kill his dad a mess of squirrels, even though his dad wanted them and Robert knew his dad was sick and would have done, and did do, just about anything his dad asked of him. But he couldn’t kill those squirrels for any reason. He told his dad he would find a friend to get the squirrels for him.
I would have welcomed the opportunity to tell the jury about Robert and I would welcome that opportunity today. But I was never asked to testify at the trial.
Robert is just not the kind of person to have killed anything. He couldn’t stand the sight of blood and couldn’t stand the thought of anything hurt or killed. All of my kids were raised in the church and raised to know right from wrong and Robert would not steal and he certainly would not kill.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Mamie Brecheen Mamie Brecheen
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 2
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, MAMIE LAROCHE, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath do swear and state as follows:
I am the oldest of ten Brecheen children. Robert is my brother; he is the sixth child. I was 11 years old when Robert is born.
Robert was a very quiet child. He would lay in his crib and coo and laugh to himself. I took care of him part of the time. He was a very loving and playful child. He liked to play with trucks of all kinds and would sit for hours, making roads and push his trucks up and down his roads. He would have to occupy himself as his older brother did not play very much, as he was a kind of loner. Robert liked school a lot because there were kids to play with. Once he got his nose broken because a little boy at school was going to hit a girl with a large rock. Robert stepped in front to keep the little girl from getting hurt. The rock broke Robert’s nose and he was in the hospital for two days. Robert was in the 4th grade at that time. I told Robert that I thought that was a very foolish thing to do and Robert said “But Snookie, that boy was *1376going to hurt that little girl, and I couldn’t let it happen.”
When my folks moved to Springer Oklahoma from Comanche, Robert was about 13 years old. He had never seen a black person before. But the school in Graham was made up almost entirely of blacks. In fact, Robert was the only white boy in the school. Nevertheless, Robert fit right in and had no problem making friends. He played basketball and became good friends with all his classmates.
After Robert graduated from high school and began working, Robert would often help out around our parents house, by working or by getting things for our folks that they needed.
After high school, Robert joined the National Guard and transferred to the Airborn National Guard in Pasadena Texas. He was a paratrooper. He was also working at a full time job at that time. I saw Robert frequently at that time. He would bring meat, chips and dips and beer and pop. My husband and I and my three kids and my grandparents would have a barbeque. Robert would provide the majority of the food for these get-togethers and we all really enjoyed each others’ company. We also went fishing and spent a lot of time just visiting and playing cards.
In 1978, Robert returned to Graham and began working for Pride Well Service.
Robert always came to eat the Christmas and Thanksgiving turkey at our house. He would come over the night before and spend the night. We would come over to mother’s for the holidays, but he would always come over to my house later to eat supper at my house.
Robert was a peace maker. Whenever the girls would get into a tiff, Robert would try to ease the disagreement by talking to each and trying to convince them to make up and stop fighting. Robert still is the peace maker. Still tries to keep everybody happy even from death row.
Robert was never violent and disliked arguments and fights. He would get depressed if someone was fighting and he could not convince them to make up. He would always try to get the family members to try to talk out their differences.
When the kids were little, there would always be some kind of squabble about not enough candy. Robert, who always had some kind of odd job to make extra money, bought a huge bag of candy so the kids would quit fighting. There was so much candy that the kids began to get sick from eating candy. Robert said he wanted them to eat candy until they were sick so they would never fight over candy again.
There were not many kids living in the Graham area, but Robert attended church at Milo Baptist Church regularly and was active in getting activities going. He would get all the kids he could find and would organize activities for them. They would borrow someone truck, someone else’s hay and they would all go on a hay ride. Robert would get the preacher or some other adult to drive and then they would meet at someone’s house for a weenie roast. Everyone’s mother would donate a pack of weenies, some buns, and they would have a good time. Robert would mow the cemetary lawn for $10 or $15. He would come home and want to have a party for the kids. Black or white, it didn’t matter to Robert, he would spend his own money on some kind of barbeque or weenie roast or some kind of activity. Every kid in the community would be invited.
Robert loves football and was a big Washington Redskin fan. My daughter was a Dallas Cowboy fan. He and Tammy would fuss good naturedly over football games. He would make out rageous bets with her and usually would lose. He would always pay up, though when Tammy won the bet, Robert never asked her to pay.
Robert was very loving and loved children. He loved all his nieces and nephews and would spend a fortune on all of them for Christmas. He would then come over to thehouse and spend hours playing with the kids. Sometimes it looked like he came to visit the kids more than the adults.
We would often go to Sulphur for a picnic and Robert would spend all day playing with *1377the kids, softball, chase and all kinds of games he would make up.
If anyone was sad or depressed, Robert would be the first one to try to cheer them up. He never showed partiality to any of the kids and always treated all of themequally so there wouldn’t be any bickering.
Once, while Robert was on deathrow, he traded some of his allowenee to one of the other inmates, who made crocheted flowers. He made each of us a bouquet of crocheted flowers and Robert bought a bottle of ladies cologne to spray on the flowers so they would smell good.
Robert was and is a thoughtful, generous and kind hearted person. He worked hard all his life to help out his family and never would complain.
Robert’s lawyer, Gary Sleeper, asked me about testifying in his behalf at the trial. Of course, I would have testified for him. Mr. Sleeper asked me if I could contain my emotions enough to testify and asked my husband if he could get off work to testify. We thought we would be testifying. But Mr. Sleeper said that for every person he could put on to say good things about Robert, the prosecution would put on more to say Robert was bad. So, Mr. Sleeper decided not to put any of us on the stand to testify for Robert. The guilt stage ended at about 7:00 p.m. Everyone went to eat and the second stage started late at night.
I would have testified and wanted to testify for Robert. I would testify now because I don’t believe Robert got a fair trial and I don’t believe that Robert commited any murder. He is a kind gentle person and it is not in his character to hurt a living thing.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Mamie Laroche Mamie Laroche
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 3
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, LOYCE M. FREEMAN, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
Robert Brecheen is my older brother and I have known him all my life. Robert and I have always been very close. We went to church and Sunday school together. We were involved in C.A. (Christian Association) rallies and Robert participated regularly. We would see how many kids we could get rounded up to come to church. You would get awards for how many kids you could bring to church and we won several awards. Robert was youth director at Milo Baptist Church for two years. Robert would organize all kinds of youth activities, such as hayrides, weenie roasts, youth sings and Robert would organize it all. Robert organized an Easter program one year about the resurrection of Christ called “Christ Lives”. It was a big success and everyone enjoyed it. He organized a youth night. We would meet on one Wednesday night every month. On Youth Night, we would have a service and the youth would organize it and put it on. We would have a sermon, sing hymns. Robert would assign a different part for everyone and we would put on the service.
As a family, we were all very close. We always worked hard and played hard together. Whenever there was something that needed to be done, Robert would make it into a contest to see who could get the most done the fastest. He was always willing to help out with any chores or work that needed doing, and he could usually make it seem like fun.
Robert is a very sensitive person. He was always there whenever I needed him to help me with my problems. If I had a falling out with momma or a fight with a boyfriend or was feeling down, Robert couldn’t stand to see me cry. We would walk out to “feed the chickens” across the creek. That was where we would do a lot of our talking. Robert used to always tell me, don’t cry, it will be okay. He would say there would always be other boyfriends, your grades will get better, *1378or whatever the problem, he would try to comfort me and convince me that it would get better.
Robert loved basketball and he played with the school team. He was a real goodbasket-ball. He also played baseball in the pasture in the summertime. All of us would be out there playing baseball.
Robert has always been nice to everyone he ever knew. I don’t believe he ever met a stranger. He got me my first date. The boy was in Robert’s class at school and one day, Robert told me he had someone he wanted me to meet. When I asked him who it was and Robert told me, I said well, I hope you don’t want me to go out with him. It was a boy I knew and I didn’t want to go out with him. Robert told me to be nice to him, to be courteous to him, because Robert liked him. So, we went out and when we started dating, Robert was thrilled about it. But I really did it as a favor to Robert, because he had asked me to.
Robert was always good with kids. He loved kids and they loved him. He was always playing with them, taking them places and buying treats and toys for all his nieces and nephews. All the younger kids loved for Robert to take them with him to feed the cows. That was real exciting for them.
One time, during a big ice storm, Robert took Phillip, his nephew with him out to feed the cows. The pond was covered with ice. First he tested it to make sure it would hold, and when it did, Robert and Phillip went skating all over that pond. Phillip remembers the fun they had that day.
Robert was always looking for bargains and for things to make our lives easier. He took good care of us all and especially mom and dad.
I don’t believe that Robert would commit robbery because he didn’t really need money. Robert knew that if he had any problems, he could come to me or my sister, Joyce, or any of us. He knew we would help him. Robert had borrowed money from me before— $2,000 — and he knew that I had savings. He also knew that I could borrow just about any amount of money I wanted to because my house was paid for. He knew I would give him money if he needed it. He always paid me back whatever he had borrowed. I know that Robert would not have killed another man for money. He had a good job at the time with Lincoln Rock Company and was planning on getting married. He had bills, but he was paying them. He didn’t need money that bad.
I know that Robert would not have killed a man. He had morals. He grew up in the church and he knew right from wrong. We all did. This is a real spirtual community and we were all taught the same way.
At the time all this happened, Robert was living at home most of the time. He stayed with a friend some of the time because of his job. He would ride to work with him. But he would come home after work to see if daddy needed anything. He would walk daddy, bathe him, and be with him and take care of him and momma.
We all asked Gary Sleeper, Robert’s trial lawyer, to call us to the stand to testify for Robert as character witnesses. We were all there most of the time during the trial and could have testified. Mr. Sleeper said that for ever one person he could call to say that Robert was a good old boy, the State would call 50 to say he was a sorry old boy. So he said he wouldn’t call anyone. We figured Mr. Sleeper was the lawyer and he knew what he was doing and we had never had trouble with the law, so we didn’t know anything. But all of the family would have done anything at all to help Robert if we could.
I would welcome the opportunity to testify for Robert now.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Loyce M. Freeman Loyce M. Freeman
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 27th day of April, 1988..
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
*1379Exhibit No. 4
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, JOYCE M. SKELTON, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
Robert Breeheen is my older brother and I have known him all my life.
Robert and I were the ones who done most of the work around the house. We would split wood, mow the yard and do other chores around the house. We were in Future Farmers of America and 4-H Club. He had a steer that he put in the County Fair in Ardmore. He sold the steer there at the fair and used the money to pay the man who give him the money for the steer and kept the remainder. That’s how he made his extra money at the time. I had sheep and Robert would help me groom the sheep. He would go around and ask other people for tips on how to groom the sheep and make them prettier. He would help Loyce with her hogs and every fair, we were all in it.
We all played baseball in the summertime in the pasture. Robert would go out and mow the pasture far enough back so we could play baseball. When momma and daddy would go into town to get groceries, thats when we would play. And that was how Robert kept an eye on us kids.
We didn’t have a lot of time to play because there was a lot of work to do. There was wood to cut, and the yard and garden to tend, animals to care for.
I was a homebody until I was 24 yrs old. I didn’t date or go out much. Robert used to encourage me to get out. He would try to talk me into getting out and getting a boyfriend, or dating. He would take me out himself, riding around the town. When I finally met the man that I married, Robert knew and told me I had made a good choice.
At Christmas, the year before all this happened, Robert came to my house. He asked me what to get momma and daddy for Christmas. I told him mom and daddy were hard to buy for because they had so much stuff. He said well, he was going to get them a T.V. with a remote control so neither of them would have to get up to turn the channel. Then he asked me what to get the kids. I didn’t have any children at the time, but he wanted to get presents for all the nieces and nephews. He was so generous and spent a lot of money on buying presents for his family.
One time, momma and daddy bought a hog to butcher to put up meat for the freezer.. We all hated the idea. And momma and daddy said, it’s time to kill that hog, because we gotta eat. So they sent Robert down there to kill the hog, and he come back and momma asked, did you kill that hog. Robert said no, momma, I looked at that hog, and I can’t do it. So momma had to be the one to go down there and kill that hog. We always teased Robert because he couldn’t kill that hog.
Momma was against pop and kool-aid and they wouldn’t buy it for us kids. But Robert would work and make some extra money and he would go out to the road and flag someone down and ask them to carry us up to the store and he would bring us a pop.
I attended Robert’s trial everyday. His lawyer never talked to me about testifying at Robert’s trial. I am the quiet type, but I would have testifed at Robert’s trial if I had been asked to. We were church going people and we were raised in the church, and we all were raised to know right from wrong. Robert could never have gone to that house to rob those people. My sister and I had money and could have borrowed any amount of money he might have needed. And Robert knew that.
I have tried my best to put myself in Robert’s place, and I have gone step by step, just to see if it is possible that Robert could have done such a thing, and I always come up negative. I just know that Robert could not have done what he has been convicted of doing.
These are things I would have wanted to tell that jury about Robert.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Joyce M. Skelton Joyce M. Skelton
*1380Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 5
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, THERESA DIANE DURHAM, of lawful age and being first duly sworn, upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
Robert Brecheen is my older brother and I have known him all my life. Robert is a very honest person. He has never been a selfish person. He respects the feelings of others. He is the type of person who wants to help others if they are hurt or in need. Robert was always very well liked and had a lot of friends. He was fun loving and happy and shared everything he ever had with anyone that needed. He was generous with his time, money and property.
Robert was a sensitive young man who hated to see anything hurt. One time, when I was about 13 and Robert was about 18, he went deer hunting. After he got back, a friend asked him if he had got a deer. Robert said no, that he had seen a buck deer and that it was close enough for Robert to look into his eyes. Robert said he had his gun and was ready to shoot the dear, but instead Robert started to cry and was not able to pull the trigger. He described this incident to me in detail, telling how the hill looked, how the deer looked and how he felt at the time. Robert never had an interest in hunting after that and I believe that was the only time Robert ever went hunting although hunting was a popular passtime among boys his age.
Robert never liked to argue or fight with anyone and would just as soon to walk away from a fight. It didn’t bother him. I never saw him lose his temper. He was mellow and easy going and didn’t like to see anyone fight or argue.
Robert and I were very close. We were close in age and since I was a tomboy and liked to played football, basketball and other games. When I would have a problem, I would go to Robert and he could usually help me. He wasn’t always easy on me and would often speak to me harshly to get me to straighten up. He always treated me well and with love.
When I graduated from high school, Robert came all the way from Houston to see me graduate. My other brothers and sisters didn’t think it was a big deal and didn’t have much time to make a fuss. But Robert brought me a jewelry box which I still have today. He made that day very special to me and I will never forget it.
I was never asked to testify but I would have if I had had the chance. Robert is my brother and I love him and I know he would not ever hurt another human being. I would testify now if I could and ask the jury to spare my brother’s life.
Further affiant sayeth not.
/s/ Theresa D. Durham Theresa D. Durham
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 6
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, DAVID LAROCHE, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath do swear and state as follows:
I have known Robert Brecheen for over 23 years. He is my brother-in-law, and I have had an opportunity to watch him grow up. In the time I have known Robert, I never saw him lose his temper and he was always easy-going. Even when he was young and he would play football with some of the older guys. Sometimes the games would get pretty rough. A lot of young kids would get mad when the wind got knocked out of them, but *1381Robert would just shake it off and get back in the game. I never knew of Robert having any trouble with the police or of him being a disciplinary problem in school. I never knew anybody to not like Robert. He was a very likeable young man and had many friends.
Robert helped our family out many times. ONe time in particular was after I had had a heart attack in 1977. I was off work for a while and financially we were having a hard time. Robert bought a 30-30 rifle from me. When I went to get the rifle for him, he told me to keep .it and said that he didn’t like guns and didn’t care for hunting. He had bought the rifle simply to help us out.
I worked with Robert one time on an oil rig. Robert was my supervisor for about 6 months. During that time, I observed him to be a very hard worker and I never saw him lose his temper.
When Robert was a teenager, he would do odd jobs in the community for extra money. He would always spend part of the money on treats for his niece, Tammy. He would never come to our home without bringing candy for the babies.
I was never contacted by any attorney and asked to testify in court on Robert’s behalf and I never could understand why Robert lawyer did not call any character witnesses. I would have been glad to testify if I had been called and I would testify today if it were necessary.
Further affiant sayeth not.
/s/ David LaRoche David LaRoche
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 7
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, TAMMY LYNN LAROCHE, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath do swear and state as follows:
Robert Brecheen is my uncle and I have known him all my life.
Uncle Robert was a real fun loving person. He was always good to me. Whenever Robert would visit he would usually bring some kind of candy or treat. He would take us to Sulphur to the National Park where we would picnic, swim and just have fun. He would tease and joke with us and try to throw us in the water.
Uncle Robert was always in a good mood and I hardly ever saw him mad at anyone. If he ever was made at someone, he would just make a joke out of it.
Robert was a big football fan and would come over to our house on Sundays for dinner. He liked the Washington Redskins and I liked the Dallas Cowboys. We would always get into discussions about who was the best football team. We would make bets on the games and if he won, I would have to iron his shirts or do some other kind of chore for him. But if I won, he would have to pay me money. He always paid and he nearly went broke because I almost always won. He hardly ever won. Robert also told all us kids that he would give us money for every A we made in school. He nearly went broke with that too.
One time, Robert took me, my sister, Debbie, and my friend, Michele Monroe, to Ard-more to do Christmas shopping. We went to the Stubbs Western Store and Robert cashed his paycheck. Robert was looking for a pair of boots for me which was going to be my Christmas present.
We went to several stores in Ardmore and we were gone almost all day. We were late coming home because we were having such a good time that we lost track of the time. Michele’s parents weren’t worried because they knew she was with Robert and they knew he would take care of us.
Robert was a lot of fun to be with. He was always joking and having a good time. It was sometimes hard to know when he was serious. He would tease and play with us all.
Robert was always there for just about anyone who needed him. Although I never *1382had any serious problems, I know that I could go to Robert anytime and he would help me if he could.
I write to Robert regularly now and he writes me back. I have visited him at McAl-ester several times.
I was only a junior in high school when Robert’s trial was going on, but I would have been glad to testify at Robert’s trial if I could have. I would have wanted to tell the jury that Robert is not the kind of person to have commited the crime they said he committed and that if they only knew what a kind and good person Robert was, then they would know that he could not have done what they said.
I would testify now if I had the opportunity-
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Tammy Lynn LaRoche Tammy Lynn LaRoche
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 8
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, DWIGHT A. ANDERSON, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
I have known Robert Brecheen since his family moved from Comanche to Springer. He was much younger than I was, but we became friends. He would come by our house and visit with my family. He was a friendly and nice guy and I was very surprised to hear that he had been arrested for murder. I cannot believe he committed such a crime. Robert was real friendly. We would go over to black clubs and there wasn’t any trouble at all. Robert got along with everyone.
Before Robert was arrested for murder, he had come to me and said he was getting married and was going to get a place over in Sulphur and put a trailer on it. He said he was going to rent a baekhoe and he wanted me to run it to dig the septic tank. I said I would do it for him.
I was never contacted by anyone about testifying at Robert’s trial, but if anyone had asked me, I would have been glad to testify and I would testify today if I had the opportunity.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Dwight A. Anderson Dwight A. Anderson
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 25th day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 9 State of Oklahoma County of Carter
I, THEODORE ANDERSON, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
I was the custodian at Graham School. For three years Robert Brecheen worked with me. He was a very hard worker. He would do whatever I asked him to do, cleaning, mopping, waxing, painting, repairs, anything. He never gave no trouble of any kind. He worked hard and always did a good job. I could depend on him.
I was shocked to hear of Robert’s trouble and still to this day I don’t believe it.
Robert’s attorney never contacted me or asked me to testify in his behalf. I would have been willing to testify because Robert was a good kid. He gave me the greatest respect, and I would have been glad to talk for him. I would still be willing to testify for Robert if I were given the opportunity.
Further affiant saieth not.
*1383/s/ Theodore Anderson Theodore Anderson
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 25th day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 10
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, CLAUDETTE ANDERSON, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
I first met Robert Brecheen in 1969 when I worked as a teacher at Graham School. Robert was in the higher grades and I taught the lower grades, but often I was called into his class to relieve the other teacher. Robert was always very respectful to me. While some of the other kids might try to get away with something when they had a substitute, Robert never did. He would just always do whatever was asked of him.
Robert often came to our home to visit with our family. He would eat with us, play with our kids and was really a friendly boy. He was really helpful and would do anything or help out in any way that was needed.
I was very surprised to hear of the murder charge against Robert. I really just couldn’t believe it.
I don’t see Robert as being a violent type of person who could have killed another person.
I was never contacted by an attorney or asked to testify for Robert Brecheen as a character witness. If I had been asked, I would have been glad to testify in Robert’s behalf. I would be willing to testify at this time, if asked to do so.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Claudette Anderson Claudette Anderson
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 11
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, GILBERT ANDERSON, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath do swear and state as follows:
I met Robert Brecheen through my brothers who went to school with him. I never knew anything bad about Robert. He was known as a friendly, fun loving, hard working fellow. Everytime I saw Robert with my brothers, they were always laughing, joking and enjoying each other’s company.
I never knew Robert to be violent or in any kind of trouble. He was the type of person who was a friend to everyone, black and white alike. I never knew anyone who didn’t like Robert.
I was never contacted during Robert’s trial about testifying as a character witness for Robert. But I would have been willing to testify as to what I know of Robert’s character if I had been asked to do so. I would be glad to testify now if I had the opportunity.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Gilbert Anderson Gilbert Anderson
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
*1384Exhibit No. 12
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, OTTO BROWN, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state:
I first met Robert Brecheen when he began to go to school with my kids. I would see him around the school, at ballgames and so on.
Robert was a reliable, friendly, respectable person. He was good friends with my boys. He would come over to our home. He was always willing to help me collect my pigs when they got loose.
I was very surprised when I learned that Robert had been arrested for murder. I just couldn’t believe it. I never though Robert the type to do violence. I was also surprised that he was convicted and given the death penalty.
I would have testified as a character witness for Robert, if I had been asked to do it, but no one ever contacted me about it. I would be willing to testify now, if there were a hearing.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Otto Brown Otto Brown
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 25th day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 13 State of Oklahoma County of Carter
I, LARRY D. BROWN, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
I met Robert Brecheen at Graham School. I was a few years ahead of Robert, but we became friends. You couldn’t help but like Robert. He was so friendly, he would always come up and talk to you and he was a lot of fun to be around. We played basketball, went fishing, and did a lot of talking. Every time I would see Robert, he would stop and talk with me and visit.
Robert would often come to our house to visit. We would mostly just sit around and talk about whatever was on our minds.
■ I was very surprised to hear that Robert had been charged with murder. I never could believe that Robert would do anything like that. Robert was a friendly, smiling, happy person. I never saw him lose his temper or get in fights or behave in anyway that was violent. It is hard to believe that Robert was convicted and got sentenced to death.
No one ever asked me to testify for Robert at his trial, but I would have done so, if I had been asked. I would testify at a hearing today, if I could.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Larry D. Brown Larry D. Brown
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 25th day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 14
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, LILLIE BROWN, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
I first met Robert Brecheen when he went to school in Graham with my kids. Robert was very friendly and would often come to our house. He would come over and sit and talk with me about school, fishing or whatever was on his mind. Whenever I would see him about town, he would always come over and visit with me. I loved Robert. He was always polite and courteous and never any trouble.
*1385I couldn’t believe when Robert was charged with murder. I never saw Robert lose his temper or behave in a violent way. He was so nice and always had a smile for me.
I would have been glad to testify at Robert’s trial, but I was never contacted by anyone or asked to come to the trial. I would be willing to testify at a hearing now, if the opportunity came.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Lillie Brown Lillie Brown
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 25th day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 15
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, JACK E. BROWN, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
I have known Robert Brecheen since 1968 when his family moved from Comanche and we began to go to school together. We became good friends, ran around together and went to town together. Later, we worked at the same place at Hamp Baker Construction Co. Ray Clour Well Service and Lindsay Well Service.
I never knew Robert to be a mean person. I never felt he would do anything to hurt another person or living thing. He was a real good likeable person. He was easy going and very generous with his money and property. If a friend had no money and Robert had money, then they both had money. He was always willing to share anything with anyone.
I was Robert’s boss for a time at Lindsay Well Service. I found him to be a dependable, hard working employee. Everyone liked him. He had several others working under him and he was a good leader and got along well with his crew. He had good control and was able to keep them working by joking and goofing around with them. The crew wanted to work well for Robert because they liked him.
We were all very shocked to hear that he had been charged with murder. I cannot imaging that he could commit such a crime. He was very even tempered. I don’t remember him ever seeing him even get into fights.
No one ever contacted me to ask me to testify for Robert at his trial, but if someone had ever asked me, I would gladly have spoken for Robert Brecheen. I would be happy to have an opportunity to testify as to his character.
Further affiant sayeth not.
/s/ Jack E. Brown Jack E. Brown
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
*1386Exhibit No. 16
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*1387Exhibit No. 17
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*1388Exhibit No. 18
Affidavit
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, Bertha Brown, P.O. Box 2, Graham, OK 73437, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state that the matters set forth below are true and correct.
I have known Robert Breeheen for about 12 years. He went to school with my son and was around our home quite a bit. Robert never caused any trouble and was a good boy.
I did not attend the trial but I do not believe there were any character witnesses called for Robert. I would have testified for Robert but I was never contacted by Robert’s trial attorney.
Further affiant sayeth not.
/s/ Bertha Brown Bertha Brown
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 19
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, DORIS CHATHAM, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath do swear and state as follows:
I have known Robert since about a year before his trial. I met him through my husband, Verdell Chatham.
I remember Robert as a fun-loving young man. We often would see Robert and his girlfriend at the Arbuekle Ballroom. He loved to dance and would dance almost every dance. He was a great dancer and could do the two-step, cotton eyed joe, Paul Jones, and all the other country dances.
Robert was very polite and respectful to everyone. He loved to have a good time and he liked to see others have fun. He would often dress up in a gorilla suit at intermission just to entertain others at the dance. I never saw Robert drunk or out of line.
I was never asked to testify as a character witness at Robert’s trial although I attended the trial every day. I would have been willing to testify, and I would be willing to testify today if I had the opportunity.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Doris Chatham Doris Chatham
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 20
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, Verdell Chatham, of Ratliff City, Oklahoma, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
I have known Robert Breeheen for approximately 12 years. Robert’s father and my son, who is now deceased, worked together at Gulf Oil Company.
Robert was a very likeable kid. It would be hard to keep from liking him. He always had a smile on his face and was always hard working and good natured. I knew Robert’s employer, Gene Smith at Lincoln Rock Company and I knew Robert had the reputation of being a good and hard worker who got along with people real well. Robert had asked me for work at one time, but I had no openings. If I had, I would have hired him because I knew him to be a good worker.
I never knew Robert to be in any trouble or to behave in anyway that was offensive to' anyone. I never saw him drink any hard liquor, never saw him drunk. We socialized some with him at Arbuekle Ballroom and *1389Robert was always dancing and joking and having fun.
P am sure that Robert was not in need of money at the time of the murder. I always had a large sum of money on me and did at that time. I know that Robert would -have come to me if he needed money and I would have been glad to lend it to him.
Robert was always in good company and I never saw him with any low class people, hoodlems or bums. He was always respectful and courteous.
I was never asked to testify at Robert’s trial but I would certainly have done so if I had been asked. I would do so now if I had the opportunity.
I was shocked to hear of the trouble Robert was accused of and find it very hard to believe Robert Brecheen could have committed such a crime, especially since the motive was supposed to be for money.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Verdell Chatham Verdell Chatham
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/23/89
Exhibit No. 21
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, GEORGE ANTHONY DEAN, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath do swear and state as follows:
I have known Robert for approximately 18 years. I first met Robert through Jack Brown when the two' of them were in school. Later I worked with Robert at Ray Clours Well Service.
I knew Robert to be a full loving guy. I never saw him lose his temper or get mad at anything. We also played basketball together and he would come to our home to play cards and other board games.
I do not believe that Robert eommited murder as it is not in his character. He did not have a mean streak and I always found him to be generous and good. If he had money and a friend had no money, he would share.
I was never contacted by Robert’s attorney or asked to testify as a character witness. I would have testified for him if I had been asked to. I would testify now if I had the opportunity.
Further affiant sayeth not.
/s/ George A. Dean George A. Dean
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires: •
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 22
Affidavit
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, LOYCE DEAN, Box 21109, Healdton, Oklahoma, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state that the matters set forth below are true and correct.
I have known Robert Brecheen for approximately 20 to 25 years, as he attended school with my younger brother and was often in our home. Later, Robert worked with my husband in the oil field business. Also, Robert was employed with the Pride Well Service Co. while I was also employed there.
I found Robert to be a happy, carefree young man who was very popular and well liked. I never knew Robert to be violent or cruel in any way and there is no way I could ever believe that he could cold-bloodedly kill someone. He was never even involved in the usual arguments or fights as a kid. Robert was always polite, courteous, and kind heart-ed. I was shocked when I learned of the charges against him and even more shocked *1390when he was found guilty. I could not believe he was given the death penalty when so many other admitted murderers are given a life sentence.
I was never contacted before or during Robert’s trial or asked to testify by any attorney, but I would have been glad to testify for Robert if I had been contacted. I know he didn’t get a fair trial.
Further affiant sayeth not.
/s/ Loyce Dean Loyce Dean
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 23
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, MILES DOUGLAS, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath do swear and state as follows:
I have known Robert Brecheen for about 15 years, ever since he and his family moved to Springer from Comanche. I was Robert’s school bus driver from about 1971 until 1974. During that time, I never had any trouble from Robert. I never heard of Robert ever having a harsh word for anyone. He was polite and respectful and was always helpful on the bus. During recess he would go out and sweep out the bus without anyone ever asking him to do so. He often would help the younger children off and onto the bus. Often he would take the smaller kids across the road.
I never heard of Robert being in any trouble with the law or at school. He often came by my house and whatever work I was doing, carpentry, yard work or gardening, Robert would just start right to work helping me out. Robert would just come by if he had been fishing and had caught any fish, and he would give the fish to me if I would take them.
Robert was a fine young man, who was very friendly and helpful. I never was contacted or asked to testify as a character witness, but if I had been I would have been glad to testify. I would be glad to testify now if I had the opportunity.
Further affiant sayeth now.
/s/ Miles Douglas Miles Douglas
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 24
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, Gregory Lynn Johnson, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
I met Robert Brecheen when we were in the 7th grade, when his family moved to Springer from Comanche. We became friends right away as he was the kind of person you could quickly take a liking to. Robert was a very good student and never had any problems in school, with teachers or with any of the other kids. Everyone liked him and he got along with them all.
Robert and I spent a lot of time together. We worked together on a lot of projects, including building a bunkhouse on the Bre-cheen property. We also built a rent house for Dan and Velma Roberts. We played basketball together. Robert was a hard worker. Robert and I talked a lot about sports, mostly basketball and football. We went fishing a few times, but mostly we worked together after school and in the summertime. We cleaned up the schools and the grounds for a little extra money.
I cannot believe that Robert could commit a murder because it just was not in his makeup or personality to do such a thing.
*1391Robert and I were involved in 4-H Club for several years. We learned to graft trees in order to get larger pecans. We then did demonstrations at other clubs to show how it was done.
Robert and I were also involved in track. Robert was a long distance runner and was pretty good. We had a track meet at least once a year and we always looked forward to that.
Exhibit No. 25 State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, JAMES MIMS, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
While Robert Brecheen was in the Carter County Jail awaiting trial, I happened to be arrested for DUI and placed in the same jail. Robert recognized me as he knew my brother, Alvie Mims. I was in jail overnight and Robert and I had a long conversation. He gave me some cigarettes and he told me he did not commit the crime he had been accused of.
While I was there I never saw Robert in any kind of trouble with the jailers or guards.
I had know Robert slightly before this happened as he would come down on Main Street in Ardmore and shoot pool. To me, he seemed like a friendly and nice person. I never saw him in any trouble and I never saw him behave in a mean way.
Further, affiant saieth not.
/s/ James Mims James Mims
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 26
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, THERESE NEEDHAM, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
I met Robert Brecheen when he worked with my husband at Lindsay Well Service. He would stop by our house to visit with my husband. He was always a happy go lucky fellow, jolly and even tempered. I trusted him and would trust him today with my life.
Robert often helped out around our house with whatever chores needed to be done. He would cut wood, or help out in anyway he could. He was always there when we needed him. Often he would just stop by to say hello and see if anything needed doing.
I would have been glad to testify as a character witness for Robert, but I was never contacted by anyone about it. I would be glad to testify now if it were possible.
Further, affiant sayeth not.
/s/ Therese Needham Therese Needham
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires: 2/22/89
Exhibit No. 27
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, RICHARD LEE NEEDHAM, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
I met Robert Brecheen in 1976 when I moved to Oklahoma from New Hampshire. I began to work for Lindsay Well Service and Robert and I worked the same crew. Robert was the supervisor and was a very hard worker. He was well liked by all the crew and never lost his temper or picked fights. I never saw him to show any violent *1392tendencies. I never knew him to have any trouble with anyone.
We worked out of town together and often shared a motel room when we were working. Robert liked to have a good time, joke around and have fun. We would go out together and have a pretty good time. I never saw him get in any fights, or get mad about anything.
Robert knew my parents and would often visit in their home for several hours at a time, just talking and visiting. He also helped out around the house with whatever needed to be done.
I would have testified for Robert at his trial if I had been asked to do so, but I was never contacted or asked to come to the trial. I would testify now if I could.
Further affiant sayeth not.
/s/ Richard Lee Needham Richard Lee Needham
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23 day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 28
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, Glen Ray Needham, of HC 63, Box 50, Graham, Oklahoma, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
I moved from New Hampshire in 1976 to Oklahoma and went to work as a mechanic. I met Robert Breeheen when we both worked at Lindsay Well Service. Robert was a rig operator. Robert was very reliable and dependable and never lost his temper or got into fights. I always knew Robert as a jolly, happy boy. He was a good friend and was always willing to help folks out if needed. He helped us many times around the house, cutting wood or helping with any other type of chore that needed doing. He would always make it a point to visit us at least once a year after he was older, usually at Christmastime.
I was never contacted by Robert’s attorney or asked to testify in his behalf. I would have been glad to testify if I had been called and would testify now if I could.
Robert is a good young man and I still don’t think he did it and I don’t think he should have got the death penalty.
Further, affiant saieth not.
/s/ Glen Ray Needham Glen Ray Needham
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 29
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I Glenn Robert Needham, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
My family moved from New Hampshire in 1976 to Graham Oklahoma. I met Robert Breeheen when my brother Richard started working for Lindsay Well Service. Robert was one of the first people to visit our place and help us get settled. He helped cut and stack firewood and helped dig our septic tank hole and lateral lines. He was always ready to help whenever anything needed to be done.
Even when he was older, Robert would always come by our house at Christmas time to say hello and visit.
I would have testified at Robert’s trial if anyone had asked me, but noone ever did. I would testify now if I was asked to do so.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Glenn Robert Needham Glenn Robert Needham
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of April, 1988.
*1393/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/88
Exhibit No. 30
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, Simel Pickens, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath do swear and state as follows:
I have known Robert Brecheen for years, since he and my son were in school in Graham together. Robert was a good boy, good natured and never in any trouble. I never knew him to be any trouble or to be violent in any way.
Robert came to our house often and I came up to their house to help Robert work the garden. Robert was always available to help me whenever I needed help or whenever I asked for his help.
No one ever asked me to testify as a character witness but I would have done so if I had been contacted. I would be willing to testify today for Robert if I had a chance. I was surprised when I learned of Robert’s troubles because Robert is not the type to have done what they say he done. I think he was framed because I don’t think he did it.
Further affiant sayeth not.
/s/ Simel Pickens Simel Pickens
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 28rd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
Exhibit No. 31
Affidavit
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, DOVIE SMITHERS, P.O. Box 193, Springer, Oklahoma, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state as follows:
I have known Robert Brecheen since 1965 as he attended school and church with my children in Milo. He often visited our home overnight. I have never known Robert to cause any trouble. He was always quiet, well-behaved and very courteous.
I was never contacted by Robert’s attorney or asked to testify at his trial. If I had been asked, I would have been willing to testify in Robert’s behalf. I would have wanted to tell the jury that even if Robert committed this crime, he is a kind person and deserves a second chance.
Further, affiant sayeth not.
/s/ Dovie Springer Dovie Springer
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 22nd day of April, 1988.
/s/ Signature Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
May 22, 1991
Exhibit No. 32 State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, LESSIE TRAVIS WRIGHT, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath do swear and state as follows:
I remember when Robert Brecheen and his family first moved to Springer, they moved near to my home and Robert began going to school with my boys. Robert would come over to our house and play with my boys. Every time I met Robert, he was the same person every time. He was real nice. I never knowed him to be in a fight or lose his temper. He was always willing to pitch in and help with whatever chore my boys were doing, cutting wood, unloading the trucks or whatever. He was always polite and respectful. He was very good natured and always seemed to be in a good mood.
*1394I felt very bad when I heard about the murder charge. I just couldn’t believe that Robert would do such a thing.
I would have wanted to testify at Robert’s trial if I knew it would help Robert, but I was never asked to do so. I would gladly testify now if I had the opportunity.
Further affiant saieth not.
/s/ Lessie Travis Wright Lessie Travis Wright
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 25th day of April, 1988.
/s/ Karen Billing Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
2/22/89
AFFIDAVIT
State of Oklahoma
County of ___
I, B. Brian Leitch, III, of lawful age and being first duly sworn upon oath, do swear and state that the matters set forth below are true and correct.
For several years, from approximately the summer of 1978 through the early part of 1982,1 got to know Robert Brecheen personally, and in fact got to know his mother and father very well. I spent a lot of time with them in Oklahoma, both on business and socially.
During that time, I was involved in the drilling of some oil wells between Sulphur and Davis, Oklahoma, and at one time, I was contemplating the purchase of a completion rig and putting Robert into business.
Robert always struck me as the kind of individual who could get along well with both the blue collar working type of individual and the white collar executive type of individual. He seemed to be confident and relaxed in any social situation and was able to mingle and socialize very well with all of us. Robert traveled with me and the president of the company in our private airplane from Dallas to Houston to look at completion rigs. Robert struck me as the kind of individual who could lead other individuals and that is why I considered putting him into business. In fact, three other businessmen here in Dallas who are very successful and myself were planning to buy a completion rig at an approximate cost of $500,000 and put Robert into business. We would have done so had the bottom not fallen out of the oil business at about that time and the need for completion rigs believe it at this time. I thought enough of Robert that I personally drove to Ardmore to visit him in jail and to talk with his mother. Knowing Robert as I did, I still find it impossible to believe that he could be involved in such a thing.
I would gladly have testified as a character witness at Robert’s trial, but I was never contacted by his trial counsel.
Further affiant sayeth not.
/s/ B. Brian Leitch III B. Brian Leitch III Attorney at Law 210 Adolphus Tower 1412 Main Street Dallas, TX 75202
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 30th day of June, 1988.
/s/ Ann Francis Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
September 30, 1988
AFFIDAVIT
State of Oklahoma
County of Carter
I, David Fuller, being of lawful age, after first being duly sworn, do hereby state the following:
I worked with Robert A. Brecheen at Lincoln Rock. After he was charged with murder, I visited him in the county jail. Prior to his arrest, Robert had been a guest in my home. We often played cards and dominoes together. Robert was liked by both my wife and child. Robert had visited in my home seven or eight times.
During Robert’s trial, I wanted to let him know that I was still his friend. On the day *1395he was found guilty and the jury imposed the death sentence, I was present at the Carter County Courthouse for his trial. On that day, his attorney, Gary Sleeper, asked me if I would testify for Robert. I told the' attorney that I would testify that Robert was not a violent person and that he had visited in my home and was liked by me and my family. I told Gary Sleeper that, despite the fact that Robert and I had had a disagreement on one occasion about who was supposed to check an oil well, I still considered him a friend and did not believe he was a killer. Mr. Sleeper did not call me to testify.
In a telephone conversation with Gloyd McCoy, Robert Brecheen’s present attorney, I related that I believed Robert Brecheen was a “god-fearing man”. I also told Mr. McCoy that if I had had the money at the time of the trial of Robert Brecheen, I would have given it to Robert to hire an attorney.
Further affiant sayeth not.
/s/ David Fuller, David Fuller
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 10 day of August, 1988.
/s/ Signature Notary
My Commission Expires:
March 2, 1991

AFFIDAVIT

County of Harris
State of Texas
I, R.W. Oglesby, being of legal age, do solemnly swear and state as follows:
I am a retired store owner who has known Robert Allen Brecheen all his life; he is, and always has been, a fine upstanding man; I would have testified to his character at trial if his attorney had asked me to do so.
Further affiant saith not.
/s/ R.W. Oglesby (Name)
Subscribed and sworn to me on this the 26th day of November, 1986.
/s/ Signature Notary Public
My commission expires:
11-30-88

AFFIDAVIT

County of Carter
State of Oklahoma
I, Patricia Smithers, being of legal age, do solemnly swear and state as follows:
I first met Robert Brecheen at the Milo Baptist Church in the spring of 1969; my sisters and I had just moved to Milo to live with our grandmother, we sat with her at church; I noticed the “youth group” sat together in the back in the back three pews; Robert [Brecheen] asked us to join them, he was a real nice fellow; we had ice cream socials and watermelon feasts and youth rallies; I got to know him real well; he and his brothers and sisters would come to our house for homemade pizza or spaghetti; my sisters and I would go to their house for dinner, too; we played alot of basketball in the backyard, the goal was nailed to the barn; some of the kids did not want my little sister to play because she is mentally retarded, but Robert [Brecheen] would make them let her play; he’d keep them from making fun of her, he had a good sense of fair play;
I would have testified as to his good character if his trial attorney had asked me to do so.
Further affiant saith not.
/s/ Patricia Smithers (Name)
Subscribed and sworn to me on this the 24th day of November, 1986.
/s/ Elaine Harrison Notary Public
My commission expires:
10-31-89
*1396■AFFIDAVIT County of_
State of Oklahoma
I, S.M. Stevenson, being of legal age, do solemnly swear and state as follows:
I am a retired minister who has known Robert Allen Breeheen for the past thirteen years; he has always conducted himself in wonderfully manly fashion; I would have testified to his fine character at trial if his attorney had asked me to do so.
Further affiant saith not.
/s/ S.M. Stevenson (Name)
Subscribed and sworn to me on this the 24th day of November, 1986.
/s/ Teresa Johnson Notary Public
My commission expires:
3-6-89
AFFIDAVIT County of_
State of Oklahoma
I, Larry Babcock, being of legal age, do solemnly swear and state as follows:
I have known Robert Allen Breeheen for 16 years; I would have testified to his good character at trial if his attorney had asked me to do so.
Further affiant saith not.
/s/ Larry Babcock (Name)
Subscribed and sworn to me on this the 30th day of November, 1986.
/s/ Sandra G. Babcock Notary Public
My commission expires:
3-7-87
AFFIDAVIT County of_
State of Oklahoma
I, Sandra Babcock, being of legal age, do solemnly swear and state as follows:
I have known Robert Allen Breeheen for the past eighteen years; we went to school together, and also attended many of the same church functions; I would have testified in his behalf at his trial if his attorney had asked me to do so.
Further affiant saith not.
/s/ Sandra Babcock (Name)
Subscribed and sworn to me on this the 30th day of November, 1986.
/s/ Sandra G. Babcock Notary Public
My commission expires:
3-7-87

. Most of the affidavits submitted on Brecheen's behalf state that Sleeper did not contact the affiants for information or to testify at the penalty phase. Sleeper did not dispute this.

. It is true that Sleeper had hired an investigator. However, a review of the record shows that the investigator was hired to investigate the circumstances of the crime, not Brecheen’s background. See Evidentiary Hearing Transcript at 23-25.