Court Opinion

ID: 9883878
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-06 02:23:53.133809+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:30:36.007348
License: Public Domain

HUSPENI, Judge
(concurring specially).
While I agree with the result reached by the majority, I would cite as the sole basis for reversal and remand the failure of defense counsel to conduct an investigation.
Defendant waived a jury trial. The fact finder was the trial judge. He was also the presiding judge at the post-conviction hearing. In his post-conviction memorandum he observed:
* * * nothing specific was shown that would have changed the evidence in this case or the result.
While I accept that determination as it pertains to the line-up, to defense counsel’s impeachment of his client, and to the credibility of Maurice Peal, it is impossible to determine what evidence an investigation may have unearthed and what effect that evidence may have had on the trial court sitting as finder of fact.