Court Opinion

ID: 9562471
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 18:29:50.306323+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:17:22.086481
License: Public Domain

HUNTER, Judge,
concurring in part and dissenting in part.
I concur with the majority inasmuch as they conclude that defendant’s assignments of error not relating to the ineffective assistance of counsel claim are without merit, but I would dismiss the ineffective assistance of counsel claim without prejudice, allowing defendant to reassert the claim during a subsequent motion for appropriate relief proceeding.
This Court has held that an “ineffective assistance of counsel claim may be brought on direct review ‘when the cold record reveals that no further investigation is required, i.e., claims that may be developed and argued without such ancillary procedures as the appointment of investigators or an evidentiary hearing.’ ” State v. Pulley, 180 N.C. App. 54, 69, 636 S.E.2d 231, 242 (2006) (quoting State v. Fair, 354 N.C. 131, 166, 557 S.E.2d 500, 524 (2001)). However, “[i]f an ineffective assistance of counsel claim is prematurely brought, this Court may dismiss the claim without prejudice, allowing the defendant to reassert the claim during a subsequent motion for appropriate relief proceeding.” Id.
In Pulley, this Court dismissed the defendant’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim without prejudice where the alleged trial counsel errors related to trial strategy. Id. at 70, 636 S.E.2d at 242-43. The rationale behind such dismissals is clear:
To defend against ineffective assistance of counsel allegations, the State must rely on information provided by defendant *517to trial counsel, as well as defendant’s thoughts, concerns, and demeanor. See [State v. Taylor, 327 N.C. 147, 159-60, 393 S.E.2d 801, 809 (1990)] (Meyer, J., dissenting). “[O]nly when all aspects of the relationship are explored can it be determined whether counsel was reasonably likely to render effective assistance.” Id. at 161, 393 S.E.2d at 810 (Meyer, J., dissenting) (citing Harris v. Commonwealth, 688 S.W.2d 338 (Ky. Ct. App. 1984), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 842, 88 L. Ed. 2d 104 (1985)). Thus, superior courts should assess the allegations in light of all the circumstances known to counsel at the time of the representation. Id. (noting that the performance of trial counsel must be analyzed according to the circumstances of each particular case); see also Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 693, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674, 697 (1984) (holding that “an act or omission that is unprofessional in one case may be sound or even brilliant [trial strategy] in another”). On remand of this case, the superior court should take evidence, make findings of fact and conclusions of law, and order review of all files and oral thought patterns of trial counsel and client that are determined to be relevant to defendant’s allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel.
State v. Buckner, 351 N.C. 401, 412, 527 S.E.2d 307, 314 (2000). Simply stated, the trial court is in a better position to determine whether a counsel’s performance: (1) was deficient so as to deprive defendant of “ ‘counsel’ ” guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment; and (2) prejudiced defendant’s defense to such an extent that the trial was unfair and the result unreliable. See State v. Braswell, 312 N.C. 553, 562, 324 S.E.2d 241, 248 (1985) (quoting Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674, 693 (1984)).
Here, defendant alleges errors relating to his trial counsel’s strategy to pursue a defense based on self-defense and not placing defendant on the stand. Accordingly, under Pulley, the proper action would be to dismiss the case without prejudice, allowing defendant to file a motion for appropriate relief with the trial court. Because the trial court is in the best position to review defendant’s counsel’s performance under Braswell in this case, I respectfully dissent from the majority’s opinion regarding defendant’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim.