United States Sixth Circuit

Counsel's representation at the penalty stage of a death penalty case fell far short of prevailing standards of effective assistance of counsel. Total lack of preparation, investigation and understanding of sentencing caused extreme prejudice to the defendant where a large body of mitigating evidence existed.

Appellate Information

• Decided 12/29/2003
• Published 12/29/2003

Judges

• Before MERRITT, BATCHELDER, and GILMAN, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Sixth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• David H. Bodiker,Linda E. Prucha (argued and briefed), Public Defender's Office, Ohio Public Defender Com'n, Columbus, OH, George C. Pappas (briefed), Akron, OH, for Appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Michael L. Collyer (briefed), Office of the Attorney General of Ohio, Cleveland, OH, Jonathan R. Fulkerson, Timothy D. Prichard, Atty. General's Office of Ohio, Capital Crimes Section, Matthew C. Hellman (argued and briefed), for Appellee.