mickens taylor warden argued november decided march virginia jury convicted petitioner premeditated murder timothy hall following commission attempted forcible sodomy sentenced petitioner death petitioner filed federal habeas petition alleging inter alia denied effective assistance counsel one attorneys conflict interest trial petitioner lead attorney bryan saunders represented hall assault charges time murder juvenile judge dismissed charges hall later appointed saunders represent petitioner saunders disclose petitioner previously represented hall district denied habeas relief en banc majority fourth circuit affirmed majority rejected petitioner argument juvenile judge failure inquire potential conflict either mandated automatic reversal conviction relieved burden showing conflict interest adversely affected representation concluded petitioner demonstrated adverse effect held order demonstrate sixth amendment violation trial fails inquire potential conflict interest knew reasonably known defendant must establish conflict interest adversely affected counsel performance pp defendant alleging ineffective assistance generally must demonstrate reasonable probability counsel unprofessional errors result proceeding different strickland washington exception general rule presumes probable effect upon outcome assistance counsel denied entirely critical stage proceeding held several cases circumstances magnitude cronic may also arise defendant attorney actively represented conflicting interests holloway arkansas created automatic reversal rule counsel forced represent codefendants timely objection unless trial determined conflict cuyler sullivan declined extend holloway held absent objection defendant must demonstrate conflict interest actually affected adequacy representation granted certiorari consider violation remanded trial determine whether conflict interest record strongly suggested actually existed pp rejects petitioner argument remand instruction wood directing trial grant new hearing determined actual conflict interest existed established trial judge neglects duty inquire potential conflict defendant obtain reversal need show lawyer subject conflict interest conflict adversely affected counsel performance used remand instruction actual conflict interest meant precisely conflict affected counsel performance opposed mere theoretical division loyalties shorthand sullivan statement defendant shows conflict interest actually affected adequacy representation need demonstrate prejudice order obtain relief emphasis added notion wood created new rule sub silentio implausible moreover petitioner proposed rule automatic reversal makes little policy sense thus void conviction petitioner establish minimum conflict interest adversely affected counsel performance fourth circuit found effect denial habeas relief must affirmed pp case presented argued assumption absent exception failure inquire sullivan applicable conflict rooted counsel obligations former clients rule upon correctness assumption pp affirmed scalia delivered opinion rehnquist kennedy thomas joined kennedy filed concurring opinion joined stevens filed dissenting opinion souter filed dissenting opinion breyer filed dissenting opinion ginsburg joined walter mickens petitioner john taylor warden writ certiorari appeals fourth circuit march justice scalia delivered opinion question presented case defendant must show order demonstrate sixth amendment violation trial fails inquire potential conflict interest knew reasonably known virginia jury convicted petitioner mickens premeditated murder timothy hall following commission attempted forcible sodomy finding murder outrageously wantonly vile sentenced petitioner death june mickens filed petition writ habeas corpus see ed supp district eastern district virginia alleging inter alia denied effective assistance counsel one attorneys conflict interest trial federal habeas counsel discovered petitioner lead trial attorney bryan saunders representing hall victim assault charges time murder saunders appointed represent hall juvenile march met minutes time following week hall body discovered march four days later juvenile judge dismissed charges noting docket sheet hall deceased docket sheet also listed saunders hall counsel april judge appointed saunders represent petitioner saunders disclose petitioner previously represented hall virginia law juvenile case files confidential may generally disclosed without order see code ann petitioner learned saunders prior representation clerk mistakenly produced hall file federal habeas counsel district held evidentiary hearing denied petitioner habeas petition divided panel appeals fourth circuit reversed appeals granted rehearing en banc initial matter en banc majority determined petitioner failure raise claim state preclude review concluding petitioner established cause inquiry prejudice purposes excusing petitioner default incorporates test evaluating underlying conflict interest claim merits appeals assumed juvenile judge neglected duty inquire potential conflict rejected petitioner argument failure either mandated automatic reversal conviction relieved burden showing conflict interest adversely affected representation relying cuyler sullivan held defendant must show actual conflict interest adverse effect even trial failed inquire potential conflict reasonably known concluding petitioner demonstrated adverse effect affirmed district denial habeas relief granted stay execution petitioner sentence granted certiorari ii sixth amendment provides criminal defendant shall right assistance counsel defence right accorded said sake effect ability accused receive fair trial cronic follows assistance ineffective preserving fairness meet constitutional mandate see strickland washington also follows defects assistance probable effect upon trial outcome establish constitutional violation general matter defendant alleging sixth amendment violation must demonstrate reasonable probability counsel unprofessional errors result proceeding different exception general rule spared defendant need showing probable effect upon outcome simply presumed effect assistance counsel denied entirely critical stage proceeding occurred likelihood verdict unreliable high inquiry unnecessary see cronic supra see also geders gideon wainwright circumstances magnitude forgo individual inquiry whether counsel inadequate performance undermined reliability verdict cronic supra held several cases circumstances magnitude may also arise defendant attorney actively represented conflicting interests nub question us whether principle established cases provides exception general rule strickland circumstances present case answer question must examine cases holloway arkansas defense counsel objected adequately represent divergent interests three codefendants without inquiry trial denied counsel motions appointment separate counsel refused allow counsel defendants behalf two holloway deferred judgment counsel regarding existence disabling conflict recognizing defense attorney best position determine conflict exists ethical obligation advise problem declarations virtually made oath internal quotation marks omitted holloway presumed moreover conflict defendant counsel tried avoid timely objections joint representation undermined adversarial process presumption justified joint representation conflicting interests inherently suspect counsel conflicting obligations multiple defendants effectively sea lips crucial matters make difficult measure precise harm arising counsel errors holloway thus creates automatic reversal rule defense counsel forced represent codefendants timely objection unless trial determined conflict henever trial improperly requires joint representation timely objection reversal automatic cuyler sullivan respondent one three defendants accused murder tried separately represented counsel neither counsel anyone else objected multiple representation counsel opening argument sullivan trial suggested interests defendants aligned declined extend holloway automatic reversal rule situation held absent objection defendant must demonstrate conflict interest actually affected adequacy representation addition describing defendant burden proof sullivan addressed separately trial duty inquire propriety multiple representation construing holloway require inquiry trial knows reasonably know particular conflict exists confused trial aware vague unspecified possibility conflict inheres almost every instance multiple representation sullivan special circumstances triggered trial duty inquire finally wood georgia three indigent defendants convicted distributing obscene materials probation revoked failure make requisite monthly payments fines granted certiorari consider whether violated equal protection clause course consideration certain disturbing circumstances came attention hearing times since arrest defendants represented lawyer employer owner business purveyed obscenity employer paid attorney fees employer promised employees pay fines generally kept promise done defendants case record suggested employer interest establishing favorable precedent reducing fines pay indigent employees future diverged defendants interest obtaining leniency paying lesser fines avoid imprisonment moreover possibility counsel actively representing conflicting interests employer defendants sufficiently apparent time revocation hearing impose upon duty inquire record us sure whether counsel influenced basic strategic decisions interests employer hired remanded trial determine whether conflict interest record strongly suggests actually existed petitioner argues remand instruction wood established unambiguous rule trial judge neglects duty inquire potential conflict defendant obtain reversal judgment need show lawyer subject conflict interest need show conflict adversely affected counsel performance brief petitioner relies upon language remand instruction directing trial grant new revocation hearing determines actual conflict interest existed wood without requiring determination conflict adversely affected counsel performance used remand instruction however think actual conflict interest meant precisely conflict affected counsel performance opposed mere theoretical division loyalties shorthand statement sullivan defendant shows conflict interest actually affected adequacy representation need demonstrate prejudice order obtain relief emphasis added interpretation consistent wood earlier description decide case without remand record us sure whether counsel influenced basic strategic decisions interests employer hired case due process rights petitioners respected emphasis added notion wood created new rule sub silentio case certiorari granted entirely different question parties neither briefed argued issue petitioner proposed rule automatic reversal existed conflict affect counsel performance trial judge failed make inquiry makes little policy sense discussed rule applied trial judge aware conflict thus obligated inquire prejudice presumed conflict significantly affected counsel performance thereby rendering verdict unreliable even though strickland prejudice shown see sullivan supra trial awareness potential conflict neither renders likely counsel performance significantly affected way renders verdict unreliable cf cronic trial judge failure make inquiry often make harder reviewing courts determine conflict effect particularly since courts may rely evidence testimony whose importance becomes established trial finally automatic reversal simply appropriate means enforcing sullivan mandate inquiry despite justice souter belief must threat sanction risk conferring windfall upon defendant order induce resolutely obdurate trial judges follow law post presume judges careless partial police officers need incentive exclusionary rule see leon event sullivan standard requires proof effect upon representation effect shown presumes prejudice already creates incentive inquire potential conflict cases potential conflict fact actual one inquiry enable judge avoid possibility reversal either seeking waiver replacing conflicted attorney doubt deterrence judicial dereliction achieved automatic reversal rule significantly greater since case holloway counsel protested inability simultaneously represent multiple defendants since trial failure make inquiry reduce petitioner burden proof least necessary void conviction petitioner establish conflict interest adversely affected counsel performance appeals found effect see denial habeas relief must affirmed iii lest today holding misconstrued note question presented effect trial failure inquire potential conflict upon sullivan rule deficient performance counsel must shown case presented argued assumption absent exception failure inquire sullivan applicable requiring showing defective performance requiring addition strickland cases showing probable effect upon outcome trial assumption unreasonable light holdings courts appeals applied sullivan unblinkingly kinds alleged attorney ethical conflicts beets scott en banc invoked sullivan standard conflict rooted counsel obligations former clients see perillo johnson freund butterworth mannhalt reed young even representation defendant somehow implicates counsel personal financial interests including book deal hearst job prosecutor office garcia bunnell teaching classes internal revenue service agents michaud romantic entanglement prosecutor summerlin stewart fear antagonizing trial judge sayan cadc must said however language sullivan clearly establish indeed even support expansive application ntil said defendant shows counsel actively represented conflicting interests established constitutional predicate claim ineffective assistance emphasis added sullivan see holloway see stressed high probability prejudice arising multiple concurrent representation difficulty proving prejudice see also geer representation multiple criminal defendants conflicts interest professional responsibilities defense attorney rev lowenthal joint representation criminal cases critical appraisal rev attorney conflicts present comparable difficulties thus federal rules criminal procedure treat concurrent representation prior representation differently requiring trial inquire likelihood conflict whenever jointly charged defendants represented single attorney rule counsel previously represented another defendant substantially related matter even trial aware prior see sullivan supra citing rule suggest one ethical duty less important another purpose holloway sullivan exceptions ordinary requirements strickland however enforce canons legal ethics apply needed prophylaxis situations strickland evidently inadequate assure vindication defendant sixth amendment right counsel see nix whiteside reach ethical standard necessarily make denial sixth amendment guarantee assistance counsel resolving case grounds presented us rule upon need sullivan prophylaxis cases successive representation whether sullivan extended cases remains far jurisprudence concerned open question reasons stated judgment appeals affirmed walter mickens petitioner john taylor warden writ certiorari appeals fourth circuit march justice kennedy justice joins concurring comprehensive analysis said necessary address issues raised question presented join opinion full trial judge failure inquire suspected conflict kind error requiring presumption prejudice grant certiorari second question presented petitioner whether rejected proposed presumption nonetheless established conflict interest adversely affected representation write separately emphasize facts case well illustrate wooden rule requiring reversal inappropriate cases like one petitioner request district conducted evidentiary hearing conflict claim issued thorough opinion found counsel brief representation victim effect whatsoever course petitioner trial see mickens greene supp ed district findings depend upon credibility judgments made hearing testimony petitioner counsel bryan saunders witnesses reviewing role speculate counsel motives plausibility alternative litigation strategies role defer district factual findings unless conclude clearly erroneous see lackawanna county district attorney coss opinion district found saunders believe obligation former client timothy hall interfere litigation see supp concludes factual matter saunders believe continuing duties former client might interfere consideration facts options current client internal quotation marks alteration omitted although district concluded saunders probably learn matters confidential found nothing attorney learned relevant subsequent murder case see ibid record confirms saunders learn confidential information hall relevant mickens defense either merits sentencing emphasis deleted indeed even saunders learned relevant information district found labored impression continuing duty deceased client see record reflects far saunders concerned allegiance hall nded walked courtroom told dead case quoting hearing tr saunders belief may mistaken establishes prior representation influence choices made course trial conclusion good example inquiry required rather simply adopting automatic rule reversal petitioner description roads taken entail two degrees speculation required assume saunders believed continuing duty victim required consider whether hypothetical case counsel blocked pursuing alternative defense strategy district concluded prosecution case coupled defendant insistence testifying foreclosed strategies suggested petitioner fact according district plausible argument victim consented sexual relations murderer given bruises victim neck blood marks showing victim stabbed sexual intercourse important petitioner insistence testifying trial never met victim see supp record shows facts foreclosed presentation consent plausible alternative defense strategy basic defense guilt phase petitioner scene hardly consistent theory consensual encounter district said counsel alleged dereliction sentencing phase saunders failure attack character victim mother nothing putative conflict interest strategy rejected likely backfire saunders also owed duty hall see record dispels contention failure use negative information hall attributable conflict interest part saunders facts others relied upon district provide compelling evidence theoretical conflict establish constitutional violation even conflict one trial judge known constitutional question must turn whether trial counsel conflict interest hampered representation whether trial judge assiduous taking prophylactic measures otherwise judge duty limited cases attorney suspected harboring conflict interest sixth amendment protects defendant ineffective attorney well conflicted one see strickland washington major departure say trial judge must step every time defense counsel appears providing ineffective assistance indeed precedent support proposition sixth amendment guarantees defendant assistance counsel infringement right must depend deficiency lawyer trial judge reason presume guarantee filled purported conflict effect representation observations join opinion walter mickens petitioner john taylor warden writ certiorari appeals fourth circuit march justice stevens dissenting case raises three uniquely important questions fundamental component criminal justice system constitutional right person accused capital offense effective assistance counsel first whether capital defendant attorney duty disclose representing defendant alleged victim time murder second whether assuming disclosure prior representation capital defendant right refuse appointment conflicted attorney third whether trial judge knows know prior representation duty obtain defendant consent appointing lawyer represent ultimately question presented case whether duties exist violated exist circumstances likely prejudice accused cost litigating effect particular case unjustified cronic first critical stage defense capital case series pretrial meetings accused counsel decide case defended lawyer possibly determine best represent new client unless client willing provide lawyer truthful account relevant facts indigent defendant first meets newly appointed counsel often falsely maintain complete innocence truthful disclosures embarrassing incriminating facts contingent development client confidence undivided loyalty lawyer quite obviously knowledge lawyer represented victim substantial obstacle development confidence equally true lawyer decision conceal important fact new client comparable ramifications suppression communication truncated investigation unavoidably follow decision also make difficult altogether impossible establish necessary level trust characterize delicacy relation attorney case likely mickens misled counsel bryan saunders given fact mickens gave false testimony trial denying involvement crime despite overwhelming evidence killed timothy hall sexual encounter retrospect seems obvious death penalty might avoided acknowledging mickens involvement emphasizing evidence suggesting sexual encounter consensual mickens habeas counsel garnered evidence suggesting hall male prostitute app area hall killed known prostitution evidence hall forced secluded area ultimately murdered unconflicted attorney put forward defense tending show mickens killed hall two engaged consensual sex saunders offered defense crucial omission finding forcible sodomy absolute prerequisite mickens eligibility death course since strategy led conviction noncapital offense counsel unable persuade defendant divulge information necessary support defense ultimately endorse strategy unless earned complete confidence client saunders concealment essential information prior representation victim severe lapse professional duty lawyer duty disclose representation client related instant charge intuitively obvious old profession consider straightforward comment made justice story attorney bound disclose client every adverse retainer even every prior retainer may affect discretion latter man supposed indifferent knowledge facts work directly interests bear freedom choice counsel client employs attorney right presume latter silent point engagements interfere degree exclusive devotion cause confided interest may betray judgment endanger fidelity williams reed cas cc mickens lawyer violation fundamental obligation disclosure indefensible relevance saunders prior representation hall new appointment far important concealed ii defendant found guilty capital offense ensuing proceedings determine whether put death critical every sense word proceedings testimony impact crime victim including testimony character victim may critical effect jury decision payne tennessee lawyer fiduciary relationship deceased client survives client death swidler berlin saunders necessarily labored conflicting obligations irreconcilable duty protect reputation confidences deceased client duty impeach impact evidence presented saunders conflicting obligations deceased client one hand living client unquestionably sufficient give mickens right insist different right counsel guaranteed constitution contemplates services attorney devoted solely interests client von moltke gillies moreover judgment right counsel firmly protected constitution defendant right recognized faretta california iii indigent defendant unable retain lawyer trial judge appointment counsel critical stage criminal trial point proceeding definition defendant lawyer protect interests must rely entirely judge reason solemn duty judge defendant appears without counsel make thorough inquiry take steps necessary insure fullest protection constitutional right every stage proceedings von moltke duty respect indigent defendants far imperative judge duty investigate possibility conflict arises retained counsel represents either multiple successive defendants true situation retained counsel nless trial knows reasonably know particular conflict exists need initiate inquiry cuyler sullivan true case judge merely reviewing permissibility defendants choice counsel responsible making choice knows know conflict exist duty make thorough inquiry manifest indeed far less compelling circumstances squarely held record discloses possibility conflict interests defendants interests party paying counsel fees constitution imposes duty inquiry judge even objection made wood georgia iv mickens constitutional right services attorney devoted solely interests right violated lawyer represent duty disclose prior representation victim mickens trial judge duty violated mickens counsel trial judge duty make thorough inquiry take steps necessary insure fullest protection right counsel von moltke despite knowledge lawyer prior representation violated duty never know whether mickens received death penalty violations occurred precisely effect saunders representation know receive kind representation constitution guarantees mickens represented never passed bar examination might also unable determine whether impostor educational shortcomings actually affected adequacy representation ante emphasis deleted however surely set aside conviction person represented real lawyer four compelling reasons make setting aside conviction proper remedy case first remedy dictated holdings holloway arkansas cuyler sullivan wood georgia line precedent focus properly upon duty trial judge inquire potential conflict duty triggered either via defense counsel objection case holloway special circumstances whereby serious potential conflict brought attention trial judge sullivan unambiguously stated wood sullivan mandates reversal trial failed make inquiry even though knows reasonably know particular conflict exists reference sullivan shorthand ante rather wood cites sullivan explicitly order make factual distinction circumstance wood judge knows know conflict showing adverse effect required sullivan judge lacked knowledge showing required wood second remedy responds real possibility mickens received death penalty represented counsel critical stage proceeding first met lawyer presume lawyer victim brutal homicide incapable establishing kind relationship defendant essential effective representation third remedy consistent legal profession historic universal condemnation representation conflicting interests without full disclosure consent interested novel na assumption lawyer divided loyalties acceptable unless proved actually affected counsel performance demeaning profession finally justice must satisfy appearance justice offutt setting aside mickens conviction remedy maintain public confidence fairness procedures employed capital cases death different kind punishment may imposed country point view defendant different severity finality point view society action sovereign taking life one citizens also differs dramatically legitimate state action vital importance defendant community decision impose death sentence appear based reason rather caprice emotion gardner florida rule allows state foist murder victim lawyer onto accused capricious poisons integrity adversary system justice respectfully dissent walter mickens petitioner john taylor warden writ certiorari appeals fourth circuit march justice souter dissenting judge knows know counsel criminal defendant facing engaged trial potential conflict interests obliged enquire potential conflict assess threat fairness proceeding see wheat wood georgia cuyler sullivan cf holloway arkansas unless judge finds risk inadequate representation remote concern finds defendant intelligently assumed risk waived potential sixth fourteenth amendment claim inadequate counsel must see lawyer replaced see glasser cf wheat supra advisory committee notes amendments fed rule crim proc district judge reviewing federal habeas petition case found state judge appointed bryan saunders represent petitioner mickens capital murder charge knew known obligations stemming saunders prior representation victim timothy hall potentially conflicted duties entailed defending mickens greene supp ed state judge therefore obliged look extent risk necessary either secure mickens knowing intelligent assumption risk appoint different lawyer state judge however nothing discharge constitutional duty care one case devised remedy judicial dereliction held ensuing judgment conviction must reversed defendant afforded new trial holloway supra see also wood supra result today holds instead mickens denied remedy saunders failed employ formal objection means bringing home appointing judge risk conflict ante without objection majority holds mickens get relief absent showing risk turned actual conflict adverse effect representation provided mickens trial ibid objection matter even without objection state judge knew known risk therefore obliged enquire objection added obligation state judge failed honor majority says circumstances like us already held objection necessary reversal absent proof actual conflict adverse effect case calls simply application precedent albeit precedent clearly stated ante majority position error resting mistaken reading cases three point holloway arkansas supra cuyler sullivan supra wood georgia supra holloway trial judge appointed one public defender represent three criminal defendants tried jointly three weeks trial counsel moved separate representation held hearing denied motion ibid lawyer moved appointment separate counsel jury empanelled ground one two defendants considering testifying trial event one lawyer ability inhibited denied motion ibid prosecution rested counsel objected joint representation third time advising three defendants decided testify refused appoint separate lawyers defendants gave inconsistent testimony convicted counts held motions apprised trial judge risk continuing joint representation subject defense counsel pending trial impossible obligations simultaneously furthering conflicting interests several defendants reversed convictions basis judge failure respond prospective conflict without showing harm particular rejected argument defendant tried subject disclosed risk show actual prejudice caused subsequent conflict pointed conflicts created multiple representation characteristically deterred lawyer taking step taken unconflicted explained consequent absence footprints often render proof prejudice virtually impossible next came cuyler sullivan involving multiple representation two retained lawyers three defendants jointly indicted separately tried sullivan defendant first trial consented joint representation lawyers retained two accused afford counsel ibid sullivan convicted murder two acquitted subsequent trials counsel made objection multiple representation trial ibid convicted defendant argue trial judge otherwise knew known risk described holloway counsel representation might impaired conflicting obligations defendants tried later held multiple representation raise enough risk impaired representation coming trial trigger trial duty enquire absence special circumstances obvious special circumstance objection see holloway supra indeed multiple representation suspect per se counsel best position anticipate risk conflict spoke one point though nothing objection place notice prospective conflict cuyler defendant raised objection trial must demonstrate actual conflict interest adversely affected lawyer performance omitted also explained courts must rely counsel large measure exclusively spoke general terms duty enquire arises trial knows reasonably know particular conflict exists ibid omitted accordingly rest result simply failure counsel object said instead othing circumstances case indicates trial duty inquire whether conflict interest ibid reason held respondent bound show conflict interest actually affected adequacy representation different burdens holloway cuyler defendants consistent features coherent scheme dealing problem conflicted defense counsel prospective risk conflict subject judicial notice treated differently retrospective claim completed proceeding tainted conflict although trial judge derelict duty guard problem comes trial attention potential conflict become actual duty act prospectively assess risk risk remote eliminate render acceptable defendant knowing intelligent waiver duty something general responsibility rule without committing legal error affirmative obligation investigate disclosed possibility defense counsel unable act uncompromised loyalty client judge failure fulfill duty care enquire might necessary holloway remedied vacating defendant subsequent conviction error occurred judge failed act remedy restored defendant position occupied judge taken reasonable steps fulfill obligation problem conflict comes judicial attention prospectively fact defendant must show actual conflict adverse consequence order get relief cuyler supra fairness requires nothing judge fault allowing trial proceed even though fraught hidden risk light majority holds today bears repeating coherent scheme established holloway cuyler nothing legally crucial objection defense counsel tell trial judge conflicting interests may impair adequacy counsel representation counsel objection holloway important fact sufficient put judge notice enquire cases take objection alert trial judge prospective conflict cuyler reaffirmed judge obliged take reasonable prospective action whenever timely objection made also indicated objection required matter law unless trial knows reasonably know particular conflict exists need initiate enquiry made clear beyond cavil months later justice powell justice wrote cuyler opinion explained wood georgia cuyler mandates reversal trial failed make inquiry even though knows reasonably know particular conflict exists emphasis original since district case found state judge notice prospective potential conflict supp case calls nothing application prospective notice rule announced exemplified holloway confirmed cuyler wood remedy judge dereliction duty order vacating conviction affording new trial majority eyes conclusion takes insufficient account wood whatever may sensible scheme staked holloway cuyler defendant burden turning whether apprised conflicts problem prospectively retrospectively majority says wood holds distinction cases counsel objected cases regardless whether trial put notice prospectively way objection record see ante wood according majority trial notice objection record defendant required show actual conflict adverse effect wood easy read believe majority misreads first step toward seeing majority goes wrong recall wood said outright quoted cuyler mandates reversal trial failed make inquiry even though knows reasonably know particular conflict exists statement trial judge obligation like statement cuyler quoted said nothing need objection record true says majority statement dictum disregarded inconsistent wood holding ante polite way saying wood know stated general rule reversal failure enquire notice holloway turned around held failure called reversal defendant demonstrated actual conflict cuyler happened wood hold absence objection cuyler rule governs even judge prospectively notice risk conflicted counsel careful attention wood shows case involve prospective notice risk unrealized held nothing general rule govern circumstances wood decide deal possible conflict interests becomes known trial conclusion trial proceeding may occurred becomes known later habeas judge handed sentences trial set probation months later appeals exhausted held probation revocation proceeding months wood defendants convicted distributing obscene material employees adult bookstore theater trials defended privately retained counsel ordered pay fines sentenced prison terms suspended favor probation condition pay fines installments failed wood indicated end proceeding determine whether probation revoked defendants failure pay judge notice defense counsel might laboring conflict interests defendant employees employer possibly early time sentences originally handed nearly two years earlier app wood georgia mar sentencing see wood supra revocation hearing earlier stages proceedings fines high original sentencing assumption must store theater owner pay defense counsel paid employer least trial state pointed possible conflict judge counsel attacking fines equal protection argument weakened strategy obviously defendants interest requesting reduce fines defer collection enough according wood tell judge defense counsel may acting owner desire test case equal protection rather defendants interests avoiding ruinous fines incarceration ibid significant thus described circumstances putting judge notice complete revocation hearing finished nearly two years sentencing judge knew lawyer relying heavily equal protection instead arguments leniency help defendants noted counsel stated sent letter trial sentencing saying fines defendants afford move obviously defendants interest hand reference equal protection taken reflection employer interest occur end revocation hearing see app brief opposition wood georgia transcript probation revocation hearing wood also knew motion stressing equal protection filed defense counsel two weeks revocation hearing day probation revoked defendants locked app wood georgia joint motions modify conditions probation order filed since view counsel emphasis equal protection claim one facts together put judge notice something amiss since record shows clear counsel favoring equal protection argument earliest close revocation hearing likely day filed motion two weeks later meant judge put notice conflict may actually occurred potential conflict might occur point saw two facts judge needed know determine whether actual disqualifying conflict whether concern interest employer weakened lawyer arguments leniency whether defendants informed conflict waived rights unconflicted counsel course position resolve remaining issues first instance whether lawyer failure press aggressively leniency caused conflicting interest example never explored trial level record consult deciding wood two established procedural models look holloway procedure vacating judge failed enquire prospective conflict cuyler procedure determining whether conflict may well occurred actually occurred adverse effect treating case like cuyler remanding obviously correct choice wood like holloway judge put notice risk trial prospective possibility conflict rather much closer cuyler since notice went conflict one pervaded completed trial proceeding extending two years difference wood cuyler wood signs conflict may occurred clear judge close probation revocation proceeding whereas claim conflict cuyler raised judgment separate habeas proceeding see duty wood judge enquire past happened two years earlier sentencing setting probation months later ensuing failures pay testimony already given revocation hearing like responsibility state federal habeas courts reviewing record cuyler postconviction proceedings see since wood judge duty unlike holloway judge obligation take care future made sense wood impose holloway remedy disposition wood therefore raises doubt consistency wood contrary majority conclusion see ante tension acknowledging rule reversal applied judge fails enquire known risk prospective conflict wood time sending wood case back determination actual past conflict wood simply followed confirmed scheme established holloway cuyler risk conflict appears proceeding held completed judge fails make prospective enquiry remedy vacate subsequent judgment defendant see holloway possibility conflict appear proceeding enquiry must retrospective defendant must show actual conflict adverse effect see cuyler supra wood affect conclusion reached basis holloway cuyler case comes us finding judge appointed saunders knew known risk conflicted owing prior appointment represent victim crime supp see supra therefore follow law settled today vacating conviction affording mickens new trial ii since majority leave law however question whether merit rule adopts treating breaches judge duty enquire prospective conflicts differently depending whether defense counsel explicitly objected distinction irrational face creates scheme incentives judicial vigilance weakest cases presenting greatest risk conflict unfair trial reduces judicial duty enquire many empty words obvious reason reject majority rule starts accepted view trial judge placed notice risk prospective conflict obligation something holloway supra majority expressly repudiate duty see ante clear cavil go without saying best time deal known threat basic guarantee fair trial trial proceeded become unfair see holloway supra glasser judge duty conduct hearing competency stand trial absurd suggest judge sit quiescent face apparent risk lawyer conflict render representation illusory formal trial waste time emotion good deal public money bad enough failure act early raises specter confronted holloway failures part conflicted counsel elude demonstration fact simply often consist happen defendant fairly saddled characteristically difficult burden proving adverse effects conflicted decisions fact judicial system blame tolerating risk conflict burden indefensible judge notice risk nothing much stake matter judge learns whatever point risk anyone paying attention course objection conscientious lawyer suffices put notice holloway probably run cases nothing short objection raise specter trouble sometimes judge need formal objection see risk conflict federal habeas finding case shows supp pretend contrary fact judge never perceive risk unless lawyer points excuse judge breach judicial duty lawyer fallen ethics short competence transforming factually sufficient trigger formal objection legal necessity responding breach judicial duty irrational irrationality mitigated government effort analogize majority objection requirement general rule absence plain error litigants get relief error without objection government amicus argues making formal objection crucial judges ones obliged take care integrity system defendants counsel need inducements help courts timely warnings brief fallacy government argument however books since wood decided see unlikely lawyer conflict interest charge focused concede continued improperly act counsel objection requirement works elsewhere objecting lawyer believes sights error committed judge opposing counsel see vonn slip error judge rule plea colloquy hardly motive depend risk error one created lawyer acting subject risk conflict vacated en banc law conflicted counsel face fact one leading cases arose trial counsel may well kept silent conflicts obtuseness inattention sake deliberately favoring third party interest clients case comes us reason suspect saunders suppressed conflicts sake second fee case getting public attention perceptive conscientious lawyer holloway needs nothing ethical duty induce objection venal lawyer apt reformed general rule says client easier time reversing conviction road lawyer calls attention irrationality taxing defendants heavier burden silent lawyers naturally produces equally irrational scheme incentives operating judges judge duty independent objection described cuyler wood made concrete reversal failure honor plain fact specter reversal failure enquire risk incentive trial judges keep eyes peeled lawyers wittingly otherwise play loose loyalty clients fundamental guarantee fair trial see wheat cf pate reversal remedy state trial judge failure discharge duty ensure competency stand trial incentive needed least defense counsel points risk formal objection needed lawyer keeps risk quite possibly majority rule however precisely latter situation judge incentive take care ebb objection record convicted defendant get relief without showing adverse effect minimizing possibility later reversal consequent inducement judicial makes sense rule makes sense unless real point case eliminate judge constitutional duty entirely cases certainly practical consequence today holding defendant burden prove adverse effect prospect reversal whether judge reason know risk every reason know short explicit latter case duty explicitly described cuyler wood becomes matter words devoid sanction ceases duty duty vanishes sensible regime defendant burden conflict claims took account opportunities ensure conflicted counsel first place convicted defendants two alternative avenues show entitlement relief defendant might first point facts indicating judge knew known particular conflict wood quoting cuyler risk chance play adverse result carry burden show trial judge fallen duty guard conflicts prospectively defendant required show perspective observer looking back allegedly conflicted representation actual conflict interests adverse effect first route preventive meant avoid waste costly litigation risk clear easily avoidable reasonably vigilant trial judge second retrospective markedly heavier burden justified judiciary fault least alleviated dispensing need show prejudice today former system skewed recognizing judicial responsibility judge duty applies holloway objection fails induce resolutely obdurate judge take action upon explicit complaint lawyer facing impossible demands place forsaken judicial obligation expect litigation like case guide added time expense unlikely purchase much confidence judicial respectfully dissent walter mickens petitioner john taylor warden writ certiorari appeals fourth circuit march justice breyer justice ginsburg joins dissenting commonwealth virginia seeks put petitioner walter mickens death appointed represent counsel lawyer time murder representing person mickens accused killing believe case one categorical approach warranted automatic reversal required put matter language previously used appointing lawyer represent mickens commonwealth created structural defect affecting framework within trial sentencing proceeds rather simply error trial process arizona fulminante parties spend great deal time disputing precedents holloway arkansas cuyler sullivan wood georgia resolve case precedents involve significance trial judge failure inquire judge knew known potential conflict majority dissenting opinions dispute meaning cases well although express view time precedents treat claims involving alleged conflict interest matter whether holloway sullivan wood provide sensible coherent framework dealing cases convinced case governed precedents following reasons first kind representational incompatibility egregious face mickens represented murder victim lawyer lawyer represented victim criminal matter lawyer representation victim continued one business day lawyer appointed represent defendant second conflict exacerbated fact occurred capital murder case capital case evidence submitted sides regarding victim character may easily tip scale jury choice life death yet even extensive investigation proceedings often prove difficult impossible determine whether prior representation affected defense counsel decisions regarding example avenues take investigating victim background witnesses call type impeachment undertake arguments make jury language use characterize victim general matter basic strategy adopt sentencing stage given subtle forms prejudice might take consequent difficulty proving actual prejudice significant likelihood nonetheless occur lawyer represents accused killer victim cost litigating existence actual prejudice particular case easily justified cf cronic explaining need categorical approach event actual breakdown adversarial process third commonwealth created conflict first place indeed judge dismissed case victim appointed victim lawyer represent mickens one business day later light judge active role bringing incompatible representation sure concept judge duty inquire thought central case inquiry trial judge shed light conflict obvious face matter namely lawyer represent mickens today lawyer yesterday represented mickens alleged victim criminal case kind breakdown criminal justice system creates minimum appearance proceeding reliably serve function vehicle determination guilt innocence resulting criminal regarded fundamentally fair fulminante supra appearance together likelihood prejudice typical case serious enough warrant categorical rule rule require proof prejudice individual case commonwealth complains argument relies heavily immediate visceral impact learning lawyer previously represented victim current client brief respondent visceral impact however arises obvious unusual nature conflict arises fact commonwealth seeks execute defendant provided defendant lawyer yesterday represented victim view carry death sentence obtained invariably diminis faith fairness integrity criminal justice system young ex rel vuitton et fils plurality opinion cf olano need correct errors seriously affect fairness integrity public reputation judicial say diminish public confidence criminal justice system upon successful functioning system continues depend therefore dissent footnotes justice breyer rejects holloway arkansas cuyler sullivan wood georgia sensible coherent framework dealing case post dissenting opinion proposes instead categorical rule post breakdown criminal justice system creates appearance proceeding reliably serve function vehicle determination guilt innocence resulting criminal punishment regarded fundamentally fair ibid internal quotation marks omitted reversal must decreed without proof prejudice seems us less categorical rule decision restatement issue decided holloway sullivan wood establish framework precisely framework thought identify situations conviction reasonably regarded fundamentally fair believe eminently performs function case hand justice breyer mistaken think otherwise think otherwise proper regard judicial function especially function must lay rules followed innumerable cases unable review counsel propose sensible coherent framework rather merely saying prior representation victim plus capital nature case plus judicial appointment counsel see post strikes producing result regarded fundamentally fair rule law expression ad hoc fairness judgment disagree order circumvent sullivan clear language justice stevens suggests trial must scrutinize representation appointed counsel closely representation retained counsel post dissenting opinion already rejected notion sixth amendment draws distinction proper respect sixth amendment disarms contention defendants retain lawyers entitled less protection defendants state appoints counsel vital guarantee sixth amendment stand little often uninformed decision retain particular lawyer reduce forfeit defendant entitlement constitutional protection cuyler sullivan petitioner longer argues justice souter post dissenting opinion sixth amendment requires reversal conviction without inquiry whether potential conflict judge investigated real compare en banc tr oral arg courts appeals read wood georgia establishing outright reversal mandated trial neglects duty inquire potential conflict interest see campbell rice ciak see brien wood says sullivan preclude raising problem apparent record sullivan mandates reversal trial failed make requisite inquiry wood supra statements made response dissent contention majority opinion gone beyond cuyler sullivan reaching claim raised neither petition certiorari state courts see white dissenting extent mandates reversal statement goes beyond assertion mere jurisdiction reverse dictum dictum inconsistent disposition wood reverse vacate remand trial conduct inquiry omitted justice souter labors suggest wood remand order part coherent scheme post automatic reversal required trial judge fails inquire potential conflict apparent proceeding held completed defendant must demonstrate adverse effect judge fails inquire conflict apparent end proceeding post problem carefully concealed coherent scheme case ever mentioned wood decree automatic reversal even though found possibility conflict interest sufficiently apparent time revocation hearing impose upon duty inquire second emphasis added indeed state actually notified judge potential conflict interest uring probation revocation hearing justice souter statement signs conflict may occurred clear judge close probation revocation proceeding post became apparent counsel neglected strategy obviously defendants interest requesting reduce fines defer collection post accurately phrased effect conflict upon counsel performance clear judge close probation revocation proceeding justice stevens asserts reading presumably justice souter reading well post wrong post wood requires petitioner show real conflict existed affected counsel performance post unambiguously stated conviction must reversed whenever trial fails investigate potential conflict post citing wood explained earlier supra dictum simply contradicts remand order wood used actual conflict interest elsewhere mean required shown sullivan see cronic presumed prejudice counsel labors actual conflict interest see cuyler sullivan used conflict interest mean division loyalties affected counsel performance holloway follows record disclosed stewart failed government witness whose testimony linked glasser conspiracy failed object admission arguably inadmissible evidence failure viewed result stewart desire protect kretske interests thus indicative stewart struggle serve two masters identifying conflict interests declined inquire whether prejudice flowing harmless instead ordered glasser conviction reversed emphasis added thus sullivan standard properly read requiring inquiry actual conflict something separate apart adverse effect actual conflict sixth amendment purposes conflict interest adversely affects counsel performance federal rule criminal procedure provides whenever two defendants jointly charged pursuant rule joined trial pursuant rule represented retained assigned counsel retained assigned counsel associated practice law shall promptly inquire respect joint representation shall personally advise defendant right effective assistance counsel including separate representation unless appears good cause believe conflict interest likely arise shall take measures may appropriate protect defendant right counsel footnotes sixth amendment provides criminal prosecutions accused shall enjoy right assistance counsel defence protection applicable state well federal criminal proceedings gideon wainwright long recognized paramount importance right effective assistance counsel cronic rights accused person right represented counsel far pervasive affects ability assert rights may citation omitted williams reed cas cc discussing necessity full disclosure preservation relationship justice story stated agree doctrine urged bar delicacy relation client attorney duty full frank free disclosure latter every circumstance may presumed material merely interests fair exercise judgment client guilt phase trial judge instructed mickens jury follows find commonwealth failed prove beyond reasonable doubt killing occurred commission subsequent attempted forcible sodomy find malicious willful deliberate premeditated killing shall find defendant guilty first degree murder find defendant guilty first degree murder shall fix punishment imprisonment life specific term imprisonment less twenty years app example time hall death saunders representing hall juvenile charges arising incident involving hall mother sworn warrant hall arrest charging assault battery despite knowledge mickens lawyer offered rebuttal statement submitted hall mother lived boy app group experts legal ethics acting amici curiae submit conflict issue case nonwaivable pursuant standard articulated aba ann model rules professional conduct ed brief legal ethicists et al amici curiae standard test determine conflict whether disinterested lawyer conclude client agree representation circumstances quoting model rule comment unfortunately mickens informed fact appointed attorney lawyer alleged victim questions whether mickens waived conflict consented appointment whether governing standards professional responsibility precluded remain unanswered although conflict case plainly intolerable course suggest every conflict every violation code ethics violation constitution hen defendant chooses lawyer manage present case law tradition may allocate counsel power make binding decisions trial strategy many areas allocation justified however defendant consent outset accept counsel representative unwanted counsel represents defendant tenuous unacceptable legal fiction unless accused acquiesced representation defense presented defense guaranteed constitution real sense defense part iii opinion foray issue implicated question presented dicta sullivan may even apply first place successive representations ante courts appeals however applied sullivan claims successive representation well insidious conflicts arising lawyer see cases cited ante done see wood georgia applying sullivan conflict stemming payment arrangement neither courts appeals applied standard unblinkingly accuses ante rather relied upon principled reason conflict interest whether multiple successive otherwise poses substantial risk lawyer representation materially adversely affected diverging interests loyalties trial judge knows yet fails inquire ircumstanc magnitude likelihood lawyer even fully competent one provide effective assistance small presumption prejudice appropriate without inquiry actual conduct trial cronic dispute us appointing judge knowledge assumed arguendo judge upon hall death dismissed saunders representation hall three days later appointed saunders represent mickens killing hall reasonably known saunders labored potential conflict interest arising previous representation hall assumption challenged disagree assertion inquiry mandated cuyler sullivan aid determination conflict effect ante stated evil counsel advocate finds compelled refrain making difficult judge intelligently impact conflict attorney representation client holloway arkansas adequate inquiry appointing trial judge augment record thereby making easier evaluate impact conflict concedes mickens attorney objected appointment based upon conflict interest trial judge failed inquire reversal without inquiry adverse effect required ante addition ignoring mandate wood reads sullivan narrowly sullivan ask whether objection made order ascertain whether trial duty inquire rather stated othing circumstances case indicates trial duty inquire whether conflict interest provision separate trials sullivan codefendants significantly reduced potential divergence interests participant sullivan trial ever objected multiple representation facts conclude sixth amendment imposed upon trial affirmative duty inquire propriety multiple representation also counter precedent treat sixth amendment challenges involving conflicts interest categorically without inquiry surrounding factual circumstances cronic cited holloway example case involving surrounding circumstances making unlikely lawyer provide effective assistance ineffectiveness properly presumed without inquiry actual performance trial cronic surrounding circumstances present case far egregious requiring reversal either holloway wood appointing judge knew conflict need case decide done judge neither knows know existence intolerable conflict nevertheless argues makes little sense reverse automatically upon showing actual conflict trial judge knows reasonably know potential conflict yet failed inquire trial judge know conflict ante although true defendant faces potential harm result conflict either instance former case committed error latter harm entirely attributable misconduct defense counsel requirement defendant show adverse effect committed error surely justify requirement err rule leads anomalous result analysis defense counsel objects appointment reversal without inquiry adverse effect required ante counsel failure object posed greater lesser threat mickens sixth amendment right saunders objected appointment mickens least apprised conflict every state bar country ethical rule prohibiting lawyer undertaking representation involves conflict interest unless client waived conflict university publications america national reporter legal ethics professional responsibility vols reprinting professional responsibility codes see also aba ann model rule professional responsibility pp comments general proposition loyalty client prohibits undertaking representation directly adverse client without client consent loyalty client also impaired lawyer consider recommend carry appropriate course action client lawyer responsibilities interests footnotes parties dispute appointing judge case knew reasonably known saunders represented hall assault battery charges brought mother separate charge time murder lodging app name bryan saunders large handwritten letters prominently visible appointed lawyer docket sheet four inches judge signed name wrote remove docket def endant deceased judge called saunders next business day ask favor represent person charged killed victim app enough mickens arrest warrants apparently judge appointed saunders charged mickens murder march timothy jason hall white male age mickens greene supp ed judge circumstances thrust unusual position appoint counsel notorious capital case certainly knew reason know possibility saunders representation murder victim start previous business day may created risk impairing representation mickens upcoming murder trial constitutional rule binding state courts thus lenient rule federal rules criminal procedure provides whenever two defendants jointly charged pursuant rule joined trial pursuant rule represented retained assigned counsel retained assigned counsel associated practice law shall promptly inquire respect joint representation shall personally advise defendant right effective assistance counsel including separate representation unless appears good cause believe conflict interest likely arise shall take measures may appropriate protect defendant right counsel see wheat particular conflict clearly referring risk conflict detectable horizon rather actual conflict already adversely affected defendant representation cited quoted holloway arkansas held judge obligated enquire risk prospective conflict reading confirmed cuyler subsequent terminology trial judge cuyler duty enquire particular conflict upon notice multiple representation alone convicted defendant get relief without showing actual conflict adverse effect course judge gets wind conflict trial may enquire directions prospectively assess risk conflict lawyer remains place risk requiring removal mistrial conversely judge may enquire retrospectively see whether conflict actually affected defendant adversely see infra trial judge presided stage proceedings see app wood georgia state indicated defense counsel labored possible conflict interests employer defendants conflict issue wood perspective state objection though relevant fact alerting judge like fact multiple representation cuyler sullivan sufficient put judge notice constitutional duty enquire particular conflict state counsel suggested arguing forgiveness fines owing inability pay defense counsel merely trying protect employer obligation defendants pay fines app brief opposition wood georgia transcript probation revocation hearing forgiveness fines interests employer defendants aligned state lawyer argued nonetheless counsel allegiance employer prevented pressing employer honor obligation pay suggested judge appoint separate counsel enforce judge enquire alleged conflict accepted defense counsel rejoinder conflict relevant hearing whether probation revoked inability pay agreement pay fines violating law surely unenforceable matter public policy majority thus mistaken claim state objection sufficed put notice duty enquire particular conflict interest wood see ante unless majority means say mention imagined conflict sufficient put judge notice duty enquire full universe possible conflicts one point quarter way hearing defense counsel said think universal rule fourteenth amendment constitution legal protection lock accused failure pay fine inability inability pay fine person crucial point honor person like quote bennett versus harper incapable paying fine rather refusing neglecting app brief opposition wood georgia defense counsel also cited two equal protection decisions tate short williams illinois may well meant say equal protection rather legal protection latter fact garbled transcription seems unlikely wood referring statement said counsel pressing constitutional attack rather making arguments leniency made supplement replace appeals leniency based specific financial situations individual defendants phrasing remand instruction confirms conclusion wood perceived duty enquire neglected judge retrospective nature state remand hold hearing determine whether conflict interest record strongly suggests actually existed time probation revocation earlier vantage point another compelling reason suspecting conflict interests fact employer apparently paid appeal counsel argued equal protection question course unknown judge revocation hearing certainly cause reasonable disagreement issue justice white pointed absent relevant evidence record reasonable employer might refused pay defendants longer employees longer owned adult establishments dissenting opinion indeed counsel said longer paid employer representation defendants put probation white dissenting case order vacate commitment order based probation violation perhaps even antecedent fine see majority opinion government contends requiring showing adverse effect cases provide defense disincentive bring conflicts attention trial since remaining silent afford defendant reliable ground reversal event conviction brief amicus curiae argument course force whatsoever case venal conflicted lawyer remains silent personal obtuse lawyer stays silent recognize conflict life depended precisely lawyers presenting danger cases savvy ethical lawyer comply professional duty disclose conflict concerns even assuming unlikely case savvy lawyer recognizes potential conflict know sure whether object timely basis matter professional ethics objection record still reliable factually sufficient trigger judicial duty enquire dereliction result reversal therefore beyond realm reasonable conjecture suggest lawyer forgo objection chance postconviction proceedings may find alternative factual basis giving rise duty enquire lest anyone wary rule requiring reversal failure enquire notice onerous check trial judges survey courts appeals already applying holloway rule cases shows commendable measure restraint respect circumstances fellow judges state federal trial courts finding duty enquire violated truly outrageous cases see campbell rice reversing conviction holloway trial judge failed enquire prosecutor indicated defense counsel arraigned prosecutor office felony drug charges rogers reversing conviction district failed enquire notice counsel defendant alleging police misconduct police commissioner allen finding magistrate judge reasonably enquired joint representation codefendants entered group guilty plea reversing district failed enquire defense counsel later gave list rank ing defendants relative culpability majority rule defendants cases proved actual conflict interests adversely affected representation particularly galling light first two cases majority surprising unnecessary intimation conflicts jurisprudence available somehow less important allege conflicts contexts multiple representation see ante requiring criminal defendant prove conflict adverse effect cases makes sense presumption sixth amendment right ineffective assistance counsel core nothing utilitarian right unprofessional errors detectable effects outcome see ante also follows defects assistance probable effect upon trial outcome establish constitutional violation view exception holloway objection cases turns solely theory harm safely presumed counsel objects avail sign danger see ante strickland washington held specific standard quite appropriate spoke instead sixth amendment right one assistance counsel undermines reliability result proceeding confidence outcome holloway said conflict objection made unheeded conviction must reversed even particular prejudice shown even defendant clearly guilty internal quotation marks citation omitted clear strickland holloway right ineffective assistance counsel much public confidence professionalism lawyers results legal proceedings revelation trusted advocate place client interest interests self others satisfaction professional responsibilities destroy confidence regardless outcome whether adverse effect shown question accepted address issue beyond noting case adverse effect appears compelling least two respects trial saunders admittedly failed even discuss mickens trial strategy reasonable doubt forcible sex element without death sentencing option app see also vein saunders apparently failed follow leads looking evidence victim engaged prostitution even though victim body found mattress area illicit sex common lodging app may doubt whether failures result incompetence litigation strategy rather conflicting duty loyalty victim self avoid professional censure failing disclose conflict risk mickens though strategic choice seems unlikely given saunders even raise possibility consent defense option considered little doubt course second instance alleged adverse effect saunders knew fact victim mother initiated charges assault battery son died saunders appointed defend charges yet saunders nothing counter mother assertion statement given trial judge lived boy see also app saunders failed see mother statement rebutted apparent explanation failure offer rebuttal knew except obtained information victim counsel subject obligation confidentiality