bell warden cone argued march decided may respondent tried tennessee murder elderly couple whose killings culminated crime rampage respondent also committed robbery shot police officer another citizen trial prosecution adduced overwhelming evidence respondent perpetrated crimes killed couple brutal callous fashion defense guilty reason insanity due substance abuse stress disorders related vietnam military service supported expert testimony drug use mother testimony returned vietnam changed person jury found guilty charges next day opening statements sentencing hearing murders prosecution said prove four aggravating factors warranting death penalty defense called jury attention mitigating evidence already defense counsel prosecution witnesses called witnesses junior prosecutor gave closing defense counsel waived final argument prevented lead prosecutor accounts extremely effective advocate arguing rebuttal jury found four aggravating factors mitigating circumstances tennessee law required death sentence state affirmed hearing respondent trial counsel testified state criminal denied petition relief rejecting contention counsel rendered ineffective assistance sentencing phase failing present mitigating evidence waiving final argument affirming state criminal appeals found counsel performance within permissible range competency standard strickland washington subsequently federal district denied respondent federal habeas petition ruling meet requirement state decision contrary involve unreasonable application clearly established federal law sixth circuit reversed respect sentence finding respondent suffered sixth amendment violation prejudice presumed cronic counsel asking mercy prosecutor final argument subject state death penalty call meaningful adversarial testing state adjudication respondent claim therefore unreasonable application clearly established law announced strickland held respondent claim governed strickland state decision neither contrary involved unreasonable application clearly established federal law pp section contrary unreasonable application clauses independent meaning federal habeas may grant relief former clause state applies rule different governing law set forth cases decides case differently done set materially indistinguishable facts williams taylor federal may grant relief latter clause state correctly identifies governing legal principle decisions unreasonably applies particular case application must objectively unreasonable different incorrect satisfy strickland test evaluating claims counsel performed incompetently defendant sentence conviction reversed defendant must prove counsel representation fell objective reasonableness standard reasonable probability counsel unprofessional error proceeding result different cronic identified three situations possible presume prejudice defense respondent argues claim fits within exception cases counsel entirely fails subject prosecution case meaningful adversarial testing state correctly identified strickland principles governing analysis respondent claim merit contention state adjudication contrary clearly established law pp state decision unreasonable application strickland strickland requires defendant overcome presumption challenged action might considered sound trial strategy section requires respondent show state applied strickland case objectively unreasonable manner counsel faced onerous task defending client committed brutal senseless crime despite relatively normal upbringing become drug addict robber counsel reasonably concluded substance medical experts testimony guilt phase still fresh jury sentencing phase respondent mother made good witness guilt stage subjected respondent sister refused testify counsel sound tactical reasons calling respondent counsel also feared prosecution might elicit information respondent criminal history witnesses called testimony respondent normal youth might cut way jury eyes counsel options make closing argument reprise jury primary mitigating evidence plead client life impress upon jury less significant facts knowing give persuasive lead prosecutor chance depict client heartless killer jurors began deliberation prevent lead prosecutor arguing waiving summation relying jurors familiarity case opening plea life made hours neither option clearly outweighs objectively unreasonable state deem choice tactical decision competent lawyers might disagree pp reversed remanded rehnquist delivered opinion scalia kennedy souter thomas ginsburg breyer joined stevens filed dissenting opinion ricky bell warden petitioner gary bradford cone writ certiorari appeals sixth circuit may chief justice rehnquist delivered opinion tennessee appeals rejected respondent claim counsel rendered ineffective assistance sentencing hearing principles announced strickland washington appeals sixth circuit concluded cronic controlled state analysis granted conditional writ habeas corpus hold respondent claim governed strickland state decision neither contrary involved unreasonable application clearly established federal law provisions respondent convicted sentenced death murder elderly couple memphis tennessee killings culminated crime rampage began respondent robbed memphis jewelry store approximately merchandise saturday august shortly robbery police officer unmarked vehicle spotted respondent driving normal speed began follow blocks respondent accelerated prompting chase midtown memphis residential neighborhood respondent abandoned vehicle attempting flee respondent shot officer tried apprehend shot citizen confronted gunpoint demanded another hand car keys police helicopter hovered overhead respondent tried shoot fleeing car owner frustrated gun ammunition throughout afternoon next morning respondent managed elude detection police combed surrounding area meantime officers inventorying car found array illegal prescription drugs stolen merchandise cash respondent reappeared early sunday morning drew gun elderly resident refused let use telephone later afternoon respondent broke home shipley cleopatra todd aged years old killed repeatedly beating head blunt instrument moved bodies visible front rear doors ransacked first floor home shaving beard respondent traveled florida arrested robbing drugstore pompano beach admitted killing todds shooting police officer tennessee grand jury charged respondent two counts murder perpetration burglary connection todds deaths three counts assault intent murder connection shootings attempted shooting car owner one count robbery deadly weapon jewelry store theft jury trial criminal shelby county prosecution adduced overwhelming physical testimonial evidence showing respondent perpetrated crimes killed todds brutal callous fashion defense conceded respondent committed acts question sought prove guilty reason insanity clinical psychologist testified respondent suffered substance abuse posttraumatic stress disorders related military service vietnam neuropharmacologist recounted length respondent history illicit drug use began joined army escalated point daily consuming rather horrific quantities tr drug use according expert caused chronic amphetamine psychosis hallucinations ongoing paranoia affected respondent mental capacity ability obey law defense counsel also called respondent mother spoke son coming back vietnam changed person honorable discharge service graduation honors college deaths father fiancée prison robbery although respondent take stand defense counsel able elicit testimony expressed remorse killings rejecting insanity defense jury found guilty charges punishment murder counts fixed separate sentencing hearing took place next day lasted three hours tennessee law death sentence required jury found unanimously state proved beyond reasonable doubt existence least one statutory aggravating circumstance outweighed mitigating circumstance code ann making determinations jury instructed consider evidence guilt punishment phases ibid tr opening statement state said prove four aggravating factors respondent previously convicted one felonies involving use threat violence person knowingly created great risk death two persons victim act murder murder especially heinous atrocious cruel murder committed purpose avoiding unlawful arrest opening statement defense counsel called jury attention mitigating evidence already suggested respondent influence extreme mental disturbance duress addict whose drug problems stemmed stress military service felt remorse counsel urged jury good reason preserving client life one looked whole man app asked mercy calling blessing raise state level god prosecution called records custodian fingerprint examiner establish respondent three armed robbery convictions two officers said tried unsuccessfully arrest respondent armed robbery jewelry store heist records custodian respondent attorney brought client awarded bronze star vietnam defense counsel successfully objected state proffer photos todds decomposing bodies sides rested junior prosecuting attorney case gave state courts described defense counsel waived final argument preventing lead prosecutor accounts extremely effective advocate arguing rebuttal jury found murder cases four aggravating factors mitigating circumstances substantial enough outweigh tennessee affirmed respondent convictions sentence appeal state cone denied certiorari respondent petitioned state postconviction relief contending counsel rendered ineffective assistance sentencing phase failing present mitigating evidence waiving final argument hearing respondent trial counsel testified division tennessee criminal rejected contention tennessee criminal appeals affirmed cone state appellate reviewed counsel explanations decisions concerning calling witnesses waiving final argument describing counsel representation conscientious concluded performance within permissible range competency citing baxter rose decision tennessee deems announced attorney performance standard strickland washington see state burns also expressed view respondent received death penalty based law facts shortcomings counsel tennessee denied respondent permission appeal denied review cone tennessee second application state postconviction relief dismissed respondent sought federal writ habeas corpus amended antiterrorism effective death penalty act petition alleged numerous grounds relief including ineffective assistance sentencing phase district ruled respondent meet requirements denied petition appeals affirmed refusal issue writ respect respondent conviction reversed respect sentence held respondent suffered sixth amendment violation prejudice presumed cronic counsel asking mercy prosecutor final argument subject state call death penalty meaningful adversarial testing state adjudication respondent sixth amendment claim appeals analysis therefore unreasonable application clearly established law announced strickland granted certiorari reverse appeals ii antiterrorism effective death penalty act modified federal habeas role reviewing state prisoner applications order prevent federal habeas retrials ensure convictions given effect extent possible law see williams taylor ends provides application writ habeas corpus behalf person custody pursuant judgment state shall granted respect claim adjudicated merits state proceedings unless adjudication claim resulted decision contrary involved unreasonable application clearly established federal law determined stated williams contrary unreasonable application clauses independent meaning federal habeas may issue writ contrary clause state applies rule different governing law set forth cases decides case differently done set materially indistinguishable facts may grant relief unreasonable application clause state correctly identifies governing legal principle decisions unreasonably applies facts particular case focus latter inquiry whether state application clearly established federal law objectively unreasonable stressed williams unreasonable application different incorrect one see also federal habeas may issue writ unreasonable application clause simply concludes independent judgment relevant decision applied clearly established federal law erroneously incorrectly petitioner contends appeals exceeded statutory authority grant relief decision tennessee courts neither contrary unreasonable application clearly established law strickland respondent counters entitled relief contrary clause state applied wrong legal rule view cronic strickland governs analysis claim counsel rendered ineffective assistance sentencing hearing address issue first strickland decided day cronic announced test evaluating claims defendant counsel performed incompetently representation defendant defendant sentence conviction reversed reasoned sufficient indication counsel assistance defective enough undermine confidence proceeding result defendant proved two things first counsel representation fell objective standard reasonableness second reasonable probability counsel unprofessional errors result proceeding different without proof deficient performance prejudice defense concluded said sentence conviction resulted breakdown adversary process rendered result proceeding unreliable sentence conviction stand cronic considered whether appeals correct reversing defendant conviction sixth amendment without inquiring counsel actual performance requiring defendant show effect trial determined erred remanded allow claim considered strickland test course deciding question identified three situations implicating right counsel involved circumstances likely prejudice accused cost litigating effect particular case unjustified first ost obvious complete denial counsel trial presumptively unfair said accused denied presence counsel critical stage phrase used hamilton alabama white maryland per curiam denote step criminal proceeding arraignment held significant consequences second posited similar presumption warranted counsel entirely fails subject prosecution case meaningful adversarial testing cronic supra finally said cases like powell alabama counsel called upon render assistance circumstances competent counsel likely defendant need show proceedings affected cronic supra respondent argues claim fits within second exception identified cronic counsel failed mount case life prosecution introduced evidence sentencing hearing gave closing statement brief respondent disagree spoke cronic possibility presuming prejudice based attorney failure test prosecutor case indicated attorney failure must complete said counsel entirely fails subject prosecution case meaningful adversarial testing cronic supra emphasis added respondent argument counsel failed oppose prosecution throughout sentencing proceeding whole counsel failed specific points purposes distinguishing rule strickland cronic difference degree aspects counsel performance challenged respondent failure adduce mitigating evidence waiver closing argument plainly ilk specific attorney errors held subject strickland performance prejudice components darden wainwright example evaluated strickland claim counsel ineffective failing put mitigating evidence capital sentencing hearing burger kemp presented challenge counsel decision capital sentencing hearing offer mitigating evidence hold therefore state correctly identified principles announced strickland governing analysis respondent claim consequently find merit respondent contention state adjudication contrary clearly established law cf williams word contrary commonly understood mean diametrically different opposite character nature mutually quoting webster third new international dictionary iii remaining issue whether respondent obtain relief ground state adjudication claim involved unreasonable application strickland strickland said udicial scrutiny counsel performance must highly deferential every effort must made eliminate distorting effects hindsight reconstruct circumstances counsel challenged conduct evaluate conduct counsel perspective time respondent succeed however must show satisfied strickland test claim analyzed first instance enough convince federal habeas independent judgment decision applied strickland incorrectly see williams supra rather must show tennessee appeals applied strickland facts case objectively unreasonable manner conclude respondent counsel faced formidable task defending client committed horribly brutal senseless crime two elderly persons home day shot police officer unarmed civilian attempted shoot another person committed robbery state near conclusive proof guilt murder charges well extensive evidence demonstrating cruelty killings making situation onerous facts respondent despite high intelligence relatively normal upbringing turned drug addict history robbery convictions defense theory guilt phase guilty reason insanity counsel able put jury extensive testimony believed compelling mitigating evidence case evidence regarding change client underwent serving vietnam drug dependency apparently drove commit robbery first place effects state courts respondent faulted counsel recalling medical experts sentencing hearing think counsel reasonably concluded substance testimony still fresh jury taken stand long counsel focused testimony guilt phase closing argument took place day sentencing hearing held respondent suggestion jury fully consider mental health proof potentially mitigating adduced guilt phase finds support record defense counsel advised jury testimony experts established existence mitigating circumstances trial specifically instructed jury evidence mental disease defect insufficient establish criminal defense considered mitigation tr respondent also assigned error counsel decision recall mother counsel recognized respondent mother provided information respondent childhood spoken love concluded made good witness guilt stage wish subject respondent advances argument call attorney assessment question trial preparations counsel investigated possibility calling witnesses thought respondent sister closest might make good witness want testify even agreed putting stand allowed prosecutor question fact respondent called todds house killings consulting client counsel opted call respondent witness think counsel sound tactical reasons deciding respondent said angry prosecutor thought might lash pressed alienated eyes jury also possibility calling witnesses childhood days army counsel feared prosecution might elicit information respondent criminal feared testimony respondent normal youth might jury eyes cut way respondent also focuses counsel decision waive final argument points counsel explained significance bronze star decoration argues counsel failure advocate life closing necessarily left jury impression deserved die appeals reject ed hand idea waiving summation ever considered sound trial strategy case think least state contrary assessment unreasonable respondent counsel gave opening statement discussing mitigating evidence urging choose life client prosecution put particularly dramatic impressive testimony state witnesses testified rather briefly undisputed facts respondent prior convictions evading arrest junior prosecutor delivered closing dwell brutal aspects crime counsel faced choice make closing argument reprise jury perhaps greater detail opening primary mitigating evidence concerning client drug dependency posttraumatic stress vietnam plead life client impress upon jurors importance believed less significant facts bronze star decoration client expression remorse knew took opportunity give lead prosecutor agreed persuasive chance depict client heartless killer jurors began deliberation alternatively counsel prevent lead prosecutor arguing waiving summation relying jurors familiarity case opening plea life made hours neither option seems us clearly outweighs objectively unreasonable tennessee appeals deem counsel choice waive argument tactical decision competent lawyers might disagree cautioned strickland must indulge strong presumption counsel conduct falls within wide range reasonable professional assistance easy conclude particular act omission counsel unreasonable harsh light hindsight given choices available respondent counsel reasons identified say state application strickland standard objectively unreasonable judgment appeals therefore reversed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered ricky bell warden petitioner gary bradford cone writ certiorari appeals sixth circuit may justice stevens dissenting judgment appeals correctly concluded penalty phase respondent capital murder trial counsel entirely fail ed subject prosecution case meaningful adversarial testing cronic counsel shortcomings included failure interview witnesses provided mitigating evidence failure introduce available mitigating evidence failure make closing argument plea client life conclusion penalty phase furthermore respondent counsel subsequent trial diagnosed mental illness rendered unqualified practice law apparently led suicide see app circumstances justify presumption respondent conviction insufficiently reliable satisfy constitution cronic certain facts respondent gary cone dispute cone gentle child exceptional intelligence outstanding academic record high school app father officer army firm disciplinarian apparently enjoyed loving relationship older brother sisters age however cone witnessed drowning older brother age respondent enlisted army sent germany eventually transferred vietnam served supply clerk service vietnam involved among things transporting corpses performing long hours guard duty awarded bronze star received honorable discharge returning cone graduated college although qualified enter law school never enrolled according cone began use drugs mainly amphetamines vietnam order perform extended guard duties continued discharge army apparent effort fund growing drug habit committed robberies college law school convicted armed robbery incarcerated oklahoma prison father died fiancée met college raped murdered release prison kept touch mother lived arkansas sister lived chicago stay one place lack evidence gainful employment coupled evidence travels florida hawaii suggests cone supported drug habit criminal activity fairly described facts respondent crime ante however order understand cronic applies present case counsel completely failed respondent penalty phase describe events trial detail opening statement guilt phase trial respondent counsel john dice admitted jury cone committed crimes charged explained guilty reason insanity condition brought excessive drug use resulted vietnam veterans syndrome see tr dice explained jury cone time vietnam transformed leading insanity dice promised several witnesses aid insanity defense including cone sister susan cone mother two aunts testify gary cone knew cone dice also advised jury prove victim sister written letter forgiveness cone mother one loving letters ever read life dice words despite promises state affirmative case guilt phase dice presented three witnesses support insanity defense cone mother testified behavior return vietnam largely precluded discussing cone life clinical psychologist testified posttraumatic stress resulting cone vietnam service neuropharmacologist testified cone drug use effects witnesses dice attempted paint picture normal person fell victim amphetamine psychosis became junkie unbelievable proportions impossible form intent cone witness guilt phase though take stand outside presence jury waive right testify rebuttal case state adduced testimony aileen blankman cone visited florida approximately one day murders testified respondent neither used drugs visiting appeared recently used drugs thereby calling question claim drug addiction according dice blankman testimony utterly destroyed defense totally unprepared state postconviction tr dice knew blankman contact cone murders absolutely aware blankman possible prosecution witness dice failed interview trial guilt phase rebuttal state also introduced medical experts challenge defense experts testimony concerning cone alleged insanity although state experts questioned cone claim vietnam veterans syndrome testimony focused cone failure satisfy insanity standard see tr took less two hours jury return guilty verdict counts dice stated attitude toward penalty phase must frame consideration constitutional standard applicable case vietnam veterans syndrome defense rejected guilt phase appears dice approached penalty phase sense hopelessness basic tactic try convince jury gary cone insane time commission acts jury rejected state postconviction tr dice perceived guilt phase evidence concerning cone mental health made absolutely difference jury jurors buying even though evidence introduced jury lens insanity defense mitigation death dice echoed sentiment death foregone conclusion recall much discussion really penalty stage mainly feeling case law guess still jury witherspooned fixed jury going find death penalty almost hopeless feeling way problem going solved appeals jury verdict indeed dice expressed hopelessness even trial began testified told cone mother first day met prosecutor elect offer life case boy going chair going darn thing going able stop except maybe screw prosecution moreover dice testimony state postconviction reveals radical view penalty phase asked purpose penalty phase individualize defendant dice replied hat view lawyer mine asked capital proceeding bifurcated dice replied god knows postconviction testimony confirms dice misguided views discussing penalty phase stated believe understood separate nature believe understood necessity perhaps producing evidence mitigating circumstances phase also parties agree dice four things penalty phase see brief respondent first made brief opening argument penalty phase asking mercy second opening referenced evidence concerning vietnam veterans syndrome presented guilt phase third brought state witness presented records respondent prior convictions cone awarded bronze star vietnam though explain significance decoration jury made closing remarks fourth outside jury presence successfully objected state introduction two photographs murder victims aside things however dice nothing penalty phase interview witnesses aside relevant guilt phase present testimony relevant mitigation witnesses available made plea cone life closing remarks state case dice conceded interview various people cone past high school teachers classmates testified cone good person engage criminal behavior dice agreed witnesses likely available dice words stupid enough put state postconviction tr apparently dice interview individuals preparation penalty phase assumed state witnesses emphasize seriousness cone criminal behavior dice reasoning doubtful say least regardless state tennessee law see ante crimes already known jury state penalty phase evidence respondent prior convictions hard imagine evidence cone behavior change assessments iindeed dice whole case cone dice also failed present jury mitigation evidence hand admitted witnesses including whose testimony promised jury guilt phase opening cone mother sister aunts interviewed available testify penalty phase dice ready access mitigation evidence well testimony cone among things expressed remorse discussed brother drowning fiancée murder letter forgiveness victim sister bronze star medical experts dice post hoc reasons putting additional witnesses evidence puzzling appear rest largely incorrect assumption guilt phase record already included little mitigating circumstances state postconviction tr fear prosecutor accounts extremely effective advocate ante see state postconviction tr although guilt phase evidence included information cone behavior told jury little cone earlier guilt phase dice difficult enough time convincing allow present evidence respondent behavior drug addiction insanity defense seriously attempt introduce evidence respondent childhood however evidence permissible mitigation penalty phase evidence revealed cone quiet studious child absolutely suggestion behavioral disturbance even adolescence app indeed mother described perfect child absolutely wanted testify penalty hearing make plea cone life dice put even wanted feel well stand skills district attorney involved state postconviction tr dice claim made good witness guilt phase see ante contradicted transcript straightforward trial testimony tr desire subject surely insufficient reason absent prevent asking jury spare son life dice also call witnesses mitigation either cone sisters aunt promised dice opening statement dice statement cone sister sue want testify ante contradicted opening statement fear might questioned fact cone called victims house killings unfounded evidence call already record reference call conceivable additional harm cone case indeed dice justification calling sue merely illustrates dice extraordinary fear adversaries dice explanation failure call cone sister rita even unsatisfying think letter exchange phone call tactics necessarily involve putting family thought position say tenuous outset state postconviction tr failure call cone aunt unexplained failure offer evidence letter written victim sister offering prayers cone also unexplained see supra dice put cone stand penalty phase forfeiting opportunity express remorse apparently felt see tr dice testified discussed cone possibility testifying opted call penalty phase fear respondent might lash pressed ante also claimed cone made decision testify penalty phase cone feared prosecutor dice words cone realized prosecutor intelligent skilled cone felt go took stand state postconviction tr however explanation conspicuously echoes dice fears prosecutor prowess furthermore respondent testified dice never urged importance testifying penalty stage dice testified duties include urging cone testify given undisputed evidence cone intelligence indication behavior courtroom anything exemplary difficult imagine competent lawyer readily abandon effort persuade client take stand life stake dice claim permit cone reach decision testifying penalty phase simply credible rather appears dice fearful prosecutor specifically discuss testifying penalty phase cone rather discussed possibility taking stand one occasion guilt phase dice failure recall medical experts testified guilt phase closer question may justified belief add anything already presented nevertheless called dice made point likely lost jury result dice strategy experts appraisal cone mitigating significance even establish insanity vast difference insanity defense utterly failed prove possible mitigating effect drug addiction incurred result honorable service military emphasizing distinction dice made far less likely jury treat either trauma resulting cone tour duty traumatic events mitigating reason dice failure dice failed appreciate distinction believed jury completely rejected experts testimony losing guilt phase addition performing penalty phase investigation failing introduce available mitigation dice made closing statement state affirmative case death rather dice strategy rely brief penalty phase opening statement opening statement refer evidence drug addiction expert testimony already record though unclear end dice believed jury completely rejected testimony ibid dice statement also explained respondent drug abuse began stress strain combat service tr even though jurors knew cone combat otherwise dice failed describe substantial mitigating evidence aware cone bronze star good character entering military deaths family rape murder fiancée loving relationships mother sisters aunt best dice opening statement plea cone life perfunctory indeed occupies total trial transcript pages dice decision make closing argument strongly motivated fear adversary make persuasive argument depicting cone heartless killer costs dice wanted avoid prosecutor slash ing pieces rebuttal done hundred times state postconviction tr dice hoped making closing statement prosecutor kind follo right primrose path course time dice waived closing argument aggravating circumstances already proved dice knew judge instruct jury return verdict death unless jurors persuaded aggravating circumstances outweighed mitigating evidence perhaps burden insurmountable jury must viewed absence argument response state case death dice concession case life made closing argument provided chance avoid inevitable outcome primrose path death experienced criminal lawyers testified expert witnesses state postconviction proceedings refused state categorically never appropriate waive closing argument fail put defendant stand penalty phase trial offer mitigating evidence penalty phase witnesses agreed however dice tactical decisions highly abnormal perhaps unprecedented capital case ii facts result dice overwhelming failure penalty phase appeals properly concluded cronic controls sixth amendment claim case prejudice respondent presumed given dice repeated unequivocal testimony cone truthfulness together cone apparent feelings remorse see tr dice decision offer cone testimony penalty phase simply bewildering decisions present mitigation case penalty offer closing argument face prosecution request nothing short incredible moreover dice explanations decisions uncorroborated judgment patently unsatisfactory indeed rambling often incoherent descriptions unusual trial strategy lend strong support appeals evaluation case decision defer dice lack meaningful participation penalty phase strategy although state courts benefit evidence concerning dice mental health appears dice medical records suffered severe mental impairment began treatment illness couple years trial committed suicide approximately six months postconviction hearing case see app symptoms disorder included confused thinking impaired memory inability concentrate short period time paranoia grandiosity inappropriate behavior mental health problems may onset cone trial complete reading trial transcript assessment dice actions trial suggest case theme fear possible counterthrusts adversaries permeates dice loquacious explanations tactical decisions fear opponent justify absolute dereliction lawyer duty client especially client facing death premise adversary system criminal justice partisan advocacy sides case best promote ultimate objective guilty convicted innocent go free herring new york may cases timidity consistent meaningful adversarial testing prosecution case cronic examination record produced firm conviction case claims cronic second prong applies counsel failed oppose prosecution throughout sentencing proceeding whole ante emphasis added exactly dice true claims respondent complaints dice performance framed complaints dice failed specific points ibid however complaints concern points encompass counsel fundamental duties capital sentencing proceeding performing mitigation investigation putting available mitigation evidence making plea defendant life state asked death counsel failed entirely ibid quoting cronic explained sixth amendment principles mechanical rules every case concerned whether despite strong presumption reliability result particular proceeding unreliable breakdown adversarial process system counts produce results majority also claims cronic second prong apply previously analyzed claims ilk ante strickland cronic however none previous cases applying strickland penalty phase ineffectiveness claim challenged attorney fail conduct penalty phase investigation also fail put available mitigation evidence fail make closing argument asking spare defendant life see williams taylor burger kemp darden wainwright furthermore none cases evidence counsel radical view penalty phase dice none cases lawyer mental health called question course true total failure claim confront theoretically analyzed strickland however cronic makes clear see ante although strickland apply sixth amendment right counsel cases moreover presuming prejudice counsel entirely failed function adversary makes sense three reasons first counsel complete failure advocate coupled likely mental illness undermines strickland basic assumption counsel made significant decisions exercise reasonable professional judgment second proper strickland inquiry difficult impossible conduct counsel completely abdicated role advocate abdication results incomplete trial record properly evaluate whether defendant suffered prejudice attorney conduct finally counsel total failure adversary renders likelihood verdict unreliable high inquiry unnecessary mickens taylor slip holding today entirely consistent recent decision mickens cases according presumption every lawyer every capital case performed ethically diligently competently appropriate performance generally acterizes members honorable profession nevertheless true rare cases blind reliance presumption uncritical analysis lawyer proffered explanations aberrant behavior courtroom may result denial tutional right effective assistance counsel mcmann richardson importance protecting right capital cases effective representation provides means rights person trial secured cronic reason denial sixth amendment rights makes adversary process presumptively unreliable whenever defense counsel entirely fails subject prosecution case meaningful adversary testing exactly happened penalty phase gary cone trial respectfully dissent appendix opinion stevens excerpt dice postconviction testimony explains reasons waiving closing argument subject summarize us reasons time time time waiver final argument penalty phase cone matter okay number one thought put almost every mitigating circumstance okay first phase trial number two managed sucker patterson strother putting bronze star decoration without defendant testify felt pretty good trial tactics know asked blackwell question one two became unglued okay number three thought trial judge lost control case allowed strother call unethical twice front jury several things made client extremely angry forgive strother think really believes trial lawyer took position okay saying general feeling going trial conducted neutrally judge okay thing got aspects waive knew much blood screw trial terms jury going find okay another factor defendant told probably explode stand anger general strother know strother extremely competent clear asked name reasons waiving final argument whether said cone possibly exploding anything waiving final argument absolutely make decision last moment kopernak decision carefully planned jury hour hour think close long trial considered trial tactic factors considered one okay go ahead please okay want go interrupted recall pretty clearly know things go things happened trial ural adams done groseclose case spent much time talking whether considered perhaps nature opposition particular case might effective tactic tell much let say gotten strother gotten made first argument might waived knew patterson going make kill argument might made patterson made first argument statements reported press patterson said well wrong kill people never forget one long live okay made portion another portion trial chose make closing argument opening argument suckered along already made mistake far concerned okay see whether jury take little mitigating circumstances give us verdict keep alive state postconviction tr footnotes see cone state crim app justice stevens dissent cite statutory provision governing respondent ability obtain federal habeas relief much less explain claim meets standards also cited cases besides hamilton alabama white maryland found sixth amendment error without requiring showing prejudice involved criminal defendants actually constructively denied counsel government action see cronic citing geders order preventing defendant consulting counsel anything overnight recess impinged upon sixth amendment right assistance counsel herring new york trial judge order denying counsel opportunity make summation close bench trial denied defendant assistance counsel brooks tennessee law requiring defendant testify first trial deprived accused guiding hand counsel timing critical element defense whether take stand ferguson georgia statute retaining incompetency rule criminal defendants denied accused right counsel question elicit statements jury inconsistent fourteenth amendment williams kaiser allegation petitioner requested counsel receive one time convicted sentenced stated case denial due process concluding cronic applies respondent claim dissent relies part inferences draws evidence attorney sought treatment mental illness four years respondent trial see post dissent admits counsel mental health problems may onset respondent trial speculates counsel mental health problems began earlier based complete reading trial transcript assessment counsel actions trial ibid dissent concedes respondent present evidence regarding counsel mental health proceedings us respondent argue consider attorney medical records obtained federal habeas proceedings assessing sixth amendment claim suggest counsel suffered mental health problems time trial furthermore implication trial counsel impaired representation contradicted testimony two experts called state postconviction hearing extensive experience prosecuting defending criminal cases familiar trial counsel abilities wayne emmons said counsel fully capable one conscientious lawyers knew state postconviction tr stephen shankman said considered respondent counsel one finest practitioners community area criminal defense work extremely experienced lawyer hardpressed second guess respondent cites cozzolino state argue calling additional witnesses opened door evidence prior bad acts need express view tennessee law issue except point cozzolino state broad categorical rule cozzolino held trial erred admitting evidence defendant committed crimes murder evidence relevant aggravating factors mitigating factors raised defense case minimum evidence respondent prior robbery convictions relevant state relied convictions prove aggravating circumstance footnotes dice claims credit developing defense claims unsubstantiated appear exaggerated dice testimony see state postconviction tr nonetheless defense early stages time respondent trial become widely asserted see generally levin defense vietnam veteran stress disorder jur trials supp furthermore american psychiatric association began formally recognize posttraumatic stress disorder ptsd derive disturbing war experiences see american psychiatric diagnostic statistical manual mental disorders rev ed ptsd respondent allegedly suffered sensibly used dice mitigation penalty phase see levin jur trials however viability guilt phase defense case unlikely best insanity context applies veteran believes combat attacks one believes enemy soldier davidson note stress disorder controversial defense veterans controversial war wm mary rev cone combat crime fit description letter mitigating effect significant read part even tho still shock tragic death dear brother wife want know family prayers deepest sympathy also praying gary know must mind done things may god forgive record exh see tr referencing letter marked exhibit never submitted jury respect failure dice explained interviewed know maybe devastating maybe let say interviewed know changed come testified testified way assume state postconviction tr true jury instructed consider mitigation guilt phase also true dice brief penalty phase opening referenced mental health evidence guilt phase ante jury whole view testimony influenced relation debunked insanity defense although state experts may successful undermining cone claim insanity necessarily undermine potential mitigating effect cone mental health evidence comments refer witherspoon illinois finding general constitutional bar state exclusion jurors opposed capital punishment jury proof bar results unrepresentative jury issue guilt substantially increases risk conviction dice comments concerning penalty phase erroneous content inappropriate tone example asked capital sentencing rejected notion constitution requires individualized death penalty decision reason political far concerned method insanity care whether legal kill people kill people show killing people wrong insane state postconviction tr brief descriptions dice reasoning choices see ante gives reasoning legitimacy merits reading dice lengthy answers postconviction hearing clear confused misguided dice example respect supposed damage mitigation witnesses dice speaks generalities unsubstantiated fears picture scenario got stand put trial life call burden preponderance evidence comes skilled prosecutor strother says oh good student high school right vietnam affected mind right robberies pulled prison oklahoma mean prison know things know things cone told state postconviction tr cf levin jur trials counsel needs clearly draw contrast client vietnam conclusion follows cone testimony consulted conference testifying got stand state testifying state postconviction tr cone initially recalled meeting occurred penalty stage though expressed uncertainty point however remained certain one meeting see ibid conference must concerned guilt phase guilt phase cone waived right testify see tr furthermore dice remember discussion concerning cone possible testimony penalty phase state postconviction tr dice testified repeatedly cone lie dice unable state certain cone consulted penalty phase testimony indeed counsel performance completely deficient sort strategic choice counsel owed deference strickland washington case however dice total failure penalty phase difficult credit even arguably reasonable choices result reasonable professional judgment see infra although combat soldier vietnam gary described disturbing traumatic experiences example stench corpses way stored refrigerators alongside food witnessing death required even occasion fire weapon long hours guard duty escalating drug abuse often ostensibly sanctioned superior officers app according defense psychologist report cone major traumas life witnessing brother body removed lake grandmother death high school graduation gary lived clearly viewed safe father uty vietnam although combat soldier experiences beyond realm normal experiences ape murder fiancée december postconviction testimony dice offered another reason waiving closing argument claimed state penalty phase case screw ed aggravated circumstances arguing jury aggravating factor unsupported evidence lives two people victims endangered defendant state postconviction tr dice testified concerned made closing argument state might realize mistake correct error rebuttal closing argument see dice explanation incredible unsurprisingly dice strategy work perfectly dice claimed state found error concerning aggravators harmless state cone importantly strategy never appropriate counsel hope appellate victory concerning one trial error justify abdication duty advocate remainder proceeding cf penry lynaugh sentencer make individualized assessment appropriateness death penalty evidence defendant background relevant belief long held society defendants commit criminal acts attributable advantaged background emotional mental problems may less culpable defendants quoting california brown concurring cf herring new york criminal trial end basically factfinding process aspect advocacy important opportunity finally marshal evidence side submission case judgment dice main explanation decision waive closing argument close penalty hearing quoted appendix opinion recent comprehensive report issued governor mission reviewing illinois capital punishment system concluded providing qualified counsel perhaps important safeguard wrongful conviction sentencing execution capital defendants also safeguard far often ignored report governor commission capital punishment quoting constitution project mandatory justice eighteen reforms death penalty members similarly recognized importance qualified counsel death cases frequent lack thereof see mcfarland scott blackmun dissenting denial certiorari describing crisis trial state postconviction legal representation capital defendants lane expresses death penalty doubt justice says innocent may killed washington post july reporting justice comment perhaps time look minimum standards appointed counsel death cases justice ginsburg comment yet see death case among dozens coming eve execution petitions defendant well represented trial