Carter v. State

Following a jury trial, Antawyn Carter appeals his conviction for the felony murder of his brother, Tamitrea Carter.1 Antawyn contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to pursue the affirmative defense of justification based on the defense of third parties. Because no evidence supported this defense, we affirm. Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, the record shows that, on the evening of August 6, 2006, Tamitrea was arguing with his father, Carey Carter, after the two of them had been drinking together. At that time, Tamitrea was living at home with his parents. At some point, Antawyn was called to come to his parents’ home. Antawyn’s father, however, told him to go away, and Antawyn and Tamitrea were left outside the house. Neighbors then witnessed the brothers arguing in the street, and Antawyn threatened Tamitrea, “I’ll take you out.” Antawyn then hit Tamitrea, knocking him to the ground. Tamitrea next got up and began running away from Antawyn towards a stop sign at the end of the street. Antawyn shot Tamitrea as he ran away, hitting him in the back of the head and killing him. Tamitrea’s body was discovered in a ditch by the street with a knife laying on the ground nearby. Antawyn later admitted that he shot Tamitrea, but he claimed that it was an accident.

1. This evidence was sufficient to enable the jury to find that Antawyn was guilty of the crimes for which he was convicted beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia , 443 U.S. 307 99 SC 2781, 61 LE2d 560 1979.