Williams v. State

The defendant failed to show that his trial counsel was deficient.

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In Williams v. State , 280 Ga. 297 627 SE2d 32 2006, this Court affirmed the conviction of Johnny Mack Williams for felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony. We remanded his case, however, for consideration of his claim that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel. On remand, the trial court found that Williams did not receive ineffective assistance, and Williams now appeals this decision. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm. To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, Williams must show both that his trial counsel’s performance was deficient and that the deficient performance was prejudicial to his defense. Strickland v. Washington , 466 U.S. 668 104 SC 2052, 80 LE2d 674 1984. In showing deficient performance, Williams must overcome the strong presumption that counsel’s performance fell within the wide range of reasonable professional conduct and that counsel’s decisions were made in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment. Id. To establish prejudice, Williams must show that there is a reasonable probability that, in the absence of professional errors by counsel, the result of the trial would have been different. See Hampton v. State , 279 Ga. 625 619 SE2d 616 2005. ” ‘We accept the trial court’s factual findings and credibility determinations unless clearly erroneous, but we independently apply the legal principles to the facts.’ Cit.” Robinson v. State , 277 Ga. 75, 76 586 SE2d 313 2003.

Williams first contends that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to spend enough time interviewing him prior to trial. The record shows, however, that Williams’ trial counsel met with the assistant district attorney prior to trial and reviewed the entire record. Trial counsel then met with Williams on several occasions to go over discovery and prepare for trial. Therefore, the record does not support Williams’ contention.

Williams v. State

The defendant failed to show that his trial counsel was deficient.

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