A Cherokee County jury found Gary Keown guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of rape, OCGA § 16-6-1; three counts of aggravated child molestation, OCGA § 16-6-4; and aggravated sexual battery, OCGA § 16-6-22.2. Following the denial of his motion for a new trial, Keown claims that he received ineffective assistance of counsel and that the evidence was insufficient as to two counts of aggravated child molestation. Finding no error, we affirm. 1. Keown contends his trial counsel’s assistance was ineffective because counsel elicited testimony that Keown took a polygraph test and then failed to offer evidence that Keown passed the test. In order to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a criminal defendant must show that counsel’s performance was deficient and that the deficient performance so prejudiced the client that there is a reasonable likelihood that, but for counsel’s errors, the outcome of the trial would have been different. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U. S. 668 104 SC 2052, 80 LE2d 674 1984. The criminal defendant must overcome the strong presumption that trial counsel’s conduct falls within the broad range of reasonable professional conduct. As the appellate court, we accept the trial court’s factual findings and credibility determinations unless clearly erroneous, but we independently apply the legal principles to the facts. Citations and punctuation omitted. Robinson v. State , 277 Ga. 75, 75-76 586 SE2d 313 2003. “Trial strategy and tactics do not equate with ineffective assistance of counsel.” Citation and punctuation omitted. Hazelrigs v. State , 255 Ga. App. 784, 786 2 567 SE2d 79 2002. Further,
strategic and tactical decisions are the exclusive province of the attorney after consultation with the client. Such decisions made after thorough investigation are virtually unchallengeable, providing no grounds for reversal unless they are so patently unreasonable that no competent attorney would have chosen them. Deciding which defense witnesses to call is a matter of trial strategy and tactics. And declining to present evidence to preserve the final word in closing argument is a well-recognized trial tactic. Punctuation and footnotes omitted. Leonard v. State , 268 Ga. App. 745, 748 2 603 SE2d 82 2004.
