ÿWPCM S™Š<iþ}Ô÷“³NÓ4ûÖŒ™‡ehk‡øtÂÔ‡&*Û¨Á÷îÙ»¥…§©$wƒÝuaЭ9Ã|×3mä[ÂgKDƒîJÒ«•Êf+J.0Rÿi–é à\PãRž«æ+ÿ •›}øŽ9ÏàÃulè \=(Ð ?ÿSÞëew´Q^k* iM"Ïùˆfìk%œÝ êï‘:Üv´ãØÞØ%ñç7ûæP—Ùç¾®1僜º|©J†ûºFÜŒpïÄûwlfDÛ$z4Ã4 ]ÑRË–zꨋr=~2[Ø1„3=ì\×ÜG5茡²@¼_£©^wËŸúÓ¤·†¹ˆDP"–o¶§^ÀTˆÀCQª1çø¢É›~߀Êdå%—|^(^¯Æ¿åp­¶04`ešØŽéìæ3nLƦXK<¯•½,# hUNs %Á 0(ÇU:ïb)w@14q… 0Ò” 0Dfƪ7p § ï´ õ£ À˜‘X é$ôU:U:RRRRRRRRR BŒŒ 0D© D3íííí AQ q 0Dy 0D½ D/ B0˜HP LaserJet 4HPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLÜÏ(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡,“í|AZ‹"Arial Regular- ù- aUbUcUdUeDfDghDiUjÓ€ø‚&3|xu(‚(2´®$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X½½XXXÔÔ€ô›ôXX½½ÔÓ  Óà ` àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 -Ý ƒ ®ê$ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X-ðXXXÔÔ€ô‚´ôXX-ðÔÓ  Óà ` àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€The€meeting€took€place€approximately€four€(4)€months€after€the€petitioner€was€convicted€of€firstÐ `  Ðdegree€murder. Ý ƒ ®ê$ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X-ðXXXÔÔ€ô‚´ôXX-ðÔÓ  Óà ` àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€However,€the€petitioner€testified€at€trial€that€he€went€ð ð[t]hrough€the€12th€grade.ðð åÝ ƒ ®ê$ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X-ðXXXÔÔ€ô‚´ôXX-ðÔÓ  Óà ` àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€Michelle€Loudermilk€is€the€decedentððs€wife.€€Although€the€decedentððs€name€was€spelled€ð ðLaudermilkððÐ `  Ðin€this€Courtððs€opinion€on€direct€appeal,€the€decedentððs€wife€signed€her€statement€as€ð ðLoudermilk.ðð€€Therefore,Ïwe€will€use€the€ð ðLoudermilkðð€spelling€in€this€opinion. ëÝ ƒ ®ê$ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X-ðXXXÔÔ€ô‚´ôXX-ðÔÓ  Óà ` àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€Under€the€1995€Post„Conviction€Procedure€Act,€the€petitioner€has€the€burden€of€proving€his€claimsÐ `  Ðby€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„30„210(f).€€However,€since€the€present€petition€wasÏfiled€in€1994,€the€petitionerððs€claims€must€be€proven€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence. ¶Ý ƒ ®ê$ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X-ðXXXÔÔ€ô‚´ôXX-ðÔÓ  Óà ` àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€Mrs.€Loudermilk€was€charged€with€conspiracy€to€commit€first€degree€murder,€premeditated€firstÐ `  Ðdegree€murder€and€accessory€after€the€fact.€€However,€due€to€the€stateððs€lack€of€evidence,€she€was€allowedÏto€plead€guilty€to€accessory€after€the€fact. ‡Ý ƒ ®ê$ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X-ðXXXÔÔ€ô‚´ôXX-ðÔÓ  Óà ` àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€The€petitioner€testified€that€Mrs.€Loudermilk€first€informed€him€of€the€pregnancy€approximately€twoÐ `  Ð(2)€weeks€prior€to€the€shooting.€€However,€the€baby€was€born€almost€fourteen€(14)€months€later.ò òó ó Ý ƒ ®ê$ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X-ðXXXÔÔ€ô‚´ôXX-ðÔÓ  Óà ` àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý€Petitioner€claims€that€Mrs.€Loudermilk€informed€him€that€she€was€in€her€thirties€at€the€time€of€theÐ `  Ðincident.€€However,€it€appears€from€the€record€that€Mrs.€Loudermilk€is€merely€two€(2)€years€older€than€theÏpetitioner.€€The€petitioner€admitted€that€he€and€Mrs.€Loudermilk€attended€the€same€high€school€for€a€periodÏof€time. Ý ƒ(¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€X½½XXXÔÔ€þ\ XX½½ÔÓ  ÓÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X½½X þ\ÔÐ  ÐÌò òMay€11,€1999Ð šš ÐÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌÔ€ô›ôXX½½ÔAppellate€Court€Clerkó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular d(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý'ÿÿdxd (!)*Cþÿ<< Cÿÿ(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó++'÷ÿ dxdüÿP PdÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  Ýñjñ›ñjñÑ` °ÑÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€Š¢ËŠXXÔÔ€ŠCHŠŠŠ¢ËÔÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ€ÑÑ7€BXXdìdÈ7ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÓ  Óò òñjñßr€&"<,(j 8` `€€@Eôf ` ttx$,` ð Úrß›ñjñIN€THE€COURT€OF€CRIMINAL€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÐ `  ÐÌAT€KNOXVILLEÌÌDECEMBER€SESSION,€1998ÌÌÌÓ  ÓGREG€L.€BAINE,à  àà h àà À à)à  àC.C.A.€NO.€03C01„9806„CR„00201Ð ` Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àó ó)Ð ` Ðà ` àœAppellant,›à  àà h àà À àò ò)Ð Xø  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)à  àPOLK€COUNTYÐ Xø  ÐVS.à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)à  àÐ Xø  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)à  àHON.€CARROLL€L.€ROSSó óÐ Xø  Ðò òSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,ó óà À àò ò)à  àJUDGEó óÐ Xø  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àò ò)ó óÐ Xø Ðà ` àœAppellee.›à  àà h àà À àò ò)à  à(Post„Conviction)Ð Xø Ðó óÌÌÓ  ÓÌÌòòÓ  ÓFOR€THE€APPELLANTóó:à h àà À àà  àòòFOR€THE€APPELLEEóó:Ð 8Ø ÐÌLEONARD€M.€CAPUTOà h àà À àà  àJOHN€KNOX€WALKUPÐ ( È ÐPhillips€&€Caputoà  àà h àà À àà  àAttorney€General€and€ReporterÐ  !À Ð312€Vine€StreetÌChattanooga,€TN€€37403à À àà  àR.€STEPHEN€JOBEÐ #° Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àAssistant€Attorney€GeneralÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à425€Fifth€Avenue€NorthÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àNashville,€TN€€37243ÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àJERRY€N.€ESTESÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àDistrict€Attorney€GeneralÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àSHARI€TAYLOEÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à10th€Judicial€DistrictÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àP.€O.€Box€1351Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àCleveland,€TN€€37364„1351ÌÌÌÌOPINION€FILED€________________________ÌÌAFFIRMEDÌÌJERRY€L.€SMITH,€JUDGEÐ  x5,-S ÐÓ  ÓÔ€°Z°ŠŠCHÔò òòòOPINIONóóó óÔ€ŠCHа°ZÔÐ `  ÐÌÓÓÑ7€BXXdìXXdì7ÑÓ  ÓÌà ` àThe€petitioner,€Greg€L.€Baine,€appeals€the€Polk€County€Criminal€CourtððsÏorder€denying€his€petition€for€post„conviction€relief€after€an€evidentiary€hearing.€ÏPetitioner€was€convicted€in€1991€of€one€(1)€count€of€premeditated€first€degreeÏmurder€and€sentenced€to€life€imprisonment.€€He€filed€a€post„conviction€petition,Ïalleging,€òòinter€aliaóó,€ineffective€assistance€of€counsel.€€On€appeal,€petitioner€claimsÐ Þ~  Ðthat€trial€counsel€was€ineffective€for€failing€to€ð ðproperly€utilize€exculpatoryÏdiscovery€materialðð€and€for€failing€to€speak€with€state€officials€before€theyÏconducted€an€uncounseled€interview€with€the€petitioner.€€After€a€thorough€reviewÏof€the€record€before€this€Court,€we€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.ÌÌà@rr-®àò òI.ó óˆÐ ~! Ðà@%%*®àò òA.€€Trialó óˆÐ ~# Ðà ` àPetitioner€was€convicted€after€a€jury€trial€of€premeditated€first€degreeÏmurder€and€was€sentenced€to€life€imprisonment.€€His€conviction€was€affirmed€byÏthis€Court.€òòState€v.€Greg€Baineóó,€C.C.A.€No.€03C01-9202-CR-43,€1992€WLÐ ^)þ  Ð151403,€Polk€County€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€filed€July€2,€1992,€at€Knoxville),€òòperm.€toÐ N+î!" Ðapp.€deniedóó€(Tenn.€November€30,€1992).€€We€will€recite€the€facts€as€set€out€byÐ >-Þ#$ Ðthis€Court€on€direct€appeal:ÌÓÓà8 ` àà ¸ àOn€December€24,€1990,€at€8:45€p.m.,€the€body€of€RonnieÏœLaudermilk›€was€found€at€the€Crestview€Cemetery€in€Polk€County.€ÏIt€is€undisputed€that€the€appellant€killed€Mr.€œLaudermilk.›€€His€defenseÏat€trial€was€that€of€self-defense.Ð ` ü!` ü! ÐÌà8 ` àà ¸ àAlthough€the€appellant€referred€to€the€decedent€as€a€longtimeÏfriend,€the€appellant€was€having€an€affair€with€the€decedentððs€wife.€ÏThe€decedent€had€apparently€learned€about€the€affair€and€hadÏconfronted€the€appellant€during€the€day€he€was€killed.€€The€appellantÏtestified€at€trial€that€during€this€initial€confrontation,€the€decedent€putÐ Ö9v01 Ða€gun€to€the€appellantððs€chest€and€threatened€his€life.€€No€physicalÏviolence€resulted€from€this€meeting.€€Later€that€day€the€decedentÏand€appellant€met€each€other€in€town.€€The€decedent€allegedly€toldÏthe€appellant€that€he€wished€to€speak€with€him,€but€he€desired€to€doÏso€out€of€town.€€They€began€driving,€the€appellant€leading€theÏdecedent,€with€no€apparent€destination.€€After€driving€approximatelyÏfifteen€miles,€they€approached€Crestview€Cemetery.€€The€decedentÏblew€his€horn€and€pointed€to€the€cemetery,€indicating€his€desire€toÏstop€at€the€cemetery.€€The€appellant€testified€that€after€he€stopped,Ïthe€decedent€pulled€in€behind€him€attempting€to€block€his€car€fromÏexiting.€€The€decedent€exited€the€car€and€threw€a€beer€at€theÏappellantððs€windshield.€€After€leaving€his€truck,€the€decedentÏallegedly€kicked€the€appellantððs€car€door€shut€and€would€not€let€himÏout€of€the€car.€€According€to€the€appellantððs€testimony€the€decedentÏthen€stated,€ð ðIððm€gonna€get€my€shotgun€out€of€the€truck,ðð€and€ð ðIððveÏgot€you€right€where€I€want€you€now.ðð€€The€appellant€had€a€shotgunÏin€his€car€and€made€certain€that€the€decedent€saw€it.€€According€toÏthe€appellant,€the€decedent€then€turned€and€walked€to€his€truck€toÏget€his€shotgun.€€The€appellant€testified€that€he€shot€the€decedentÏwhen€the€decedent€turned€away€and€started€toward€the€truck.€€€Ð ` ü!` ü! Ðà8 ` àà ¸ àThe€appellant€stated€that€he€could€not€see€the€decedent€afterÏthe€shot€was€fired€because€it€was€dark.€€He€exited€his€car€on€theÏpassengerððs€side,€walked€around€to€the€front€of€the€car,€and€saw€Mr.ÏœLaudermilk›€on€his€hands€and€knees.€€The€appellant€stated€at€trialÏthat€he€saw€œLaudermilk›€reaching€into€his€pocket€with€his€right€hand.€ÏThe€appellant€supposedly€was€aware€that€the€decedent€habituallyÏcarried€a€pistol.€€He€twice€ordered€œLaudermilk›€to€stop€reaching€intoÏhis€pocket,€but€he€paid€no€attention.€€Therefore,€appellant€shot€theÏdecedent€a€second€time€with€his€12-gauge€shotgun.€€œLaudermilk›Ïdied€in€the€cemetery€before€being€found€by€a€passerby.Ð ` ü!` ü! ÐÌòòÓÓState€v.€Greg€Baineóó,€1992€WL€151403€at€*1.Ð h' Ðà@!®àò òB.€€Post„Conviction€Hearingó óˆÐ X)ø! Ðà ` àThe€petitioner€was€twenty„nine€(29)€years€old€at€the€time€of€the€post„¼conviction€hearing.€€He€stated€that€he€was€twenty„one€(21)€years€old€when€theÏshooting€occurred€and€had€an€eleventh€grade€education.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Although€both€wereÐ 8/Ø%' Ðâ âmarried€to€other€people,€he€and€Michelle€œLoudermilk׃N×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×›€became€romantically€œÐ (1È') Ðinvolved›€in€October€of€1990.€€They€continued€to€see€each€other€after€Mr.Ïâ âLoudermilk€was€killed.€€Ìà ` àThe€petitioner€testified€that,€on€the€day€of€the€shooting,€Mr.€LoudermilkÏconfronted€him€about€his€affair€with€Mrs.€Loudermilk.€€Afterwards,€the€petitionerÏwent€to€a€friendððs€home,€and€they€phoned€Mrs.€Loudermilk.€€Mrs.€LoudermilkÏasked€the€petitioner€to€meet€her€at€the€cemetery€at€6:00€p.m.€that€evening.€€Mrs.ÏLoudermilk€arrived€at€the€cemetery€shortly€after€the€petitioner€arrived.€€TheyÏspoke€in€his€car€for€approximately€five€(5)€minutes€until€they€observed€the€victimÏdriving€into€the€cemetery.€€The€decedent€exited€his€vehicle€and€threw€a€can€ofÏbeer€at€the€petitionerððs€windshield.€€€Mrs.€Loudermilk€jumped€out€of€theÏpetitionerððs€vehicle€and€began€running€towards€her€car.€€The€petitioner€attemptedÏto€get€out€of€his€car,€but€Mr.€Loudermilk€kicked€the€door€shut.€€Mr.€LoudermilkÏthreatened€the€petitioner,€and€as€he€turned€to€walk€to€his€vehicle,€the€petitionerÏshot€him.€€Because€the€petitioner€could€not€see€the€victim,€he€walked€around€toÏthe€front€of€his€vehicle€and€found€Mr.€Loudermilk€on€his€hands€and€knees.€ÏSuddenly,€Mrs.€Loudermilk€grabbed€the€shotgun€from€the€petitionerððs€hands€andÏshot€the€victim€the€second€time.€Ìà ` àThe€petitioner€testified€that€his€attorney€never€asked€him€whether€Mrs.ÏLoudermilk€or€any€other€witnesses€were€present€at€the€scene€of€the€shooting.€ÏHowever,€he€acknowledged€that€he€lied€to€his€attorney€and€also€lied€in€hisÏtestimony€at€trial€regarding€Mrs.€Loudermilkððs€involvement€in€the€shooting.€€HeÏstated€that€lied€to€protect€Mrs.€Loudermilk€because€she€had€informed€him€thatÏshe€was€pregnant€with€his€child.€€Mrs.€Loudermilk€threatened€to€abort€the€childÏif€the€petitioner€implicated€her€in€her€husbandððs€death.€Ìà ` àThe€petitioner€also€presented€the€signed€statement€of€Michelle€Loudermilk.ÏThis€statement€was€the€second€statement€given€by€Mrs.€Loudermilk€to€TBIÐ Ð9p02 Ðofficers€on€December€25,€the€day€following€her€husbandððs€death.€€In€Mrs.ÏLoudermilkððs€first€statement€to€the€law€enforcement€authorities,€she€claimed€thatÏshe€knew€nothing€about€her€husbandððs€shooting.€€In€her€second€statement,€Mrs.ÏLoudermilk€admitted€that€she€was€present€in€the€cemetery€during€PetitionerððsÏconfrontation€with€the€decedent.€€She€stated€that€she€went€to€the€cemetery€to€ð ðputÏa€treeðð€on€her€relativesðð€graves.€€When€she€arrived,€the€petitioner€was€there.€€SheÏand€the€petitioner€spoke€for€a€while€until€they€saw€Mr.€Loudermilkððs€vehicle€drivingÏinto€the€cemetery.€€The€victim€exited€his€vehicle€while€holding€a€shotgun.€€SheÏstated€that€she€then€returned€to€her€car€and€left€the€cemetery.€€As€she€was€drivingÏaway,€she€heard€a€gunshot.€Ìà ` àWith€the€exception€of€Mrs.€Loudermilkððs€presence€at€the€scene,€theÏpetitioner€disputed€the€veracity€of€Mrs.€Loudermilkððs€statement.€Ìà ` àThe€petitioner€testified€that€after€he€was€convicted€of€murder€and€while€hisÏcase€was€pending€on€appeal,€Assistant€District€Attorney€Joe€Rehyansky,€the€PolkÏCounty€Sheriff€and€a€deputy€sheriff€met€with€him€in€prison.€€He€stated€that€theÏstate€representatives€explained€to€him€that€they€believed€he€was€lying€to€protectÏMrs.€Loudermilk.€€€He€testified€that€they€advised€him€that€if€he€would€testifyÏagainst€Mrs.€Loudermilk€regarding€her€involvement€in€the€shooting,€he€would€beÏa€free€man.€€The€petitioner€testified€that€he€refused€to€talk€to€the€authoritiesÏbecause€his€attorney€advised€him€not€to€speak€to€anyone.€Ìà ` àPetitioner€was€represented€by€Conrad€Finnell€at€trial.€€At€the€time€of€theÏhearing,€Finnell€had€practiced€law€for€36€years,€and€a€substantial€portion€of€hisÏpractice€was€criminal.€€€€Finnell€testified€that,€after€hearing€the€petitionerððs€versionÏof€the€facts€of€the€case,€he€believed€that€the€shooting€was€in€self„defense.€ÏPetitioner€never€mentioned€to€Finnell€that€Mrs.€Loudermilk€was€present€at€theÏcemetery€at€the€time€of€the€shooting.€€However,€Finnell€acknowledged€that€heÐ Ð9p02 Ðwas€unaware€of€Mrs.€Loudermilkððs€second€statement€to€TBI€officers€wherein€sheÏadmitted€being€present€during€the€incident.€€Finnell€explained€that,€due€to€hisÏheavy€case€load€at€the€time,€he€was€unable€to€personally€review€the€discovery€inÏthis€case.€€Instead,€he€relied€upon€members€of€his€staff€to€review€the€materials.€ÏA€member€of€his€staff€erroneously€informed€him€that€Mrs.€Loudermilk€was€notÏpresent€during€the€incident,€and€as€a€result,€Finnell€did€not€pursue€the€matterÏfurther.€€Apparently,€the€statement€had€been€received€from€the€state€in€discoveryÏand€misplaced€in€a€ð ðmiscellaneousðð€sub„file.€€Ìà ` àFinnell€testified€that,€while€the€petitionerððs€case€was€pending€on€appeal,€anÏassistant€district€attorney€and€the€Polk€County€Sheriff€at€the€time€conducted€anÏuncounseled€interview€with€the€petitioner€in€prison.€€He€did€not€recall€giving€theÏstate€authorities€permission€to€speak€with€his€client€alone€and€learned€about€theÏinterview€after€it€occurred.€€€Moreover,€he€could€not€recall€whether€anyone€fromÏthe€District€Attorneyððs€office€attempted€to€contact€him€prior€to€the€interview.€€ÏHowever,€because€the€petitionerððs€statement€to€the€state€agents€was€inÏconformity€with€his€testimony€at€trial,€Finnell€did€not€believe€that€the€petitioner€wasÏharmed€by€the€meeting.€Ìà ` àAssistant€District€Attorney€Joe€Rehyansky€testified€at€the€post„convictionÏhearing.€€He€stated€that€he€was€assigned€to€work€on€the€stateððs€case€againstÏMichelle€Loudermilk.€€In€the€course€of€his€investigations,€Rehyansky,Ïaccompanied€by€the€sheriff€of€Polk€County€and€his€chief€deputy,€visited€theÏpetitioner€while€he€was€incarcerated€in€the€penitentiary€in€November€1991.׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð 2°(* ÐRehyansky€wished€to€speak€with€the€petitioner€because€he€believed€that€theÏpetitioner€had€not€been€forthright€with€regard€to€Mrs.€Loudermilkððs€involvementÐ ð5,. Ðin€the€shooting€and€wanted€the€petitioner€to€testify€against€Mrs.€Loudermilk€at€herÏtrial.€€He€testified€that€although€he€attempted€to€contact€Finnell€prior€to€hisÏmeeting€with€the€petitioner,€he€was€unable€to€reach€him.€€Rehyansky€stated€thatÏthe€petitioner€agreed€to€speak€with€them,€but€the€petitioner€gave€the€sameÏversion€of€the€story€as€he€testified€to€at€trial.€€€Rehyansky€went€on€to€state:ÌÓÓà8 ` àà ¸ àBut€what€I€think€I€presented€to€him€was€this€„€and€I€made€noÏpromises.€€I€said,€ð ðMaybe€we€can€do€this,€Greg,€if,€if€youððre€willing€toÏtell€the€truth€at€Michelleððs€trial.€€Maybe€we€can€get€the€judge€to€let€theÏparties€set€aside€your€premeditated€murder€conviction€and€have€youÏre„enter€a€plea€to€second€degree.ðð€.€.€.€And€I€think€I€may€have€toldÏhim€to€discuss€that€with€Conrad.€€But€he€didnððt€have€anything€helpfulÏto€say€at€the€time,€and€I€never€heard€back€from€him€or€Conrad.Ð ` ü!` ü! ÐÌÓÓHowever,€although€he€believed€that€Mrs.€Loudermilk€was€equally€culpable€for€herÏhusbandððs€murder,€Rehyansky€testified€that,€in€his€opinion,€the€petitioner€wasÏguilty€of€premeditated€murder.€€Mrs.€Loudermilk€subsequently€pled€guilty€toÏaccessory€after€the€fact€to€first€degree€murder.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð   @ Ðà ` àAt€the€conclusion€of€the€proof,€the€trial€court€denied€post„conviction€relief.€ÏIn€its€written€order€denying€post„conviction€relief,€the€trial€court€noted€that€theÏpetitioner€deliberately€and€repeatedly€misled€his€attorney€into€believing€that€heÏwas€the€only€person€present€during€the€shooting.€€The€trial€court€further€foundÏthat€the€petitioner€ð ðnot€only€gave€false€statements€to€the€investigating€officers€inÏthis€cause€but€.€.€.€also€knowing[ly]€and€willfully€testified€falsely€during€hisÏtestimony€at€trial.ðð€€Additionally,€the€trial€court€observed€that€while€the€petitionerÏclaimed€that€his€attorney€was€deficient€for€failing€to€read€Mrs.€LoudermilkððsÏsecond€statement,€the€petitionerððs€testimony€at€the€post„conviction€hearingÏindicated€ð ðthat€every€material€issue€in€Michelle€Loudermilkððs€statement€was€notÏtrue.ðð€€The€trial€court€concluded€that€trial€counsel€was€not€deficient€for€failing€toÐ ð5,. Ðread€the€ð ðsecond€false€statement,ðð€and€the€petitioner€was€not€prejudiced€as€aÏresult€of€any€alleged€deficiency.€Ìà ` àFrom€the€trial€courtððs€ruling,€the€petitioner€brings€this€appeal.ÌÌà@TT-®àò òII.ó óˆÐ  À Ðà@#®àò òA.€€Standard€of€Reviewó óˆÐ  À  Ðà ` àIn€post-conviction€proceedings,€the€petitioner€bears€the€burden€of€provingÏthe€allegations€raised€in€the€petition€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р°  ÐòòTidwell€v.€Stateóó,€922€S.W.2d€497,€500€(Tenn.€1996);€òòWade€v.€Stateóó,€914€S.W.2dÐ   Ð97,€101€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1995).€€Moreover,€the€trial€courtððs€findings€of€fact€areÏconclusive€on€appeal€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€judgment.€ÏòòTidwell€v.€Stateóó,€922€S.W.2d€at€500;€òòCampbell€v.€Stateóó,€904€S.W.2d€594,€595-96Ð Ðp Ð(Tenn.€1995);€òòCooper€v.€Stateóó,€849€S.W.2d€744,€746€(Tenn.€1993).Ð À ` Ðà@QQ®àò òB.€€Ineffective€Assistance€of€Counseló óˆÐ °"P Ðà ` àThe€Sixth€Amendment€to€the€United€States€Constitution€provides,€in€part,Ïð ð[i]n€all€criminal€prosecutions,€the€accused€shall€enjoy€the€right€.€.€.€to€have€theÏassistance€of€counsel€for€his€defense.ðð€€Similarly,€Article€I,€ðð€9€of€the€TennesseeÏConstitution€guarantees€an€accused€ð ðthe€right€to€be€heard€by€himself€and€hisÏcounsel€.€.€.ðð€€Additionally,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40-14-102€provides,€ð ð[e]veryÏperson€accused€of€any€crime€or€misdemeanor€whatsoever€is€entitled€to€counselÏin€all€matters€necessary€for€such€person's€defense,€as€well€to€facts€as€to€law.ððÌà ` àThe€United€States€Supreme€Court€articulated€a€two-prong€test€for€courtsÏto€employ€in€evaluating€claims€of€ineffective€assistance€of€counsel€in€òòStricklandÐ 04Ð*, Ðv.€Washingtonóó,€466€U.S.€668,€104€S.Ct.€2052,€80€L.Ed.2d€674€(1984).€€The€CourtÐ  6À,. Ðbegan€its€analysis€by€noting€that€ð ð[t]he€benchmark€for€judging€any€claim€ofÏineffectiveness€must€be€whether€counselððs€conduct€so€undermined€the€properÏfunctioning€of€the€adversarial€process€that€the€trial€cannot€be€relied€on€as€havingÏproduced€a€just€result.ðð€€òòStricklandóó,€466€U.S.€at€686,€104€S.Ct.€at€2064.€€WhenÐ 0Ð Ðchallenging€the€effective€assistance€of€counsel€in€a€post-conviction€proceeding,Ïthe€petitioner€bears€the€burden€of€establishing€(1)€the€attorneyððs€representationÏwas€deficient;€and€(2)€the€deficient€performance€resulted€in€prejudice€so€as€toÏdeprive€the€defendant€of€a€fair€trial.€€òòStricklandóó,€466€U.S.€at€687,€104€S.Ct.€atÐ ð  Ð2064;€òòPowers€v.€Stateóó,€942€S.W.2d€551,€558€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1996).€€ThisÐ à€ ÐCourt€is€not€required€to€consider€the€two€prongs€of€Strickland€in€any€particularÏorder.€€òòHarris€v.€Stateóó,€947€S.W.2d€156,€163€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1996).€Ð À` Ðð ðMoreover,€if€the€Appellant€fails€to€establish€one€prong,€a€reviewing€court€needÏnot€consider€the€other.ðð€€òòId.óóÐ   @ Ðà ` àThe€test€in€Tennessee€in€determining€whether€counsel€provided€effectiveÏassistance€at€trial€is€whether€counselððs€performance€was€ð ðwithin€the€range€ofÏcompetence€demanded€of€attorneys€in€criminal€cases.ðð€€òòBaxter€v.€Roseóó,€523Ð p& ÐS.W.2d€930,€936€(Tenn.€1975);€òòsee€alsoóó€òòHarris€v.€Stateóó,€947€S.W.2d€at€163.€€InÐ `(  Ðorder€to€demonstrate€that€counsel€was€deficient,€the€petitioner€must€show€thatÏcounselððs€representation€fell€below€an€objective€standard€of€reasonablenessÏunder€prevailing€professional€norms.€€òòStricklandóó,€466€U.S.€at€688,€104€S.Ct.€atÐ 0.Ð$& Ð2064;€òòHarris€v.€Stateóó,€947€S.W.2d€at€163.Ð  0À&( Ðà ` àUnder€the€prejudice€prong€of€òòStricklandóó,€the€petitioner€must€establish€thatÐ 2°(* Ðð ðthere€is€a€reasonable€probability€that,€but€for€counsel's€unprofessional€errors,€theÏresult€of€the€proceeding€would€have€been€different.€A€reasonable€probability€is€aÏprobability€sufficient€to€undermine€confidence€in€the€outcome.ðð€€òòStricklandóó,€466Ð à7€.0 ÐU.S.€at€694,€104€S.Ct.€at€2068.Ð Ð9p02 Ðà ` àIn€reviewing€counselððs€conduct,€a€ð ðfair€assessment€.€.€.€requires€that€everyÏeffort€be€made€to€eliminate€the€distorting€effects€of€hindsight,€to€reconstruct€theÏcircumstances€of€counselððs€challenged€conduct,€and€to€evaluate€the€conduct€fromÏcounselððs€perspective€at€the€time.ðð€€òòStricklandóó,€466€U.S.€at€689,€104€S.Ct.€atÐ 0Ð Ð2065.€€The€mere€failure€of€a€particular€tactic€or€strategy€does€not€òòper€seóó€establishÐ  À Ðunreasonable€representation.€€òòGoad€v.€Stateóó,€938€S.W.2d€363,€369€(Tenn.€1996).€Ð °  ÐHowever,€this€Court€will€defer€to€counselððs€tactical€and€strategic€choices€onlyÏwhere€those€choices€are€informed€ones€predicated€upon€adequate€preparation.€ÏòòId.óó;€òòHellard€v.€Stateóó,€629€S.W.2d€4,€9€(Tenn.€1982).Ð à€ Ðà@ii®àò òC.€Statement€of€Michelle€Loudermilkó óˆÐ Ðp Ðà ` àIn€his€first€allegation€of€ineffective€assistance€of€counsel,€the€petitionerÏclaims€that€trial€counsel€was€ineffective€for€failing€to€read€and€ð ðproperly€utilizeðð€theÏsecond€statement€of€Michelle€Loudermilk.€€The€petitioner€contends€that€trialÏcounsel,€by€failing€to€read€the€statement,€was€unable€to€prepare€an€effectiveÏdefense€as€he€did€not€have€the€benefit€of€the€statement€while€questioning€orÏadvising€his€client.€€He€asserts€that€Mrs.€Loudermilk€was€a€devious€woman€whoÏmanipulated€the€petitioner,€and€had€trial€counsel€utilized€this€statement€properly,Ïhe€could€have€argued€to€the€jury€that€Mrs.€Loudermilk€lured€both€the€petitionerÏand€Mr.€Loudermilk€to€the€cemetery€in€hopes€of€a€fatal€confrontation.€€He€furtherÏargues€that€trial€counsel€could€have€called€Mrs.€Loudermilk€to€testify€at€trial€as€aÏcorroborating€witness€that€the€victim€was€the€first€aggressor€in€the€shooting.Ìà ` àWe€agree€that€it€is€certainly€the€better€practice€for€trial€counsel€toÏpersonally€review€all€materials€received€in€discovery.€€However,€in€light€of€the€factÏthat€the€petitioner€deliberately€deceived€his€attorney€in€this€regard,€we€hesitateÏto€find€trial€counselððs€performance€defective.€€We€do€not€believe€that€trial€counselÏshould€be€saddled€with€the€burden€of€forcing€his€client€to€be€truthful€when€thatÐ à9€02 Ðclient€has€willfully€and€repetitively€lied€œtoñ\ñtñ\ñ›€œñ]ñtñ]ñhe›€attorney€at€every€stage€of€theÏproceedings.€€Clearly,€the€petitioner€held€his€fate€in€his€own€hands€and€should€notÏbe€rewarded€for€choosing€the€path€of€deceit.Ìà ` àRegardless€of€whether€trial€counsel€was€deficient€in€failing€to€read€Mrs.ÏLoudermilkððs€second€statement€to€the€TBI€officers,€the€petitioner€has€notÏdemonstrated€how€he€was€prejudiced€by€this€alleged€deficiency.€€First,€there€isÏno€evidence€in€the€record€to€suggest€that€the€petitioner€would€have€implicatedÏMrs.€Loudermilk€in€the€shooting€had€he€been€confronted€with€the€statement€by€hisÏattorney.€€The€petitioner€testified€that,€as€a€result€of€her€threat€to€abort€their€childÏif€implicated€in€her€husbandððs€shooting€he€lied€to€his€attorney€and€in€his€trialÏtestimony€regarding€Mrs.€Loudermilkððs€involvement.€€However,€the€child€was€bornÏon€February€1,€1992,€approximately€seven€(7)€months€after€the€petitionerððs€trial.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р°P ÐThe€petitioner€gives€no€indication€as€to€how€Mrs.€Loudermilkððs€threat€of€abortionÏwould€have€been€lifted€had€trial€counsel€read€and€confronted€the€petitioner€withÏthe€statement.€€Finnell€testified€that€had€he€confronted€the€petitioner€with€theÏstatement€and€the€petitioner€denied€Loudermilkððs€presence€at€the€scene,€heÏð ðwould€have€gone€ahead€and€proceeded€with€this€case€just€like€[he]€did.ðð€€InÏaddition,€there€is€no€evidence€in€the€record€to€suggest€that€Mrs.€Loudermilk€wouldÏhave€testified€favorably€for€the€petitioner€had€trial€counsel€attempted€to€call€herÏas€a€witness.Ìà ` àFurthermore,€as€noted€by€the€trial€court,€even€though€the€petitioner€refersÏto€Mrs.€Loudermilkððs€statement€as€ð ðexculpatoryðð€in€nature,€he€disputes€almostÏevery€material€aspect€of€the€statement.€€Specifically,€Mrs.€Loudermilk€stated€thatÏher€husband€exited€his€vehicle€with€a€shotgun€in€his€hands,€whereas€theÐ ð5,. Ðpetitioner€stated€that€Mr.€Loudermilk€was€not€armed€while€exiting€the€vehicle.€ÏSecondly,€Mrs.€Loudermilk€stated€that€the€petitioner€told€her€that€he€would€kill€herÏhusband€if€Mr.€Loudermilk€was€abusive€to€her.€€The€petitioner€flatly€denied€everÏmaking€such€a€statement.€€Additionally,€the€petitioner€testified€that€Mrs.ÏLoudermilk€was€seated€inside€his€car€when€the€victim€drove€into€the€cemetery,Ïbut€Mrs.€Loudermilk€claimed€that€she€was€standing€outside€of€the€car.€€Finally,Ïand€perhaps€most€importantly,€Mrs.€Loudermilk€stated€that€she€heard€a€shot€asÏshe€was€leaving€the€cemetery.€€The€petitioner€testified€that€Mrs.€Loudermilk€wasÏnot€only€present€during€the€shooting,€but€actually€fired€the€second€shot.Ìà ` àThe€petitioner€gave€two€statements€to€TBI€officials€on€the€day€following€theÏshooting.€€In€one€statement,€he€denied€any€involvement€in€the€shooting.€€In€theÏsecond,€he€claimed€that€he€shot€the€victim€twice€in€self„defense.€€PetitionerððsÏtestimony€at€the€post„conviction€hearing€clearly€conflicts€both€statements€givenÏto€the€TBI€agents.€€If€the€petitioner€had€testified€at€trial€that€Mrs.€Loudermilk€alsoÏfired€the€shotgun,€the€jury€would€have€been€faced€with€three€(3)€conflictingÏversions€of€the€facts€from€the€petitioner.€€There€is€little€doubt€that€the€petitionerððsÏcredibility€would€have€been€seriously€questioned.Ìà ` àMoreover,€the€state€presented€evidence€at€trial€that€the€petitionerÏpremeditated€the€shooting€of€Mr.€Loudermilk.€€There€was€testimony€at€trial€thatÏthe€victim€did€not€have€any€weapons€in€his€vehicle€approximately€thirty€minutesÏprior€to€the€shooting.€€However,€law€enforcement€authorities€found€a€shotgun€inÏthe€floorboard€of€the€victimððs€truck€and€a€.22€caliber€revolver€in€the€gloveÏcompartment.€€The€revolver€was€identified€as€previously€belonging€to€theÏpetitioner,€and€a€.22€automatic€weapon€found€on€the€victimððs€person€wasÏidentified€as€belonging€to€Mrs.€Loudermilk.€€Although€the€petitioner€testified€thatÏMr.€Loudermilk€threw€a€beer€can€at€his€windshield,€no€beer€can€was€found€in€theÐ Ð9p02 Ðcemetery€by€investigators.€€Significantly,€TBI€Agent€Brooks€Wilkins€testified€that,Ïafter€an€examination€of€tire€tracks€found€at€the€cemetery,€the€law€enforcementÏauthorities€concluded€that€Michelle€Loudermilkððs€vehicle€was€present€at€theÏcemetery€on€the€night€of€December€24.€Ìà ` àThe€stateððs€evidence€presented€at€trial,€coupled€with€the€petitionerððsÏproposed€testimony€that€both€he€and€Mrs.€Loudermilk€shot€the€victim,€couldÏsuggest€that€the€petitioner€and€Mrs.€Loudermilk€conspired€to€kill€the€victim.€ÏAlthough€the€petitioner€insists€that€Mrs.€Loudermilkððs€statement€is€evidence€thatÏshe€is€an€older,׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€devious,€manipulative€woman€who€lured€the€petitioner€and€Mr.Ð à€ ÐLoudermilk€to€the€cemetery€in€hopes€of€a€fatal€confrontation,€it€is€equally€plausibleÏthat€the€jury€would€have€believed€the€stateððs€theory€that€the€petitioner€and€Mrs.ÏLoudermilk€lured€the€victim€to€the€cemetery€and€laid€in€wait€for€him€to€arrive.€ÏIndeed,€trial€counsel€recognized€this€possibility,€as€he€testified,€ð ðthe€implicationsÏof€her€being€there€are€obvious€under€these€circumstances.ððÌà ` àFrom€a€thorough€review€of€the€record,€we€conclude€that€the€petitioner€hasÏnot€shown€a€ð ðreasonable€probability€that€.€.€.€the€result€of€the€proceeding€wouldÏhave€been€different.ðð€€òòStrickland€v.€Washingtonóó,€466€U.S.€at€694,€104€S.Ct.€atÐ `(  Ð2068.€€Therefore,€we€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€the€petitioner€has€notÏdemonstrated€that€he€was€prejudiced€by€his€attorneyððs€alleged€deficiency.Ìà ` àThis€issue€is€without€merit.Ìà@nn"®àò òD.€€Uncounseled€Interviewó óˆÐ  0À&( Ðà ` àIn€his€second€allegation€of€ineffective€assistance€of€counsel,€the€petitionerÏclaims€that€trial€counsel€was€deficient€in€allowing€the€state€authorities€to€interview€œñbñÐ 4°*, ЇñbññcñÌñcññfññcñÌÌñcñhñfññgñhis€ñgññhñis›€ñhñclient›€outside€of€his€presence.€€Petitioner€maintains€that€he€was€deprived€ofÏeffective€representation€when€trial€counsel€failed€to€return€the€assistant€districtÏattorneyððs€phone€calls.€€He€argues€that€had€trial€counsel€been€present€at€theÏmeeting,€he€could€have€convinced€the€petitioner€to€testify€at€Mrs.€LoudermilkððsÏtrial€in€exchange€for€a€reduced€plea€to€second€degree€murder.Ìà ` àTrial€counsel€Conrad€Finnell€could€not€recall€the€details€regarding€theÏassistant€district€attorneyððs€uncounseled€visit€with€the€petitioner€while€he€was€inÏprison.€€However,€Assistant€District€Attorney€Joe€Rehyansky€testified€that€he€leftÏseveral€messages€with€Finnell€prior€to€the€meeting.€€After€the€meeting€provedÏunsuccessful,€Rehyansky€spoke€with€Finnell€in€an€informal€setting,€and€Finnell€didÏnot€appear€to€be€troubled€by€the€meeting€with€his€client.€€Rehyansky€furtherÏrecalled€that€Finnell€was€especially€optimistic€that€the€petitionerððs€convictionÏwould€be€overturned€on€appeal.€€Ìà ` àWe€do€not€find€that€trial€counsel€provided€deficient€performance€in€failingÏto€return€the€assistant€district€attorneyððs€phone€calls.€€Trial€counsel€was€optimisticÏthat€his€clientððs€conviction€would€be€overturned€on€appeal.€€Likewise,€counselÏbelieved€that€the€petitioner€shot€the€victim€in€self„defense€and€was€unaware€thatÏMrs.€Loudermilk€was€present€at€the€cemetery€during€the€shooting.€€Therefore,€heÏhad€no€reason€to€believe€that€an€interview€with€the€law€enforcement€authoritiesÏwould€have€been€fruitful.Ìà ` àIn€any€event,€the€petitioner€has€failed€to€demonstrate€prejudice.€€First,€fromÏhis€own€testimony€it€appears€that€the€petitioner€was€still€under€the€influence€ofÏMrs.€Loudermilk€at€the€time€the€interview€took€place€in€November€1991.€€The€œñiñÌâ âÐ à7€.0 Ðñiñbaby›€she€threatened€to€abort€was€not€born€until€February€of€1992.€€Additionally,Ïâ âaccording€to€the€petitionerððs€mother,€Mrs.€Loudermilk€continued€to€visit€the€œÌñeññ_ñÌÌñ_ññdñÌñdññeñpetitioner›€in€prison€until€she€pled€guilty€in€December€1991.€ñbñœñbñ€As€a€result,€there€isÏno€evidence€that€trial€counsel€could€have€convinced€the€petitioner€to€testifyÏð ðtruthfullyðð€against€Mrs.€Loudermilk€at€her€trial.Ìà ` àFurthermore,€there€is€no€evidence€that€the€state€would€have€agreed€to€setÏaside€the€petitionerððs€conviction€of€first€degree€murder€and€allow€him€to€pleadÏguilty€to€second€degree€murder.€€Assistant€District€Attorney€Rehyansky€stressedÏthat€he€made€no€promises€to€the€petitioner,€but€merely€stated,€ð ðòò[m]aybeóó€we€canÐ à€ Ðget€the€judge€to€let€the€parties€set€aside€your€premeditated€murder€conviction€andÏhave€you€re„enter€a€plea€to€second€degree.ðð€€(Emphasis€added).€€Nor€is€there€anyÏevidence€that€the€trial€court€would€have€approved€of€such€an€arrangement.Ìà ` àThe€petitioner€has€not€demonstrated€that€trial€counselððs€performance€wasÏdeficient€or€how€he€was€prejudiced€by€this€alleged€deficiency.€€This€issue€has€noÏmerit.ÌÌà@66,®àò òIII.ó óˆÐ `(  ÐÌà ` àThe€petitioner€in€this€case€has€repeatedly€and€willfully€lied€to€his€trialÏattorney,€not€to€mention€law€enforcement€authorities€and€in€his€testimony€at€trial.€ÏUnder€these€circumstances,€we€cannot€conclude€that€trial€counselððs€performanceÏwas€deficient.€€Moreover,€the€petitioner€has€not€demonstrated€how€he€was€ÌÌÌœñ`ñÌñ`ññcñ›ñcññ`ñÐ à9€02 Ðñ`ññ`ñ›ñ`ññ`ñÌñ`ñ›Ð à9€02 Ðprejudiced€by€the€alleged€deficient€performance€of€trial€counsel.€€Accordingly,€theÏjudgment€of€the€trial€court€denying€post„conviction€relief€is€affirmed.ÌœñañÌñaññdñ›ñdññañÌñañ›ÌÓ  ÓÓÓà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à____________________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àJERRY€L.€SMITH,€JUDGEÌÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌÌ___________________________________ÌDAVID€G.€HAYES,€JUDGEÌÌÌ___________________________________ÌJAMES€CURWOOD€WITT,€JR.,€JUDGE