Gardner v. Galetka, No. 07-4104

In a capital habeas matter, the denial of Petitioner's petition is affirmed where: 1) defense counsel made an objectively reasonable strategic decision in not investigating further or presenting psychological evidence at trial; and 2) a post-trial examination of the gun Petitioner used did not indicate it was faulty in any material way that would have caused it to accidentally discharge.

Read Gardner v. Galetka, No. 07-4104.

Appellate Information

APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF UTAH
(D.C. NO. 2:95-CV-846-TC)
Decided June 19, 2009

Judges

Before McCONNELL, TYMKOVICH and GORSUCH, Circuit Judges.
McCONNELL, Circuit Judge.

Counsel

Andrew Parnes and W. Keith Goody, Attorneys for Petitioner-Appellant.

Thomas B. Brunker, Assistant Attorney General (Erin Riley, Assistant Attorney General, and Mark Shurtleff, Utah Attorney General with him on the briefs), Salt Lake City, Utah, for Respondent-Appellee.