Goodwin v. Cruz-Padillo

Hunstein, Justice.

Rudolfo Cruz-Padillo’s petition for writ of habeas corpus was granted on the basis that he had received ineffective assistance of trial counsel. Warden Goodwin appeals and we reverse.

The evidence at trial established that the victim, who was Cruz-Padillo’s work supervisor, had engaged in a fist fight with Cruz-Padillo’s roommate the evening before the incident (during which the victim had slapped Cruz-Padillo on the face), but the fight had ended peacefully and the combatants had shaken hands. The next day, Cruz-Padillo shot the unarmed victim four times outside the…