Hayward v. Belleque

In 1996, petitioner was convicted of aggravated murder and sentenced to death based on a murder that he committed in 1994. On direct review, the Supreme Court affirmed defendant’s conviction and death sentence. State v. Hayward, 327 Or 397, 963 P2d 667 (1998). In this post-conviction proceeding, petitioner sought to have his conviction set aside due to constitutionally ineffective assistance of counsel during the guilt and penalty phases of his trial.1 He appeals from the post-conviction court’s rejection of his claims. For the reasons explained below, we affirm.

I. THE UNDERLYING CRIMES

We…