Lichau v. Baldwin

Defendant seeks reversal of a judgment granting post-conviction relief to petitioner based on inadequate assistance of trial counsel. Petitioner “cross-appeals,” arguing that the trial court erred on all issues decided adversely to him. We review for errors of law, reverse on appeal, and affirm on cross-appeal.

Petitioner was indicted on six counts for the rape, sodomy, and sexual abuse of his 11-year-old niece in June 1989. The victim testified that the attacks took place on two separate nights at petitioner’s parents’ house, in a bedroom 12 feet away from the living room where the parents…