State v. Carson

¶1 — David Carson appeals his conviction on three counts of child molestation in the first degree. He argues on appeal that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because his attorney objected to a Petrich1 instruction proposed by the State. A defendant must overcome a heavy burden in order to prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance; he must demonstrate that his attorney’s performance was professionally deficient and that he suffered prejudice as a result. Carson satisfies neither prong of this standard.

¶2 Defense counsel reasonably concluded that the proposed instruction’s…