Ricky Lee Putman
v.
State of Iowa
Appellant
Ricky Lee Putman
Appellee
State of Iowa
Attorney for the Appellant
Stuart G. Hoover
Attorney for the Appellee
Sheryl Soich, Assistant Attorney General
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Fayette County, Richard D. Stochl, Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Vaitheswaran, P.J., and Tabor and Greer, JJ. Opinion by Greer, J. (8 pages)
A postconviction-relief applicant argues his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to adequately advise him on his right to testify in his own defense and for failing to keep him informed on the defense strategy, thereby depriving him of the ability to meaningfully participate in his defense. The district court denied the application for postconviction relief. OPINION HOLDS: On our review, we conclude trial counsel did not fail to perform an essential duty by advising his client not to testify or by exercising his judgment in choosing the defense strategy.