Ex Parte Howard Carl Whited (in Re Howard Carl Whited v. State of Alabama)

Summary

The court held that Whited received ineffective assistance when counsel waived closing argument without articulating a specific, informed strategic reason. Given the substantial arguments supporting reasonable doubt and the lengthy, emotional nature of the prosecution's closing argument, the waiver was deficient and created a reasonable probability of a different result. The court reversed and remanded for a new trial.