Chase A. Prater v. State of Arkansas

Summary

The court affirmed the denial of Prater's Rule 37 petition, holding that counsel was not ineffective in failing to preserve a kidnapping-restraint argument, introduce post-assault photographs and a social-media comment, or object to repeated questioning about Prater's post-arrest silence. The court concluded that the kidnapping argument lacked merit, the evidentiary decision was reasonable trial strategy, and the decision not to object to the Doyle violation was also a considered strategic choice. The court acknowledged that a Doyle violation occurred but held that the violation alone did not establish ineffective assistance.