Alvin T. Fukunaga, Appellant v. State of Arkansas, Appellee

Summary

The court affirmed the denial of Alvin Fukunaga’s postconviction petition, holding that counsel’s failure to object to a deputy’s testimony about delayed disclosure and memory was a reasonable trial-strategy decision rather than deficient performance. Counsel cross-examined the deputy about his lack of expertise and the possibility of fabricated allegations, and the testimony played only a limited role in the case. The court therefore did not reach prejudice. Justice Wynne, concurring, would affirm because Fukunaga failed to establish prejudice, while rejecting the majority’s trial-strategy rationale.