State of Arkansas, Appellant/cross-Appellee v. Brandon E. Lacy, Appellee/cross-Appellant

Summary

The court reversed and remanded the order granting Lacy a new sentencing hearing because the circuit court assessed counsel's performance under counsel's subjective account rather than an objective standard of reasonableness. The court also affirmed the denial of relief on Lacy's claim that counsel was ineffective for failing to present a mental-disease-or-defect defense, concluding that the evidence did not establish deficient performance. The remand required application of the objective standard and compliance with the rule requiring specific written findings.