State of Arkansas, Appellant v. Mario D. Thompson, Appellee

Summary

The court reversed and dismissed the circuit court’s order granting postconviction relief because the defendant failed to establish prejudice from any alleged deficient performance by trial counsel. The court held that withholding guardianship evidence avoided admission of a damaging later psychological evaluation, and that the sentencing errors did not establish a reasonable probability of a different result. Justice Hart dissented, asserting that the majority improperly disregarded the circuit court’s factual finding of prejudice and applied an unduly restrictive sentencing-prejudice standard.