Michael Skakel v. Commissioner of Correction — Robinson, J., Concurring in Part and Dissenting in Part

Summary

Justice Robinson concurred with the conclusion that trial counsel reasonably selected Kenneth Littleton rather than Thomas Skakel for a third-party culpability defense, but dissented from the conclusion that counsel reasonably failed to investigate Denis Ossorio as an independent alibi witness. She would hold that counsel's failure to make even minimal efforts to identify and interview Ossorio was deficient and prejudicial under the governing ineffective-assistance standard, warranting a new trial. The separate opinion by Justice Palmer, joined by Justice McDonald, likewise would have affirmed the habeas court's order granting a new trial, although it found deficient performance on both issues.