Devon Taylor v. Commissioner of Correction

Summary

The court affirmed the denial of habeas relief, holding that the petitioner had to prove actual prejudice from trial counsel's deficient handling of a sealed jury note. The court rejected or declined to review theories that prejudice should be presumed because the alleged error was structural or constituted a complete denial of counsel, and it found that the petitioner failed to show a reasonable probability of a different verdict. The court also concluded that the trial court's response to the jury note was appropriate under the circumstances.