Benton v. Hines

Summary

The Supreme Court of Georgia reversed the grant of habeas relief, holding that Hines failed to establish ineffective assistance of appellate counsel. Although trial counsel did not cross-examine the cooperating witness about the maximum sentence he might have faced, the jury already knew he received a substantial plea benefit, and the additional impeachment would have had marginal value in light of the corroborating evidence. All Justices concurred.