Gilbert Beck v. State Indiana

Defendant (Appellant) was convicted of robbery while armed and sentenced to twenty (20) years imprisonment. This appeal is predicated upon an allegation of ineffective counsel. There is a presumption that an attorney has discharged his duty fully, and it requires strong and convincing proof to overcome that presumption. Lowe v. State (1973), 260 Ind. 610, 298 N.E.2d 421, Blackburn v. State (1973), 260 Ind. 5, 291 N.E.2d 686. The mere fact that another attorney might have conducted the defense differently is not sufficient to require reversal. 'Isolated poor strategy, bad tactics, a mistake, carelessness or inexperience does not necessarily amount to ineffective counsel, unless taken as a whole, the trial was a mockery of Justice. Blackburn v. State (1973), supra at p. 696, citing United States v. Cariola (D.N.J. 1962), 211 F. Supp. 423.