The South Dakota Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s decision on a trial appeal in a case involving the death of a toddler.
Manegabe Chebea Ally faced multiple charges, including first-degree murder, in regard to the 2012 death of his partner’s 16-month-old.
Ally’s charges were reduced to one charge of first-degree manslaughter, and he received a 25-year sentence. He appealed saying he received ineffective counsel, and the lower court granted Ally relief.
The lower court cited several deficiencies in his trial counsel, including an imprecise remark in the opening statement, declining to call a witness for an additional testimony, and excluding certain videotape evidence.
However, The South Dakota Supreme Court reversed the decision. The opinion stated that both declining to call a witness and withholding video evidence qualified as reasonable strategic decisions.
While imprecise remark was not a reasonable strategic decision, the court decided the mistake did not prejudice Ally’s defense.
The opinion stated Ally received adequate defense and wasn’t deprived of a fair trial.