Bell v. Cone

In Bell v. Cone (2002) 535 U.S. 685, counsel waived final argument and made no case for mercy in response to the prosecutor's call for the death penalty. (Ibid.) The Court held that counsel's failings were "plainly of the same ilk as other specific attorney errors we have held subject to Strickland's performance and prejudice components." (Id. at pp. 697-698.)