Coleman

MEMORANDUM *

Ralph Terry Coleman appeals from the district court’s denial of his 28 U.S.C. § 2254 petition challenging his 1986 conviction of two counts of first degree murder, one count of second degree murder, and one count of assault with intent to commit murder. The district court adopted the comprehensive findings and recommendations of the magistrate judge and we affirm.

Coleman’s trial counsel was not ineffective by reason of any failure to investigate, prepare, or present a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”) defense. None of the numerous expert medical opinions available at the time indicated that the defendant suffered from PTSD. At most, the record reflects that a prison medical officer made a notation that Coleman exhibited symptoms that were consistent with PTSD. The magistrate judge conducted an evidentiary hearing and concluded that Coleman was mistaken in his assertion that he had provided adequate information to his counsel to mount a PTSD defense. The record supports the opinion of the magistrate judge.

Coleman’s counsel did present a defense based upon a mental disorder, and the jury had before it evidence that Coleman had served in Vietnam. Counsel did…