PATRICIA BRECKENRIDGE, Judge.
Mr. Richard Strong appeals the denial of his Rule 29.15 motion for post-conviction relief from his convictions for two counts of first degree murder and sentences of death. Because this case involves the [641]*641death penalty, this Court has jurisdiction. Mo. Const, art. Y, sec. 10; order of June 16, 1988. On appeal, Mr. Strong claims that the motion court erred in denying his request to interview jurors and his six claims of ineffective assistance of trial counsel. He also asserts that Missouri’s method of lethal injection is unconstitutional because it is cruel and unusual punishment. This Court affirms the motion court’s denial of post-conviction relief.
I. Factual and Procedural Background1
On October 23, 2000, police officers were dispatched to the home of Eva Washington, following a 911 call. Ms. Washington lived in the home with her two-year-old daughter, Zandrea Thomas, and Ms. Washington and Mr. Strong’s three-month-old daughter. When the police arrived, no one initially answered the front or back doors. The officers continued to knock and shout, and Mr. Strong eventually came to the back door. When he answered, he was informed of the 911 call and asked if his “wife” and kids were all right. In response, Mr. Strong told the police that Eva Washington and the two children were inside sleeping. Mr. Strong then stepped out and closed the door behind him. The police again asked about Ms. Washington, and Mr. Strong stated that she was at work. Because this conflicted with his prior statement, the police inquired again about the children. Mr. Strong told the officers the children were inside. When the officers asked if they could check on the children, Mr. Strong told them he had locked himself out. Mr. Strong knocked on the door and called for someone to open it.
The officers noted that Mr. Strong was sweating profusely, had dark stains on the knees of his jeans, and had blood on his left hand. They ordered Mr. Strong to step aside and kicked in the door. Mr. Strong ran. When the officers chased him, Mr. Strong told them, “Just shoot me; just shoot me.” After he was caught and handcuffed, he told the officers, “I killed them.”
Inside the apartment, police found the dead bodies of Ms. Washington and Zan-drea in a back bedroom. Both had been repeatedly stabbed with a knife. On the bed, one of the officers found a large butcher knife. An autopsy revealed that Ms. Washington had been stabbed twenty-one times and had five slash wounds, and the tip of the knife with which she had been stabbed was embedded in her skull. The autopsy of Zandrea showed she had been stabbed nine times and had twelve slash wounds. The nature of the wounds to Ms. Washington and Zandrea were quite similar and appeared to be deliberate, calculated and intended to Mil. Both victims had wounds that could be characterized as a “gutting,” in that their intestines protruded from the wounds. The one difference in the nature of the wounds is that Zandrea had a neck wound, which indicates an attempt to saw off her head. There were no defensive wounds on either body. The three-month-old baby was on the bed next to a pool of blood, but was unharmed.
Mr. Strong was charged with two counts of first degree murder for the deaths of Ms. Washington and Zandrea. A jury convicted him of both murders, and the court adopted the jury’s recommendation and sentenced him to death. He appealed, and this Court affirmed the convictions and sentences. State v. Strong, 142 S.W.3d 702 (Mo. banc 2004). Following his direct [642]*642appeal, Mr. Strong filed a motion for post-conviction relief under Rule 29.15. After an evidentiary hearing, the motion court denied all his claims, finding that the record evidences a “very zealous and well-prepared attorney” and that Mr. Strong failed to demonstrate any ineffective assistance or prejudice. This Court affirms the motion court’s judgment.
II. Standard of Review
In reviewing the overruling of a motion for post-conviction relief, the motion court’s ruling is presumed correct. Worthington v. State, 166 S.W.3d 566, 572 (Mo. banc 2005). A motion court’s judgment will only be overturned when either its findings of fact or its conclusions of law are clearly erroneous. Rule 29.15; Worthington, 166 S.W.3d at 572. To overturn, the ruling must leave the appellate court with a “definite impression that a mistake has been made.” Id.
To be entitled to post-conviction relief for ineffective assistance of counsel, the defendant must satisfy the two-prong Strickland test: first, the defendant must show that his attorney failed to exercise the level of skill and diligence that a reasonably competent attorney would exercise in a similar situation and, second, that trial counsel’s failure prejudiced the defendant. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). Both of these prongs must be shown by a preponderance of the evidence in order to prove ineffective assistance of counsel. Anderson v. State, 196 S.W.3d 28, 33 (Mo. banc 2006).
Mr. Strong must overcome a strong presumption that counsel’s conduct was reasonable and effective to meet the first prong of the Strickland test. Id. To overcome this presumption, Mr. Strong must point to “specific acts or omissions of counsel that, in light of all the circumstances, fell outside the wide range of professional competent assistance.” Id.
Trial strategy decisions may only serve as a basis for ineffective counsel if they are unreasonable. See id. The choice of one reasonable trial strategy over another is not ineffective assistance. Worthington, 166 S.W.3d at 573. “[Strategic choices made after a thorough investigation of the law and the facts relevant to plausible opinions are virtually unchallengeable.” Anderson, 196 S.W.3d at 33 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690, 104 S.Ct. 2052).
To satisfy the prejudice prong of the Strickland test, Mr. Strong must demonstrate that, absent the claimed errors, there is a reasonable probability that the outcome would be different. Id. at 33-34, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Regarding a sentence to death, a defendant must show with reasonable probability that the jury, balancing all of the circumstances, would not have awarded the death penalty. Id. at 34, 104 S.Ct. 2052.
III. Issues on Appeal
On appeal, Mr. Strong asserts eight points of error, which are reordered for ease of understanding. He claims that the motion court erred (A) in refusing to allow Mr. Strong to contact jurors following his trial to investigate and prove claims of ineffective assistance of counsel and juror misconduct. Mr. Strong also claims that the motion court erred in denying his claims that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to: (B) object to the state’s peremptory strikes against vernirepersons Stevenson and Bobo for religious reasons; (C) utilize a lack of deliberation defense during the guilt phase instead of the defense that the state had not proved guilt beyond a reasonable doubt; (D) object to the admission of out-of-court statements made by [643]*643Ms. Washington to the police before her death; (E) properly object to the prosecutor’s use of a computerized slide show of photographs of the victims during the penalty phase; (F) investigate and present all reasonably available mitigating evidence in the penalty phase; and (G) present Mr. Strong’s videotaped police interview during the penalty phase. He further asserts that the motion court erred (H) in denying his claim that Missouri’s method of lethal injection constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
A. Denial of Post-Trial Interview of Jurors
Mr. Strong claims that the motion court erred in refusing to allow him to contact jurors following the trial to investigate and prove claims of ineffective assistance of counsel and juror misconduct. Post-conviction counsel filed a motion to “contact petit jurors” prior to the filing of an amended motion for relief. Mr. Strong states that such refusal is especially unfair because the motion court faulted him for failing to present the testimony of jurors in support of his post-conviction claim of prejudice resulting from the claimed ineffectiveness of counsel.2
In the court where Mr. Strong was tried, a local court rule prohibits an attorney or a party from contacting petit jurors without court permission. St. Louis County Local Rule 53.3. Pursuant to this rule, Mr. Strong sought permission from the court to contact the jurors, on the grounds that he anticipated raising two ineffective assistance of counsel claims — first, for counsel’s failure to question the panel during voir dire regarding their ability to remain fair and impartial after viewing gruesome photographs and, second, concerning the record made by trial counsel regarding the peremptory strikes used by the prosecution against Sylvia Stevenson and Luke Bobo. Post-conviction relief counsel also stated that after further review of the record he might identify additional claims. The motion court overruled the motion, stating that it would reconsider upon a showing of reasonable cause to believe, from actual factual allegations, that defendant’s rights had been violated.
Mr. Strong has no inherent right to contact and interview jurors. Courts have discretionary power to grant permission for contact with jurors after a trial. State v. Jones, 979 S.W.2d 171, 183 (Mo. banc 1998). Additionally, his use of any information obtained from the jurors is limited, in that Missouri courts exclude juror testimony from consideration on post-judgment matters:
The rule is perfectly settled, that jurors speak through their verdict, and they cannot be allowed to violate the secrets of the jury room, and tell of any partiality or misconduct that transpired there, nor speak of the motives which induced or operated to produce the verdict.
State v. Babb, 680 S.W.2d 150, 152 (Mo. banc 1984). A post-conviction relief mov-ant may not use the testimony of a juror to prove prejudice from his attorney’s alleged incompetence because this would be permitting the juror to impeach the verdict, which is impermissible. Franklin v. State, 156 S.W.3d 507 (Mo.App.2005).
Although the rule prohibiting impeachment of a verdict “extends to juror conduct either inside or outside the jury [644]*644room, [a] limited exception exists. It is permissible to elicit testimony about juror misconduct that occurred outside the jury room, such as the gathering of extrinsic evidence_” Storey v. State, 175 S.W.3d 116, 130 (Mo. banc 2005) (internal citations omitted). While Mr. Strong makes a general allegation of juror misconduct, he fails to articulate any basis for suspecting juror misconduct. There is no support for this contention, and this appears to be a pre-textual argument in an attempt to gain access to the jury’s thought processes, an act that is strictly prohibited.
Even if Mr. Strong were to speak to former juror members, the information gathered would merely provide information as to the opinions of the jurors’ regarding specific evidence. There is no indication how this information would relate to the peremptory strikes used against Ms. Stevenson or Mr. Bobo. Instead, the jurors’ opinions would merely provide insight into their responses to the strategic decisions made by trial counsel.
There was evidence at the motion hearing that counsel acted professionally in making decisions and that any challenged action was a part of counsel’s sound trial strategy.3 Counsel asked various detailed questions during voir dire, and all venire members were aware that the case involved stabbings and a young child. Defense counsel testified that he had never asked questions relating to photographs and mitigation during voir dire in other trials and that he believed that one could insult the intelligence of the venire members by suggesting the photographs alone would prevent them from considering the evidence. Counsel also stated that he had never shown such photographs in voir dire as he did not desire to overemphasize the gruesome nature of the crimes or alienate the jurors by focusing on the nature of the offense.
Trial counsel provided a reasonable explanation for his decisions and trial strategy. His performance complies with the “degree of skill, care, and diligence of a reasonably competent attorney” as is required to avoid a finding of ineffective assistance. Glass v. State, 227 S.W.3d 463, 468 (Mo. banc 2007) (quoting Hall, 982 S.W.2d at 680). The motion court did not clearly err in denying counsel the opportunity to question jurors.
B. Strikes of Venirepersons for Religious Reasons
Mr. Strong asserts that the motion court erred in denying his claim that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to raise religion-based Batson challenges to the State’s peremptory strikes of Sylvia Stevenson and Luke Bobo.4 At voir dire, Mr. Strong’s trial counsel raised race-based Batson challenges to the State’s peremptory strikes of Ms. Stevenson and Mr. Bobo, both African-American venirepersons. The trial court then asked the State to provide race-neutral explanations for the strikes.
With respect to Ms. Stevenson, the prosecutor explained that he removed Ms. Stevenson for several reasons: she seemed very unhappy with the idea of sequestra[645]*645tion, she appeared disinterested, she did not appear to have any young children, she was weak on her ability to apply the death penalty, and counsel questioned her ability to apply the death penalty due to her references to both church and religion. The trial court found these reasons to be race-neutral. Defense counsel then asserted that Ms. Stevenson’s religion and that she knew someone from the division of family services through church were merely pretextual explanations. The trial court found that the reasons were not pre-textual and allowed the removal of Ms. Stevenson.
With respect to Mr. Bobo, the State asserted that:
Mr. Bobo is the assistant dean of Covenant Seminary, and as much respect as I have for religious people, I don’t want religious people, very religious, and I would have to assume because he’s the dean of a seminary that he is a very religious person. I don’t think he would make a particularly good death penalty juror in this case, but — or in any case for that matter. Although he indicated during the voir dire that he would impose the death sentence in an appropriate situation, he was not, certainly not as strong as I would like him to have been on that, combined primarily with his position as the assistant dean of Covenant Seminary. And he does have, as you mentioned up at the bench, a cousin in prison, I believe out in the Kansas City area. As I recall that was, I could be mistaken on this, but I think it was a murder and his cousin was in prison for murder.
The trial court found these reasons to be race-neutral. The court stated that “[m]ost importantly, the race-neutral reason the Court believes for striking Mr. Bobo beyond the other reasons that Mr. McCulloch has mentioned is clearly that being the assistant dean, director of Covenant Seminary, which the Court is aware of, is a race-neutral reason.” In response, Mr. Strong’s trial counsel identified a Caucasian juror who had retired from teaching at a parochial school and asserted that the State’s reason was therefore pretextual. The trial court found that the Caucasian juror was not similarly situated, however, because being an assistant dean and director of a seminary that teaches individuals to go into religious vocations is very different from teaching high school students at a parochial school. The trial court also found that Mr. Bobo was not similarly situated with the Caucasian juror because that juror did not have a cousin who went to jail for murder or a cousin who was shot while driving a car. The court found that:
[T]he logical relevance between striking Mr. Bobo, who’s assistant dean, director of a Covenant Seminary, and the relevance between that and the fact that the State of Missouri has elected to proceed with the death penalty, it’s clear to the Court that individuals in often religious avocations are more apt to — it’s a very relevant issue between those two and the effect that it would have upon an individual sitting in a case involving the death penalty.
Mr. Strong’s trial counsel did not raise religion-based Batson challenges to the peremptory strikes of Ms. Stevenson and Mr. Bobo. Mr. Strong first challenged the constitutionality of religious-based strikes in his direct appeal, where he attempted to argue that the dismissal of Mr. Bobo on the ground that Mr. Bobo, as a religious person, would be less likely to impose the death penalty violates article I, section 5 of the Missouri Constitution.5 Strong, 142 [646]*646S.W.3d 702, 713 (Mo. banc 2004). This Court, however, found that Mr. Strong failed to preserve the claim for appellate review because it was not raised before the trial court. Id. This Court further found that Mr. Strong failed to demonstrate plain error. Id.
Mr. Strong also asserted on direct appeal that the prosecutor’s statement that Ms. Stevenson’s religious beliefs were perhaps another reason why she may be weak on the death penalty “violated equal protection by predicating [his] excuse upon her religious affiliation.” Id. at 714. This Court again found that the constitutional argument was waived because it was not raised before the trial court, and that Mr. Strong did not establish plain error. Id.
Here, in his appeal from the denial of his motion for post-conviction relief, Mr. Strong asserts that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to raise religion-based Batson challenges. The failure to preserve error for appellate review is not cognizable in a Rule 29.15 motion. Everage v. State, 229 S.W.3d 99, 102 (Mo.App.2007). Instead, post-conviction relief for ineffective assistance of counsel is limited to errors that prejudiced the defendant by denying him a fair trial. State v. Thompson, 955 S.W.2d 828, 831 (Mo.App.1997). Trial counsel’s failure to object to improper jury selection methods can, in appropriate circumstances, constitute ineffective assistance of counsel affecting the fairness of a criminal trial. Scott v. State, 183 S.W.3d 244, 247-48 (Mo.App.2005). Claims that trial counsel was ineffective for fading to raise a Batson challenge, therefore, are cognizable in a Rule 29.15 motion for post-conviction relief. Id.
In addition to a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, Rule 29.15 allows “[a] person convicted of a felony after trial [to claim] that the conviction or sentence imposed violates the constitution and laws of this state or the constitution of the United States.... ” Mr. Strong did not raise an independent constitutional claim outside the ineffective assistance context. This Court notes that, even if Mr. Strong were to raise such a claim on appeal of the denial of his post-conviction motion, it was not raised before the trial court. “A constitutional claim must be raised at the earliest opportunity and preserved at each step of the judicial process.” State v. Sumowski, 794 S.W.2d 643, 648 (Mo. banc 1990).
Batson provides the procedural framework through which a party challenges the constitutionality of an opposing party’s peremptory strikes. Therefore, the appropriate mechanism for claiming the improper removal of venirepersons under the provisions of the Missouri Constitution, like claims that peremptory strikes violate the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution, is a Batson objection. As noted above, Mr. Strong’s counsel never made a religion-based Bat-son objection. “‘[B]oth the federal and state courts have consistently held that the failure to make a timely objection effectively waives any arguments based on improprieties in jury selection which the defendant might urge pursuant to Batson.’ ” State v. Parker, 836 S.W.2d 930, 935 (Mo. banc 1992) (quotation omitted). “Even a person convicted by an unconstitutionally composed jury must bring that claim to the attention of the trial court.” State ex rel. York v. Daugherty, 969 S.W.2d 223, 224 (Mo. banc 1998) (citing Davis v. United States, 411 U.S. 233, 240, 93 S.Ct. 1577, 36 L.Ed.2d 216 (1973)). Further, trial counsel’s race-based Batson challenges do not preserve a claim for religion-based dis[647]*647crimination in the State’s use of peremptory strikes. See United States v. Brown, 352 F.3d 654, 662 (2nd Cir.2003) (applying plain error review standard for defendant’s claim that the prosecution improperly struck venireperson on the basis of her religion because defendant’s race-based Batson challenge did not to preserve the religious discrimination claim).
In reviewing Mr. Strong’s claim for ineffective assistance of counsel, this Court need not decide whether the prosecution’s peremptory strikes were constitutionally prohibited. Even assuming that trial counsel’s failure to object to the peremptory strikes on religious grounds was unreasonable, Mr. Strong must show that counsel’s shortcomings were prejudicial. “If it is easier to dispose of an ineffectiveness claim on the ground of lack of sufficient prejudice, which we expect will often be so, that course should be followed.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697, 104 S.Ct. 2052. To satisfy the prejudice prong of the Strickland analysis, Mr. Strong must show “there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” Worthington, 166 S.W.3d at 573. Demonstrating that the alleged error had some conceivable effect on the outcome of the trial is not sufficient. Johnson v. State, 189 S.W.3d 640, 645 (Mo.App.2006). Rather, Mr. Strong must show that, absent the alleged error, there is a reasonable probability that he would have been found not guilty. U.S. v. Robinson, 301 F.3d 923, 925 (8th Cir.2002). With respect to the sentencing phase, Mr. Strong needs to show a reasonable probability that the jury would have concluded that the death penalty was not warranted. Anderson, 196 S.W.3d at 33.
Mr. Strong does not attempt to establish Strickland prejudice. Instead, he asserts that trial counsel’s failure to raise religion-based Batson objections to the State’s peremptory strikes is a structural error that is presumptively prejudicial. Structural defects are “constitutional deprivations ... affecting the framework within which the trial proceeds, rather than simply an error in the trial process itself.” Arizona v. Fulminante, 499 U.S. 279, 310, 111 S.Ct. 1246, 113 L.Ed.2d 302 (1991). “Without these basic protections, a criminal trial cannot reliably serve its function as a vehicle for determination of guilt or innocence, and no criminal punishment may be regarded as fundamentally fair.” Id. (quotation omitted). One such structural defect is the trial by an adjudicator who is not impartial. Id. at 309, 111 S.Ct. 1246. Therefore, “where a criminal defendant is deprived of the right to a fair and impartial jury, prejudice therefrom is presumed.” Everage, 229 S.W.3d at 102. “Nonetheless, in order to avail himself of this presumption, [the defendant] must establish that the errors complained of resulted in his trial by a jury that was not fair and impartial.” Id.
Mr. Strong relies on this Court’s decisions in Knese v. State, 85 S.W.3d 628 (Mo. banc 2002), and Anderson v. State, 196 S.W.3d 28 (Mo. banc 2006), for his claim that counsel’s failure to raise religion-based Batson challenges was a structural defect because it deprived him of the right to a fair and impartial jury. In Knese, defense counsel failed to review questionnaires and voir dire two jurors who indicated on the questionnaires that they would automatically vote to impose the death penalty if the defendant was convicted of murder. 85 S.W.3d at 632. This Court found that “[t]his complete failure in jury selection is a structural error.” Id. at 633. As such, defense counsel’s failure was presumptively prejudicial, and the judgment was reversed as to the penalty phase. Id.
[648]*648In Anderson, defense counsel failed to strike a juror who indicated that he would vote for the death sentence unless defense counsel could convince him otherwise. 196 S.W.3d at 39. This Court found that “[f]ailure to strike a juror that is unfit to serve because of such an improper predisposition is structural error,” and “[a] death sentence imposed by a jury tainted with structural error must be vacated.” Id. at 40. As such, defense counsel’s performance denied the defendant his right to a fair and impartial jury and constituted ineffective assistance of counsel as to the penalty phase. Id. at 42.
Both Knese and Anderson are distinguishable from the case at bar. In those cases, defendants showed by a preponderance of the evidence that counsel’s errors resulted in the empanelling of biased jurors, depriving the defendants of their right to a fair and impartial jury. In this case, however, Mr. Strong has not made such a showing. At most, Mr. Strong can only demonstrate that qualified venireper-sons were excluded from the jury.
In Young v. Bowersox, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit directly addressed the question at issue. 161 F.3d 1169 (8th Cir.1998). On appeal from the denial of his petition for a writ of habeas corpus in federal district court, the defendant claimed that he received ineffective assistance because trial counsel failed to raise Batson challenges to the State’s peremptory strikes of black venirepersons. Id. at 1160. Unable to show Strickland prejudice, the defendant asserted that counsel’s failure to raise a Batson challenge was a structural defect rendering the entire trial unreliable so that prejudice must be presumed. Id. The Eighth Circuit rejected defendant’s claim. It reasoned that, despite the defendant’s contention that showing a reasonable probability of a different outcome was impossible, under Strickland, “error by counsel does not warrant setting aside the judgment of a criminal proceeding on collateral attack if the error had no effect on the judgment.” Id. at 1161. Since the defendant did not show a reasonable probability that the results of the proceeding would have been different had the black venire-persons been empaneled on the jury, the Court found that his ineffective assistance claim must fail. Id. The reasoning in Young is consistent with decisions of the Missouri court of appeals. See Scott, 183 S.W.3d at 248 (“a movant is entitled to a presumption of prejudice resulting from counsel’s ineffective assistance during the jury selection process only if the movant can show that a biased venireperson ultimately served on the jury”); State v. Colbert, 949 S.W.2d 932, 944 (Mo.App.1997).
In accordance with these authorities, this Court holds that counsel’s failure to raise a Batson objection, absent any attempt by Mr. Strong to demonstrate that unqualified persons served on the jury, does not amount to a structural defect that entitles him to a presumption of prejudice.6 [649]*649This conclusion is consistent with this Court’s finding of no plain error on direct appeal. Further, Mr. Strong makes no attempt to show that had counsel raised religion-based Batson objections, there is a reasonable probability that the outcome of the trial would have been different. Because Mr. Strong has failed to establish that trial counsel’s alleged defects prejudiced him, the motion court did not error in denying his claim for ineffective assistance of counsel.
C. Choice of Defense
Mr. Strong asserts that counsel should have chosen a different trial strategy during the guilt phase and asserts that trial counsel was ineffective for choosing to pursue a defense that the State had not proven appellant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He also states that the evidence of his involvement with the murders was overwhelming and that the only real question during the guilt phase concerned whether he deliberated. Finally, Mr. Strong suggests that his trial counsel was ineffective in not presenting the defense that Mr. Strong was guilty of second degree murder because he did not deliberate, a defense that Mr. Strong would have supported.
There is sufficient evidence to support the motion court’s finding that the nature of the defense was a reasonable strategic decision of trial counsel. A defense of a lack of deliberation is premised on the mental state of Mr. Strong. Section 565.002, RSMo 2000 (defining deliberation as a cool reflection for any length of time no matter how brief). Trial counsel testified at the motion hearing that he believed there was overwhelming evidence to contradict a defense of lack of deliberation. The evidence that was inconsistent with a defense of a lack of deliberation related both to the nature of the murders and to Mr. Strong’s behavior during and after the murders. For example, during the murders, the telephone line was cut and Ms. Washington’s 911 call was terminated. The nature of the wounds on the victims showed a measured and controlled attack. The number of wounds to both victims is also evidence that the attack took significant time, which would have given Mr. Strong time to reflect on his actions while committing the murders. While Mr. Strong savagely murdered Zandrea, he did not kill his own child who was in the room at the time. At no time did he call for medical help for the victims. When the police came to the home, Mr. Strong maintained his composure under questioning, which shows the ability to control his actions. Mr. Strong lied to the police as to what was happening, he changed his clothes after the murder, and he falsely stated that he had cut his hand when asked about the blood on him.
In addition, trial counsel stated that his choice of defense was an attempt to avoid opening the door during the guilt phase to any information that Mr. Strong had previously assaulted and threatened to kill both victims and that this weighed on his strategic decisions as to which defenses to pursue.
[650]*650More importantly, contrary to his statement that he would have supported a defense of lack of deliberation, Mr. Strong failed to cooperate with his counsel and provided his attorney with numerous different versions of events. Mr. Strong once told his attorney that everything Mr. Strong told counsel was a lie, but trial counsel was unsure to what version of events Mr. Strong was referring. Mr. Strong also contended at times that Ms. Washington murdered Zandrea, not he.
Due to the bad facts of the murders of Ms. Washington and Zandrea and Mr. Strong’s failure to cooperate, trial counsel faced extremely difficult strategic decisions. As counsel could not rely upon Mr. Strong’s position to be consistent, choosing not to pursue a defense premised upon Mr. Strong’s state of mind was a reasonable trial decision.
Once again, there was sufficient evidence to support the motion court’s finding that counsel acted professionally in making decisions and that any challenged action was a part of counsel’s sound trial strategy. See Tokar, 918 S.W.2d at 766, 768. Trial counsel articulated sound reasons for the strategic choices made.7 As such, this Court will not find that the motion court erred in denying Mr. Strong’s claim that trial counsel was ineffective for his strategic choices.
D. Admission of Out-of-Court Statements of Victim
Mr. Strong alleges that the motion court erred in denying his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel on the basis that trial counsel should have objected to the reading of statements made by Ms. Washington to police regarding an earlier assault on her by Mr. Strong. During the penalty phase, the prosecutor sought to introduce Ms. Washington’s statements made to an officer at the scene of an assault by Mr. Strong against Ms. Washington approximately one year prior to her murder. The trial court allowed the prosecutor to submit Ms. Washington’s excited utterances. Mr. Strong now asserts that trial counsel should have objected to the hearsay statements because they were inadmissible under the reasoning of Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 124 S.Ct. 1354, 158 L.Ed.2d 177 (2004).
Prior to Crawford, courts focused on whether the out-of-court statements had adequate indicia of reliability to justify their admission. Glass, 227 S.W.3d at 472. In Crawford, the United States Supreme Court changed that analysis and held that testimonial out-of-court statements by a witness are barred by the Confrontation Clause unless the witness is unavailable to testify and the defendant had a prior opportunity to cross-examine the witness. Crawford, 541 U.S. at 53-54, 124 S.Ct. 1354. The United States Supreme Court further clarified the circumstances under which out-of-court statements are “testimonial” in Davis v. Washington, 547 U.S. 813, 126 S.Ct. 2266, 165 L.Ed.2d 224 (2006).
Both Crawford and Davis, however, were decided after Mr. Strong’s trial and conviction. In Glass, this Court faced an identical situation, wherein the defendant attempted to claim that counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the admission of evidence on the basis that it violated the defendant’s Confrontation Clause rights under Crawford, but the alleged defect occurred before Crawford was de[651]*651cided. Glass, 227 S.W.3d at 472. This Court found that:
In reviewing an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, counsel’s conduct is measured by what the law is at the time of trial. Counsel will generally not be held ineffective for failing to anticipate a change in the law. [The defendant] was tried and convicted before the Crawford, ease was decided. In order to make the Crawford objection at trial, counsel would have had to anticipate the Supreme Court’s holding in an opinion that had not yet been issued.
Id. (citations omitted).
Likewise, in this case, because trial counsel cannot be ineffective for failing to anticipate the holding of Crawford prior to its issuance, the motion court did not clearly err in denying Mr. Strong relief on this claim.
E. Use of Computerized Slide Show
Mr. Strong argues that the motion court erred in denying Mr. Strong’s claim that counsel was ineffective because counsel failed to preserve an objection to the prosecutor’s use of a computerized slide show during the penalty-phase closing argument and counsel failed to record the reactions of the jury to this computerized slide show. The slide show incorporated photographs admitted into evidence and photographs of the victims.
In his direct appeal, Mr. Strong raised claims of error relating to both the admission of several photographs of Ms. Washington and Zandrea at the scene and during the autopsies and the state’s utilization of a computerized slide show of the photographs in its penalty phase closing argument. Strong, 142 S.W.3d at 720. Mr. Strong’s claim in his direct appeal was that “the prejudicial impact of these exhibits vastly outweighed their probative value as they were irrelevant and were admitted ‘solely to engender passion and prejudice’ and because ‘their duplicative nature compounded the prejudice from each individual view.’ ” Id. This Court first addressed the claim of error in the admission of the photographs during the penalty phase and relied upon its ruling that there was no error in admitting them in the guilt phase. Id. This Court noted that “[t]he trial court has broad discretion in the admission of photographs” and that “[i]ts decision will not be overturned absent an abuse of discretion.” Id. at 715.
The Court further reviewed the merits of Mr. Strong’s claim that the trial court erred in allowing the admission of the computerized slide show and found that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in permitting the slide slow:
Strong contends the computerized slide show was more prejudicial than probative because it resulted in the jury’s being “bombarded with a host of graphic, color images.” As Strong notes in his brief, the slide show depicted photographs of “Eva and Zandrea before the events in question; Eva and Zan-drea at the scene and during the autopsies; the butcher knife and [Strong’s mug shot], superimposed on the other images.” Nearly all of the photographs contained in the slide show were previously admitted, and those not admitted lacked prejudice as they merely contained innocuous photographs of the victims. “Gruesome crimes produce gruesome, yet probative, photographs, and a defendant may not escape the brutality of his own actions.” State v. Wolfe, 13 S.W.3d 248, 264 (Mo. banc 2000).
Strong, 142 S.W.3d at 720-21. This Court further held that Mr. Strong did not “establish that the slide presentation during closing argument prompted the jury to act other than on the basis of reason.” Id. at 721.
[652]*652On appeal of the denial of his motion for post-conviction relief, Mr. Strong asserts that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the admission of the photographs in the computerized slide show and argues that his counsel’s failure to object resulted in plain error review in the direct appeal. This Court reviewed the merits of his claims of error in his direct appeal, and there was no indication that the review was limited to plain error. Id. at 720-21. Mr. Strong may not use post-conviction proceedings as “a vehicle to obtain a second appellate review of matters raised on direct appeal.” Wilkins v. State, 802 S.W.2d 491, 497 (Mo.banc1991).8 As such, the motion court did not clearly eiT in denying Mr. Strong relief on this claim.
F. Failure to Present Mitigating Evidence
Mr. Strong asserts that the motion court clearly erred in faffing to find trial counsel ineffective due to his failure to investigate and call certain mitigation witnesses in the penalty phase. Mr. Strong acknowledges that trial counsel presented mitigation evidence during the penalty phase that Mr. Strong was of good character. Nevertheless, he asserts that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to present evidence of Mr. Strong’s complete social history and an explanation of how that social history impacted his behavior throughout his life and on the day of the murders. He claims that this evidence would show that his violent acts were the result of a violent, abusive, and traumatic life. Mr. Strong asserts that a reasonably diligent attorney would have contacted witnesses to testify on these issues and utilized their testimony during the penalty phase.
The choice of witnesses is ordinarily a matter of trial strategy and will not support an ineffective assistance of counsel claim. State v. Harris, 870 S.W.2d 798, 816 (Mo. banc 1994). Counsel’s “strategic choices made after thorough investigation of law and facts relevant to plausible options are virtually unchallengeable.” Id. at 816-17 (quoting Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 690, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984)). In addition, “the duty to investigate does not force defense lawyers to scour the globe on the off-chance something will turn up; reasonably diligent counsel may draw a line when they have good reason to think further investigation would be a waste.” Rompilla v. Beard, 545 U.S. 374, 383, 125 S.Ct. 2456, 162 L.Ed.2d 360 (2005).
To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel for faffing to call a witness, a defendant must show that:
(1) trial counsel knew or should have known of the existence of the witness,
(2) the witness could be located through reasonable investigation,
(3) the witness would testify, and
(4) the witness’s testimony would have produced a viable defense.
Hutchison v. State, 150 S.W.3d 292, 304 (Mo. banc 2004).
Mr. Strong claims that trial counsel should have called his friend, Lamont Netter, to testify to his poor childhood.9 Mr. [653]*653Strong also asserts that trial counsel should have called experts such as Dr. Wanda Draper and Dr. Marilyn Hutchinson during the penalty phase to explain that the murders were caused by the uncontrollable mental illness Mr. Strong suffered due to his impoverished childhood filled with neglect, violence, and abuse.
Mr. Strong failed to identify Mr. Netter as a witness and, even if he did, there is no indication that the testimony would produce a viable defense. The record indicates that Mr. Strong was a very uncooperative and unhelpful client who hindered, as opposed to assisted, his attorneys.10 Trial counsel located numerous witnesses and, in fact, called fifteen witnesses during the penalty phase, all of whom provided positive information about Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong’s identification of one witness, whose name he did not provide and who could only provide information as to Mr. Strong’s difficult childhood, does not demonstrate ineffective assistance.
Regarding the two experts, there was evidence to support the motion court’s finding that trial counsel’s decision not to utilize experts in this context was a valid trial strategy decision. Trial counsel stated that he relied on multiple witnesses who stated positive things about Mr. Strong as trial counsel attempted to demonstrate that Mr. Strong’s life was worth saving. Counsel testified that he believed that the best strategy was to show Mr. Strong as a good man, able to do good things — not to blame Mr. Strong’s actions on a bad childhood. Trial counsel also expressed his belief that blaming Mr. Strong’s actions on events in the distant past could appear to a jury as making excuses, which might alienate or offend a jury. “Trial counsel has nearly unfettered discretion as to what evidence to admit in presenting a case, as well as which witnesses to call.” Matthews v. State, 175 S.W.3d 110, 116 (Mo. banc 2005). In light of counsel’s beliefs, and the great discretion afforded him, trial counsel’s failure to call experts, such as Dr. Draper and Dr. Hutchinson, is reasonable and within the discretion of counsel.11
Finally, Mr. Strong asserts that counsel should have asked different questions of his mother, Joyce Knox, and uncle, Wayne Garner, than those asked at trial. Once again, trial counsel’s line of questioning demonstrates reasonable trial strategy and is within his discretion. See id.
The record demonstrates a thorough investigation by trial counsel into mitigation evidence and, given the information received from his investigation, he proceeded in a reasonable manner. Nothing about trial counsel’s strategy indicates any failure to utilize the skill, care, or diligence of a reasonable attorney. The trial court’s denial of the claim of ineffective assistance of counsel was not clear error.
G. Failure to Present Video of Police Interview
Mr. Strong claims that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to present, [654]*654during the penalty phase, a videotaped statement that Mr. Strong made to police. In the statement, Mr. Strong admitted that he “must have killed” the victims. He also stated he was sorry but did not know why he was sorry. The tape was filled with contradictory statements.
Trial counsel stated that showing the video during the penalty phase would have been inconsistent with counsel’s guilt phase strategy and would have made the jury think that the “wool was getting pulled over their eyes.” Trial counsel noted that Mr. Strong blamed Ms. Washington for killing Zandrea, denied the killings, and stated he did not remember the murders during the videotaped statement. Trial counsel felt there was too much negative information to utilize the videotape during the penalty phase.
The record demonstrates that trial counsel acted professionally in making decisions, and trial counsel’s decision not to seek admission of a video containing many contradictory statements fails to establish ineffective assistance of counsel.
H. Constitutionality of Lethal Injection
Mr. Strong asserts the motion court erred in denying his claim that Missouri’s method of lethal injection constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. He states that Missouri’s method and protocol results in extreme pain, prolonged suffering, and torture during the execution process. Mr. Strong presented no evidence in support of these assertions.
Furthermore, when a condemned person has not yet exhausted his appeals, it is premature to consider a claim involving the method of execution, as “it is unknown what method, if any, of lethal injection may be utilized by the State of Missouri at such future time, if any, as [Mr. Strong’s] right to seek relief in state and federal courts is concluded and his execution date and method are set.” Worthington v. State, 166 S.W.3d 566, 583 n. 3 (Mo. banc 2005). As such, even if Mr. Strong’s claim contained merit, it is not yet ripe.
IV. Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, this Court finds that the motion court did not clearly err in denying Mr. Strong’s motion for post-conviction relief. The judgment of the motion court, therefore, is affirmed.
PRICE, LIMBAUGH and RUSSELL, JJ., concur; WOLFF, J., dissents in separate opinion filed; STITH, C.J., and TEITELMAN, J., concur in opinion of WOLFF, J.