Opinion ID: 1913318
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 19

Heading: did the trial court err in denying holland's motion for a neurological exam?

Text: ¶ 78. Holland requested a neurological examination, including a Computer Assisted Tomography (CAT) scan and an Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, to determine brain damage. Holland testified during proffer that he was often hit on the head as a child, had scarlet fever, and was almost asphyxiated in an accident. Holland stated that he had also suffered blows to his head in car accidents. The trial court refused to listen to more of Holland's testimony because the court concluded that medical testimony was necessary regarding the need for this neurological examination. Holland's counsel told the court that Holland needed the examinations before he could find an expert to testify on his ability to appreciate the criminality of this conduct, which is a mitigating circumstance. ¶ 79. The State, arguing in opposition, stated that an expert should first testify that the tests are needed, rather than having the tests done first. The trial court stated that Holland must first obtain an expert affidavit establishing the need for such an examination before Holland's request would be granted. Holland later produced an affidavit from Dr. Marc Zimmerman, a forensic psychologist, but the trial court again denied the examination. Holland now argues that Zimmerman's affidavit states that such an examination was needed, and that the requested examination should have been granted by the trial court. ¶ 80. Mississippi caselaw states expert assistance should be granted upon a showing of substantial need. Butler v. State, 608 So.2d 314, 321 (Miss. 1992). The standard of review is abuse of discretion. Id. at 321. Undeveloped assertions of helpfulness to the defense are insufficient to show that need. Hansen, 592 So.2d at 125. ¶ 81. The United States Supreme Court uses similar standards. Caldwell v. Mississippi, 472 U.S. 320, 323 n. 1, 105 S.Ct. 2633, 2637 n. 1, 86 L.Ed.2d 231 (1985) (undeveloped assertions will not suffice for showing of need), vacated on other grounds, 479 U.S. 1075, 107 S.Ct. 1269, 94 L.Ed.2d 130 (1987); Ake v. Oklahoma, 470 U.S. 68, 86, 105 S.Ct. 1087, 1097-98, 84 L.Ed.2d 53 (1985) (showing of mental incapacity as a significant factor in trial sufficient to raise constitutional guarantee to expert assistance). ¶ 82. Here, there is no showing that a neurologist, who presumably could have given an opinion on the need for a neurological examination, could not have been obtained from the state hospital. See Butler, 608 So.2d 314, 321 (Miss. 1992) (examination by state supplied psychologist sufficient to fulfill Ake requirements). One federal district court has also held Ake inapplicable to neurological examinations, as such examinations are medical and not psychological in nature. Davis v. Singletary, 853 F. Supp. 1492, 1540 n. 39 (M.D.Fla. 1994). ¶ 83. It appears that a neurological examination would have been helpful in determining the existence of brain damage and in establishing a mitigator on capacity to appreciate one's conduct. See Miss. Code Ann. § 99-19-101(6)(f) (1994 rev.). However, Holland wholly failed to meet the established criteria for proving a substantial need; therefore, the trial judge was correct in his denial of such expert. ¶ 84. This Court has repeatedly addressed this issue and required a demonstration by a defendant of substantial need rather than an mere assertion of claims and allegations. In Hansen, 592 So.2d at 125, concerning the question of appointment of a pathologist and an investigator as an expert, this Court held that the Constitution does not require the State to furnish an investigator absent a showing of substantial need. Id. (emphasis added). The Court further stated, The accused is required to offer concrete reasons for requiring such assistance, not `undeveloped assertions that the requested assistance would be beneficial.' Id., citing Caldwell, 472 U.S. at 323 n. 1, 105 S.Ct. at 2637 n. 1. This same standard has also been applied to other types of experts. See Butler v. State, 608 So.2d 314, 321 (Miss. 1992) (psychiatrist and investigator); Griffin v. State, 557 So.2d 542, 550-551 (Miss. 1990) (psychologist and ballistics expert); Pinkney v. State, 538 So.2d 329, 343 (Miss. 1988) (investigator), vacated on other grounds, 494 U.S. 1075, 110 S.Ct. 1800, 108 L.Ed.2d 931 (1990). Obviously, the same standard applies to all experts. ¶ 85. This Court most recently revisited this issue in Harrison v. State, 635 So.2d 894 (Miss. 1994), concerning the denial of a forensic pathology expert by the trial court. The Court reversed because the defendant's mental health was a significant factor at trial, as developed by the State on direct through its witness, Dr. McGarry. There, the defense was certainly entitled to rebut such evidence. In addition, the State failed to comply with Uniform Circuit Court Criminal Rule 4.06 on this very issue; thus, the error was compounded. Nevertheless, this Court again stated: Of course a defendant must come forth with concrete reasons, not unsubstantiated assertions that assistance would be beneficial. Harrison, 635 So.2d at 901. Harrison's attorneys clearly demonstrated a substantial need and thus met the established criteria under our caselaw to entitle the defendant to such an expert. ¶ 86. Here, contrary to Harrison, Holland was merely conducting a fishing expedition in an attempt to show a mental disorder resulting from brain damage due to injuries suffered as a child. More importantly, it does not escape this Court's notice that Dr. Zimmerman's affidavit does not contain a diagnosis that Holland is suffering from any mental disorder whatsoever, much less any brain damage. Simply put, there is no diagnosis of Holland, but rather Dr. Zimmerman uses the terms organic brain dysfunction and organic brain damage as interchangeable terms and states that the medical community generally accepts as reliable the results of neuropsychological testing of the type I performed on Gerald Holland. How can Holland have possibly established the proper criteria before the trial judge without any mention of a diagnosis by Dr. Zimmerman? Where is the proof of substantial need? We find that there is none. The trial judge was correct under these circumstances in denying such an expert. Determination of substantial need is within the discretion of the trial court. Hansen, 592 So.2d at 125. Substantial need criteria was not demonstrated by Holland. Caldwell, supra; Johnson v. State, 529 So.2d 577, 589 (Miss. 1988); Pinkney, 538 So.2d at 343; and Griffin, 557 So.2d at 550-51. Additionally, Holland's refusal to obtain a state neurologist is also grounds to affirm this issue. Holland did not want the State to use in cross-examination the medical records on which Dr. Zimmerman relied in forming his stated opinion. When Holland placed his mental condition in issue he waived the privilege to those medical records relied on by Dr. Zimmerman. Rule 503(f), Miss. Rules of Evidence states: Any party to an action or proceeding subject to these rules who by his or her pleadings places in issue any aspect of his or her physical mental or emotional condition thereby and to that extent only waives the privilege otherwise recognized by this rule. This exception does not authorize ex parte contact by the opposing party. ¶ 87. Rule 703, Miss. Rules of Evidence states: The facts or data in the particular case upon which an expert bases an opinion or inference may be those perceived by or made known to him at or before the hearing. If of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in the particular field in forming opinions or inferences upon the subject, the facts or data need not be admissible in evidence. ¶ 88. Rule 611(b), Miss. Rules of Evidence states: Scope of Cross-Examination. Cross-examination shall not be limited to subject matter of direct examination and matters affecting the credibility of the witness. ¶ 89. Under the Rules of Evidence, the State was entitled to cross-examine Dr. Zimmerman on the basis of his opinions, including any medical records he considered in forming those opinions. No medical privilege existed since Holland placed his mental and emotional condition in issue. The trial court properly overruled the motion in limine to prohibit cross-examination of Dr. Zimmerman on the basis of his opinions. ¶ 90. Holland is in error when he says that the record shows he was drinking hard liquor on the night of the murder. The record shows only that there was a bottle of tequila and beer cans and a glass containing what looked like Coca Cola. William Boyer never stated that he saw Holland drink anything. This was mere speculation on his part. Jerry Douglas stated that Holland basically drank beer and that he seldom mixed beer with hard liquor. Douglas stated that in the years he had known Holland he had only seen Holland mix liquor and beer three or four times. Douglas stated that when Holland mixed the two he seemed to be a little more aggressive. However, Douglas could recall Holland drinking only beer on the night of the murder. Douglas did say that there was a bottle of tequila in the house. Douglas stated that Holland drank beer after the murder while Holland was disposing of Krystal's body. ¶ 91. The question that Holland contends as error, asked on voir dire of Dr. Zimmerman regarding his qualifications as an expert, was objected to, and the objection was sustained by the trial court, a fact admitted by Holland. When a trial court sustains an objection it cures any error. Thus, error, if any, was cured or was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. ¶ 92. Further, when we look to the cross-examination by the State of Dr. Zimmerman we do not find any objections to the claimed erroneous questions or to the State testifying. These claims are waived as being raised for the first time on this appeal. Chase v. State, 645 So.2d 829 (Miss. 1994), cert. denied, 515 U.S. 1123, 115 S.Ct. 2279, 132 L.Ed.2d 282 (1995); Foster, supra, Cole, supra . Upon reading the testimony of Dr. Zimmerman, he acquitted himself well on both direct examination and cross-examination. Dr. Zimmerman was allowed to testify that he found indications of brain dysfunction without objection. The State's cross-examination was simply testing Dr. Zimmerman's conclusions and opinions. Certainly, that is the proper function of cross-examination. The State may certainly rebut mitigating evidence either by cross-examination or rebuttal evidence and may comment on the inferences to be drawn from the evidence in closing argument. Hansen, 592 So.2d at 144-52. ¶ 93. The comments on closing argument to which Holland's claim refers were not objected to by Holland. This claim is waived for the lack of an objection. Chase, supra ; Foster, supra ; Cole, supra . Even so, such was fair comment on the evidence introduced at trial and merely disparaged the mitigating evidence offered by Holland. Hansen, supra . The prosecutor's comment on not finding anything wrong with Holland's IQ in the earlier test was objected to by the defense. This objection was overruled. The prosecutor corrected himself regarding the IQ comment in his next statement. The test relied on by Dr. Zimmerman indicated that Holland was normal in the earlier test. We find no merit to this issue.