Opinion ID: 1790946
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: whether the trial court erred in refusing to grant defendant funds for an independent psychological expert to help develop and present mitigation evidence.

Text: ¶ 12. Bishop argues that the circuit court erred in not allowing funds to hire an independent psychological expert. He sought to employ Joe Ed Morris to develop psychological mitigation evidence from mental and emotional problems purportedly suffered by Bishop from childhood. [5] He informed the circuit court that the psychologist would investigate and testify for a fee of $2500. ¶ 13. The circuit court denied the motion because it had previously granted Bishop's motion for a competency evaluation and ordered that Bishop be evaluated by the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield. At the hearing on the motion for appointment of a psychological expert, the circuit court noted Bishop was found to be competent to stand trial and assist his attorney, and that it was further determined that he appreciated the difference between right and wrong at the time of the murder. The report from the State Hospital was not made an exhibit, and we can only assume no issue exists as to the findings on this issue that were made on the record by the circuit court. Finally, Bishop did not assert insanity as a defense. ¶ 14. A defendant is not entitled to a psychological expert where he has not raised insanity as a defense or where the State does not plan to submit psychological evidence against the defendant. Ladner v. State, 584 So.2d 743, 757 (Miss.1991); Nixon v. State, 533 So.2d 1078, 1096 (Miss. 1987). As we have stated, [w]here a defendant offers no more `than undeveloped assertions that the requested assistance would be beneficial,' no trial court is under an obligation to provide him with fishing equipment. Griffin v. State, 557 So.2d 542, 550 (Miss.1990) (quoting Caldwell v. Mississippi, 472 U.S. 320, 323 n. 1, 105 S.Ct. 2633, 2637 n. 1, 86 L.Ed.2d 231 (1985)). ¶ 15. Bishop did not raise an insanity defense; he offered no facts which would show that there was a need to develop mitigating evidence based on psychological problems; and he underwent a thorough psychological evaluation performed at the State Hospital which produced no mitigating evidence. ¶ 16. We therefore find that Bishop was not entitled to a psychological expert for the purpose of developing mitigating evidence.