Opinion ID: 2343191
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: denial of funds for independent psychiatrist (# 40)

Text: The trial court properly denied Appellant's request for funds to retain an independent psychiatrist because Appellant failed to demonstrate that such funds were reasonably necessary to the defense. Appellant's motion for funds contained only conclusory assertions that [e]mployment of a forensic psychiatrist is an absolute necessity because this Defendant has already been convicted in the state of Oklahoma of four murders and that it would be ineffective assistance of counsel not to have this Defendant ... evaluated by a competent Forensic Psychiatrist in order to determine the mental health defenses, including mental illness and the IQ of the Defendant. When the motion came before the court for a hearing, Appellant's trial counsel stated that he had spoken with a psychologist in Oklahoma that did the work-up on Mr. St. Clair, but counsel gave no indication of the substance of that conversation  either at that time or subsequently. In denying the request for funds, the trial court observed that you're telling me that you believe you need one but don't know why you need one and indicated that if you can convince me of a need ... I'll reconsider. The trial court's ruling was correct. [O]ur review of a trial court's denial of funds pursuant to KRS 31.110 is limited to the reasons actually presented to the trial court. Dillingham v. Commonwealth, Ky., 995 S.W.2d 377, 381 (1999). Appellant had no right to a psychiatric fishing expedition at public expense, Kordenbrock v. Commonwealth, Ky., 700 S.W.2d 384, 387 (1985). There is no violation of due process in the refusal to provide for expert witnesses when the defendant offers little more than an undeveloped assertion that the requested assistance would be beneficial. Simmons v. Commonwealth, Ky., 746 S.W.2d 393, 395 (1988) (citing Caldwell v. Mississippi, 472 U.S. 320, 105 S.Ct. 2633, 86 L.Ed.2d 231 (1985)). See also McKinney v. Commonwealth, Ky., 60 S.W.3d 499, 505 (2001).