Opinion ID: 1881447
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: STR Discovery

Text: Overton's second issue on appeal concerns the discovery of certain documents from the Bode lab relating to the STR/DNA tests conducted in this case, namely, the lab's validation studies, the protocol manuals, and proficiency tests. According to Overton, these documents were essential to the defense DNA expert's independent assessment of the reliability of the State's test. His specific argument on appeal is that the trial court erred in not compelling discovery of these materials and in not granting a continuance so that defense counsel could review them. We review the trial court's decision that no discovery violation occurred under an abuse of discretion standard. See State v. Evans, 770 So.2d 1174, 1183 (Fla.2000); Pender v. State, 700 So.2d 664, 667 (Fla.1997). The trial judge's decision to deny the defense's motion for continuance is likewise reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard. See Scott v. State, 717 So.2d 908, 911 (Fla.1998); Gorby v. State, 630 So.2d 544, 546 (1994). Under this standard, the trial court's ruling should be sustained unless no reasonable person would take the view adopted by the trial court. See Huff v. State, 569 So.2d 1247 (Fla.1990). Based on the record below, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by not finding a discovery violation or by denying the motions for continuance. Primarily, the defense was aware, as early as June of 1998, that Bode would be conducting independent testing. When the final report was submitted on October 14, 1998, the trial was still approximately three months away. The defense was notified by the State at the December status conference and by Bode that the requested manuals, tests and studies were much too voluminous to copy and ship. Because of this, defense counsel and experts were invited to review the materials at the Bode lab in Virginia. The defense declined to visit the lab, phone its director (Dr. Bever), set a deposition, or even question Dr. Bever at the Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013 (D.C.Cir.1923) hearing with respect to the information defense counsel sought. Moreover, and to be sure, the record does not indicate that defense counsel requested the continuances so that he or the defense expert could consult with the lab in Virginia. Rather, defense counsel sought the continuances in the event that the court were to grant the defense's accompanying motions to compel. [15] In sum, we determine that no abuse of discretion occurred.