Opinion ID: 1383224
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: DNA and blood evidence

Text: Ferguson also argues that counsel was ineffective for failing to refute the state's DNA evidence. As noted, however, Ferguson's trial counsel engaged in extensive cross-examination of the state's DNA expert and called an expert witness for the defense, Dr. Libby, who challenged the state's findings and procedures. Counsel was not ineffective in this regard. Ferguson next claims that counsel should have insisted that blood samples be taken of Hall's boyfriend, Hedrick, and Thompson because those persons may have been type A secretors like Ferguson. This failure does not, however, show that counsel was ineffective. Even if these persons were type A secretors, blood evidence of that sort, which is found in a large percentage of the population, had little to do with establishing the identity of the perpetrator. Ferguson was convicted on the stronger evidence that his DNA matched the DNA extracted from the sample on Hall's coat. Ferguson further argues that counsel was ineffective for failing to show that Ousley could not have been excluded as the source of the semen on his own jeans. Again, Ferguson cannot show that he was prejudiced. The state never disputed Ousley's involvement, and, as previously discussed, implicating someone else, especially Ousley, would not exonerate Ferguson. Finally, Ferguson claims that counsel was ineffective for failing to present evidence that his judgment, cognition and impulse control were substantially impaired due to his mental condition and consumption of alcohol. However, this evidence, even if true, would have been inconsistent with his defense at trial. Ferguson testified that he could not have committed the crime because he passed out in the Blazer at the Shell station. Ineffective assistance of counsel cannot be established where counsel pursued one reasonable trial strategy to the exclusion of another. State v. Harris, 870 S.W.2d 798, 816 (Mo. banc 1994), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 953, 115 S.Ct. 371, 130 L.Ed.2d 323 (1994).