Opinion ID: 1913318
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: did the trial court err in denying holland funds to retain the services of an expert in the field of serology?

Text: ¶ 53. Holland fails to fully brief the issue in his original and reply briefs of the failure of the trial court to provide funds for an expert serologist. No authority is cited by Holland; thus, this issue is barred. Pate v. State, 419 So.2d 1324, 1325-26 (Miss. 1982). Accordingly, this Court bars discussion of it under Caldwell, 564 So.2d at 1373-74. ¶ 54. The bar notwithstanding, alternatively we consider the issue on its merits. Holland asserts that a serologist would have testified to Holland's innocence. Specifically, he argues that this serologist would state that the presence of acid phosphatase in Krystal's body does not necessarily mean semen was present. The trial judge excluded the serologist's testimony and refused to provide Holland funds for that serologist because, in the trial judge's view, such exculpatory evidence was impermissible at sentencing, as a matter of law. ¶ 55. The standard of review is de novo, since the trial court's refusal was based upon law. Bank of Mississippi v. Hollingsworth, 609 So.2d 422, 424 (Miss. 1992). The general standard of review for a trial court's refusal to provide an expert witness is substantial need for that expert. Hansen, 592 So.2d at 125. The general standard of review for a trial court's decision on a question of admissibility of an expert's opinion is whether the expert's testimony would assist the trier of fact in making a determination on the ultimate issue. Lentz v. State, 604 So.2d 243, 246 (Miss. 1992). Having affirmed the bar on exculpatory evidence in sentencing, this Court holds that the trial court's decision in this case was correct. Holland asserts in his trial brief that the serologist's testimony would go to guilt or innocence and would assist the trier of fact on a relevant issue. This Court cannot address the issue of substantial need, as it was not considered by the trial court. Beard v. Stanley, 205 Miss. 723, 735, 39 So.2d 317, 321 (1949).