Opinion ID: 1891781
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Testimony of Dr. Deidiker as to bullet patterns

Text: At trial, the State presented the testimony of Dr. Deidiker, a physician trained in pathology. Dr. Deidiker testified that he conducted an autopsy upon Hinkle. He also testified about his review of a Missouri State Highway Patrol criminalist's bullet patterning test results and his opinion that Hinkle was shot by Appellant from a distance of four to eight inches. Appellant argues that the trial court erred in allowing the admission of Dr. Deidiker's testimony of bullet pattern comparison in determining the distance between the weapon and Hinkle at the time of the shooting. Appellant maintains that this opinion as to distance was based solely upon the criminalist's testing of bullet patterning and that the testing was conducted horizontally, while the evidence presented at trial established that the weapon was fired at an angle. [8] Appellant argues that Dr. Deidiker's testimony as to the distance from which Hinkle was shot was admitted without proper foundation. As stated above, the qualifications of a witness to render an expert opinion lie within the trial court's discretion. Brown, 998 S.W.2d at 549; Mehra, 819 S.W.2d at 355. A trial court will be found to have abused its discretion when a ruling is clearly against the logic of the circumstances then before the court and is so arbitrary and unreasonable as to shock the sense of justice and indicate a lack of careful consideration. Brown, 939 S.W.2d at 883. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing Dr. Deidiker to testify regarding the bullet patterning results. Dr. Deidiker testified that he was a physician trained in anatomical, clinical and forensic pathology and that he had performed between 600 and 700 autopsies. His testimony regarding the bullet patterning test was based on his previous training and experience, notwithstanding that it was partially based on his review of the criminalist's records.