Opinion ID: 2494563
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Withdrawing motion for continuance

Text: Taylor next asserts that trial counsel was ineffective for withdrawing his motion for continuance days before trial, even though the motion indicated that his DNA expert had not completed his review of the records. In response to inquiring as to why he did not pursue the continuance, defense trial counsel responded that his DNA expert informed him prior to trial that in the expert's opinion, the DNA testing was properly completed and that he did not have any major complaints with the DNA testing or DNA evidence. Trial counsel therefore appeared to make a strategic decision not to proceed further with the motion for a continuance because the expert's testimony would have been detrimental to the defense, and his withdrawal of the motion does not constitute deficient performance as required by Strickland. See Occhicone, 768 So.2d at 1048.