Opinion ID: 2362153
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Trial counsel's failure to conduct independent forensic tests

Text: Jackson argues that trial counsel were ineffective because they failed to hire independent forensic experts necessary to conduct a proper defense. This omission, as Jackson sees it, is independent of the argument above about tardy appointment of co-counsel. Jackson concedes from the outset of his argument, however, that he is hard pressed to articulate what exactly trial counsel would have discovered if they had requested and been granted funds for independent forensic tests of the physical evidence and such tests had been conducted before trial. [15] The Superior Court correctly found that trial counsel's representation fell well within the range of professionally competent assistance because the record shows that trial counsel made a reasonable tactical decision not to hire or consult additional forensic experts to test the physical evidence placing Jackson at the scene of the crime. The Superior Court discussed the strong evidence that not only placed Jackson at the scene of the crime but also implicated him in the murder of Girardi: the fact that Jackson presented no alibi for his whereabouts on the day of the murder; several witnesses stated that Jackson bragged about killing Girardi; several witnesses saw the fruits of the burglary in Jackson's apartment; and, a witness stated he saw Jackson place a bloody glove in a garbage can. In fact, trial counsel consulted a shoe print expert and admitted that the results were not favorable to Jackson. The Superior Court correctly found that [f]aced with this evidence, it was not improper for counsel to forgo further forensic testing of the crime scene evidence. Rather, the Court concludes that counsel made a reasonable tactical decision to forgo such testing in order to focus their efforts on creating a reasonable doubt about Jackson's guilt. [16]