Opinion ID: 1829968
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Independent, State-Funded Pathologist

Text: Hansen further invokes Ake and charges error in the Circuit Court's refusal to provide him the assistance of an independent pathologist. Williams v. Martin, 618 F.2d 1021, 1026-27 (4th Cir.1980), suggests that, on a showing of substantial need, such a request may have merit. Hansen says he needed this assistance in order to show an intervening cause of Trooper Ladner's death in the form of medical malpractice at the hospital. The Circuit Court denied the motion, offering Hansen an alternative resource. The Court ordered Mississippi's new medical examiner, who played no prior part in this case, to review the records and provide a report whether there was a possible intervening cause of death. Then, the Court said, if the defense's malpractice theory appeared viable, it would favorably consider the motion. Hansen declined to accept this assistance. In light of the Court's offer and Hansen's declination, coupled with the lack of a substantial evidentiary basis for Hansen's claim of need, we hold this issue without merit.