Opinion ID: 1901682
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Pretrial Orders Regarding Mental Health Expert

Text: Prior to trial, the defense failed to give timely notice of its intent to present expert testimony of mental mitigation. Defense counsel subsequently moved to extend the time allowed under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.202 to provide this information to the State, and the State acquiesced to this request, provided that the defense would turn over the expert's report and a copy of her notes and test results prior to her scheduled deposition. [11] The trial court memorialized the agreement in an order dated February 23, 2000. On February 28, 2000, the State informed the trial court that Dr. McMahon (the defense expert) had not turned over any of the information due the State prior to her deposition. After a brief discussion, the parties agreed that Dr. McMahon would turn over the materials to the State's expert witness. After Dr. McMahon's deposition, the State notified the trial court that she had indicated that she did not plan to prepare a written report unless ordered to do so. At this point, the defense objected to the entire procedure. The State responded by reminding the court of the prior agreement and the fact that the objection was moot because Dr. McMahon's deposition had already taken place. The court denied the State's motion, but signed an order requiring McMahon to turn over her notes and testing materials. It is plain to this Court that it was the intention of both parties that Dr. McMahon turn over her materials to the State and be deposed prior to trial. Certainly, any objection to this procedure was waived by the defense team's agreement to provide the materials on behalf of its client. Under Florida law, [a] party may not invite error and then be heard to complain of that error on appeal. Pope v. State, 441 So.2d 1073, 1076 (Fla.1983). Here, the error asserted by the appellant was not only invited, it was fully discussed, agreed to, and officially sanctioned by the trial court in two orders. At this late stage in the proceedings, the appellant certainly cannot assert that the trial court prejudiced his case by approving the arrangement between his lawyers and the State. We deny relief based upon this claim.