Opinion ID: 2827857
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The PCRA Court’s Denial of Discovery

Text: Appellant’s first complaint concerning the PCRA proceedings is the denial of discovery pertaining to the Commonwealth’s canine DNA evidence, particularly denying discovery of Dr. Halverson’s database used in appellant’s case and a request for on-sight inspection of Dr. Halverson’s lab. The Commonwealth contends appellant was permitted sufficient latitude in cross-examining Dr. Halverson and that inspecting her lab ten years after trial would have no probative value. “On the first counseled petition in a death penalty case, no discovery shall be permitted at any stage of the proceedings, except upon leave of court after a showing of good cause.” Pa.R.Crim.P. 902(E)(2). This Court reviews the denial of a post-conviction discovery request for an abuse of discretion. Commonwealth v. Edmiston, 65 A.3d 339, 353 (Pa. 2013). “‘A showing of good cause requires more than just a generic demand for potentially exculpatory evidence.’” Commonwealth v. Collins, 957 A.2d 237, 272 (Pa. 2008) (quoting Commonwealth v. Bryant, 855 A.2d, 726, 750 (Pa. 2004)). These issues are waived because appellant did not state them with sufficient specificity in his Concise Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal. See Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)(4)(vii). In his concise statement, appellant raised the issue: “Whether the PCRA [c]ourt erred in denying Petitioner/Appellant’s motions for discovery filed May 2, 2008, June 18, 2009, September 18, 2009 and November 23, 2009[.]” Appellant’s Rule 1925(b) Statement, 5/14/12, at 5. These motions requested discovery of virtually all [J-49-2013] - 60 evidence related to appellant’s case, including wholesale discovery of all evidence pertaining to Dr. Halverson’s canine DNA evidence. Appellant’s brief also fails to address the particular motions and evidence of which the court improperly denied him discovery. Regardless, our review of the record leads us to conclude the PCRA court did not abuse its discretion by denying discovery regarding Dr. Halverson’s database and on-sight inspection of her lab, as those requests amounted to nothing more than a fishing expedition. See PCRA Court Opinion and Order, 9/16/08, at 1-4, 11; 7/10/09, at 1-2; 9/21/09, at 1; 2/17/10, at 1-2; see also Collins, at 272 (discovery request based on mere speculation of potential exculpatory evidence fails to establish good cause discovery requirement).