Opinion ID: 1913318
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 27

Heading: did the trial court err in denying holland's motion to enjoin the testimony of dr. paul mcgarry?

Text: ¶ 126. Holland failed to raise this objection during the guilt phase. See Holland v. State, 587 So.2d 848, 865-68 (Miss. 1991) (discussing Holland's trial phase objections to Dr. McGarry's testimony, speculation not being one of them). As a result, Holland's objection is barred for not having been brought contemporaneously in the trial phase. Box v. State, 610 So.2d 1148, 1154 (Miss. 1992). Since all trial evidence can be used in the sentencing phase, where relevant, the reintroduction of this evidence now raises no error. Hill v. State, 432 So.2d 427, 441 (Miss. 1983), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 977, 104 S.Ct. 414, 78 L.Ed.2d 352 (1983). ¶ 127. The bar notwithstanding, alternatively considering the issue on the merits, Dr. McGarry's testimony was not rank speculation. The general standard of review for the admissibility of qualifications of an expert to testify to areas of scientific knowledge is abuse of discretion. Hall v. State, 611 So.2d 915, 918 (Miss. 1992). The State demonstrated that Dr. McGarry's testimony fell within the bounds of forensic pathology by demonstrating that his expertise dealt with wounds, suffering, and the means of infliction of injury. Our caselaw, as well as that of other states, permits this type of testimony. Simmons v. State, 105 Miss. 48, 57, 61 So. 826, 828 (1913) (physician may testify as to effect of sexual intercourse upon child's female organs). ¶ 128. Discussion of pain by a forensic pathologist is admissible. Our caselaw has allowed forensic evidence to prove that a victim suffered a fatal heart attack as a result of trauma and stress induced by a beating and robbery. Whittington v. State, 523 So.2d 966, 976 (Miss.), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 923, 109 S.Ct. 304, 102 L.Ed.2d 323 (1988); Jackson v. State, 441 So.2d 1382, 1383 (Miss. 1983). ¶ 129. Thus, in Mississippi, a forensic pathologist may testify as to what produced the injuries in this case and what trauma such an injury would produce. [14] Given Dr. McGarry's qualifications in forensic pathology as well as that which the field of forensic pathology encompasses, we find that this assignment of error is without merit.