Opinion ID: 2069959
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Alleged Failure to Employ a Ballistics Expert

Text: Johnson posits that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to obtain a ballistics expert to examine the bullets recovered from the crime scene, the vehicle driven by Bridges, and the body of Johnson. The Commonwealth presented the testimony of ballistics expert State Trooper Kurt Tempinski (Trooper Tempinski) at the trial of Johnson; Johnson asserts that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to have an expert employed by the defense examine the bullets. However, Johnson merely makes bald assertions that: (1) it is reasonably likely such evidence would have aided the defense[;] (2) there was no reasonable basis for the omission of trial counsel; and (3) Johnson suffered prejudice as a result. Brief of Johnson, page 75. Johnson fails to contend that the conclusions of Trooper Tempinski were in any way incorrect and fails to support his contention that a ballistics expert employed by the defense would have uncovered evidence that would have aided the defense; thus, he has failed to meet his burden of proving that the underlying claim has arguable merit.