Opinion ID: 1694762
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Additional DNA Evidence

Text: Wainwright first claims that trial counsel was ineffective with respect to additional DNA evidence the State introduced after opening statements. At the time of trial, the State had provided the defense with three genetic loci on the sperm sample from the back seat of the victim's car. At the end of the day following opening statements, the State informed trial counsel that new test results revealed three additional genetic loci, making a total of six, and that odds against the donor being anyone but Wainwright were now astronomical. Wainwright, 704 So.2d at 514. On day eight of the proceedings (opening statements occurred on day four), trial counsel filed a motion in limine seeking to exclude the additional DNA evidence. The trial court heard arguments on the motion, denied it, and gave the defense 24 hours to prepare for the conclusion of the testing. On direct appeal, this Court held the trial court did not err in admitting the additional evidence. Wainwright, 704 So.2d at 514-15. This Court noted that trial counsel made no subsequent objection after the twenty-four hour continuance. Id. at 515. Wainwright now claims that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to preserve the issue and for failing to raise the issue of prosecutorial misconduct or discovery violation. The trial court denied this claim without an evidentiary hearing, finding it procedurally barred. [A] defendant is entitled to an evidentiary hearing on a postconviction relief motion unless (1) the motion, files, and records in the case conclusively show that the prisoner is entitled to no relief, or (2) the motion or a particular claim is legally insufficient. Freeman v. State, 761 So.2d 1055, 1061 (Fla.2000). Where the motion lacks sufficient factual allegations, or where alleged facts do not render the judgment vulnerable to collateral attack, the motion may be summarily denied. Ragsdale v. State, 720 So.2d 203, 207 (Fla.1998). However, in cases where there has been no evidentiary hearing, this Court must accept the factual allegations made by the defendant to the extent that they are not refuted by the record. See Peede v. State, 748 So.2d 253, 257 (Fla.1999). In other words, this Court must examine each claim to determine if it is legally sufficient, and if so, determine whether or not the claim is refuted by the record. Atwater v. State, 788 So.2d 223, 229 (Fla.2001). The trial court properly denied this claim because it is refuted by the record. The record demonstrates that trial counsel did preserve the issue; trial counsel filed a motion in limine seeking to exclude the DNA evidence and argued the motion to the trial court. In fact, this Court addressed the issue of the admissibility of the evidence on direct appeal, which demonstrates that the issue was preserved. Also, during the arguments on the motion, trial counsel argued that the defense was prejudiced by the discovery being provided after opening statements. The defendant is entitled to an evidentiary hearing on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel if he alleges specific facts which are not conclusively rebutted by the record and which demonstrate a deficiency in performance that prejudiced the defendant. Gaskin v. State, 737 So.2d 509, 516 (Fla.1999) (quoting Roberts v. State, 568 So.2d 1255, 1259 (Fla.1990)). Even if counsel's performance were deficient, Wainwright has failed to demonstrate any prejudice. During trial, several witnesses testified that Wainwright admitted to sexually assaulting the victim. Thus, no reasonable probability exists that, but for counsel's alleged unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. The jury was well aware that the sperm samples found in the victim's car were from Wainwright because Wainwright admitted as much.