Opinion ID: 1621897
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: failure to object to testimony of dobbs

Text: Kinder alleges counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the testimony of Clyde Dobbs, a sanitation worker. Dobbs testified at Kinder's trial that he picked up trash from Kinder's residence on December 26, 1990, and that when he removed the lid from the trash can he detected the odor of blood on clothing contained in the trash can. Dobbs explained that from past experience he was familiar with the distinctive odor of old blood. Kinder contends that reasonably competent counsel would have objected to the testimony because Dobbs lacked the expertise to testify concerning the odor of blood. There is no indication, however, that the State was attempting to present Dobbs as an expert witness. He merely testified to his sensory impressionswhat he smelled in the garbage. There would have been no merit to an objection; therefore, Kinder was not prejudiced by a failure to object. The motion court did not clearly err in finding that counsel was not ineffective.