Opinion ID: 1127469
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Visitation of the Crime Scene

Text: Defense counsel and two investigators were allowed to visit the crime scene in May 1991, shortly after the crimes and about one year before trial. Subsequently, a new attorney from the same public defender's office and an investigator were assigned to assist the original attorney. The new attorney and investigator never visited the crime scene. On the fourth day of trial, more than a year after the crime was committed, Roger's counsel orally moved for an order permitting the defense team to revisit the crime scene. The trial court denied the motion on the ground that defendant failed to show a substantial need for a second inspection. See Ariz.R.Crim.P. 15.1(e). The original attorney was still the primary counsel and the original investigators were still available. Furthermore, the crime scene had been cleaned up. The trial court did not abuse its discretion. SENTENCING