Opinion ID: 1369544
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Dr. Cowan

Text: Dr. Cowan conducted a neurophysiological exam on Storey and testified in Storey's 1993 post-conviction relief hearing. He would have testified that Storey is brain-damaged. The supporting evidence would include Storey's educational records to show that his performance was declining, evidence of his car accident in 1987, and that his mother drank while she was pregnant with Storey. At the 29.15 hearing, counsel referred to a memo she prepared after interviewing Dr. Cowan, and testified: The problem with his findings were that he found the impairment to be mild. . . . [T]hat might not be persuasive to a jury. . . . He found that things were just outside of normal limits. . . . [H]e said he always testified for the defense and never for the State. . . . He also indicated that he had no medical records to support the head trauma. I think the reports, oral reports had been made that Tim suffered head trauma. He had no medical documents to support that those were the cause of any impairment that Tim was suffering from. I think the collective reasons that I noted in the memo caused me not to want to call Dr. Cowan. Counsel also felt that the jury would not care about Storey's grades and educational records. The motion court found, Review of his proffered evidence shows that this evidence would not be credible or persuasive. PCR Counsel also told trial counsel that Dr. Cowan was subject to cross-examination because he does so much work for the public defender's office. Dr. Cowan's testimony is speculative at best. . . .