Opinion ID: 1649620
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Failure to Investigate Crime-Scene Footprints.

Text: ¶ 18. Brown asserts that surprise evidence emerged at trial that there were two sets of bloody footprints found at the scene of the crime which could have involved two perpetrators. Brown misconstrues the testimony of the State's shoeprint expert who stated that of the 58 photographs of footprints examined, 23 corresponded in design or size to the size 12 Fila brand shoes found in Brown's possession. Brown raised this issue on direct appeal, asserting that it constituted exculpatory evidence of which he was not made aware. This Court found that the expert made no `surprise' conclusions or observations at trial and that the issue was without merit. Brown, 690 So.2d at 290. The issue is now procedurally barred pursuant to Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-21(2).