Opinion ID: 410972
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Subsidiary Issues Concerning Psychiatric Testimony

Text: 57 Harris claims that Dr. Griswold lied about having been hired to testify in the past about as often by prosecution attorneys as by defense attorneys. This claim, however, raises no constitutional issue. Rather, this is purely a state-law evidentiary issue not cognizable in a petition for habeas corpus. See 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2254(a) (court may entertain habeas application only on ground that custody violates the constitution or laws or treaties of United States). 58 Harris also contends that the surprise nature of Dr. Griswold's testimony violated due process. We find this argument to be without merit. In professing remorse, Harris could have well expected rebuttal testimony. He concedes that to the extent the psychiatrist's testimony served as rebuttal to Harris' expression of remorse, no advance notice that the psychiatrist would testify was required. Harris argues, however, that the prosecutor used the testimony to do far more than rebut Harris' alleged remorse. The California Supreme Court concluded, however, that Dr. Griswold's testimony was properly characterized and utilized as rebuttal testimony. See People v. Harris, 28 Cal.3d at 961-62, 171 Cal.Rptr. 679, 623 P.2d 240. No federal ground is presented to dispute that characterization on this appeal.