Opinion ID: 1561405
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Due ProcessFailure of Expert to Conduct Appropriate Tests

Text: Floyd next asserts that that he was deprived of his due process right to develop mitigating circumstances because Dr. Krop failed to conduct the appropriate tests for organic brain damage and mental illness and, as a result, Floyd was deprived of a fair penalty phase. A claim that a defendant has been deprived of his right to an evaluation by a competent mental-health expert may be raised under Ake v. Oklahoma, 470 U.S. 68, 105 S.Ct. 1087, 84 L.Ed.2d 53 (1985). Floyd did not raise an Ake claim in his direct appeal and, therefore, this claim is procedurally barred. See Marshall v. State, 854 So.2d 1235, 1248 (Fla.2003). Moreover, even if not barred, this claim is without merit. As previously noted, the postconviction court found that Dr. Krop was a well-respected mental-health expert who had extensive experience, and that Dr. Krop performed a thorough mental-health evaluation of Floyd. Because these postconviction findings were based on competent, substantial evidence, they should not be disturbed on appeal. Thus, Floyd also fails on the merits of his Ake claim.