Opinion ID: 1781175
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Scientific Testing

Text: Phillips contends that counsel was ineffective in failing to conduct independent scientific testing and in cross-examining the State's handwriting and fingerprint experts. Specifically, she claims that counsel should have obtained an independent handwriting expert to examine the $4,050 check made out to her and to examine the handwriting samples she gave to the State. To support her position, Phillips presented the testimony of August Nilges, a handwriting expert, at the Rule 29.15 hearing. Nilges testified that Plaster's signature on the $4,050 check was genuine and did not appear to have been made under stress or duress. He also testified that he examined the handwriting sample given by Phillips to the police and he detected no signs that Phillips attempted to disguise her penmanship. We do not agree, however, that Phillips was prejudiced by the failure of counsel to obtain and present this testimony at trial. Although the evidence may have rebutted the State's argument that the forged check and Phillips' disguised penmanship were evidence of guilt, in view of the other substantial evidence of Phillips' guilt, there is no reasonable probability that the outcome of the guilt phase would have been different. Phillips also submits that her counsel were ineffective in cross-examining the State's forensic expert Gene Geitzen and the State's fingerprint expert Donald Hampton. She states that her counsel failed to elicit testimony from Geitzen that he had concluded that none of Phillips' shoes were consistent with the footprints he saw at Plaster's house and failed to elicit testimony from Hampton that Phillips' fingerprints were not found on Plaster's car. In view of the trial as a whole, this testimony would not have exonerated Phillips and was certainly not outcome determinative. The point is denied.