Opinion ID: 158651
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: expert testimony of forensic chemist

Text: 48 Petitioner next argues that the trial court's admission of the expert testimony of the State's forensic chemist, Janice Davis, concerning hair and fiber evidence linking petitioner to the crime, deprived petitioner of due process and a fair trial. On direct appeal, petitioner challenged Davis' testimony only on state law grounds. See Duncan v. Henry, 513 U.S. 364, 366 (1995) (per curiam) (If a habeas petitioner wishes to claim that an evidentiary ruling at a state court trial denied him the due process of law guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment, he must say so, not only in federal court, but in state court.). Because respondent does not argue that this claim is unexhausted or procedurally barred, however, we address the merits of petitioner's federal claim. See 28 U.S.C. § 2254(b)(2) (federal habeas court may deny relief on merits of unexhausted claim); see also Hooks v. Ward, 184 (10th Cir. 1999) (to be reported at 184 F.3d 1206) (State is obligated to raise procedural default as affirmative defense or lose right to do so). 49 Because the state courts did not address the federal claim, however, the district court addressed the merits of this issue in the first instance. This court, therefore, reviews the legal conclusions underlying the district court's decision de novo, and any factual findings for clear error. See LaFevers, 182 F.3d at 711. 50 Petitioner is not entitled to federal habeas relief unless the error, if any, was so grossly prejudicial that it fatally infected the trial and denied the fundamental fairness that is the essence of due process. Williamson v. Ward, 110 F.3d 1508, 1522 (10th Cir. 1997) (pre-AEDPA). The district court determined that any question concerning the admission of Davis' testimony did not rise to the level of a due process violation. Petitioner argues this evidence was unduly prejudicial because it was unreliable, inaccurate or false; the nature of hair and fiber comparisons is inexact; Davis testified in a biased and subjective manner; and she was probably unqualified to testify as an expert. 51 Hair and fiber comparison evidence is not per se inadmissible. See id. at 1522-23 (addressing admissibility of hair analysis evidence). Davis did possess expertise in hair and fiber analysis, having been trained in forensic science generally and having attended several law enforcement training seminars specifically addressing hair and fiber analysis. See Story v. Collins, 920 F.2d 1247, 1255 (5th Cir. 1991) (addressing admission of expert testimony concerning sexually abused children). We cannot say that it was fundamentally unfair for the trial court to allow her to testify as an expert. See Bennett v. Lockhart, 39 F.3d 848, 857 (8th Cir. 1994). 52 On cross-examination and in argument before the trial judge, defense counsel ably challenged the hair and fiber evidence, Davis' qualifications, and her testing methods. See Little v. Johnson, 162 F.3d 855, 863 & n.11 (5th Cir. 1998) (citing Barefoot v. Estelle, 463 U.S. 880, 898-99 (1983)), cert. denied, 119 S. Ct. 1768 (1999); see also Adams v. Leapley, 31 F.3d 713, 715 (8th Cir. 1994). He also had a defense expert available to guide and inform his cross-examination. Cf. Little, 162 F.3d at 863 (counsel could offer rebuttal expert evidence and cross-examine purported state expert). 53 Davis, herself, testified that a comparison of hairs could only establish either that the known and unknown hairs were not from the same source, or that the hairs were microscopically similar and, therefore, could have come from the same source. She also stressed that hair comparison could not result in a positive identification. 54 The trial court instructed the jury that it was to determine the weight to be given any expert testimony. See Little, 162 F.3d at 863; Bachman v. Leapley, 953 F.2d 440, 442 (8th Cir. 1992). Because this evidentiary issue was fully and competently aired in the state courts, petitioner has failed to show a violation of fundamental fairness under the due process clause. Spence v. Johnson, 80 F.3d 989, 1000 (5th Cir. 1996). 55 In support of this federal habeas claim, petitioner submits the affidavit of another hair and fiber expert who further challenges the credibility of Davis' testimony and testing methods. Based upon the affidavit, petitioner asserts he is entitled to discovery on this claim. This evidence, however, was available to petitioner at trial. In addition, he had a defense expert at trial to inform his challenge to this evidence. Cf. Siripongs v. Calderon, 167 F.3d 1225, 1227-28 (9th Cir. 1999) (rejecting habeas claims based upon opinion of newly hired defense expert, where test results were available and reviewed by defense expert prior to trial). Petitioner, therefore, has failed to establish good cause for discovery on this issue. See Rule 6(a), Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases; see also Bracy, 520 U.S. at 908-09.