Opinion ID: 1303926
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Suppression of DNA Evidence

Text: Hoffman next contends that the trial court erred in refusing to suppress DNA evidence where the DNA expert's report was provided to defense counsel on the same day as the DNA expert's testimony. A trial judge has considerable latitude in ruling on the admissibility of evidence and his rulings will not be disturbed absent a showing of probable prejudice. State v. Sims, 304 S.C. 409, 417, 405 S.E.2d 377, 382 (1991); State v. Sosebee, 284 S.C. 411, 326 S.E.2d 654 (1985). In preparation of the State's case, the State submitted blood samples to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for DNA analysis. The samples were submitted several months prior to trial, and it was noted to the defense that the results would take several months. The witness list prepared by the State included the SLED DNA expert as a witness, and a videotaped deposition taken of another SLED expert referred to the blood samples which were sent to the DNA expert. On the third day of trial, a copy of the DNA report was provided to defense counsel. The DNA report was dated the day prior and transmitted to the solicitor via FAX. At 9:00 a.m. the next day, before the DNA expert was to testify, the report was provided to defense counsel who objected that there was insufficient time to prepare for cross-examination. In response to the objection, the trial judge offered to grant a recess to facilitate defense's preparation. Defense counsel declined to accept a recess, moving instead to suppress the evidence. The trial court denied the motion and offered to allow the defense ample opportunity to prepare for cross-examination. The defense again declined. [2] The record demonstrates that the defense followed an identical strategy in the crossexamination of the DNA expert as was used with the other experts offered by the State. A review of the record shows that the defense had ample notice that a DNA expert was to be called, that the trial court offered sufficient opportunity to prepare for crossexamination, and that the defense declined that opportunity to prepare. Given the nature of the questions asked on cross-examination and defense counsel's failure to ask for anything other than suppression of the evidence, there has been no showing of prejudice to Hoffman.