Court Opinion

ID: 9587543
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:23:31.300856+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:59:52.945991
License: Public Domain

PHIPPS, Judge,
concurring fully and specially.
I agree with the thoughtful and well reasoned opinion of the majority. I agree that application of the various evidence rules cited in the majority opinion means that a defendant charged with possession of a controlled substance does not necessarily have a right to confront and cross-examine the expert who actually analyzed the substance on behalf of the state. I write separately only to note that the defendant does, however, have a qualified right to have an expert of his own choosing perform an independent analysis. Carter v. State, 252 Ga. 502, 504 (2) (315 SE2d 646) (1984), citing Patterson v. State, 238 Ga. 204 (232 SE2d 233) (1977).