Court Opinion

ID: 9641470
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 17:32:44.764054+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:37.674507
License: Public Domain

COCHRAN, J.,
concurring, in which MEYERS, and HOLCOMB, JJ., joined.
I join the Court’s opinion. I wish to emphasize that, from my reading of the record, the trial court’s ruling excluding the DNA test results was made solely for the purpose of sanctioning the prosecutor. There was no evidence submitted that, because of the prosecution’s tardiness or sloppiness, the defense could not have its independent expert retest the material or prepare adequately to testify. Apparently, the trial court’s ruling was intended to punish the prosecutor, not to protect the defendant. Had the defendant shown that he was unable to prepare a defense to this scientific evidence in the time remaining before trial, I would be less concerned about the “willfulness” of the prosecutor and more concerned about the due process rights of the defendant. But as it is, the citizens of Jefferson County should not be deprived of otherwise relevant, reliable evidence in a capital murder trial because of the prosecutor’s negligence.