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DESPITE THE PROSECUTION’S CALLING OF 13 MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN THIS SHAKEN BABY CASE, DEFENSE COUNSEL’S FAILURE TO PRESENT EXPERT MEDICAL OPINION EVIDENCE DID NOT AMOUNT TO INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department determined defendant’s motion to vacate her conviction on ineffective assistance grounds was properly denied. The prosecution presented 13 medical professional in support of its shaken baby case, but defense counsel did not present a medical expert:

Instead, trial counsel obtained the written report of a medical expert before the trial and retained a pediatric neurologist as a consulting expert, whom he consulted as issues arose during trial. During cross-examination of the People’s witnesses, trial counsel elicited testimony that supported the defendant’s theory of the case that the infant sustained injuries prior to being left at the defendant’s home.  * * *

Generally, whether to call an expert is a tactical decision … . In many instances, cross-examination of the People’s expert will be sufficient to expose defects in an expert’s presentation … . “As long as the defense reflects a reasonable and legitimate strategy under the circumstances and evidence presented, even if unsuccessful, it will not fall to the level of ineffective assistance” … . …

The record shows that trial counsel made efforts to investigate the medical issues in this case. He effectively cross-examined the People’s witnesses, including the experts, and elicited testimony that was damaging to the People’s case. The fact that the defense did not call its own expert witnesses was the result of trial counsel’s legal strategy that the best way to defend this case was through impeachment of the People’s witnesses. Under the particular circumstances of this case, trial counsel provided effective representation … . People v Caldavado, 2018 NY Slip Op 07743, Second Dept 11-14-18

CRIMINAL LAW (ATTORNEYS, EVIDENCE, DESPITE THE PROSECUTION’S CALLING OF 13 MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN THIS SHAKEN BABY CASE, DEFENSE COUNSEL’S FAILURE TO PRESENT EXPERT MEDICAL OPINION EVIDENCE DID NOT AMOUNT TO INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL (SECOND DEPT))/ATTORNEYS (CRIMINAL LAW, DESPITE THE PROSECUTION’S CALLING OF 13 MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN THIS SHAKEN BABY CASE, DEFENSE COUNSEL’S FAILURE TO PRESENT EXPERT MEDICAL OPINION EVIDENCE DID NOT AMOUNT TO INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL (SECOND DEPT))/INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE (DESPITE THE PROSECUTION’S CALLING OF 13 MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN THIS SHAKEN BABY CASE, DEFENSE COUNSEL’S FAILURE TO PRESENT EXPERT MEDICAL OPINION EVIDENCE DID NOT AMOUNT TO INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL (SECOND DEPT))/EVIDENCE (EXPERT MEDICAL OPINION, SHAKEN BABY CASE, DESPITE THE PROSECUTION’S CALLING OF 13 MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN THIS SHAKEN BABY CASE, DEFENSE COUNSEL’S FAILURE TO PRESENT EXPERT MEDICAL OPINION EVIDENCE DID NOT AMOUNT TO INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL (SECOND DEPT))/EXPERT OPINION (CRIMINAL LAW, SHAKEN BABY, DESPITE THE PROSECUTION’S CALLING OF 13 MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN THIS SHAKEN BABY CASE, DEFENSE COUNSEL’S FAILURE TO PRESENT EXPERT MEDICAL OPINION EVIDENCE DID NOT AMOUNT TO INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL (SECOND DEPT))

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