People of Michigan v. Johnny Ray Kennedy

**210 In this case, defendant claims that the trial court violated his constitutional right to present a defense when it denied his request to appoint a DNA expert. The Court of Appeals disagreed, holding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it determined that defendant failed to show that expert testimony would benefit his defense, as required by MCL 775.15 and People v. Tanner . We take this opportunity to clarify that MCL 775.15 does not apply in this context; instead, we hold-as we must-that Ake v. Oklahoma 2 is the controlling law. And, to assist trial courts in…