Owens v. State

OPINION

ANDERSON, Chief Justice.

We granted this consolidated appeal in order to determine whether the rules, statutes, or constitution of this state, authorize a trial court in a post-conviction capital case to provide expert services if necessary to ensure the constitutional rights of an indigent petitioner. We have determined that this issue is best resolved by an interpretation of the applicable statutes and specifically whether Tenn.Code Ann. § 40-14-207(b) (1990 & 1995 Supp.), (which authorizes expert services if necessary for the protection of the constitutional rights of an indigent…