State Ex Rel. Thomas v. Duncan

OPINION

PORTLEY, Judge.

¶ 1 We are asked, in this special action, to determine whether the trial court abused its discretion by failing to order a prescreening psychological expert to independently determine the defendant’s intelligence quotient (“IQ”). 1 We find that the court properly appointed an expert to conduct a prescreen-ing examination, but erred when it limited that examination to a review of prior tests.

FACTS & PROCEDURAL HISTORY

¶ 2 Joel Randu Escalant'e-Orozco (“Defendant”) was indicted on one count of first-degree murder, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of first-degree…