Turpin v. Bennett

Thompson, Justice.

This habeas corpus case presents an issue of first impression in this state: Does a defendant have a right to effective assistance of an expert witness which is distinct from his right to effective assistance of counsel? We answer this question in the negative. We hasten to add, however, that the adequacy of an expert’s assistance can be examined within the context of an ineffective assistance of counsel claim.

Jack Bennett was convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to death. This Court affirmed Bennett’s conviction and death sentence, Bennett v. State, 262 Ga. 149…