Chao v. State

VEASEY, Chief Justice:

In this appeal, we address whether an indigent defendant in a criminal case who is represented by private counsel was constitutionally entitled to public funds to retain a medical expert who could testify in support of the defendant’s version of events. We conclude that the State was not constitutionally required to pay for the expert services sought by the defense because, in the circumstances of this case, the services were not among the “basic tools of an adequate defense.” Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the Superior Court.

As guidance for future eases, we also…