Opinion
No. 347265
01-07-2020
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DARELL RAMON BROWN, Defendant-Appellant.
If this opinion indicates that it is "FOR PUBLICATION," it is subject to revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports. UNPUBLISHED Oakland Circuit Court
LC No. 2018-268144-FC Before: RONAYNE KRAUSE, P.J., and METER and STEPHENS, JJ. METER, J. (DISSENTING).
I respectfully dissent from the majority's well-written opinion. The majority recognizes that "defendant failed to articulate any reason why Howard should command such a price, offer an estimated total to the trial court, or object to the trial court's award." Maj op at 8. This should have been the end of our inquiry. It is the defendant's burden to show that expert fees are necessary. Maj op at 4; People v Kennedy, 502 Mich 206, 226-228; 917 NW2d 335 (2018). Accordingly, where the defendant fails to adequately support his request for additional fees, the trial court should deny the request. On this ground alone, I would affirm the trial court's denial of defendant's motion for additional funds for his expert.
/s/ Patrick M. Meter