Defense Says Trial Counsel’s Use of Forensic Report Undermined Holbrooks’s Trial; State Calls Evidence Overwhelming

At a post-conviction hearing, defense counsel for Adonis Holbrooks argued that trial counsel George Thompson’s decision to stipulate to and offer a forensic examiner’s report was a deficient tactic that prejudiced Holbrooks’s trial. The defense said the report contained a damaging conclusion — quoted in court from the examiner’s findings — that there was "little evidence to support Mister Holbrook's position" that he believed he was speaking with someone of legal age.

The defense told the court it did not concede other claims of ineffective assistance but focused on the report’s admission as the clearest error. "I think there is prejudice here," defense counsel told the panel, arguing that the report reached the jury immediately after Holbrooks testified and undercut his account. Counsel urged the court…