Case ID: so2d_557/html/0232-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Gary MOROSINI, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
    No. 89-0995.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District.
    Feb. 28, 1990.
    Richard L. Jorandby, Public Defender, and Margaret Good, Asst. Public Defender, West Palm Beach, for appellant.
    Robert A. Butterworth, Atty. Gen., Tallahassee, and Alfonso M. Saldana, Asst. Atty. Gen., West Palm Beach, for appellee.
   PER CURIAM.

Reversed and remanded for a new trial. We agree with appellant that the trial court erred in allowing a witness to be called as a court witness in violation of the rule set out in Jackson v. State, 498 So.2d 906 (Fla.1986). Because it is clear from the record that the state relied heavily on the disputed prior statements made by this witness to prove its case against the appellant, we cannot conclude that the error was harmless. See State v. DiGuilio, 491 So.2d 1129 (Fla.1986).

DOWNEY and ANSTEAD, JJ., concur.

WALDEN, J., dissents without opinion.