Opinion ID: 2193387
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Witness's right

Text: It is important for us to remember that both sides have the right to interview witnesses before trial. United States v. Black, 767 F.2d 1334, 1337 (9th Cir.1985); see United States v. Cook, 608 F.2d 1175, 1180 (9th Cir.1979), cert. denied, 444 U.S. 1034, 100 S.Ct. 706, 62 L.Ed.2d 670 (1980). Yet, many courts have rightfully acknowledged that a witness also has the right to refuse to be interviewed by either the defense or the prosecution, e.g. United States v. Black, 767 F.2d 1334, 1337 (9th Cir.1985); United States v. Rich, 580 F.2d 929 (9th Cir.1978); State v. Singleton, 853 S.W.2d 490, 492 (Tenn.1993); Dover v. State, 250 Ga. 209, 296 S.E.2d 710, 712-3 (1982)). E.g. Hill v. State, 366 So.2d 296, 312 (Ala.Cr.App. 1978); Commonwealth v. Balliro, 349 Mass. 505, 209 N.E.2d 308 (1965). Thus, we are presented with the question, did the contact and conduct described here wrongfully interfere in any way with the Commonwealth's right to investigate and prepare its case. A related question is whether the witnesses were given inaccurate information or guidelines relating to their obligations to speak with a party over the telephone. Is it interference with another party's investigatory rights to tell a potential witness that if called on the telephone, he or she can answer the questions asked with yes or no answers, without elaborating, as long as a yes or no answer is appropriate to the question? Admittedly, one can abuse, or obstruct, an inquiry with an inappropriate curt response, such as yes or no. But, there is no evidence that this occurred here. Each witness acknowledged she was not coached to lie or fabricate testimony. Moreover, is it an obstruction of justice to tell witnesses they do not have to answer questions over the telephone, if they choose not to, as long as no attempt is made to control the witness's decision-making in regard to how the witnesses will decide to respond? [10] After long reflection, we think not.