Opinion ID: 889187
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Did the District Court err when it quashed the subpoena of Missoulian reporter Tristan Scott?

Text: ¶ 12 Prior to trial, Kolb subpoenaed Tristan Scott, a reporter for the Missoulian newspaper who had interviewed Hughes for an article about the robbery. In that newspaper article, Scott attributed to Hughes a statement that a shotgun was pointed at him during the robbery. The Missoulian moved to quash the subpoena pursuant to § 26-1-902, MCAa provision of the Media Confidentiality Act (Act) which protects media representatives from being required to disclose information in a legal proceeding if the information was gathered, received, or processed in the course of the media representative's employment. The defense opposed the motion to quash on grounds that the information sought by subpoena was non-confidential and that the Act cannot restrict a criminal defendant's right to a fair trial. After reviewing the arguments from both sides, the District Court quashed the subpoena. ¶ 13 We acknowledge Kolb's argument that the District Court did not correctly balance his constitutional right to a fair trial as against Scott's rights under § 26-1-902, MCA, and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. More accurately stated, the District Court avoided the constitutional issue by determining there was another way for Kolb to get the information he sought into evidence. This approach was proper; as a matter of longstanding principle, courts avoid constitutional issues whenever possible. See State v. Carlson, 2000 MT 320, ¶ 17, 302 Mont. 508, ¶ 17, 15 P.3d 893, ¶ 17. ¶ 14 Kolb sought to present evidence through Scott that Hughes had made an inconsistent statement about the type of guna shotgun, instead of a handgunused in the robbery. Relying on Slavin, he argues that, in order for the quashing of the subpoena to be upheld, other live witnesses must have been available to testify to his inconsistent statement about a shotgun. ¶ 15 The District Court also relied on Slavin in relation to this issue. In that case, the district court quashed the defendant's subpoenas of a newspaper reporter and editor on grounds that several other witnesses were available to testify to the same facts as the witnesses whose subpoenas were quashed. On appeal, the defendant argued his right to compel attendance of witnesses should prevail over the reporter and editor's rights under § 26-1-902, MCA. We held that, even if quashing the subpoenas was error, any error would be harmless when considered in light of the abundant cumulative evidence that proved the same point. Slavin, ¶ 26. ¶ 16 Slavin does not stand for the proposition for which Kolb cites it; it represents an example of circumstances under which other available evidence made unnecessary the issuance of a subpoena. Here, like in Slavin, the District Court noted the information sought was otherwise available. The court stated that, given the Missoulian article's attribution to Hughes of a statement that a shotgun had been used in the robbery, Kolb's counsel could question Hughes on whether he told the reporter a shotgun was used. If Hughes replied affirmatively, the defense could suggest the jury use that information to assess Hughes' credibility. If, on the other hand, Hughes claimed he did not make the statement, the Missoulian article could be introduced as extrinsic evidence of a prior inconsistent statement by Hughes. ¶ 17 Under the circumstances presented here, the District Court determined Kolb had not established that the evidence sought was otherwise unavailable. Therefore, the court ruled, no constitutional analysis was triggered and the subpoena was properly quashed. We agree. We hold the District Court did not err in quashing Scott's subpoena.