Opinion ID: 597873
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Intimidation of a Defense Witness

Text: 9 Harrington contends the prosecutor intimidated his alibi witness, Thea Scott, by having her brought from her home in Nebraska to his office in Council Bluffs. There, Scott was interviewed and administered a polygraph, which she was told she had failed. Scott was also warned about the consequences of committing perjury, and was returned to her home. Scott and the Council Bluffs police officers involved testified about these events in the state trial court's chambers. The trial judge (properly) admonished the police officers and the prosecutor for engaging in these tactics, but concluded that Harrington's rights were not violated because Scott testified she consented to the polygraph and was still willing and able to testify on Harrington's behalf. Scott did testify, averring that Harrington was with her and two other friends at the time the security guard was shot. The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's determination, concluding that even if misconduct had taken place, Harrington had not been prejudiced. Harrington, 284 N.W.2d at 251. 10 Harrington relies primarily upon United States v. Valenzuela-Bernal, 458 U.S. 858, 102 S.Ct. 3440, 73 L.Ed.2d 1193 (1982) to support his claim for relief. Valenzuela-Bernal addressed the constitutional implications of the government deporting witnesses that the defendant wanted to have testify on his behalf. The Court held there was no violation unless the absent testimony was relevant, material, and vital. Id. at 867-69, 102 S.Ct. at 3446-48. 3 In this case, there is no doubt that Scott's testimony was relevant, material, and vital--however, it is equally clear that the prosecution's actions did not prevent Scott from testifying, and Harrington suffered no prejudice. Scott told the trial judge she was not sufficiently intimidated to prevent her from giving truthful testimony, and she did testify in front of the jury. We discern no denial of due process under these circumstances.