Opinion ID: 2640200
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Was it error to allow Dr. Vandenberg to testify?

Text: The parties disagree on the appropriate standard for appellate review of the trial court's decision to allow Dr. Vandenberg's testimony. The State argues we should apply an abuse of discretion standard; the defense urges a de novo standard. Generally, the admission of expert testimony lies within the sound discretion of the trial court, and its decision will not be overturned absent an abuse of such discretion. State v. Corbett, 281 Kan. 294, 317, 130 P.3d 1179 (2006); State v. Holmes, 278 Kan. 603, 623, 102 P.3d 406 (2004); State v. Brice, 276 Kan. 758, 775, 80 P.3d 1113 (2003). Here, no question is raised regarding the typical issues surrounding the admission of expert testimony; there is no question regarding Dr. Vandenberg's qualifications, the relevancy of his opinion, or Dr. Vandenberg's ability to assist the jury in understanding technical facts or material evidence. See K.S.A. 60-456(b), (d); State v. Struzik, 269 Kan. 95, Syl. ¶ 3, 5 P.3d 502 (2000). Rather, the sole question is whether the trial court should have excluded the testimony as a sanction for the discovery order violations. K.S.A. 22-3212(g) authorizes a broad array of sanctions for violations of discovery orders in criminal cases, including permitting the discovery or inspection of materials not previously disclosed, granting a continuance, prohibiting the party from introducing into evidence the material not disclosed, or entering such other order as [the court] deems just under the circumstances. By granting the option to impose sanctions the trial court deems just, the provision grants discretion to determine the appropriate sanction. Consequently, a trial court's denial of a motion seeking to exclude the testimony of a witness who violated a discovery order in a criminal case is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard if due process rights are not implicated by the violation. See Pierce v. Underwood, 487 U.S. 552, 559, 108 S.Ct. 2541, 101 L.Ed.2d 490(1988) (language and structure of the governing statute may determine standard of review). Johnson argues, however, that we should apply a de novo standard because his due process rights are implicated. Yet Johnson fails to cite any authority to support his contention, and we cannot find a basis for such a conclusion. A criminal defendant does not have a due process right to have expert witnesses record interviews. It was entirely within the trial court's discretion to order the recording of the interview or to allow the interview to be conducted without a recording. Nor is there a due process right to have testimony excluded when the witness or a party violates a discovery order because K.S.A. 22-3212(g) grants discretion to the trial court to determine the just sanction. Such a sanction could take many forms other than suppression of the evidence. Consequently, a due process interest did not arise. See Robinson, 281 Kan. at 547, 132 P.3d 934 (A due process violation can be established only if a claimant is able to show that he or she was denied a specific procedural protection to which he or she was entitled.). Additionally, although an accused has a due process right to a fair trial, due process does not guarantee a perfect trial. See State v. Lumley, 266 Kan. 939, 962, 976 P.2d 486 (1999); United States v. Stevens, 612 F.2d 1226, 1229-30 (10th Cir.1979). The lack of a recording of a small portion of the interview, even if a recording was ordered by the court, did not deprive Johnson of a fair trial. Johnson was left in the same situation as many criminal defendants where interviews are not recorded, except he was able to impeach Dr. Vandenberg regarding his failure to follow the court order. Moreover, Johnson was able to present his defense. Therefore, we conclude that if a witness violates a discovery order in a manner that does not implicate due process, an abuse of discretion standard governs appellate review of a trial court's decision to admit the witness' testimony rather than to exclude the testimony as a sanction permitted by K.S.A. 22-3212(g). Under the facts of this case, we reject Johnson's argument that discretion was abused by denying the motion to exclude Dr. Vandenberg's testimony. While Dr. Vandenberg did not fully comply with the court order, the record shows that defense counsel was able to thoroughly cross-examine him regarding his professional opinion of Johnson's mental capacity and his methods for evaluating Johnson. Also, the record reflects that Dr. Vandenberg relied largely on data provided by the defense expert, Dr. Mouille, in rendering his opinion. Dr. Vandenberg testified that he repeated tests only to the extent of double checking the accuracy of Dr. Mouille's conclusions, and the trial court found this was only a small portion of the interview. Moreover, the violation of the order potentially diminished the weight of Dr. Vandenberg's expert testimony. The trial court struck an appropriate balance by ordering sanctions but allowing the testimony. Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Dr. Vandenberg's expert opinion testimony regarding Johnson's mental capacity.