Opinion ID: 1427690
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: unavailable evidence

Text: As almost a post-script, we are faced with an argument about non-use by investigators, police and D-PASS of recordings for interviews with members of the Rounsaville family or, for that matter, other knowledgeable witnesses which could have included the classmate guests who were also members of the 1980 sexual offense by Gene Rounsaville at the slumber party. Obviously, if nothing was recorded, nothing can be produced. I reject implicitly and explicitly the broad absolution of this majority that investigating officers do not, at least under the Wyoming Constitution, have a participative responsibility to provide due process in the investigation of a person to be charged with a crime. People v. Pope, 724 P.2d 1323 (Colo. 1986). I do not excuse apparent negligence to necessarily deny violation of the defendant's right to due process of law. State v. Leslie, 147 Ariz. 38, 708 P.2d 719 (1985). This court serves to assure due process and justice and not just to explain how a questionable conviction can be justified by excuses for affirmation. Neither Arizona v. Youngblood, 488 U.S. 51, 109 S.Ct. 333, 102 L.Ed.2d 281 (1988), reh'g denied ___ U.S. ___, 109 S.Ct. 885, 102 L.Ed.2d 1007 (1989) nor other recent United States Supreme Court decisions serve to repeal the Wyoming Constitution or to justify the decision presented here. [28] Although different as relating to interrogation of a suspect instead of the complainants, I would follow the due process ideal of Stephan v. State, 711 P.2d 1156 (Alaska 1985) and not the legislature's approval of People v. Everette, 187 Ill. App.3d 1063, 135 Ill.Dec. 472, 543 N.E.2d 1040 (1989) and State v. Gorton, 149 Vt. 602, 548 A.2d 419 (1988). To record is to preserve for future certainty. Stephan, 711 P.2d 1156. The problem in this case was magnified since not only was documentary evidence not available to the defense, but the record reflects an active program in school and D-PASS to assure non-availability of witnesses for interviews by representatives of Dr. Gale for his trial preparation. The State should not have denied access to witnesses. Sosebee v. State, 190 Ga. App. 746, 380 S.E.2d 464, cert. denied ___ U.S. ___, 110 S.Ct. 323, 107 L.Ed.2d 313 (1989).