Opinion ID: 1058590
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 36

Heading: References to Other Witnesses' Testimony by the Prosecution During Cross-Examination

Text: Appellant argues that it was error for the court to allow the State's attorney to cross-examine defense witnesses by referring to the testimony of other witnesses and to contrast their testimonies in an argumentative fashion. Appellant concedes that he did not raise this issue in his motion for new trial, but he asserts that this Court should review this issue under the plain error doctrine. To review an issue under the plain error doctrine, five factors must be present: the record must clearly establish what occurred in the trial court; a clear and unequivocal rule of law must have been breached; a substantial right of the defendant must have been adversely affected; the accused did not waive the issue for tactical reasons; and consideration of the error is necessary to do substantial justice. State v. Adkisson, 899 S.W.2d 626, 641 (Tenn.Crim.App.1994); see also Tenn. R.Crim. P. 52(b). This Court does not find that a clear and unequivocal rule of law was breached. Further, the examples advanced by Appellant in his brief demonstrate that the prosecution was attempting to test the veracity of the witnesses' testimony. These matters are within the sound discretion of the trial court, and we find no error. Accordingly, this issue is without merit.