Opinion ID: 1189791
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: newly discovered evidence regarding the credibility of wystrach

Text: Similar to his argument regarding newly discovered evidence about Spalding, Martinez argues that following his trial, the defense discovered evidence directly relevant to the credibility of the key prosecution witness, Wystrach. The trial court denied his motion for new trial based on this evidence under State v. Drapeau, 97 Idaho 685, 551 P.2d 972 (1976), and held that this evidence was cumulative of other evidence used by the defense to impeach Wystrach and was not sufficient to allow the court to determine that it would probably produce an acquittal. [6] We find no error. We have reviewed this evidence and agree with the trial court that it involved minor testimonial inconsistencies and involved occurrences that took place after the trial and which would not have enabled the defense to change its approach toward a witness anything other than reputable. State v. Drapeau, 97 Idaho 685, 691, 551 P.2d 972, 978 (1976). The newly discovered evidence raises questions regarding Wystrach's alleged drug and alcohol abuse, or lack thereof, and her motives for testifying against defendant, along with minor inconsistencies regarding the alleged murder plot. Wystrach was thoroughly cross-examined at trial and her character, morals and ethics, or lack thereof, were exhaustively challenged during that cross-examination. The fact that she could be further cross-examined regarding issues of motive, drug and alcohol abuse and details of the crime would be merely cumulative impeachment evidence.