Opinion ID: 2514019
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: ordering irvin to appear at voir dire

Text: Irvin argues that the district court erred in ordering Irvin to appear at voir dire and precluding her from appearing during any other portion of her trial if she did not appear during voir dire. This same issue arose when the case was first tried in March 1999 in Sedgwick County. Irvin was subpoenaed by Smith to appear in person on the first day of trial during jury selection. Although Irvin moved to quash the subpoena, the district court ordered her to appear in person, which she did. Prior to the second Sedgwick County trial, Smith caused a subpoena to be issued to Irvin directing her appearance during the voir dire of the jury pursuant to K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 60-245. K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 60-245(a)(1)(C) sets forth that: [Every subpoena shall] command each person to whom it is directed to attend and give testimony or to produce and permit inspection and copying of designated books ... in the possession ... of that person.... Irvin and her family moved to quash the subpoena claiming, among other things, lack of statutory subpoena power and undue hardship to Irvin. The district court ordered the Irvin family to produce Irvin in the courtroom during voir dire. The district court ruled that if Irvin was not produced at voir dire, she would be barred from the courtroom throughout the trial. Irvin did not appear in person during her trial. Irvin argues again on appeal that Smith did not have the authority to issue a subpoena compelling her to appear at voir dire because she is not capable of giving testimony nor is she capable of possessing documents. Smith wanted Irvin present at voir dire so that the potential jury members could assess their feelings of her and so that counsel would have the opportunity to assess whether particular jurors would be able to make a fair and just decision given Irvin's physical condition. The purpose of voir dire is to select jurors who are without bias, prejudice or partiality. State v. Aikins, 261 Kan. 346, 365, 932 P.2d 408 (1997); State v. Hayes, 258 Kan. 629, 631, 908 P.2d 597 (1995). The nature, scope, and manner of the voir dire examination lie within the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Jorrick, 269 Kan. 72, 77, 4 P.3d 610 (2000); State v. Shannon, 258 Kan. 425, 433, 905 P.2d 649 (1995). The trial court has a duty to see that the jury is comprised of fair and impartial persons. State v. Stuart, 206 Kan. 11, 12, 476 P.2d 975 (1970). We cannot say the district court abused its discretion in ordering Irvin to be present at voir dire.