Opinion ID: 1434906
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Errors Relating to Improper Cross Examination and Impeachment of Witnesses

Text: At trial a certain witness whose testimony tended to establish an alibi for Holm (defendant-appellant) was discredited by the prosecution when it was brought out by the prosecutor during cross examination that (1) the witness associated with and frequented the home of a former convict, and (2) the witness perhaps imbibed an intoxicant prior to reciting his testimony. The fact that the witness associated with a former felon is irrelevant to whether or not the witness's testimony is credible. Respondent maintains that the prosecution's purpose in bringing out this fact was to determine the plausibility of the story of the witness. [14] However, respondent has failed to demonstrate, in the opinion of this Court, just how the cross examination of the witness on the issue of association with a convicted felon was related to a determination of the truth or falsity of the alibi proposed by Holm. Furthermore, the impeachment of the witness was not conducted pursuant to the relevant statute. [15] It has long been settled law in Idaho that a witness may not be impeached by evidence of (particular wrongful) acts having no connection with the matter on trial. State v. Anthony, 6 Idaho 383, 55 P. 884 (1899); Labonte v. Davidson, 31 Idaho 644, 175 P. 588 (1918). Thus, it was improper for the prosecution to have brought out prejudicial evidence which was completely unrelated to the issue of alibi. In regard to the second error, it was conceded by the prosecuting attorney at the time of trial that the posing of his question relating to the witness's having consumed an intoxicant prior to testifying was improper. [16] However, this presents an appropriate opportunity to indicate that a witness, who at the time of testifying is under the influence of alcohol, is not necessarily rendered incompetent. It is the function of the court to determine the qualifications and competency of witnesses. State v. Cosler, 39 Idaho 519, 228 P. 277 (1924). Furthermore, the question of competency is in most other jurisdictions solely for determination by the trial judge. 3 Wharton's Criminal Evidence, § 744, p. 70 (12th ed. 1965). Once, however, the court has made a determination to allow the witness to testify, the opposing attorney should be given an opportunity to cross examine the witness so as to demonstrate that the witness's memory or ability to relate facts has become impaired by reason of his intoxicated condition if such be the case. This is relevant to the weight to be given to his testimony. [17] Another witness whose testimony tended to substantiate Holm's alibi was also improperly impeached by the prosecuting attorney when he continuously posed questions [18] to the witness which were not only completely irrelevant to the issue of alibi, but which furthermore bore no relationship whatsoever to any character traits of the witness. The questions did not relate to the ability of the witness to perceive the events at the time they occurred, nor to the ability of the witness to recite testimony on the stand. The posing of these questions served only to create unfair prejudice against the witness. Appellants maintain that they are entitled to a new trial since new evidence (not available at the time of trial) has been discovered indicating that the $500 bill purportedly stolen from the victim never in fact existed. Mason, the robbery victim, testified that a $500 bill, series 1934A, serial number 00017680A, which he ordered from the bank, was taken from him. Subsequent to trial an affidavit was filed in support of a motion for new trial which revealed that the serial number on a $500 bill ordered from the bank at Mason's request bore the serial number L00084685A, a different number than the one appearing on the bill Mason claims was stolen from him. Furthermore, the series of the bill developed into a significant issue at trial since the defense claimed that no $500 bill bearing the series A was ever produced. The prosecution, however, introduced evidence tending to show that one or two $500 series A bills were in fact produced. The discovery of this new evidence in conjunction with the other numerous errors which the Court has heretofore discussed require the granting of a new trial. Appellants have assigned numerous additional errors but we deem them meritless. Judgment reversed and cause remanded for new trial. McFADDEN, C.J., and McQUADE, SHEPARD and SPEAR, JJ., concur.