Opinion ID: 2101341
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Improper Admission of Videotaped Deposition

Text: Appellant contends that the trial court erred in allowing the State to present a videotaped deposition of a State's witness. On June 16, 1989, the State filed a notice to take a videotaped deposition of a witness on June 20, 1989, for the purpose of introduction into evidence at trial. The State indicated in the notice that the witness would be unavailable to testify in person on June 22, 1989, due to health problems. Jackson's attorney attended the deposition and conducted a thorough cross-examination. At trial, Jackson objected to the use of the videotaped deposition claiming the witness was not unavailable medically. Following arguments on this issue, the trial court overruled the objection. Jackson contends the State did not meet its burden of demonstrating the unavailability of the witness and thus contends he was denied his right to confront the witness. The decision whether to allow the admission of a deposition is within the trial court's discretion. Johnston v. State (1988), Ind., 517 N.E.2d 397, 399. Pursuant to Ind.Trial Rule 32(A)(3)(c), the deposition of a witness may be used by any party for any purpose if the court finds that a witness is unable to attend and testify because of age, sickness, infirmity, or imprisonment. During her deposition, the witness testified about her inability, because of her physical ailments and limitations, to attend the trial in order to testify. In considering this evidence, the trial court exercised its discretion and allowed the videotaped deposition to be introduced into evidence. We cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion.