Opinion ID: 1684864
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Material Witnesses

Text: We first address Anderson's contention that the prosecutors failed to call all material witnesses, specifically Lieutenant Barfield of the state police. Anderson did take the stand in the suppression hearing in the instant case, but he did so only to state that he was not going to testify. Moreover, he did not testify at trial. We hold that Lieutenant Barfield was not a material witness. In Foreman v. State, 321 Ark. 167, 901 S.W.2d 802 (1995), this court repeated that where an accused has offered testimony that his confession was induced by violence, threats, coercion, or offers of reward, the State has the burden to produce all material witnesses who were connected with the controverted confession or give an adequate explanation of their absence. Here, because Anderson declined to testify, he did not offer testimony that his confession was induced in any way. Where there is no specific evidence to refute, the State's burden to produce all material witnesses does not arise. See Fairchild v. State, 349 Ark. 147, 76 S.W.3d 884 (2002) (overruled on other grounds). This issue has no merit.