Opinion ID: 2189181
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: denial of motion to take depositions

Text: Tuttle claims that the district court's refusal to permit Tuttle's obtaining depositions, authorized by § 29-1917, denied Tuttle's due process right to a fair trial. A defendant in a criminal proceeding has no general due process right to discovery, for, as expressed by the U.S. Supreme Court in Weatherford v. Bursey, 429 U.S. 545, 559, 97 S.Ct. 837, 846, 51 L.Ed.2d 30 (1977): There is no general constitutional right to discovery in a criminal case, and Brady [v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963),] did not create one; as the Court wrote recently, the Due Process Clause has little to say regarding the amount of discovery which the parties must be afforded.... Wardius v. Oregon, 412 U.S. 470, 474 [93 S.Ct. 2208, 37 L.Ed.2d 82] (1973). See, also, State v. Blair, 230 Neb. 775, 433 N.W.2d 518 (1988). Consequently, discovery in a criminal case is generally, and in the absence of a constitutional requirement, controlled by either a statute or court rule. Therefore, unless granted as a matter of right under the Constitution or other law, discovery is within the discretion of a trial court, whose ruling will be upheld on appeal unless the trial court has abused its discretion in the discovery ruling. See, State v. Boppre, 234 Neb. 922, 453 N.W.2d 406 (1990); State v. Blair, supra ; State v. Pierce and Wells, 215 Neb. 512, 340 N.W.2d 122 (1983). Since obtaining depositions in a criminal case is governed, generally, by law or procedural rule in a particular jurisdiction, we have examined the law in other jurisdictions, only to find that rules for discovery are as variable as there are various jurisdictions. For instance, Fed. R.Crim.P. 15 states: Whenever due to exceptional circumstances of the case it is in the interest of justice that the testimony of a prospective witness of a party be taken and preserved for use at trial, the court may upon motion of such party and notice to the parties order that testimony of such witness be taken by deposition.... See, United States v. Cutler, 806 F.2d 933 (9th Cir.1986) (Fed.R.Crim.P. 15 is unavailable for a discovery deposition, but may be used if the witness is unavailable for trial); United States v. Steele, 685 F.2d 793 (3d Cir.1982) (discovery depositions are unavailable under Fed.R.Crim.P. 15); United States v. Adcock, 558 F.2d 397 (8th Cir. 1977) (principal objective of Fed.R.Crim.P. 15 is preservation of evidence for trial, not pretrial discovery). Some jurisdictions have a discovery rule somewhat similar to Fed.R.Crim.P. 15; for example: Ala.Code § 12-21-260 (1986) (defendant may take deposition of a witness who, on account of infirmity or sickness, is unable to attend court; who resides out of the state or more than 100 miles from the place of trial; who is absent from the state; or when the defense, in whole or in part, depends exclusively on the testimony of the witness to be deposed); Ariz.R.Crim.P. 15.3 (depositions available by court order to preserve testimony or obtain discovery from an uncooperative witness); Colo.R.Crim.P. 15(a) (prospective deponent unable to attend trial or whose deposition is necessary to prevent injustice); and Ga.Code Ann. § 24-10-130 (1982) (court-ordered deposition of witness who is in imminent danger of death or threatened with death or great bodily harm as the result of the witness' status as a potential witness in a criminal trial or proceeding). Some jurisdictions authorize a defendant's obtaining depositions as a matter of right. See Fla.R.Crim.P. 3.220(h): At any time after the filing of the indictment or information the defendant may take the deposition upon oral examination of any person who may have information relevant to the offense charged. See, also, Vt.R.Crim.P. 15(a): A defendant or the state, at any time after the filing of an indictment or information, may take the deposition of a witness.... Consequently, we redirect our attention to § 29-1917(1), which contains the provision: The court may order the taking of the deposition when it finds the testimony of the witness [meets certain statutorily specified qualifications.] (Emphasis supplied.) Since § 29-1917(1) uses the word may in reference to a court's order for a deposition, and since some basis must be shown to the court regarding the particular deposition sought, a requirement implicit in the phrase when [the court] finds that a witness' testimony meets certain qualifications specified in the statute, we conclude that a defendant is not entitled, as a matter of right, to a deposition pursuant to § 29-1917(1). In reference to general discovery in criminal cases, Neb.Rev.Stat. §§ 29-1912 et seq. (Reissue 1989), we have stated the cardinal rule: If the information may affect the outcome of the trial, then it is a proper subject for discovery. State v. Brown, 214 Neb. 665, 675, 335 N.W.2d 542, 547 (1983). Section 29-1917 specifies the conditions for obtaining a deposition by either the State or defendant in a criminal proceeding, namely, (1) the prospective deponent's testimony may be material or relevant to an issue in the trial or (2) the deponent's testimony may assist the parties in preparing for trial of their respective cases. As we expressed in State v. Brown, supra at 674-75, 335 N.W.2d at 547: Information is material in the preparation of a defense if there is a strong indication that such information will play an important role in uncovering admissible evidence, aiding preparation of witnesses, corroborating testimony, or assisting impeachment or rebuttal. Since a deposition is not a matter of right under § 29-1917(1), endorsement of a witness' name on an information does not render the prospective witness' testimony automatically available in the discovery process, because mere designation of a State's witness does not establish materiality or relevance of the witness' testimony or its helpfulness in preparation of a criminal case for trial. Hence, to obtain a deposition in a criminal proceeding, a party seeking a deposition must make a factual showing to the court that the deponent's testimony alternatively satisfies the statutory conditions expressed in § 29-1917(1). Without a factual showing presented to the trial court, as required by § 29-1917(1), there is little basis for an appellate review to determine whether the trial court's ruling on a discovery question is an abuse of discretion. We realize that a defendant's showing probably does not require full disclosure on a theory of defense. Somewhere short of full disclosure, or disclosure which may prejudice or seriously jeopardize a defense, a defendant must, nevertheless, present some showing with a factual basis for a deposition under § 29-1917(1). In Tuttle's case, although there were general comments and conclusions regarding desirability of obtaining some testimony which was very important or material, Tuttle's lawyer made no factual showing which indicated materiality or relevance of any deponent's testimony or which suggested some assistance that might be gained in preparing Tuttle's defense. Would a deponent's testimony go to the witness' credibility, uncover admissible evidence, or aid in preparing witnesses for trial or corroborating testimony of defense witnesses? The district court noted the deficiency in Tuttle's showing and denied the discovery motion without prejudice to [Tuttle's] coming back and showing special need. This gave Tuttle the opportunity to review the investigative material supplied by the State, interview witnesses in the light of that information, and determine exactly whether a deposition would be necessary to erode or refute the burglary charge against Tuttle. We can only assume that Tuttle's lawyer, in diligent response to the court's offer to reconsider Tuttle's request for depositions, contacted the persons mentioned in the State's investigation, interviewed them, was satisfied with their information in relation to the charge against Tuttle, and, as a matter of trial strategy, elected not to call those persons as witnesses for Tuttle lest their testimony be damaging rather than helpful to Tuttle's case. Also, Tuttle did not call Keeble, one of the witnesses designated in the information. The inference is that Tuttle found Keeble's account of the incident to be correct or at least unhelpful to Tuttle's defense. Of course, the court's ordering the deposition of Frazier, whose whereabouts were unknown, would have been pointless. Moreover, the district court extended to Tuttle the opportunity for further consideration of the deposition question when Tuttle was able to supply a factual showing of need for any deposition. Since Tuttle initially offered only conclusions as a ground for obtaining depositions and failed to supply a factual showing of any condition specified in § 29-1917(1), we find no abuse of discretion in the district court's declining to enter a discovery order for depositions of witnesses endorsed on the information. Although we have disposed of Tuttle's appeal, and at the risk of obvious dicta, we offer some thoughts on possible factors which may be considered regarding a deposition pursuant to § 29-1917(1), but emphasize that the possible factors or considerations are not exhaustive and are only illustrative, since a deposition under § 29-1917(1) is within a court's discretion and, therefore, by and large, involves a case-by-case examination. Nevertheless, some factors possibly bearing on availability of a deposition under § 29-1917(1) may include: (1) A deponent's testimony is needed to establish or discredit a witness' credibility; for instance, a witness' perception, bias, prejudice, or interest; (2) A strong indication that the deposition has an important role in (a) investigation of the allegations, (b) disclosure of admissible evidence, (c) identification and preparation of witnesses for trial, (d) corroboration of testimony, or (e) assistance in impeachment or rebuttal; (3) Support or establishment of a theory of defense or prosecution, although parties should not be obligated to disclose theories of their respective cases at the risk of forfeiting discovery; (4) A deponent's testimony which may likely result in a defendant's exoneration; (5) A prospective witness' unwillingness to be voluntarily interviewed by counsel, as evidenced by uncooperativeness or hostility in attempted interviews, or refusal to discuss the case; (6) Evidence which is highly complex, such as intricate mechanical or chemical evidence or prospective testimony from an expert witness, when such evidence would be better understood, or eventually rebutted, by availability of information before trial; and (7) An opposing party's refusal to furnish a requested copy of a witness' statement or grand jury testimony, if available. See, State v. Fuller, 143 Ariz. 571, 694 P.2d 1185 (1985); State v. Brown, 214 Neb. 665, 335 N.W.2d 542 (1983); State v. Pecora, 190 Mont. 115, 619 P.2d 173 (1980); Kanuck v. Meehan, 165 Ariz. 282, 798 P.2d 420 (1990); Weatherford v. State, 369 So.2d 863 (Ala.Crim.App.1979); Dunkin v. State, 44 Okla.Crim. 102, 279 P. 923 (1929); Ennis v. State, 13 Okla.Crim. 675, 167 P. 229 (1917); Mont.Code Ann. § 46-15-201 (1989); N.H.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 517:13 (Cum. Supp.1990); Wash.Super.Ct. Crim.R. 4.6.