Opinion ID: 2508569
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: whether the district court erred in precluding dunlap from calling the prosecutor as a witness in the post-conviction proceedings

Text: Dunlap contends the district court committed error by not allowing him to depose the prosecuting attorney. He argues certain information regarding Gillette was only available from the prosecuting attorney because the other witnesses' information was too vague and the information sought was relevant and crucial to his defense. This Court adopted a three-prong test to determine when it might be appropriate to depose opposing counsel. State v. Wood, 132 Idaho 88, 107-08, 967 P.2d 702, 721-22 (1998). It would have to be shown that there is no other means to obtain the information other than deposing opposing counsel; the information sought would be relevant and not privileged; and the information is crucial to the preparation of the case. Id. The district court decision to deny the admission of witness testimony is reviewed under the abuse of discretion standard. Clark v. Klein, 137 Idaho 154, 156, 45 P.3d 810, 812 (2002). This Court rules that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Dunlap the opportunity to depose the prosecuting attorney. Dunlap has not shown that the information was only available from the prosecuting attorney and the information sought was crucial to the preparation of his case. The information sought regarding the timing of knowledge about Gillette and his information was not crucial to his case. As explained above this information did not need to be given to Dunlap prior to his guilty plea and the information regarding the plea agreement was readily available from two other witnesses, attorneys Souza and Whittier. The district court did not err in denying Dunlap the opportunity to depose the prosecuting attorney.