Opinion ID: 593675
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: ex parte factual investigation

Text: 13 The trial judge's use of his secretary to gather information bearing on the examination of a witness was improper. On this point, we agree with the Court of Appeals of Alaska. Coney v. State, 699 P.2d 899, 902, n. 1 (Alaska Ct.App.1985). We also agree that the error was harmless. Id. 14 The trial judge used the information to decide whether or not to compel Mr. Ryan's testimony. The information obtained by the judge's secretary was made available to the parties through exhibits and testimony under oath. The trial judge decided Mr. Ryan's testimony was not relevant but deferred his final decision on compelling the testimony until after the hearing. The judge indicated he would reconsider his decision if the facts were not as his secretary had been told. 15 The Sixth Circuit case of Price Bros. Co. v. Philadelphia Gear Corp., 649 F.2d 416 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 1099 (1981), upon which Coney relies, is not on point. Price Bros. involved a civil bench trial where the judge was deciding the facts. Here, the judge only had to decide the relevance of Ryan's testimony. 16 Since the judge based his final decision on testimony that was given under oath, and Coney had the opportunity to cross-examine the witness, the impropriety simply could not have had a prejudicial affect on his trial.