Opinion ID: 2061073
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Restriction of Cross-Examination of Police Officer

Text: The defendant next contends that the trial court erred in limiting her cross-examination of Lafayette Police Lieutenant Jerry Loy, the primary investigating officer in the case. During cross-examination, the defendant sought to impeach Lieutenant Loy by establishing his bias through questions seeking to establish that the officer's motives included aiding the State in getting a murder conviction, and assuring that people who abuse children are not going to get away with it. During cross-examination, Lieutenant Loy testified that his duties involve a great deal of work with juveniles and child abuse cases, that he has a great commitment to children to which he is sincerely dedicated, and that part of his motivation is to be a protector of children. While the constitutional right of confrontation requires that a defendant be afforded an opportunity to conduct a full, adequate, and effective cross-examination, a trial judge may impose reasonable limits which will not warrant reversal absent a clear abuse of discretion. Coates v. State (1989), Ind., 534 N.E.2d 1087. We find no abuse of discretion shown by the record on this issue.