Opinion ID: 4237534
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Refusal to compel witness to testify

Text: ¶29 Hulsey argues that the trial court erred when it refused to compel the driver of the car, Giota “Niki” Kostas, to testify. Under the Sixth Amendment, a defendant may compel a witness to testify, but that “right is not absolute and will give way when the witness’s preservation of his own Fifth Amendment rights would prevent him from answering relevant questions.” State v. Martinez, 218 Ariz. 421, 428 ¶ 26 (2008) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Hulsey claims that the trial court erred by basing its decision on the nonexistent doctrine of anticipatory perjury. We review a denial of a motion to compel for abuse of discretion. Id. ¶ 25. ¶30 Before trial, Kostas, believing she may have criminal culpability related to the shooting, requested a lawyer when defense counsel attempted to interview her. At a case management conference, where Hulsey sought to elicit information from Kostas, Kostas’ attorney stated that he would advise Kostas to invoke the privilege “if my client’s understanding of or recollection is any different from that audio and video recorded interview.” He avowed that “if [Kostas] were directed to answer those questions to the best of her recollection, . . . it could possibly be in contradiction to perhaps what the state has on audio or video, and for that reason, I believe my client could be exposed to potential charges, new charges . . . .” The trial court allowed Kostas to assert her Fifth Amendment privilege, determining that Kostas had reasonable grounds to apprehend prosecution and so she could invoke her Fifth Amendment privilege. ¶31 Hulsey claims that the trial court ruling was based on “anticipatory” perjury because it was premised on Kostas potentially giving testimony at trial that differed from her previous statements. The trial court’s ruling reflects that Kostas could still be charged with a crime that either had not been charged yet or does not have a statute of limitations. Because the trial court properly concluded that Kostas had reasonable grounds to fear criminal prosecution based on her testimony, the court did not abuse its discretion by not compelling Kostas to testify. 11 STATE V. HULSEY Opinion of the Court