Opinion ID: 1701667
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Did trial court err by refusing to submit defendant's requested character instruction ?

Text: Defendant's former landlord testified defendant's character was good in the community. On the basis of this testimony defendant proposed an instruction explaining the legal effect of character evidence and requested trial court to so instruct the jury. Trial court refused on the grounds it was unclear whether the testimony related to character or reputation, and in any event the testimony did not relate to the particular character traits involved in the crime charged. See State v. Hobbs, 172 N.W.2d 268, 271 (Iowa 1969). No exception was taken to this ruling although opportunity was afforded to do so. In our view trial court's ruling was correct. In any event, defendant waived review of this issue by his failure to except to the court's failure to submit the instruction. See State v. Feddersen, 230 N.W.2d 510 (Iowa 1975). II. Did trial court abuse its discretion in overruling defendant's motion to suppress testimony of two witnesses when notice of their testimony was served on defendant's attorney rather than defendant ? Trial commenced April 29, 1974, as scheduled. On April 24, 1974, notice of the testimony of two additional witnesses was delivered to the sheriff's office for service. Records from that office indicate an attempt to serve defendant on August 24. The next morning, August 25, deputy sheriff Neuhaus talked to defendant's mother. She said defendant was not at home and she had no idea where he had gone. He then served defendant's attorney. Defendant's pre-trial motion to suppress the testimony of these two witnesses alleged the State failed to comply with § 780.10, The Code, there being no showing of a diligent effort to serve defendant. A hearing developed the above information relative to service. The State does not dispute the propriety of raising this issue by a motion to suppress. The notice given defendant's attorney was timely. Section 4.1(22), The Code; State v. Bradley, 254 Iowa 211, 217, 116 N.W.2d 439, 442-443 (1962); see State v. King, 225 N.W.2d 337, 342 (Iowa 1975). The sole issue is due diligence. In State v. Bruno, 204 N.W.2d 879, 885-886 (Iowa 1973) we set out the substance of § 780.10 and stated 1) the purpose of the section is to inform defendant of the witnesses against him and the substance of their testimony, 2) service on record counsel is authorized if the officer made a diligent but futile search for defendant, 3) the State need not show defendant was outside the county, 4) trial court has wide discretion in determining whether due diligence was employed, and 5) this court will not interfere unless an abuse of discretion appears. The record before us shows two attempts to serve defendant. During the second attempt (on the last day permitted under § 780.10) the deputy sheriff, despite informing defendant's mother of his purpose, was unable to obtain any information as to defendant's whereabouts or his expected time of return. Trial court did not abuse its wide discretion in holding the deputy was then justified in serving defense counsel under the § 780.10 alternative.