Opinion ID: 2378907
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Cross-examination of Shurn

Text: During cross-examination, the prosecutor asked Shurn whether he met with Tommy Mitchell and Willie Greer prior to the murders, in order to discuss using Weaver to kill Taylor. Defense counsel objected to this line of questioning as beyond the scope of direct examination. Shurn now contends that cross-examination about these conversations distracted the jury and injected arbitrary factors into the case. Trial courts have broad discretion to control cross-examination. State v. Leisure, 749 S.W.2d 366, 378 (Mo. banc 1988), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 113 S.Ct. 343, 121 L.Ed.2d 259 (1992). In State v. Dunn, 577 S.W.2d 649, 653 (Mo. banc 1979), this Court held that the state cannot ask the defendant about unrelated criminal misconduct. Citing Dunn , Shurn contends that the conduct referenced by the state is collateral and thus should not have been admitted. However, Dunn does not apply to this case. The conduct (planning Taylor's murder) is related to the crime for which Shurn was charged (Taylor's murder). Shurn denied any involvement in the murder of Taylor, including asking Weaver to kill Taylor. The state asked Shurn about Mitchell and Greer in order to impeach Shurn, and the trial court properly permitted the questioning for this purpose.