Opinion ID: 374087
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Cross-Examination of the Defense's Witness

Text: 14 During the presentation of its case-in-chief, the defense called Bob Yeager as a character witness. On direct, Yeager was asked whether he thought Wolford was truthful and honest, and whether he thought Wolford was frivolous with his money. On cross-examination, the prosecutor asked Yeager if he had ever gambled in Wolford's home. When Yeager answered affirmatively, the prosecutor followed up with several more questions about the details of the game. Defense counsel's two objections to this line of questioning were overruled. The defendant contends that the testimony was outside the scope of the direct examination and, therefore, should not have been permitted. 15 Rule 611(b) of the Federal Rules of Evidence, which governs the proper scope of cross-examination, provides the following guidelines: 16 Cross examination should be limited to the subject matter of the direct examination and matters affecting the credibility of the witness. The court may, in the exercise of discretion, permit inquiry into additional matters as if on direct examination. 17 Fed.R.Evid. 611(b). 18 The second sentence of Rule 611(b) leaves the decision whether to allow inquiry into matters not covered during direct to the sound discretion of the trial judge. See United States v. Beechum, 582 F.2d 898, 907-08 n.8 (5th Cir. 1978) (en banc), cert. denied, 440 U.S. 920, 99 S.Ct. 1244, 59 L.Ed.2d 472 (1979). Although it may have been more appropriate to require the government to recall Yeager if it wished to question him about the dice game, we cannot say that the court's decision amounted to an abuse of discretion. Moreover, since it is not alleged that the testimony was inadmissible for any reason other than that it was adduced at the wrong time, we cannot say that a substantial right was affected. See Fed.R.Evid. 103(a).