Opinion ID: 2072259
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Cross-Examination of Andre Council

Text: Defendant claims the trial court erred in not permitting defense counsel to question prosecution witness Andre Council in connection with an alleged arson arrest in March 1987. On cross-examination, defense counsel asked Council if it were true that he had been arrested for arson in March 1987. The State objected and a conference was held in chambers. A police report was produced that indicated Council had been questioned concerning an arson on March 17, 1987. Council was released the same day due to insufficient evidence, and he was never charged with the crime. The latitude to be allowed on cross-examination and rebuttal is a matter within the sound discretion of the trial court, and a reviewing court should not interfere unless there has been a clear abuse of discretion. ( People v. Thompkins (1988), 121 Ill.2d 401, 441-42, 117 Ill.Dec. 927, 521 N.E.2d 38; People v. Collins (1985), 106 Ill.2d 237, 269, 87 Ill.Dec. 910, 478 N.E.2d 267; People v. Peter (1973), 55 Ill.2d 443, 451-52, 303 N.E.2d 398.) We do not believe the trial court abused its discretion here. Defendant states that Council was present near the scene of the fire both before and after the fire. Defendant contends that the combination of Council's proximity to the scene of the fire and his having been questioned in a different arson investigation on some prior occasion somehow affects his credibility here. Defendant, however, does not explain how Council's credibility would be affected. We do not see how the facts put forth by defendant bring Council's credibility into question. We reject, therefore, defendant's contention.