Opinion ID: 47622
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: The limitation on witness questioning

Text: 45 A district court's limitation of cross-examination of a witness is reviewed for abuse of discretion. See Davis, 393 F.3d at 548. Abuse-of-discretion review applies only if the limitation did not curtail the defendant's Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses. See id. Whether a defendant's Sixth Amendment rights were violated is reviewed de novo. Wilkerson, 233 F.3d at 890. 46 Dr. Zoog, who medically examined AV, was called by the government in its case-in-chief. Dr. Zoog was then recalled by Hitt as a defense witness. After Hitt's attorney concluded questioning, Causey declined to question Dr. Zoog. The government then cross-examined Dr. Zoog, and Hitt's attorney followed with a short re-direct. Causey's attorney then rose, presumably to ask Dr. Zoog questions, and the following exchange occurred: 47 THE COURT: Mr. Kirksey [Causey's trial attorney], you rise? 48 MR. KIRKSEY: Yes, Your Honor. 49 THE COURT: On what basis? Do you get redirect when you didn't do your direct? 50 MR. KIRKSEY: No, sir. 51 THE COURT: Thank you. You may be seated. 52 Causey argues that he was denied his constitutional right to question Dr. Zoog on re-direct. His argument lacks merit. Dr. Zoog was not called as a witness against Causey when Causey alleges he was denied the opportunity to question. Thus, the Confrontation Clause was not invoked. See Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 315, 94 S.Ct. 1105, 39 L.Ed.2d 347 (1974) (stating that the purpose of the Confrontation Clause is to ensure that defendants have the right to confront witnesses against them ). Even under Confrontation Clause analysis, as the right to re-cross a witness is not a constitutional right under most circumstances, see United States v. Morris, 485 F.2d 1385, 1387 (5th Cir.1973), it follows that the right to re-direct is not a constitutional right in this circumstance. Because Causey declined to question Dr. Zoog on direct, it was not a constitutional violation for the court to disallow Causey's attempt to re-direct, nor was it an abuse of discretion.