Opinion ID: 1165079
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Cross-examination of the State's expert witness

Text: Defendant objects to the trial judge's refusal to allow his counsel to question the State's expert witness, either during voir dire or cross-examination, about the grades he received during graduate school. This court rejects this contention; however, it is unclear upon what basis this is done. Under carefully controlled circumstances, X, a private citizen, made four buys from defendant of what was claimed to be heroin and cocaine, which were the subject of the charges. The State, in its case-in-chief, had an expert witness testify that he had tested each of these substances and that these substances were in fact controlled substances. On direct examination, the State's expert testified he was a forensic chemist, who had been employed by the State of Wyoming, Division of State Laboratories, for the last 12 1/2 years. The expert witness also described his educational background as follows: I have a bachelor of science degree in chemistry, and I completed one year of graduate school in chemistry. The State's case turned upon the credibility of this expert's testimony as to whether the substances allegedly sold by appellant were in fact controlled substances, so this witness's testimony and his credibility with the jury were of the utmost importance. In an offer of proof, appellant demonstrated that the State's expert witness had attended two years of graduate school; however, during these two years he received only 12 hours of credit because of the number of courses he failed. A review of the State expert's college transcript reveals the following courses taken and grades received during this two-year period: Fall 1965 Grade Chemistry 623F  Quantitative Analysis ................ F Chemistry 630D  Organic Chemistry I .................. B Chemistry 652F  Physical Chemistry ................... D Semester Average: 2.00 Cumulative Average: 2.00 Spring 1966 Grade Chemistry 630D  Organic Chemistry II ................. _ Chemistry 754D  Advanced Physical Chemistry .......... C Physics 605D  Mod. Physics for Engineers ............. B Semester Average: 2.50 Cumulative Average: 2.25 Fall 1966 Grade Math 601D  Elementary Matrix Theory .................. F Math 612F  Advanced Calculus ......................... F Math 631D  Fund. Concepts Math ....................... F Math 650D  Theory Probability ........................ C Semester Average: 0.50 Cumulative Average: 1.14 Spring 1967 Grade Math 601D  Elementary Matrix Theory .................. X Math 612F  Advanced Calculus ......................... F Math 614D  Partial Diff. Eqs. ........................ C Semester Average: 1.00 Cumulative Average: 1.43 After the offer of proof and the State's objection to questioning of the expert concerning the grades that he received, the trial judge sustained the State's objection. In so ruling the trial judge stated: ... [T]he document itself with nothing more, may be misleading and has a greater tendency to mislead than it does to advise. Quite frankly, there is nothing in this document [the official University of Wyoming transcript] to show what these grades measure, what they represent or stand for. [1] He was graduated with a BS in chemistry, as indicated on the face of this exhibit. It may indicate a ranking in class, I don't know; it may indicate performance on a test, I don't know. After being interrupted by appellant's counsel, the trial judge continued: These may, as you [counsel for the State] indicate, have a greater relevance at the time of graduation, but he has been employed by the University, who has granted him this degree, for twelve and a half years, and in the very same area that he has obtained his experience since that time. I think it has more of a tendency to embarrass, as you indicated, or to confuse than it would to illuminate what has happened. After appellant was allowed to make his offer of proof, and an extensive colloquy between court and counsel took place, the trial judge once again stated that he did not know what the grades received by the expert meant and, therefore, they were not admissible. The majority begin their inquiry by expounding the well-recognized rule that once an expert offers his opinions he opens himself up to a more rigorous cross-examination than is normally allowed with an ordinary witness. Chrysler Corporation v. Todorovich, Wyo., 580 P.2d 1123, 1132-1133 (1978). However, they then go on to state: ... Even where this rule prevails, the area of cross-examination must remain within the discretion of the trial court. State v. Vennard, 159 Conn. 385, 270 A.2d 837, 844 (1970)... . 624 P.2d at 754.) This restriction is in direct conflict with our own holding in Chrysler Corporation where we stated in essence that a denial of cross-examination of an expert witness cannot be protected under the guise of judicial discretion. Chrysler Corporation, supra, 580 P.2d at 1133. I believe that this court should follow the dictates of Chrysler Corporation : In Chrysler Corporation, supra, 580 P.2d at 1133, this court held that the trial judge committed prejudicial error when he refused to allow the defense to question plaintiff's expert witness on cross-examination about safety standards for automobile seating systems that were adopted pursuant to federal law. As this court stated: ... It appears that the questioning was designed to test the knowledge, competency and qualifications of the expert witness ... At this point in the trial counsel for Chrysler was confronted with the problem of cross-examination of an expert witness for the plaintiff who had stated his opinion as to the proper method of designing and manufacturing the part that failed. This testimony related the expert's standard, and it was a critical aspect of the plaintiff's proof... Fairness to Chrysler in such a situation demands that it be afforded reasonable opportunity to test by searching questions the knowledge, competency and qualifications of such an expert witness. In such an instance a ruling of a trial court refusing to permit cross-examination which is based upon an improper ground cannot be protected by the principle that the ruling was discretionary. The denial of an interrogation by Chrysler at this point in the trial constituted prejudicial error because it did not permit a fair opportunity to test the knowledge, competency and qualifications of the expert witness. Whatever the rule may be on cross-examining an expert witness as to the substance of his opinion testimony, the proper rule with respect to cross-examination designed to test his expertise is that it is in no way limited by his testimony on direct examination. Having offered his expert opinion the expert witness exposes himself to interrogation which ordinarily would have no place in the cross-examination of a factual witness, but the expert exposes himself to the most searching kind of investigation into his qualifications, the extent of his knowledge and the reasons for his opinion, including the facts and other matters upon which it is based ... The cross-examiner can raise any subject fairly designed to test his expertise whether touched upon in his direct testimony or not. ... (Emphasis added.) When an expert testifies, he invites investigation into his qualification, the extent of his knowledge, and the reasons for his opinions. Chrysler Corporation, supra, 580 P.2d at 1132-1133. Such investigation cannot be limited by the trial judge because the facts revealed might embarrass the expert. Here, appellant should have been allowed to test the knowledge, competency and qualifications of the State's forensic chemist. The State's witness was qualified as an expert by the trial judge; however, the question of credibility was for the jury. The denial of the right to question the expert's qualifications and knowledge was prejudicial error and cannot be protected by the principle that the ruling was discretionary. Chrysler Corporation, supra, 580 P.2d at 1133. However, the majority have rejected the principles set forth in Chrysler Corporation, finding that the ruling here is protected by the principle that the trial judge has broad discretion in limiting cross-examination of an expert. The majority have also concluded that the expert chemist's grades received in graduate school could have been properly excluded under Rule 403, W.R.E., because it could tend to mislead and confuse a jury who might not well understand the grading system or its effect. I find this reasoning specious because it questions the very intelligence and integrity of a jury. How can the majority question a juror's ability to understand the meaning of failing grades received in academic classes, while presumably at the same time believing that a juror is sophisticated enough to judge the credibility of witnesses, to weigh conflicting testimony or to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime charged? I do not believe that the evidence was properly excluded because it would have misled or confused the jury. Quite to the contrary, I believe that this evidence was essential to the jury's determination of the expert's qualifications. Finally, while I agree with the majority that the case cited by defendant's counsel in support of this contention is not pertinent, I believe that a cogent argument was raised. This court has a duty, therefore, to address the contention. Furthermore, in the face of Chrysler Corporation, a case I believe to be directly in point, I cannot agree with the majority that we must assume no authority exists to support defendant's contention.