Opinion ID: 1157261
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Sequestration Order

Text: We next consider whether the trial court erred in failing to grant a mistrial or, in the alternative, to strike the testimony of three prosecution witnesses because of their violation of the court's sequestration order. The trial court specifically found that although Agents Shilaos and Knott violated the sequestration order by discussing prospective testimony regarding heroin paraphernalia, that violation did not taint any prior or prospective testimony of these witnesses. The court, nevertheless, imposed the sanction of disallowing any further direct examination of Knott. Matters relating to the sequestration of witnesses and violations of sequestration orders traditionally have remained within the trial court's sound discretion. E. g., Hampton v. People, 171 Colo. 153, 465 P.2d 394 (1970); Gomez v. People, 155 Colo. 507, 395 P.2d 462 (1964). We fail to perceive any abuse of discretion or, for that matter, any prejudice to the defendant by virtue of the limited sanction imposed by the trial court. With respect to Agent Knott's hearing a conversation between the deputy district attorney and Agent Netwall about the percentages of active ingredients in drugs, the court determined that this overhearing was inadvertent and no sanction would be appropriate. In this instance also we find no abuse of discretion.