Opinion ID: 1316643
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Chastising witness

Text: Appellant contends the trial judge erred when he chastised a defense witness, appellant's father, in the presence of the jury. We disagree. Appellant's father, Bishop Beckham, testified for appellant. During cross-examination, he was openly hostile to the Solicitor on several occasions. At one point, the trial judge held a bench conference and admonished the Bishop to respond to the questions and cautioned him about editorializing. With the jury out of the courtroom, appellant's counsel talked privately with the Bishop about his style or demeanor on the stand. Cross-examination continued and the solicitor asked the Bishop whether appellant was with the Bishop during a conversation with the coroner. The Bishop answered: You're saying, I really don't recall Stephen being with me. You're saying that. Another bench conference was held after which the trial court again admonished the Bishop: I've warned you the last time. Now next time you make an editorial comment to the attorney examining you, I'm going to hold you in contempt.... Now just answer the question without any editorial comment. Whether people believe it or not, when they're on the witness stand, lawyers have some latitude about asking questions and you've got to respond to it. A cross-examination is always a more intense period for everybody. But nevertheless, you editorialize again, I'm going to hold you in contempt. Appellant did not make a contemporaneous objection. State v. Johnson, 324 S.C. 38, 476 S.E.2d 681 (1996) (a contemporaneous objection is required at trial to preserve an issue for appellate review). After the Bishop completed his testimony, appellant objected to this admonition on the ground that a negative feeling towards the Bishop was conveyed to the jury. The trial court offered to give a curative instruction. However, nothing further was requested. Accordingly, there is no issue preserved for review. See Johnson, supra; State v. George, 323 S.C. 496, 476 S.E.2d 903 (1996) (no issue is preserved for appellate review if objecting party accepts judge's ruling and does not contemporaneously make additional objection to sufficiency of curative charge or move for a mistrial). Further, appellant did not later object to the trial court's failure to give a curative instruction. In any event, a trial judge has the inherent power to maintain order and decorum in his courtroom. See, e.g., State v. Shelton, 270 S.C. 577, 243 S.E.2d 455 (1978) (trial judge has inherent power to maintain order in his court). `Generally, the act of a judge in a criminal case in admonishing, rebuking, or warning a witness because of the latter's language or conduct is not such misconduct as to require a new trial. The court may reprove or rebuke a witness for levity or profanity, and it is proper for him to correct the volubility of a witness and admonish those who show hesitation, reluctance, or evasion.' State v. Tuckness, 257 S.C. 295, 185 S.E.2d 607 (1971) (quoting 58 Am.Jur.2d New Trial § 54). Accordingly, we find no error.