Opinion ID: 2069253
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: 656 Subpoena of prosecuting attorney.

Text: The defendant contends that the trial court erred in quashing a subpoena directed at Clevert, the assistant prosecuting attorney, because of the trial court's erroneous belief that if Clevert were to testify for the defense it would require his withdrawal from the case under the Code of Professional Responsibility. The defendant's purpose for calling Clevert was to establish the frequency with which he met with Robin prior to trial and the substance of their conversations. The record does not reflect that the Code of Professional Responsibility was the basis for the decision of the trial court. Rather, the trial court decided that it would not allow the defense to sequester Clevert as the defense had demanded, thus requiring Clevert's withdrawal from the case. A thorough review of the record indicates that the ruling of the trial court in no way implied that Clevert could not be called as a witness by the defense but that the court was merely ruling that under the circumstances presented he could not be sequestered, which would consequently require his withdrawal from the case. The question of the sequestration of witnesses is within the sound discretion of the trial court. Abraham v. State (1970), 47 Wis. 2d 44, 176 N. W. 2d 349. As the trial court indicated in its decision on the postconviction motions, Clevert was constantly in court and available to be called as a witness. As the defense did not choose to call him, they cannot now claim that his failure to testify was prejudicial.