Opinion ID: 2080908
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Amended Witness List

Text: As his final error, Johnson charges that the trial court improperly allowed the State to amend its witness list during the course of trial to admit the testimony of Nurse Padzik. Even after issuing a pre-trial order, it is within the trial court's discretion to allow or deny additions to the witness list. Johnson v. State (1983), Ind., 446 N.E.2d 1307. Such decision should be based upon whether allowing such additions would prejudice the opposing party. In this case, Johnson was not prejudiced. Nurse Padzik's testimony was admitted only for the purpose of establishing the chain of custody of the rape kit. Her signature was present on the kit, although it was undecipherable. Upon granting the State's request to allow Nurse Padzik as a witness, the trial court offered Johnson the opportunity to speak with the witness and called an immediate recess. Thus, any possible prejudice was cured by allowing Johnson the opportunity to interview the witness prior to cross-examining her on the stand. Permitting Nurse Padzik to testify was not an abuse of discretion. The conviction is affirmed. SHEPARD, C.J., and DeBRULER, GIVAN and DICKSON, JJ., concur.