Opinion ID: 31970
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Denial of the Right to Impeach Witnesses

Text: 95 Bigby contends that the trial court improperly denied him the right to impeach Grace Kehler, the chief witness against him, by showing that her pending civil suit provided a motive to testify falsely and by pointing out that Kehler had made contradictory allegations in the civil suit. A review of the record, however, reveals a different account of the trial proceedings. In particular, Judge Leonard did allow Bigby to question Kehler about any potential pecuniary interests arising from her unresolved wrongful death suit against Bigby's physician and treating hospitals for failing to attend adequately his mental illness. The judge merely informed Bigby's counsel that he would not allow the civil petitions into evidence unless Kehler denied the suit. 96 Bigby correctly notes that the Sixth Amendment guarantee of a criminal defendant's right to confront witnesses against him includes the right to cross-examination. See Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 315, 94 S.Ct. 1105, 1110, 39 L.Ed.2d 347 (1974). But this right is subject to the wide latitude of trial judges to impose reasonable limits. See id. (stating that the right to cross-examination is [s]ubject always to the broad discretion of a trial judge to preclude repetitive and unduly harassing interrogation); Delaware v. Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. 673, 679, 106 S.Ct. 1431, 1435, 89 L.Ed.2d 674 (1986). As such, the Confrontation Clause does not guarantee defendants cross-examination to whatever extent they desire. Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. at 678, 106 S.Ct. 1431. Bigby fails to demonstrate that his efforts to impeach Kehler were unconstitutionally circumscribed or that the state's rejection of his impeachment complaints constitute an unreasonable application of clearly established federal law. Accordingly, no reason exists to issue a COA on this issue. 97