Opinion ID: 1667146
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Prohibited testimony of Richard Isham

Text: ś 99. Thorson next argues that the trial court erred in sustaining an objection to a question asked of Richard Isham regarding threats made against McKinney's children during his visit with Thorson. Isham was asked during direct examination if he made any threats against Thorson. He denied making any such threats. Isham was then asked if he had made any threats against Thorson or Gloria McKinney's children. The State objected to the question as asked and answered. Thorson argued that this was a different question, but the trial court sustained the objection. Thorson made no further attempt to ask Isham if he had made any threats against McKinney's children. During Thorson's testimony, the following exchange took place: KOENIG: Did you, in fact, have anything to do with the disappearance of Ms. McKinney? THORSON: No, ma'am; I did not. KOENIG: Why would you tell authorities that you did? THORSON: Because of the threats on her two young girls. Immediately following this exchange, Thorson testified about Isham's visit and taking responsibility for McKinney's death. While the objections to what Thorson wanted Isham to say were sustained, the transcript in context shows that the testimony was elicited. Thorson was trying to prove that Isham threatened him and McKinney's children; and therefore, he confessed to the murder. However, his confession came almost thirty-six hours after his visit with Isham when the police presented Thorson with evidence that only the killer of McKinney would have. When Thorson was shown the knife used to cut McKinney's throat, he stated, Well, I guess you know the rest of the story. ś 100. Thorson was allowed to present his theory of the case as to why he confessed to the murder and why that confession was false. Therefore, any error committed by the trial court in excluding testimony was harmless error. This issue is without merit.