Opinion ID: 2132943
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Cumulative to Testimony of Quick, Diane Quick and Fredrick Flood.

Text: The district court could not have considered the proffered testimony of these three witnesses to be cumulative of the testimony of Quick because it ruled to exclude that testimony before the state rested. Quick had not yet testified and he retained the right under the Fifth Amendment to decline to testify. Further, a criminal defendant is denied the constitutional right to defend himself if he is restricted to his own testimony and not permitted to offer corroborating evidence. Obviously, the exclusion of third-party testimony to explain a defendant's state of mind puts undue pressure on the Fifth Amendment rights of the defendant. As to Diane, she was a hostile witness to Quick. She testified that Mueller was the best friend of her brother, Fredrick Flood; that their relationship built incredibly fast after her separation from Quick; and that they intended to be married. She then witnessed Quick shoot Mueller in her own home, while her three children were sleeping in nearby rooms. Further, Diane had obtained an order for protection against Quick in June of 2000 and did not testify to any face-to-face meetings or even live telephone conversations with Quick from that date to the date of the shooting. Her communications were only by note, email or voice message. Thus, during the entire time that Quick was meeting with the three proffered witnesses, and discussing his mental and emotional state, Diane Quick had no direct contact with him. Obviously, she did not corroborate Quick's testimony. As to Diane's brother, he likewise was hostile to Quick. He acknowledged that Justin Mueller had been a co-worker and was his best friend. He said that he was excited that Mueller and his sister, Diane, were dating. He testified to only one communication with Quick in the relevant time period and the state offered that testimony to show premeditation. Neither Diane Quick nor Diane's brother testified directly about their observations of Quick's mental or emotional state in the summer of 2000.