Opinion ID: 2612916
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: cross-endorsement

Text: Timley next complains that witnesses were permitted to testify in both cases, although they were only endorsed as to one case, and that each victim was permitted to testify as to the other victims' cases absent a K.S.A. 60-455 determination. The State does not respond to these arguments. K.S.A. 22-3203 provides that two or more separate cases may be consolidated for trial if the crimes could have been properly joined in the same complaint or information. One basis for joining crimes in the same complaint or information is that the crimes are of the same or similar character. K.S.A. 22-3202(1). Within established guidelines, the decision to consolidate rests within the sound discretion of the trial court and its holding will not be disturbed on appeal, absent a clear showing of abuse in the exercise of that power of discretion. State v. Bagby, 231 Kan. 176, Syl. ¶ 3, 642 P.2d 993 (1982). Timley does not specifically challenge the propriety of consolidating these offenses for trial, and consolidation was proper under K.S.A. 22-3202 and K.S.A. 22-3203. K.S.A. 1993 Supp. 22-3201 states: (g) The prosecuting attorney shall endorse the names of all witnesses known to the prosecuting attorney upon the complaint, information and indictment at the time of filing it. The prosecuting attorney may endorse on it the names of other witnesses that may afterward become known to the prosecuting attorney, at times that the court may by rule or otherwise prescribe. Timley argues that some witnesses were endorsed in only one of the two cases consolidated for trial and that permitting the testimony to be considered by the jurors as to both cases was error. Timley contends that K.S.A. 60-455 precludes a witness endorsed to testify in one proceeding of a hearing from testifying in another proceeding unless endorsed by the court to testify in all proceedings, even if the cases are alike in nature. In fact, K.S.A. 60-455 has nothing to do with the endorsement of witnesses but, rather, concerns the admissibility of evidence of prior crimes or wrongs. In addressing the late endorsement of witnesses, this court has repeatedly refused to overturn the decision of the trial court unless the rights of the defendant were prejudiced. See, e.g., State v. Green, 252 Kan. 548, 553-54, 847 P.2d 1208 (1993); State v. Hartfield, 245 Kan. 431, 440, 781 P.2d 1050 (1989). The purpose of the endorsement requirement is to prevent surprise to the defendant and to give the defendant an opportunity to interview and examine the witnesses for the prosecution in advance of trial. Green, 252 Kan. at 553. Timley's trial counsel was aware well before trial that the cases were consolidated for trial and what witnesses might be called by the prosecution to testify at the consolidated trial. Timley's counsel had an opportunity to interview and examine the witnesses in advance of trial. Timley has failed to establish that his rights were prejudiced by permitting the witnesses to testify even though they were not cross-endorsed. There was no error here in permitting the witnesses which were endorsed in one case to testify in the other case, despite the fact they were not endorsed as witnesses in the other case. K.S.A. 60-455 provides: Subject to K.S.A. 60-447 evidence that a person committed a crime or civil wrong on a specified occasion, is inadmissible to prove his or her disposition to commit crime or civil wrong as the basis for an inference that the person committed another crime or civil wrong on another specified occasion but, subject to K.S.A. 60-445 and 60-448 such evidence is admissible when relevant to prove some other material fact including motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity or absence of mistake or accident. The trial judge denied defense counsel's request for a limiting instruction concerning the testimony of L.H. based on K.S.A. 60-455. As stated above, these offenses were properly consolidated for trial. The testimony by one victim was clearly admissible for proving the offenses against that victim. At the conference on jury instructions, Timley's counsel did not renew his request for a limiting instruction concerning L.H.'s testimony. It is well established that in determining the admissibility of prior crimes under K.S.A. 60-455, the trial court must determine that the evidence is relevant to prove a disputed material fact, such as motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident and must weigh the probative value of the evidence against its potential to prejudice the jury. See State v. Mason, 250 Kan. 393, 404, 827 P.2d 748 (1992); State v. Breazeale, 238 Kan. 714, 719, 714 P.2d 1356, cert. denied 479 U.S. 846 (1986). Evidence of each crime was relevant to prove multiple disputed material facts. Each of the offenses charged was committed in an identical manner, with Timley driving late at night, offering a ride to a woman who was walking alone, and engaging in sexual activity with and choking and threatening the woman. Although the identity of the defendant was ultimately not an issue based on Timley's own testimony, at the time each victim testified it was unknown whether Timley would testify, so identity was a contested issue at the time each victim testified. There was no error in admitting evidence of the crimes charged against Timley with respect to each victim at the consolidated trial.