Opinion ID: 1527360
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: at the bench, without the hearing of the jury)

Text: MR. VAN MATRE: Do you have any record which sustains this question? MR. LEVVIS: I don't have any. MR. VAN MATRE: I strenuously object to a question like that. This puts prejudice in the minds of the jurors. I think that the damage has been done and I ask at this time for a mistrial. MR. LEVVIS: I am bound by his innocence. MR. VAN MATRE: But the innuendo is thrown in there. THE COURT: I think that you have the right, even if you don't have the record to back up the question, but you do have the right to ask the general question, have you ever been convicted of a crime, and he can answer yes or no, but I believe this would be improper unless you have some official record. The request for a mistrial will be denied but I will instruct the Jury to disregard the last question and answer.