Opinion ID: 1981890
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Ruling on Scope of Cross-Examination

Text: The State called as an expert witness F.B.I. agent Gerald Wilkes to testify about specific ballistic test results. On cross-examination, defense counsel sought to elicit testimony about ballistic test results of another weapon apparently recovered from a co-defendant, Henry. That weapon had not been previously mentioned, and was not in evidence. In Thomas v. State, 301 Md. 294, 308, 483 A.2d 6, 13 (1984), we recognized that [i]t is well accepted that cross-examination ordinarily may only be used to explore the subject matter covered by the witness in his direct examination and for impeachment purposes. The testimony sought to be elicited clearly goes beyond the scope of direct examination. To the extent that the co-defendant's involvement may have been relevant to the defense, Appellant was required to develop the matter during his own case, and not during cross-examination of the State's witness. During cross-examination of Robert Williams, defense counsel elicited from the witness that on January 24, 1988 he had been charged with four handgun offenses, three counts of carrying a handgun, and one count of alteration and removing a manufacturer's serial number on a firearm. It was also established that the handguns were a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber special, a Taurus .9 millimeter pistol, and an Interdynamic .9 millimeter semi-automatic pistol with the manufacturer's serial number altered and removed. In return for his testimony in the instant case, the State had agreed to drop all four of the weapon counts against Robert Williams. During cross-examination, Appellant tried to introduce a photograph of one of the weapons the witness had been charged with possessing. The State objected and the objection was sustained. Wide latitude must be given a cross-examiner in exploring a witness' bias or motivation in testifying. Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 94 S.Ct. 1105, 39 L.Ed.2d 347 (1974). A permissible purpose of such cross-examination is to show ... that [the witness'] testimony was biased because given under promise of expectation of immunity, or under the coercive effect of his detention.... Alford v. United States, 282 U.S. 687, 693, 51 S.Ct. 218, 220, 75 L.Ed. 624, 628 (1931). In the instant case Appellant was able to and did explore in some detail the nature of the charges that were being dropped in return for Mr. Williams' testimony, as well as a description of the firearms he possessed. The failure to allow into evidence a photograph of one of the weapons found in Williams' possession did not prejudice Appellant and, therefore, if it was error at all, it was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Dorsey v. State, 276 Md. 638, 659, 350 A.2d 665, 678 (1976).