Opinion ID: 564390
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Lineup Identification Testimony

Text: 28 Perkins contends that the district court erred in allowing Chris Alamond to testify about his lineup identification of the defendant. As a result of defective film, the government could not produce an actual photograph of the lineup. However, as a substitute, the government provided the defense with individual photographs of the participants. Because Alamond's identification rested to an extent on the height and build of the participants, Perkins argues that the absence of a photographic record of the lineup deprived him of the right to confront and cross-examine a key witness. Whether Perkins's right of confrontation was violated is reviewed de novo. United States v. McConney, 728 F.2d 1195, 1201 (9th Cir.) (en banc), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 824, 105 S.Ct. 101, 83 L.Ed.2d 46 (1984). 29 Perkins's principal complaint is that he could not adequately cross-examine Alamond because the mug shot photos used to replace the lineup photo were not capable of a height or body build comparison. The Supreme Court has stated, however, that the Confrontation Clause guarantees only 'an opportunity for effective cross-examination, not cross-examination that is effective in whatever way, and to whatever extent, the defense may wish.'  Kentucky v. Stincer, 482 U.S. 730, 739, 107 S.Ct. 2658, 2664, 96 L.Ed.2d 631 (1987) (quoting Delaware v. Fensterer, 474 U.S. 15, 20, 106 S.Ct. 292, 294, 88 L.Ed.2d 15 (1985)) (emphasis in original). In this case, Perkins had an opportunity for effective cross-examination. The individual photographs list the participant's height and weight, as well as the date the photographs were taken. With information about the participants' height, weight, and general appearance, Perkins could effectively question the witness. Moreover, the jury could fully evaluate Alamond's credibility along with his explanation of why he selected the defendant. The jury could also take note of the fact that the prosecution failed to have Alamond identify the defendant in court, as the defense pointed out in its closing argument. Therefore, Perkins had the opportunity to confront Alamond at trial and had ample information at his disposal to cross-examine him effectively about the lineup identification. The district court did not abuse its discretion in allowing Alamond to testify and the failure to produce the lineup photo did not violate Perkins's right of confrontation.
30 During the cross-examination of the officer who conducted the photospread identification, the defense inquired into the potential suggestiveness of photo identifications. Defense counsel then attempted to inquire into the concept of photo induced identification, but the court sustained the government's objection to the questioning. Perkins cites this ruling as error. The district court's decision as to the scope of cross-examination is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Bonanno, 852 F.2d 434, 439 (9th Cir.1988), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 1016, 109 S.Ct. 812, 102 L.Ed.2d 801 (1989). 31 The district court did not abuse its discretion in restricting the cross-examination of this witness. First, the questions extended beyond the witness's area of expertise, which was in the presentation of photospreads. Second, the district court, before trial, properly refused to allow expert testimony on the topic of induced identification. See United States v. Christophe, 833 F.2d 1296, 1299-1300 (9th Cir.1987) (Skillful cross examination of eyewitnesses, coupled with appeals to the experience and common sense of jurors, will sufficiently alert jurors to specific conditions that render a particular eyewitness identification unreliable.). Perkins cannot evade this ruling by attempting to elicit expert testimony from a non-expert. Perkins had ample opportunity to, and did, cross-examine Alamond on his eyewitness identification, as well as argue to the jury his theory of induced identification.