Opinion ID: 853331
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Testimony from Deposition

Text: Farris argues that the trial court erred in admitting Littlepage's deposition into evidence because: (1) the State did not lay a proper foundation to declare Littlepage unavailable; (2) the introduction of Littlepage's deposition violated his confrontation rights; and (3) the deposition was not admissible under Indiana Rule of Evidence 804(b)(3). At trial, Farris objected to admission of the deposition only on the basis that it violated his right to confront witnesses. He raises improper foundation and Rule 804(b)(3) for the first time in this appeal. It is well settled that a party may not raise one ground before the trial court and a different ground on appeal. Wurster v. State, 715 N.E.2d 341, 347-48 (Ind.1999). The changing of theories is substantially indistinguishable from having never raised the issue in the first instance. 4A Kenneth M. Stroud, Indiana Practice § 3.2 (2d ed.1990). Farris has waived review of his claims of erroneous admission based on improper foundation and Rule 804(b)(3). Farris correctly points out that, although criminal defendants generally have no constitutional right to attend depositions, Jones v. State, 445 N.E.2d 98, 99 (Ind.1983), depositions taken in the absence of defendants may not be admissible if the deponent is later unavailable for trial, Miller v. State, 517 N.E.2d 64, 71-73 (Ind.1987). However, where defense counsel takes the deposition of a witness and actively participates in it, the defendant has waived his right of confrontation at trial. State v. Owings, 622 N.E.2d 948, 952 (Ind.1993); Ingram v. State, 547 N.E.2d 823, 826 (Ind.1989). That doctrine applies here because, although Farris was not present at Littlepage's deposition, the proceeding was conducted by Farris' attorney. The trial court correctly overruled Farris' objection that admission of the deposition violated his Sixth Amendment right to confrontation.