Opinion ID: 1979227
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Voir dire, cross-examination, and references to other crimes.

Text: In this case, the prosecutor, during voir dire, asked if anyone knew that several other people, in addition to defendant, were arrested as a result of the undercover drug operation. Trial court promptly admonished the jury to disregard the statement, and overruled defendant's mistrial motion. Generally, an improper statement is not unduly prejudicial when trial court admonishes the jury to disregard it. Williams, 315 N.W.2d at 55-56; see State v. Tobin, 338 N.W.2d 879, 880 (Iowa 1983); State v. Love, 302 N.W.2d 115, 120 (Iowa 1981). The court's prompt admonishment at this early stage of the proceedings was sufficient to avoid any prejudice arising from the prosecutor's reference. Trial court did not abuse its discretion in overruling the motion for mistrial. Defendant also asserts he was prejudiced by the prosecutor's cross-examination of two witnesses. In the first instance, the prosecutor asked the witness if he was aware that drugs were sold at Oscar's Lounge. Defense counsel objected because the question went beyond the direct examination. The objection was sustained. Essentially, defendant's claim on appeal is that the mere asking of the question provided grounds for mistrial. However, he made no motion for mistrial grounded on the question. Ordinarily, the asking of questions is not prejudicial. State v. Gilroy, 313 N.W.2d 513, 519 (Iowa 1981). Finally, in this instance, defendant has not demonstrated bad faith on the part of the prosecutor in asking the question. See id. In the next incident, the prosecutor asked the witness if he was aware that several drug arrests were made on August 9 at Oscar's Lounge. The witness answered and defendant failed to object or ask that the answer be struck. The prosecutor then asked if the witness would have frequented Oscar's Lounge if he knew drugs were sold there. The witness responded in the negative. Defendant then tardily objected, asserting the question went beyond the record and beyond direct examination. He made no claim he had no time to object, nor did he move to strike the answer. This record presents no error. Oakes v. Peter Pan Bakers, Inc., 258 Iowa 447, 451, 138 N.W.2d 93, 96 (1965); see Harrison v. Ulicki, 193 N.W.2d 533, 537 (Iowa 1972). Defendant finally asserts he was prejudiced by testimony regarding arrests of other people, search warrants for establishments other than the defendant's, and other drug buys made by Tim Menke. Defendant identifies several places in the record where these alleged references were made. In only one of these places did defendant appear to object to testimony because it referred to crimes other than the ones currently charged. In this instance, Diamond was testifying for the State when the prosecutor asked him why Menke was terminated from the operation on August 9. He responded that several search and arrest warrants had been issued and executed on August 9. Trial court overruled defendant's motion for mistrial based on the ground evidence of other people's arrests would be incompetent, irrelevant, and immaterial, and not proof of the crime charged. The prosecutor further asked why Menke was terminated as a result of those activities. Defendant objected on the same grounds and again made a motion for mistrial. Both were overruled. Diamond then answered that Menke would have become known in the community, and thus no longer could obtain useful information. In questions asked by the prosecutor the State was attempting to demonstrate that Menke's employment with the department was not terminated for misconduct. This testimony would have been relevant in light of defendant's efforts to undermine Menke's credibility. See Iowa R.Evid. 401. Trial court, within its discretion, determines if the probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of prejudice. See Iowa R.Evid. 403. The district court did not abuse its discretion in overruling defendant's objection and motions for mistrial.