Opinion ID: 2793140
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Martin’s Pending Forgery Charge

Text: On cross-examination, Makiel’s counsel attempted to impeach Martin in several ways. Counsel had Martin admit that he (1) had been drinking the night of the murder, (2) waited a long time before coming forward to the police, and (3) denied who he was when he was initially approached by a defense attorney. Makiel’s counsel also attempted to impeach Martin with a pending forgery charge. Counsel asked Martin whether he Nos. 13-3076 & 13-3777 11 had been charged with forgery, and Martin flatly denied it. Defense counsel then informed the court at a sidebar conference that he wanted to impeach Martin by introducing a certified copy of the pending charge. During this sidebar, the State did not contest the fact that Martin had a pending forgery charge. The trial court nevertheless barred defense counsel from introducing the charge and ordered both sides not to discuss it further in front of the jury.