Opinion ID: 2739855
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Testimony of Harris

Text: On November 28, 2000, Harris submitted an affidavit describing her conversations with ADA Alexander before trial and her testimony at trial. As stated in the affidavit, she told ADA Alexander before trial that, on the day of Isaac’s arrest, Isaac had been experiencing extreme symptoms of heroin withdrawal. Isaac called Sterling, who then gave Isaac money so that Isaac could purchase heroin for his personal use. She told ADA Alexander that she then drove with Isaac to Barabino’s house to purchase heroin. In response, ADA Alexander threatened to charge her for her role in the case if she did not alter her testimony to reflect that Sterling was the one suffering from withdrawal and that Isaac obtained the drugs from Barabino to distribute to Sterling. Harris stated that she agreed to testify falsely for three reasons: she felt that “Isaac needed some time off the street to get his life in order”; Alexander promised her that Isaac would only receive a 10-year sentence; and Alexander promised her that she would not be charged. Harris also stated that she received immunity in exchange for her false testimony. Harris explained at the March 26, 2008 post-conviction hearing that Sterling brought Isaac $81 for Isaac to purchase heroin from Barabino. She further testified that she and Isaac stopped at Barabino’s apartment and procured some guns, which they put in the car. As Harris waited for Isaac outside the apartment, a police officer approached her and asked her for 4 Case: 13-31013 Document: 00512792766 Page: 5 Date Filed: 10/03/2014 No. 13-31013 identification. At that moment, a woman inside the apartment called out for help, exclaiming that Barabino had a gun in Isaac’s mouth. Harris testified that Alexander threatened to charge her with possession of the firearms if she did not testify against Isaac. In exchange for her testimony, Alexander allegedly paid for a hotel and all her expenses during the trial, and helped her obtain Section 8 housing. Moreover, according to Harris, Alexander told her that she “needed to say that [Sterling] was still in the house . . . so that [the prosecution] could say that [Isaac] went to get the drugs for [Sterling].” Harris testified that she chose to come forward and tell the truth after her grown daughter (Isaac’s child) discovered what happened. The State cross-examined Harris. She acknowledged that even though she claimed that Alexander instructed her to testify falsely that Sterling had stayed behind while she and Isaac went to procure drugs from Barabino, she gave no such testimony at trial.