Opinion ID: 1747978
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Use of the Billing Records

Text: In resolving this question, it is not necessary to address the parties' myriad statutory arguments concerning whether and to what extent the billing records themselves, maintained by the Office of Administration, should be treated as confidential rather than public records. Rather, we note that it is beyond dispute that the substantive evidence concerning what Dr. Lewis was paid in this case and other cases involving the Public Defender's Office would be discoverable under normal methods, and that such information was clearly relevant and admissible to show bias. See State v. Love, 963 S.W.2d 236, 242-244 (Mo.App.1997) (defense expert impeached with her earnings in that case and other cases where she worked for Public Defender's Office); see also State ex rel. Lichtor v. Clark, 845 S.W.2d 55, 65-67 (Mo.App.1992). Indeed, the pecuniary interest, bias or prejudice of a witness may always be shown. State v. Long, 698 S.W.2d 898, 901 (Mo.App.1985). Moreover, in the present case the trial court specifically found that it would have ordered disclosure of the impeaching evidence if it had been requested to do so. On direct appeal, we review the trial court for prejudice, not mere error, and will reverse only if the error was so prejudicial that it deprived the defendant of a fair trial. State v. Morrow, 968 S.W.2d 100, 106 (Mo. banc 1998). Appellant cannot plausibly claim that he was significantly prejudiced by the prosecutor's use of information that was both properly discoverable and clearly admissible.