Opinion ID: 1808114
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Deposition of Daniel Speer, September 16, 1987

Text: The record shows that Rhodes was the prosecuting attorney in State v. Larry L. Rush, in the district court for Custer County. Rush was charged with possession of a burglar's tool, criminal attempt, and criminal mischief. The defendant moved to depose Speer and others pursuant to Neb.Rev.Stat. § 29-1917 (Reissue 1985). Rhodes also moved to depose Speer because Speer had been twice imprisoned with the defendant and was believed to be in possession of incriminating admissions made by Rush. On September 3, 1987, the district court granted both parties' motions to depose Speer in the Rush prosecution. The Speer deposition was taken on the afternoon of September 16 in the district courtroom in Broken Bow. At Rhodes' request, Francis and his assistant recorded this deposition on videotape. Rhodes requested that he not appear on the videotape. Francis testified that such a request was not unusual. At defense counsel's request, however, Francis' assistant turned the video camera to show Rhodes' demeanor in the courtroom. Rhodes testified that he had the deposition videotaped to deter something and sat at the judge's bench during the deposition because he thought Speer might pull a weapon. Rhodes also took the nameplate from his office and put it on the judge's bench. Rhodes did not believe it would help to have a sheriff in the courtroom or that there were legal grounds to have Speer searched. Francis observed that Rhodes had changed from a light-colored summer suit and appeared that afternoon wearing dark blue trousers with a yellow stripe down each leg. Rhodes' coat was like a uniform coat, and he was wearing a white shirt and black tie. The coat had a badge on the left breast pocket and a medal on the right. Rhodes also was wearing a gun with a long barrel. The gun originally was in a holster sitting on a chair in the courtroom. Francis testified that Rhodes later strapped the holster around his waist. Rhodes did not recall putting on the gun and holster in the courtroom. When Francis asked Rhodes what he was doing, Rhodes said that there was a court rule that any officer who wore a firearm in the courtroom must be in uniform. The weapon was a 686 Smith and Wesson stainless steel and was loaded. Rhodes admitted that he wore a law enforcement uniform to the deposition. He had purchased the uniform from a catalog and claims he was entitled to wear a uniform because, pursuant to the statutes, he is a coroner with the duties of a peace officer. Rhodes testified that he did not order the uniform specifically for the Speer deposition. He believed that Speer had mental problems and that Speer would try to get even with Rhodes. Rhodes testified that he began to carry a small pocket pistol after being threatened by Speer and that Speer's deposition was originally scheduled to be held in the board of supervisors' room, where Rhodes could carry his pocket pistol. Rhodes once again noted that Speer had threatened his life several times, had been caught with weapons, and had been in the military police. Rhodes explained that he thought Speer might think twice about killing a law enforcement officer as opposed to a regular person and ordered the uniform thinking that on Halloween he would go out in uniform and make an impression on Speer that this is a peace officer you're trying to kill. Rhodes did wear the uniform and badge on Halloween. At this time, Rhodes usually carried a firearm because of Speer's threats. Rhodes stated that the rule of the district court was that only uniformed officers could wear sidearms in the courtroom. He decided on the spur of the moment to wear the uniform to the deposition so he would comply with the court rule regarding sidearms. The uniform arrived by United Parcel Service the same day as the Speer deposition and was delivered to the courthouse after lunch. Rhodes changed into the uniform in his office and put on a badge that had been given to him by law enforcement officers. He also wore a mock trial group medal. During the deposition, Rhodes began questioning Speer about how he and Rhodes had met. Rush's attorney objected to the line of questioning on the grounds of relevancy, but Rhodes claimed the questions were foundational to show that Speer was a hostile witness. Rhodes explained to the referee that he was trying to talk Speer out of his anger and get him to cooperate at the deposition. The record of the deposition contains approximately 40 pages of testimony elicited by Rhodes on topics including the drive-in theater incident, why Speer never went to college, the Omaha concert trip, the trip to Vancouver, conversations at the Tumbleweed Cafe, conversations regarding a sexual assault victim and Ricky Ross, the trip to Lincoln, alleged homosexual advances made by Rhodes, Rhodes' attempts to talk to Speer after the Vancouver trip, one of the sexual assault incidents, the Jerod Beck kidnapping/false imprisonment incident, the criminal charges filed by Rhodes against Speer, issues of constitutional law with respect to civil rights actions, the disposition of charges against Speer by Roth, Speer's purchase of a gun at Gibson's, and Speer's visits to a psychiatrist. Rhodes then stated to Speer during the deposition that maybe he [Rhodes] is trying to make a point that he [Rhodes] wasn't out to lock you [Speer] up forever. Only approximately two pages of the deposition testimony are devoted to Rhodes' questioning Speer about statements made by the defendant, Larry Rush, in the jail. Speer testified that he appeared pro se at the deposition, but that Rush's attorney, Gary Washburn, told him not to talk to Rhodes until Washburn was present. Speer described Rhodes' attire as a blue sports jacket with a badge and medal and testified that Rhodes was carrying a weapon. Speer stated that he was not frightened, but was embarrassed by Rhodes' questions about their personal relationship. Rhodes now admits the deposition in the Rush case probably was not a very good idea. He stated before the referee that he would not be dressing up in any uniforms in the future and that he only wore the uniform because he was afraid of Speer. Rush's attorney, Gary Washburn, testified at the referee's hearing that Rhodes' manner was very calm during the Speer deposition and that the only loud or boisterous language came from Speer.