Opinion ID: 2582616
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: refusal to take a lie detector test

Text: Deal argues that the trial court erred in refusing to grant a mistrial after the State introduced videotaped testimony showing Deal's refusal to take a lie detector test. The trial court may declare a mistrial when prejudicial conduct makes it impossible to proceed with the trial without injustice to the defendant. K.S.A. 22-3423(1)(c); see State v. Rice, 261 Kan. 567, 591, 932 P.2d 981 (1997). Declaration of a mistrial is a matter entrusted to the trial court's discretion, and the decision will not be set aside on appeal unless abuse of discretion is clearly shown. State v. McClanahan, 259 Kan. 86, 92, 910 P.2d 193 (1996); State v. Bagby, 231 Kan. 176, 179, 642 P.2d 993 (1982). If reasonable persons could differ regarding the propriety of the trial court's action, it cannot be said the trial court abused its discretion. State v. Brown, 249 Kan. 698, Syl. ¶ 10, 823 P.2d 190 (1991). The defendant has the burden of proving that he or she was substantially prejudiced. State v. Massey, 242 Kan. 252, 264, 747 P.2d 802 (1987). Over objections, the trial court allowed the jury to view the August 6, 1998, videotaped interview of Deal by Agent Carmack and Detective Talcott. During the playing of the videotape interview the following took place: [AGENT CARMACK]: If, uh, down the road here you were asked to take a polygraph test ... what are your feelings on that? [DEAL]: Polygraphs? You mean a lie detector test? I don't want to take a lie detector test. During a break from the playing of the videotaped interview, the following took place between counsel and the court: [COUNSEL FOR DEAL]: In addition to those other comments about the polygraph, I couldn't tell if he said no or yes. There should be a cautionary instruction if not a mistrial on that part. [PROSECUTOR]: I don't know that the jury needs to be alerted to that again. It didn't have any detrimental effect and wasn't incriminating or exculpatory. There wouldn't be any further reference to that through any other witnesses nor will there be any witness who testifies about whether there was any followup on that issue. I couldn't hear what he said either. I think he said he would. THE COURT: I believe he said he would. That was just my hearing of it. The entire court has carefully reviewed the videotape and unanimously agree that the tape clearly states: I don't want to take a lie detector test. Admittedly, we were all alerted to what was coming, and we were listening carefully to see what was said. Obviously, defense counsel, the prosecutor, and the judge, who did not know what was coming, did not clearly hear what was said. There is no evidence that any of the jurors heard the statement or, if so, what they understood it to mean. In Kansas, absent stipulation by the parties, the results of a polygraph test are inadmissible in a criminal proceeding. State v. Wise, 237 Kan. 117, 124, 697 P.2d 1295 (1985); accord State v. Lassley, 218 Kan. 758, 760, 545 P.2d 383 (1976). Likewise, reference to a defendant's refusal to submit to a polygraph test is also inadmissible. See State v. Webber, 260 Kan. 263, 276, 918 P.2d 609 (1996) (refusal to submit to polygraph examination or the offer to do so is inadmissible); State v. McCarty, 224 Kan. 179, 182, 578 P.2d 274 (1978) (noting that it is the rule in Kansas that a refusal to take a polygraph test is not admissible into evidence); State v. Roach, 223 Kan. 732, 734, 576 P.2d 1082 (1978) (testimony that defendant refused a polygraph test is inadmissible); State v. Emory, 190 Kan. 406, 410, 375 P.2d 585 (1962) (it was reversible error for trial court to admit evidence that the defendant refused to take a lie detector test as the evidence prejudiced the substantial rights of the defendant). Mere mention of the word polygraph, however, is not grounds for mistrial. State v. Green, 245 Kan. 398, 406, 781 P.2d 678 (1989); State v. Ulland, 24 Kan. App.2d 249, 259, 943 P.2d 947 (1997). Deal objected to the reference of the mention of the polygraph examination in the videotaped testimony. The objection was not made immediately following the statement but was made during a break after the viewing of the videotape. A party must make a timely and specific objection to the admission of evidence at trial in order to preserve the issue for appeal. State v. Sims, 265 Kan. 166, 174, 960 P.2d 1271 (1998). During the discussion of the objection, the parties were very careful not to elaborate on the polygraph issue. There was no other mention of polygraph throughout the remainder of the trial. Deal never requested a cautionary instruction prior to the case being submitted to the jury. Deal has failed to show substantial prejudice by the isolated reference to the polygraph examination. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion for a mistrial. The single mention of the polygraph test, although inappropriate, did not prejudice Deal or require a new trial.