Opinion ID: 2621432
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 39

Heading: Other Means of Impeachment Were Available to Gregory

Text: ś 286 Defense counsel's cross-examination of R.S. reveals many available means of impeachment. Alternative measures for impeachment are significant in determination of the materiality of undisclosed evidence. ś 287 Here, defense counsel impeached R.S. by adducing that she had been convicted of several crimes of dishonesty â including five convictions for theft in the third degree. Defense counsel also impeached R.S. by adducing she had given a false name to police on several occasions. Further, defense counsel adduced that when R.S. provided a statement to Detective Pollard about what had happened, she twice mentioned that Gregory had held a gun to her head rather than a knife. Moreover, defense counsel generally tried to impeach R.S. with her inability to recall details of the events. ś 288 Since Gregory was availed of ample means of impeaching R.S.'s credibility besides confronting her with one false statement as to the last time she had consumed drugs after the crime, the trial court would have been within its discretion in denying admission under ER 608(b). ś 289 The jury heard much impeachment evidence regarding R.S., but still believed her version of events rather than Gregory's. Gregory had been very inconsistent in his statements about the night of the rape. Detective DeVault testified that Gregory first claimed an alibi. Gregory later denied any contact with R.S. on the night of the rape. He later denied ever having sex with R.S. in his car. At trial, however, Gregory claimed there was sexual contact with R.S. in his car, but that it was a consensual act. ś 290 The jury could assess which version â Gregory's or R.S.'s â was more consistent with the evidence. That R.S. might have once lied about drug usage years later in 2000 would not have conceivably changed the outcome of the trial.