Opinion ID: 612017
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Unavailability of Part of Trial Transcript

Text: 10 Wilkinson argues that the lack of a transcript for the final day of his trial deprived him of due process. We reject this argument. 11 The transcript was unavailable because the court reporter died before transcribing the last day of Wilkinson's trial, and the court reporter's notes could not be located. The minutes of the proceedings indicate that five rebuttal witnesses testified in a period of less than 45 minutes. In addition, counsel made closing arguments and the trial judge instructed the jury. Pursuant to Ariz.R.Crim.P. 31.8(f), the parties prepared statements of the proceedings, and the trial court held a hearing to resolve any differences regarding their recollection of the proceedings. Wilkinson has failed to demonstrate that this procedure violated his constitutional rights, or that he was prejudiced by the lack of a verbatim transcript. See Norvell v. Illinois, 373 U.S. 420, 424 (1963) (where trial transcript is not available due to death of court reporter, some practical accommodation must be made).