Opinion ID: 2227408
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: Error in Restricting Cross-Examination

Text: Appellant claims that his right to cross-examine witnesses about possible bias was violated when the court sustained an objection to a defense question to Debbie Kolb regarding her relationship with her husband William Kolb. On direct examination Debbie testified that she had been married to William Kolb for eight years. On cross-examination she testified that she and William were presently separated. When defense counsel attempted to probe this further, however, she refused to answer and the State objected to the questioning. The defense sought to illicit testimony from Mrs. Kolb that her husband beat her and was constantly drunk. The court sustained the State's relevancy objection. The trial judge has discretion to determine the scope of cross-examination and we will reverse only where there was a clear abuse of discretion. Fassoth, 525 N.E.2d 318. Debbie Kolb's testimony corroborated previous testimony of William Kolb and Reynolds concerning the cocaine buys. We do not see how the information the defense sought to elicit would be relevant to show bias on Debbie's part toward the appellant. The trial court acted within its discretion in sustaining the relevancy objection.