Opinion ID: 1889625
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The trial judge's exercise of discretion.

Text: In denying Sanders' motion to reopen his case, the trial judge stated, in pertinent part: I know I have discretion to reopen it but I'm not going to do it at this point. I have plenty [of] opportunity to have this [witness] available, and if you file any post-trial motions with respect to the significance of her testimony I will certainly hear from you, but I'm not going to reopen the case at this point. The judge thus declined to take any action that would disrupt the orderly flow of the trial, Sellars, supra, 401 A.2d at 980, but he clearly and unequivocally communicated to counsel his readiness to consider a post-trial motion based on any relevant testimony that Ms. Hawkins might be prepared to give. In our view, this constituted a judicious exercise of the court's discretion. We have previously noted the disruptive potential of an order permitting a party to present new testimony after counsel had completed their closing arguments and after the court had instructed the jury. In declining to permit Sanders to call Ms. Hawkins as a witness at this point, the judge avoided any danger of prejudice that so belated a reopening of the record might pose to the prosecution or to the administration of justice. At the same time, the judge promised a fair and receptive forum for any relevant information that Ms. Hawkins could provide if Sanders were to file a post-trial motion based on her prospective testimony. [11] Indeed, the post-trial motion route suggested by the judge would potentially have provided Sanders' attorney with more time to interview Ms. Hawkins, to become familiar with her account, and to prepare a more effective presentation, whether in an affidavit or by testimony at the hearing of such a motion. Having been invited to file a post-trial motion, [12] Sanders is in no position to claim that the trial judge declined to allow Ms. Hawkins to be heard on Sanders' behalf. The judge's exercise of discretion must be evaluated in the light of all of the options available to him in the circumstances of this particular case. Here, the judge avoided a substantial danger of prejudice while still inviting the defense to avail itself of an alternative procedural forum to present any exculpatory evidence. There was no abuse of discretion. [13]