Opinion ID: 2443037
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: cross-examination regarding refiling of murder charges

Text: For his next point of error, Findley claims the trial court erred in refusing to allow him to cross-examine Jim Moore concerning the fact that Moore was initially charged with capital murder, along with Findley, and that the charge was then nol prossed, re-filed, and eventually nol prossed again. The trial court ruled that Moore could be questioned as to whether he had ever been charged with capital murder and then later charged with hindering apprehension, but barred any questions about the State's decision to ultimately nol pross the murder charge. We find the trial court was wrong in this regard; however, Findley was not prejudiced by the trial court's restriction of his cross-examination. Moore testified, on cross-examination, that he had been charged with capital felony murder for the death of David Phillips and that he had eventually pled guilty to the charge of hindering apprehension for helping dispose of the body. He testified further that he was not giving testimony as the result of plea negotiations but because his testimony was the truth. This exchange was more than sufficient to call into question Moore's credibility, as his negotiations with the State could only lead to the logical conclusion that he had made a bargain with the State which led to a lesser charge and sentence, in return for his testimony. Cross-examination should be limited to material, relevant matters before the court, and harmless errors are not grounds for reversal. Hoback v. State, 286 Ark. 153, 689 S.W.2d 569 (1985).