Opinion ID: 1716639
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 23

Heading: Prosecutorial MisconductPresentation of Evidence

Text: The objection to this part of the prosecutor's conduct takes three courses, all of which involve the use of exhibits. A room found in the victim's room had been identified as the possible murder weapon. It was admitted into evidence. Defendant objects because he says this exhibit was allowed to stand for some time in full view of the jury after Dr. Schnetzler's testimony. We find no reviewable issue here. The record does not disclose the factual situation defendant relies on nor does it show any objection made at the time the alleged error occurred. Error, if there was any, was waived. See State v. Rutledge, 243 Iowa 179, 198, 47 N.W.2d 251, 263 (1951). The State had prepared a sketch of a man supposed to have been in Rienow Hall during the afternoon in question. During the testimony of Mr. Reding, the prosecutor exhibited this sketch (which had previously been admitted into evidence) to the witness for purposes the record does not disclose. The court immediately stopped this attempt, and there the matter ended. No prejudice resulted therefrom. The third complaint involves a tennis shoe allegedly belonging to defendant. The prosecutor attempted to show that an injury to Miss Ottens' head could have been inflicted by a kick from a person wearing such a shoe. The shoe itself had been admitted into evidence. During Dr. Schnetzler's testimony, the prosecutor had him examine the shoe and then attempted to elicit from him the opinion that the head injury could have resulted in the manner suggested. Objection to this testimony was sustained. The prosecutor persisted with several additional questions concerning this matter. Objections were consistently sustained. Defendant assails the prosecutor's conduct as being a deliberate attempt to violate the trial court's rulings. Apparently the trial court did not so regard it, and neither do we. The basis for the exclusion of this evidence was that it was too speculative. We are unwilling to say counsel may not try, within proper limits, to cure that objection, if he can do so. As we view the record, this is what he tried to do. Even though unsuccessful, he did not exceed the bounds of proper inquiry into his possibility of doing so. The circumstances here, despite defendant's claims to the contrary, do not run afoul of the rules outlined in State v. Levy, 160 N.W.2d 460, 464-468 (Iowa 1968) or State v. Haffa, 246 Iowa 1275, 71 N.W.2d 35, 42 (1955), cert. denied 350 U.S. 914, 76 S.Ct. 198, 100 L.Ed. 801.