Opinion ID: 1906701
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: linda washington

Text: The prosecution presented the testimony of Linda Washington, a resident of Lincoln Heights, to establish several key facts to this case. Initially, the prosecution showed that Ms. Washington did not want to be in the courtroom, and was testifying only because of a subpoena. Washington then testified that on June 1, 1995, while walking on Fiftieth Street, she saw Mercer and Terrell speaking with Yappy near Terrell's blue car. Washington then heard gunshots. While Washington did not see the actual shooting, she did see Mercer with a gun in his hands immediately after hearing the shots. Washington then testified that she saw Terrell get into his car. Next, a person whom Washington did not identify, got out of the car and shot Yappy again. Washington saw the car drive away, with Terrell driving. Washington's trial testimony was consistent with her grand jury testimony in all relevant respects. The prosecution ended the direct examination by inquiring about Washington's feelings on testifying: Q: Do you still live in Lincoln Heights,  A: Yes. Q:  Ms. Washington? A: Yes. Q: Do you recognize anyone from Lincoln Heights in the courtroom? I'm not asking you to point them out, but sitting in the courtroom. Do you recognize people from Lincoln Heights? A: Yes. Q: And how do you feel about having to testify here today? A: I don't feel right. I don't want to be here. As stated above, the references to spectators from Lincoln Heights created a danger of unfair prejudice by suggesting that the spectators were in the courtroom in an attempt to intimidate witnesses. Here, unlike Mr. Gibson, Ms. Washington did not contradict her grand jury testimony. Thus, there was no inconsistent statement that needed explanation. References to the spectators from Lincoln Heights could only have served to explain Washington's credibility or potential bias in a general sense. Further, the prosecution had established Washington's state of mind early in the direct examination. The prosecution began its questioning of Washington by showing that she did not want to be in the courtroom, and that she was only testifying due to a subpoena. Thus, the prosecution availed itself of an alternative, less prejudicial method of showing the state of mind of the witness. Questions concerning the presence of people from Lincoln Heights in the back of the courtroom were improper, and should have been excluded.