Opinion ID: 1286632
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Intimidation of State Witnesses

Text: Reutter also sought a court order restraining the state from intimidating potential witnesses. At the hearing, Reutter requested a separate hearing outside the presence of the media to set forth his allegations. The trial court granted the in-camera hearing, but only for the limited purposes of making an offer of proof. Reutter claimed that certain state officials had made comments to two potential witnesses that prevented him from conducting a meaningful interview with them. Specifically, Reutter claims that the Attorney General's office attempted to influence the testimony of Pam Schneider and Mark Kotas following the death of Michael Kotas. Reutter further alleges that the Attorney General's office stated to Schneider and Kotas that Reutter had been implicated in at least five murders. Reutter stated that Schneider was specifically advised that she might be in danger from Reutter and was asked if she wanted to have protection. Reutter requested a closed evidentiary hearing on the allegations, arguing that it would be detrimental to introduce testimony in the presence of the press. The trial court denied the motion. The trial court reasoned that any prejudice resulting from an open hearing could be dealt with by means of a change of venue, continuance, and proper voir dire. Reutter's counsel rejected these alternatives. On appeal, Reutter claims that in addition to Schneider and Kotas, witnesses Joanne Becker, who was a California friend of Reutter's, and Mrs. Soto were also intimidated in a similar fashion by the Attorney General's office. Reutter argues that the Attorney General's actions resulted in a devastating bias on the part of these witnesses. With respect to the testimony of Pam Schneider, Mark Kotas, and Joanne Becker, we fail to find evidence in the record of devastating bias. On direct examination by the state, Pam Schneider denied any knowledge of Reutter's involvement with cocaine. Similarly, Mark Kotas denied ever having seen Reutter use cocaine, testifying as well that his brother, Dr. Kotas, had never indicated to him that he was involved with Reutter in the use or distribution of cocaine. In fact, on cross-examination by Reutter's counsel, Mark Kotas stated that Reutter was a close friend and that without Reutter's aid and assistance he would never have been able to endure the ordeal of his brother's death and impending trial. The record also indicates that Mark Kotas dined with Reutter on the eve of his trial. Joanne Becker testified that during her relationship with Reutter she had never heard any talk about nor seen any narcotics or drugs. Of the four witnesses who allegedly were intimated by the state, Mrs. Soto was the only one to directly link Reutter to cocaine. Prior to trial she was confronted without warning at her place of employment by defense investigator Tim Malloy. Mrs. Soto told Malloy that she did not know any thing about Reutter's involvement with cocaine and that she did not want to be involved. The record reveals that Mrs. Soto was highly distressed at this meeting, her distress perhaps due in part to the fact that Malloy confronted her at her place of employment in front of her co-workers. The state denies any attempt to influence Mrs. Soto's testimony and offered to make its investigation available for Reutter's examination. Reutter elected not to avail himself of this offer. Mrs. Soto admitted on cross-examination that she had previously denied any knowledge of Reutter's involvement. Furthermore notwithstanding the trial court's directive that he should advise the court of any witness-related problems, Reutter made no mention to the court of Mrs. Soto. We have recently held that we will not countenance attempts by the state to interfere with a defendant's constitutional right to call witnesses on his behalf. State v. Wiegers, supra . Upon a proper showing, a defendant is entitled to have the trial court make findings with respect to a claim of witness intimidation. Id. In United States v. Wilson, 715 F.2d 1164 (7th Cir.1983), the trial court's refusal to grant an evidentiary hearing on defendant's allegations of prosecutorial misconduct was upheld. Defendant in Wilson alleged to the trial court that the prosecution had intimidated potential witnesses in an attempt to gain favorable testimony. The trial court refused the motion to dismiss, in addition to refusing to grant an evidentiary hearing, because defense counsel offered no factual support. Id. at 1170. On appeal, the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit held: If there was a factual basis for defendant's allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, that factual basis should have been presented to the trial court. The defendants were afforded an opportunity to present allegations sufficient to warrant an evidentiary hearing. It is no basis for relief on appeal that defendants failed to avail themselves of that opportunity. 715 F.2d at 1170. Reutter made nothing more than mere allegations to the trial court at the in-camera hearing. The trial court noted that Reutter had failed to include any factual statements with the motion. Nevertheless, the court offered to hold an evidentiary hearing on the allegations, but Reutter refused. The trial court acted properly in refusing to close the courtroom to the public on the basis of mere allegations. Moreover, the trial court granted the specific relief requested in Reutter's motion. Reutter did nothing more than to make an allegation that finds no support in the record. The testimony of Schneider, Kotas, and Becker stands in direct contradiction to Reutter's assertion that the state prejudiced these witnesses against him. If anything, their testimony harmed the state. Reutter did not approach the trial court with respect to the alleged intimidation of Mrs. Soto. At the hearing on this motion, Reutter referred only to Schneider and Kotas. The transcript of the hearing shows that the trial court instructed Reutter to bring to its attention any further problems concerning state witnesses. Reutter never again approached the court, nor was the matter pursued on cross-examination of any of the witnesses. Because there is no factual support in the record supporting Reutter's allegations of witness intimidation, we find no evidence of prejudice. We have considered each of these remaining issues raised in Reutter's brief and conclude that they present no issue of reversible error. The judgment is affirmed. MORGAN, J., concurs. FOSHEIM, C.J., and WUEST, Acting J., concur in result. HENDERSON, J., dissents without formal opinion.