Opinion ID: 2518340
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: was griffin deprived of a fair trial by the state's use of inconsistent prosecutorial theories to convict him and wallace dixon of the same crimes?

Text: Griffin makes two claims of prosecutorial inconsistency between his trial and Dixon's. First, he contends that he was portrayed as truthful in Dixon's trial, where he testified for the State, and as less than truthful in his own trial. Second, he contends that his participation in the second burglary of Alicia Shaw's apartment was played down in Dixon's trial and up in his own. The State argues that this issue is not properly before the court because it is raised for the first time on appeal. Griffin does not contend that the issue was raised at trial, but he states that it was argued at the remand hearing on ineffective assistance of counsel. Examination of the transcript of the remand hearing at the pages cited by Griffin shows that the issue presented to the trial court was whether trial counsel should have had Griffin testify. The argument was made at that time by appellate counsel that inconsistencies between Dixon's and Griffin's trials could have been avoided if trial counsel had convinced Griffin to testify on his own behalf. Inconsistent prosecutorial theories were not an issue presented to the trial court so as to provide an opportunity to avoid or correct error. As a general rule, issues not raised before the trial court will not be considered on appeal. State v. Williams, 275 Kan. 284, 288, 64 P.3d 353 (2003). There are several exceptions to the general rule, including where consideration of the question raised for the first time on appeal is necessary to serve the ends of justice or to prevent denial of fundamental rights. State v. Wiegand, 275 Kan. 841, 844, 69 P.3d 627 (2003). Griffin does not argue for exercising an exception in the circumstances of this case. We do not address the issue.