Opinion ID: 564390
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Failure to Produce Lineup Photograph

Text: 28 Perkins contends that the district court erred in allowing Chris Alamond to testify about his lineup identification of the defendant. As a result of defective film, the government could not produce an actual photograph of the lineup. However, as a substitute, the government provided the defense with individual photographs of the participants. Because Alamond's identification rested to an extent on the height and build of the participants, Perkins argues that the absence of a photographic record of the lineup deprived him of the right to confront and cross-examine a key witness. Whether Perkins's right of confrontation was violated is reviewed de novo. United States v. McConney, 728 F.2d 1195, 1201 (9th Cir.) (en banc), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 824, 105 S.Ct. 101, 83 L.Ed.2d 46 (1984). 29 Perkins's principal complaint is that he could not adequately cross-examine Alamond because the mug shot photos used to replace the lineup photo were not capable of a height or body build comparison. The Supreme Court has stated, however, that the Confrontation Clause guarantees only 'an opportunity for effective cross-examination, not cross-examination that is effective in whatever way, and to whatever extent, the defense may wish.'  Kentucky v. Stincer, 482 U.S. 730, 739, 107 S.Ct. 2658, 2664, 96 L.Ed.2d 631 (1987) (quoting Delaware v. Fensterer, 474 U.S. 15, 20, 106 S.Ct. 292, 294, 88 L.Ed.2d 15 (1985)) (emphasis in original). In this case, Perkins had an opportunity for effective cross-examination. The individual photographs list the participant's height and weight, as well as the date the photographs were taken. With information about the participants' height, weight, and general appearance, Perkins could effectively question the witness. Moreover, the jury could fully evaluate Alamond's credibility along with his explanation of why he selected the defendant. The jury could also take note of the fact that the prosecution failed to have Alamond identify the defendant in court, as the defense pointed out in its closing argument. Therefore, Perkins had the opportunity to confront Alamond at trial and had ample information at his disposal to cross-examine him effectively about the lineup identification. The district court did not abuse its discretion in allowing Alamond to testify and the failure to produce the lineup photo did not violate Perkins's right of confrontation.