Opinion ID: 2426456
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: TapesRight of Confrontation

Text: In the final contention of error regarding admission of the tapes, Judge Bates argues that admission of tapes of Ed Riklin's conversations with Fontenot and the court's refusal to disclose the identity of the informer had the effect of denying him his right to confront his accusers and cross-examine the witnesses against him. The Rules for Retirement and Removal of Judges, Rule 10(a) Procedural Rights of Judges, guarantees to the judge the right of confrontation of accusers and the right to cross-examine witnesses. The Commission has denied neither right to Judge Bates. The Judge contends he was not able to cross-examine Ed Riklin because Riklin would have claimed his privilege under the Fifth Amendment, if called to testify. Riklin has also been indicted for the criminal act of bribery arising out of these facts. Mr. Michael Ramsey, attorney for Ed Riklin in his criminal case was called to testify that Riklin would invoke the provisions of the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution and refuse to testify. This is a unique argument. The Commission has not refused to allow cross-examination or confrontation of witnesses. The statements by Riklin were made in furtherance of a conspiracy and are clearly admissible. Judge Bates cites two cases, Greene v. McElroy, 360 U.S. 474, 79 S.Ct. 1400, 3 L.Ed.2d 1377 (1959), and States Marine Lines Inc. v. Federal Maritime Commission, 126 U.S.App.D.C. 187, 376 F.2d 230 (1967) as supportive of his contentions. We regard them as distinguishable. In both cases, the government agency based its decision pertaining to the defendants on evidence consisting of testimony taken from witnesses whose identity the government refused to disclose to the accused party. In neither case was the accused party even told of the substance of the testimony and as a consequence, the accused had no knowledge of the evidence against him. Such is not the case here.