Opinion ID: 2633286
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Questioning Regarding Inconsistencies in Defendant's Testimony

Text: On direct examination, defendant testified inconsistently regarding the events that prompted him to go over to Powell's house after all of the construction workers had left for the day. He first described hearing two voices like something was happening but said he heard a woman's voice. Defendant testified he was unable to understand the voices because they were speaking in English. He then said he heard just a woman's voice and then two voices. He described the voices as not normal voices. Defendant subsequently clarified he heard two voices that made loud sounds associated with pain. He did not hear any words. On cross-examination, the prosecutor followed up on this issue: [The Prosecutor]: Sir, were these two women saying words in the English language? [Defendant]: The two ladies? [The Prosecutor]: Yes. [Defendant]: What two ladies? [The Prosecutor]: Youare you just making this up as you go along? [Counsel]: I am going to object [to] that; that's argumentative, Your Honor. It's not a question. THE COURT: Overruled. [The Prosecutor]: [A]re you making this up as you go along? [Defendant]: You are asking me about the two ladies? [The Prosecutor]: No, I am asking you whether you are just making this up as you go along. [Defendant]: I'm not making anything up. On appeal, defendant contends that he did not understand and was confused by many of the prosecutor's questions. For this reason, he claims the prosecutor's questions in the preceding exchange were sarcastic and abusive and constituted misconduct. We find no misconduct. As the People point out, because defendant's testimony regarding the voices he heard coming from Powell's house was riddled with inconsistencies, the prosecutor could properly test defendant's veracity in this area and highlight any inconsistencies. Moreover, the jury heard defendant's testimony and could evaluate whether his inconsistencies were the result of his language difficulties or lack of candor.