Opinion ID: 1093338
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Bills 42 and 42a

Text: When this case was first tried, the office of district attorney was filled by another. At the time, in order to avoid a continuance, because out-of-state witnesses were not present, the then district attorney stipulated that he would produce no evidence to show that Fallon had threatened his wife prior to shooting her. This first trial resulted in a mistrial. Thereafter the present District Attorney was elected and assumed the office. He then proceeded with the prosecution of this case anew. At the second trial, after the reading of the indictment but prior to the opening statement of the District Attorney, defense counsel moved that the stipulation entered at the previous trial be binding on the District Attorney in the present trial; as a consequence, the District Attorney did stipulate as follows: My conception of the stipulation Judge, it limits the State insofar as presenting any evidence against the defendant of threats by him to any person on the life of his late wife. I will abide by that stipulation but I do not intend to give up my right to use such threats or otherwise, to impeach defendant or any other witness who takes the stand when the defense presents its case. I shall not present any evidence in chief. The trial judge ruled that, considering the stipulation, the State would not be permitted to present evidence of any prior communicated threats allegedly made by the accused against the life of his wife. However, he reserved any ruling in regard to questions the State would be permitted to propound on cross-examination in the event the accused took the stand to testify in his own behalf. In our view the ruling was entirely fair. This is especially so since we entertain serious doubt that a stipulation entered into in a previous trial by another district attorney can be binding on his successor when the case is being tried de novo. This bill has no merit.