Opinion ID: 2587723
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Witness' Polygraph Examination

Text: Engelhardt also challenges the district judge's decision to exclude the results of Brian Smith's polygraph test. Our standard of review for this exclusion of evidence has previously been stated. See State v. Beard, 273 Kan. 789, 807-08, 46 P.3d 1185 (2002). In regard to polygraph examination results, the Kansas rule is that such results are inadmissible in a criminal proceeding, absent a stipulation by the parties. State v. Deal, 271 Kan. 483, 492, 23 P.3d 840 (2001). This rule is attributable in part to the unreliability of polygraph methodology and in part to protection of the jury's role as the factfinder. See State v. Shively, 268 Kan. 573, 579-80, 999 P.2d 952 (2000). The parties did not stipulate to the introduction of the results of Brian's polygraph test in this case. Engelhardt contends that his constitutional rights to confrontation and to present a defense required the admission of Brian's polygraph test results as critical impeachment material. In his original statement to police, Brian took the blame for killing Michael; in a later interview, Brian said Engelhardt had tried to stop him. He then changed his story to say that Engelhardt stabbed Michael in the chest and cut his throat. Apparently, police eventually told Brian that his inconsistent statements meant he would have to take a polygraph examination. However, the polygraph test was not administered until after he had entered into his plea agreement, and the agreement made no provision for it. The examiner determined that Brian was not truthful in his answers when he said that he saw Engelhardt stab Michael in the neck and chest. Engelhardt cites no Kansas case law to support his legal argument on this claim. He does cite cases from two federal courts that have permitted the defense to cross-examine a witness regarding a failure of a polygraph test or inconclusive answers in response to questions asked during such a test. See United States v. Lynn, 856 F.2d 430 (1st Cir. 1988) (abuse of discretion to prohibit defense from cross-examining coconspirator on inconclusive results; exam part of plea agreement); United States v. Hart, 344 F. Supp. 522, 523-24 (E.D.N.Y. 1971) (jury allowed to determine how failed polygraph test affected principal witness's credibility). We decline to adopt the rule of these cases. Polygraph evidence cannot be presented for purposes of corroboration or impeachment. See Shively, 268 Kan. at 587-88 (citing United States v. Piccinonna, 885 F.2d 1529 [11th Cir. 1989]). We further reject Engelhardt's contention that a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to present witnesses in his or her defense requires admission of the type of polygraph evidence sought to be admitted here. See Shively, 268 Kan. at 588 (citing United States v. Scheffer, 523 U.S. 303, 315-17, 140 L. Ed. 2d 413, 118, S. Ct. 1261 [1998]). The district judge did not err in adhering to our longstanding prohibition of polygraph evidence absent a stipulation of the parties. Engelhardt also asserts that the polygraph evidence should have been admitted because of the prosecution's duty to disclose any exculpatory evidence. See Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 10 L. Ed. 2d 215, 83 S. Ct. 1194 (1963). Engelhardt and his counsel were well aware of the polygraph results pretrial. There was no actionable failure to disclose here.