Opinion ID: 2520889
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The prosecution's cross-examination of Hauge and rebuttal argument

Text: Hauge testified in his own defense at trial. During the prosecution's cross-examination of Hauge, the DPA questioned Hauge about the DNA evidence: Q: Mr. Hauge, isn't it true, sir, that the one thing you could not explain away this morning was how come it was your blood that was found in the Ordway suitcase and in the Ordway hotel room at the Ocean Resort Hotel? A: I don't believe that was my blood. I know that my blood was taken, two vials of it, at H.P.D. cellblock. Q: That is right. That was taken on January 25, 2001, right? A: I know that when I was arrested, I think it was the next day, they took my blood. Q: You were arrested on January 24, 2001, and you heard the testimony of Wayne Kimoto saying that your blood, pursuant to the search warrant, was taken from you the following day, January 25th, 2001, remember that? A: Yes. Q: Okay. At this point, the circuit court interrupted the DPA and asked him to approach the bench for a conference on the record: THE COURT: I'm going to caution you that you not argue with the witness and I'll caution you that you don't open the door for him trying to explain a possible intentional mishandling of the blood. If you push him, there would be copious explanations. Please stay away from that. [DPA]: Thank you much. The DPA then resumed his questioning of Hauge's failure to explain the DNA evidence during his testimony on direct examination: Q: When you earlier testified that you don't think or you don't believe it was your blood in that hotel room and in the Ordway suitcases, that does not comport with what the D.N.A. expert testified earlier today. You heard her testify, isn't that true? A: Yes. Q: She testified that your D.N.A. was a perfect match. Your blood D.N.A. was a perfect match to the evidence recovered from inside the Ordway suitcases and inside Room 714, right? You heard that? A: Yes. Q: In fact, you also Again, the circuit court interrupted the DPA's questioning, this time excusing the jury and Hauge from the courtroom: THE COURT: [DPA], I'm going to tell you a second time, do not argue with the witness. If you really want him to give an answer, you will take it at your peril. [DPA]: So understood, your Honor. THE COURT: This witness is ready to tangle with you. He is ready to fight with you and give you the answer he wants to give. There has been a court ruling. If you wish to proceed as you are, you're my guest and you will suffer whatever consequences it leads to. Do I need to make myself any clearer? [DPA]: No, your Honor. It's not my intention to elicit any kinds of testimony on his part indicating an intentional mishandling of the evidence. The court already ruled. THE COURT: And why, after I told you do not argue with the witness, did you thereafter proceed to argue with him? That's what we mean by argument. [DPA]: Okay. THE COURT: This is a last warning. You will suffer whatever consequences if you choose to depart on your own track.... The DPA thereafter concluded his cross-examination of Hauge. During his rebuttal argument, the DPA again raised the issue of Hauge's failure to account for the DNA evidence: [Hauge] can take the stand, he can lie, hey I was never in that room. He has every excuse for how he got the card, for why he was carrying the rock, why he was in the area, about the video camera. He explained away everything except the most important evidence of all. He could not explain away why the D.N.A. evidence pinpointed him inside that room. Hauge did not object to this argument at trial.