Opinion ID: 1926022
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Exclusion of Testimony of Antonio Barnes

Text: Appellant argues that the trial court erred when it sustained the State's objection to the testimony of Appellant's roommate, Antonio Barnes, that Appellant instructed Barnes to tell Kristi Gentry that Appellant was on his way to the Gentrys' house shortly before the murders. Appellant argues that the statement was not hearsay and was admissible as inconsistent with a premeditated intent to murder Kristi. Antonio Barnes was called as a State's witness and testified on direct examination that he had known Ware for a couple of years and became his roommate in October, 1993. Barnes also testified on direct examination to Ware's possession of a gun and to the search of their apartment after the shootings. On cross-examination by Ware's counsel, Barnes said that around midnight on the night of December 29, 1993, he received a phone call from Kristi. Barnes agreed to tell Ware that she had called. When the State concluded its examination of Barnes, defense counsel informed the court that Barnes was to be recalled as a defense witness. As a courtesy to Mr. Barnes, the court permitted the defense examination of Barnes, out of turn, and in the State's case-in-chief. Barnes testified that he saw Ware at about 11:30 a.m. on December 30, 1993, when Ware returned to the apartment to change his clothing. As Ware left the apartment, he gave instructions to Barnes. The State objected when defense counsel asked Barnes to relate the instructions he had given to him. Defense counsel proffered that Barnes would testify that Ware told him to tell Kristi, if she called, that he was on his way over. Defense counsel argued that the State would be introducing evidence that would make Barnes' testimony relevant. The trial judge stated that, since Barnes had been called out-of-turn and during the State's case, he did not know what the State was going to offer. The judge sustained the objection, ruling that Ware could recall Barnes as a witness later. Trial judges have broad discretion in determining the order of presentation of evidence. [9] See McCray v. State, 305 Md. 126, 133, 501 A.2d 856, 860 (1985) (recognizing that trial judges have broad discretion in the conduct of trials in such areas as the reception of evidence). In sustaining the State's objection, the trial court properly exercised its discretion. The court merely excluded this evidence until a later point in the trial; defense counsel never re-offered the testimony. We perceive no abuse of this discretion. Appellant's sole argument before this Court is that the trial court erroneously excluded the testimony on hearsay grounds. Appellant is wrong in concluding that hearsay was the basis for the court's ruling. In fact, the judge never ruled that the evidence was inadmissible per se. The court merely ruled that it was irrelevant when offered. The trial judge properly exercised his discretion in ruling that, when Appellant offered the evidence, it was not relevant and that Appellant could recall the witness at a later point in the trial. The discretion to vary the usual order of proof is well within the trial court's discretion. See, e.g., McCray, 305 Md. at 133-34, 501 A.2d at 860; State v. Hepple, 279 Md. 265, 270-71, 368 A.2d 445, 449 (1977). The judge had varied the order of proof in permitting the direct examination of Barnes by the defense during the State's case-in-chief. In sustaining an objection to part of the testimony, the judge properly exercised his discretion in controlling the order of proof, thereby permissibly requiring Ware to recall the witness later in the trial if he so desired. Nothing prevented Ware's counsel from recalling the witness. We find no error.