Opinion ID: 1174739
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Depositions of State Witnesses

Text: Prior to trial, defense counsel filed a notice of taking depositions of Carri and Tracy Long, the latter being the older child of Mildred Lairby. It was served on the social worker supervising the girls, who had been placed in shelter, with a copy to the prosecuting attorney. The girls did not appear, and no one appeared on behalf of the State. [2] Defendants brought a motion to compel, which the court denied, saying that defendants were entitled only to a list of prospective witnesses under U.C.A., 1953, § 77-35-16 (1982). Defendants contend their rights were abridged by this denial, citing U.C.A., 1953, § 77-35-14(h) (1982), which states: Whenever a material witness is about to leave the state ... as to afford reasonable grounds for believing that he will be unable to attend a trial or hearing, either party may, upon notice to the other, apply to the court for an order that the witness be examined conditionally by deposition. Attendance of the witness at the deposition may be compelled by subpoena. The defendant shall be present at the deposition and the court shall make whatever order is necessary to effect such attendance. Utah R.Crim.P. 14(h). Tracy and Carri in fact departed from the state to Arizona approximately one month later. Carri testified at trial, but Tracy did not. [3] Defendants' motion to compel did not recite that a material witness was about to depart the state, nor did it cite § 77-35-14(h) as grounds for the motion. The trial court, the State argues, could not be expected to apply § 77-35-14(h), since it had not been advised at the time the motion was presented that the witnesses were about to leave the state. We agree. In general, a trial court is allowed broad discretion in granting or denying discovery, U.C.A., 1953, § 77-35-16(f) (1982), and its determinations on this subject will not be overturned on appeal unless the court has abused its discretion. State v. Knill, Utah, 656 P.2d 1026, 1027 (1982); see also State v. Sims, 30 Utah 2d 357, 360, 517 P.2d 1315, 1317, cert. denied, 417 U.S. 970, 94 S.Ct. 3175, 41 L.Ed.2d 1141 (1974). Moreover, defendants have not shown how they were prejudiced by the denial. The defense had the opportunity to confront Carri Long when she testified at trial and had the right to secure the attendance of Tracy Long from out of state on their own behalf had there been a likelihood that her testimony would have been exculpatory. Since she did not testify at trial, there was no need to cross-examine her on damaging testimony. Under the circumstances, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendants' motion.