Opinion ID: 853633
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Claim of Discovery Abuse

Text: Hardiman next asserts as error the admission of fingerprint evidence taken from the window of Terrell's vehicle. Police had possession of these fingerprints since the shooting, but did not give notice of a positive match until a week before trial. In preliminary hearings, defense counsel sought to exclude this evidence and, in the alternative, moved for a continuance. The trial court denied both requests. Hardiman argues that this delay and withholding of evidence amounts to unfair surprise, gross misleading and bad faith. In opposition, the State contends that an earlier positive identification of the fingerprints was not possible due to computer problems, and that Hardiman received notice immediately following the match. If a party's noncompliance with pre-trial discovery orders is grossly misleading or done in bad faith, then evidence may be excluded. Nettles v. State, 565 N.E.2d 1064 (Ind.1991). A trial court has broad discretion in ruling on issues of discovery and we will interfere only where an abuse of discretion is apparent. Jenkins v. State, 627 N.E.2d 789 (Ind.1993), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 812, 115 S.Ct. 64, 130 L.Ed.2d 21 (1994). Hardiman knew about the fingerprints for six months before trial, and he was aware of the State's difficulty in finding a positive match. Several days before trial, both the State and defense requested an individual comparison between the fingerprints taken from the scene and Hardiman. The State gave notice of a positive match on the same day a match was discovered. Under these circumstances, it was within the discretion of the trial court to admit this evidence or grant a continuance.