Opinion ID: 2078512
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Impeachment Based Upon Matters Suppressed

Text: Appellant also bases his ineffective assistance claim on questions posed by counsel during direct examination which provided the basis for the State to impeach him on matters previously deemed suppressed. Hudson made several statements when he was apprehended by Deputy Evans prior to an advisement of Miranda rights. These statements indicated that Hudson hurt his hand because he attempted to grab onto a truck and that the truck came from the next road down, presumably the road that led to the victim's house. The trial court granted the motion to suppress based upon Miranda. During direct examination appellant gave testimony inconsistent with the suppressed statements (namely, he hurt his hand on a barbed wire fence and did not see a truck leave the premises). The Court permitted the State to question Hudson about these statements. Even if this was error, we find it to be harmless. The inference derived from Hydson's statements is that he was present at the crime scene. Hudson admitted his presence when he testified but denied his participation in the burglary. Both of appellant's explanations were consistent with the strategy of admitting presence but denying participation.