Opinion ID: 1213890
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Prejudicial and Harmless Error

Text: Prejudicial error and harmless error rely upon the same legal test. State v. McVay, 127 Ariz. 450, 453, 622 P.2d 9, 12 (1980). For error to be harmless, and therefore not prejudicial, we must be able to say beyond a reasonable doubt, that the error did not contribute to or affect the verdict. State v. Bible, 175 Ariz. 549, 588, 858 P.2d 1152, 1191 (1993), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 114 S.Ct. 1578, 128 L.Ed.2d 221 (1994). The State argues that Krone had a chance to fully examine the videotape in the week between its disclosure and the date Dr. Rawson was to testify. But trial was underway. A crucial exhibit, disclosed on the eve of trial, needed to be examined. Defense counsel had decided, before receiving the tape, not to call its court-appointed dental expert. The propriety of this tactical decision is not before us. [4] Whatever the wisdom of the original decision, it was reasonable for counsel to reconsider when confronted with the tape, and he needed time to do so. [5] In light of the singular importance of the bite mark evidence to the State's case, the defense should not have been required to meet the force of the crucial, tardily disclosed exhibit and at the same time try a capital case. The State conceded at oral argument that less than all of the information compiled on the tape had been properly disclosed. But even if it had been, the tape itself should have been timely disclosed. The whole is often substantially greater than the sum of the parts. Video is more powerful and effective than static exhibits. The State's willingness to use the tape instead of the static exhibits, even in violation of Rule 15.1 and over a defense objection in a capital case, is proof enough of its comparative power. The bite marks on the victim were critical to the State's case. Without them, there likely would have been no jury submissible case against Krone. See Rule 20(a), Ariz. R.Crim.P. We cannot say that the centerpiece of the star witness's testimony, disclosed on the eve of trial, did not contribute to or affect the verdict, where it related to the critical evidence the State relied on to link the crime to Krone. Because Krone was prejudiced, the error could not be harmless. See Fahy v. Connecticut, 375 U.S. 85, 86, 84 S.Ct. 229, 230, 11 L.Ed.2d 171 (1963).