Opinion ID: 2160235
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: denial of mistrial motion based on violation of an order of sequestration of state's witnesses

Text: The trial court granted Dixon's pretrial motion to sequester the State's witnesses and ordered that all witnesses should wait in the same room prior to testifying, but after testifying they would be kept apart from those who had not yet testified. During the first day of the trial, counsel for Dixon saw one of the investigating police officers, Dover, and the juvenile, both of whom had already testified, talking to other State witnesses. Dixon moved for a mistrial. The trial court found that the sequestration order had been violated but denied the motion because there was no indication that Dixon had been prejudiced. The trial court did not interview any of the witnesses concerning the incident. However, the prosecutor talked to the juvenile who claimed he had not discussed his testimony with any of the other witnesses. In addition, Officer Dover's testimony concerned Counts I through V, while the testimony of the remaining witnesses was related to Count VI. In denying the motion, the trial court indicated that a mistrial would be possible if it later appeared that the witnesses improperly shaped or colored their testimony. Initially, we note that Dixon has failed to cite any authority for his argument that the trial court improperly denied the motion for a mistrial. `The failure to cite supporting authority is a violation of SDCL 15-26A-60(6) and the issue is thereby deemed waived.' (citations omitted) Corbly v. Matheson, 335 N.W.2d 347, 348 (S.D.1983). See also Kostel Funeral Home, Inc. v. Duke Tufty Co., 393 N.W.2d 449 (S.D.1986). Even if this issue were properly before us, we would not find on the merits that the denial of the motion was error. Whether a mistrial should be granted where the court's sequestration order is violated is within the discretion of the trial court. State v. Walker, 19 Wash.App. 881, 578 P.2d 83 (1978); Cruz v. People, 149 Colo. 187, 368 P.2d 774 (1962). To find an abuse of discretion by the trial court in denying a mistrial where a sequestration order was violated, it must be shown that the denial prejudiced the defendant's rights. United States v. Strauss, 473 F.2d 1262 (3rd Cir.1973). Prejudice is established where the witness' testimony has changed or been influenced by what he heard from other witnesses. State v. Swillie, 218 Neb. 551, 553, 357 N.W.2d 212, 215 (1984). As indicated above, the trial court noted that if it later appeared that witness testimony had been influenced by any conversations in violation of the order, a mistrial might be ordered. Dixon failed to establish that his rights were prejudiced and we find no error in the trial court's ruling to that effect.