Opinion ID: 1513630
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: discussion of witnesses during recess

Text: Scherrer argues that the trial court erred in failing to declare a mistrial after a police officer and state's witness Ash discussed during recess Ash's testimony concerning the location of a knife allegedly used in the murder. Before taking a recess, the court instructed the litigants not to discuss Ash's testimony with him. After Ash stated on cross-examination that he had talked to an officer during recess, the defense moved for a mistrial. After hearing testimony concerning the content of the conversation, the trial court denied the motion. As stated above, we will not reverse the trial court's refusal to declare a mistrial in the absence of an abuse of discretion. Free, supra . Although Ash testified after recess as to the location of the knife, his testimony was not affected by the conversation and did not prejudice Scherrer. In fact, he stated, It's not true that he [Johnny Scherrer] gave me this knife to hide. We find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion.