Opinion ID: 1316697
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Possible Bias of a Defense Witness.

Text: During defendant's case in chief, Bobby Phillips (Phillips) was called as an alibi witness. Phillips testified that he, the defendant's brother, and the defendant were together on January 1, 1982 when the rape and murder of Nancy Mitchell was alleged to have occurred. Phillips further testified that they did not attend any parties that evening. Between direct and cross-examination of Phillips, a discussion was held out of the jury's presence regarding Phillips' prior juvenile adjudication. In 1980, Phillips had been adjudicated a delinquent for committing criminal sexual penetration. The trial court determined that the prosecutor could ask Phillips about commission of the act, provided he did not question the witness about the adjudication. On cross-examination, the prosecution asked Phillips a series of questions relating to January 1, 1982 and his whereabouts that day. Central to this line of questioning was whether he accurately remembered January 1, 1982 as the date he spent the evening with the defendant and defendant's brother. Phillips admitted he was unsure of the date until he talked to his parents and the defendant's brother who assured him that it was indeed January 1, 1982 when he spent the evening with the defendant and the defendant's brother. Phillips went on to testify that he was still not sure of the date. The final question asked of Phillips on cross-examination was as follows: Mr. Phillips, isn't it true that you yourself have committed criminal sexual penetration? Phillips answered yes to this question. No further questions were asked of this witness, nor was Phillips' conduct mentioned by the prosecutor in closing or rebuttal arguments. The defendant argues that the trial court erred in allowing the State to impeach a key defense alibi witness with a specific act of misconduct which was not probative of truthfulness. Evidence of character and the conduct of witnesses is governed by NMSA 1978, Evid.Rule 608 (Repl.Pamp. 1983). NMSA 1978, Evid.Rule 609 (Repl.Pamp. 1983) involves impeachment by evidence of conviction of a crime. Although Rule 609(c) generally excludes evidence of juvenile adjudication from questioning concerning prior convictions, this exclusion does not prohibit questioning if probative of truthfulness or untruthfulness. State v. Wyman, 96 N.M. 558, 632 P.2d 1196 (Ct.App. 1981). In the present case, however, the prosecutor's question concerned the commission of a specific instance of conduct, not an adjudication. The prosecutor argued that because Phillips committed one of the same offenses for which the defendant was on trial, this showed that Phillips attached minimal importance to the charge and would be willing to lie for the defendant. Extrinsic evidence of a motive of a witness to testify falsely is admissible. State v. Lovato, 91 N.M. 712, 580 P.2d 138, cert. denied, 91 N.M. 751, 580 P.2d 972 (1978); State v. White, 58 N.M. 324, 270 P.2d 727 (1954). This evidence is similar to evidence of a witness's bias or prejudice and a witness may be cross-examined as to such motive. State v. Lovato . In this case, it was relevant to probe and determine the motive of the witness. This witness had previously committed criminal sexual penetration and was testifying for the defendant, who was also charged with the same offense. Therefore, it was relevant and proper to cross-examine Phillips to demonstrate truthfulness or untruthfulness, bias and prejudice. Moreover, the major focus of Phillips' cross-examination showed that he was unsure of the most critical element of his testimony  the date he was with the defendant and the defendant's brother. Admission of evidence is entrusted to the discretion of the trial court, and rulings of the trial judge will not be disturbed absent a clear abuse of discretion. State v. Stout, 96 N.M. 29, 627 P.2d 871 (1981). Under these facts, we find the trial court did not abuse its discretion.