Opinion ID: 2219627
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: percy melton

Text: Ford next contends that the trial court's refusal to allow his attorney to cross-examine Percy Melton on the withdrawal of his initial plea agreement was erroneous. The trial court refused to accept the condition of Melton's initial plea agreement after an unfavorable presentence investigation. Ten days later, Melton approached Minneapolis police investigators with information relating to the Haaf murder and two other murders. Melton's plea agreement was then accepted. Ford's counsel was not allowed to cross-examine Melton in relation to the withdrawal of his initial plea agreement. The trial court based this exclusion on Minn. R. Evid. 410 and Minn. R. Crim P. 15.06. Ford contends the trial court's refusal to allow his attorney to cross-examine Melton pursuant to Minn. R. Evid. 410 and Minn. R.Crim. P. 15.06 was erroneous. Minn. R. Evid. 410 provides: Evidence of a plea of guilty, later withdrawn, or a plea of nolo contendere, or an offer to plead guilty or nolo contendere to the crime charged or any other crime or of statements made in connection with any of the foregoing pleas or offers, is not admissible in any civil, criminal or administrative action, case or proceeding whether offered for or against the person who made the plea or offer. Minn. R. Evid. 410 applies to preclude the admission of a withdrawn plea agreement in the case of the person who made the plea or offer. Contrary to Ford's contention, application of Rule 410 is not limited to defendants who have made a plea or offer. Since we conclude the trial court properly precluded the defense from cross-examining Percy Melton in relation to his withdrawn plea pursuant to Minn. R. Evid. 410, we decline to reach the issue of whether the trial court erred by not allowing Ford's attorney to cross-examine Melton pursuant to Minn. R.Crim. P. 15.06.