Court Opinion

ID: 9701446
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 22:19:46.663779+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:21:23.787921
License: Public Domain

VANDE WALLE, Justice,
concurring specially.
I concur in the result reached by the majority opinion but I do so because of the peculiar facts of this case. If the only question before us involved the effect of the amendment to Rule 12.1, N.D.R.Crim.P., I might well affirm the conviction because I agree that a mere change in the rule would neither require nor justify a new trial. However, in this instance the change in Rule 12.1, concerning the notice of an alibi defense, was accompanied by a rather unique situation involving delays due to several changes in prosecutors. It is not unreasonable to assume that if the State were interested in learning of an alibi de*374fense it would have made inquiry under the old rule when trial was set in 1979. The State did not do so. Subsequent to January 1,1980,1 readily concede there was nothing preventing defense counsel from giving the notice prescribed by the rule as amended. In retrospect it is easy to say defense counsel should have done so. But, because of the several changes in prosecutors, the delays resulting therefrom and the amendment to Rule 12.1 during that time, Flohr should have been given the opportunity to introduce his alibi testimony at trial despite the fact no demand had been made by the State nor notice of intent to rely upon an alibi defense had been given by the defense counsel. If admission of such testimony at that late date were deemed prejudicial to the State, a continuance should have been granted to permit the State to prepare for that defense. Rule 33, N.D.R.Crim.P., authorizes this court to grant a new trial “if required in the interests of justice.” I believe the peculiar facts of this case do require a new trial.
PAULSON, J., concurs.