Court Opinion

ID: 9652356
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 17:22:46.76549+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:12:50.634592
License: Public Domain

MANDERINO, Justice,
dissenting.
I dissent. My examination of the record convinces me that the appellant was entitled to a mistrial when Officer McGlotten stated before the jury that appellant had failed a polygraph test.
This reference to a polygraph was the second made by this witness. The first, less damaging to the appellant, was to the effect that appellant has taken a polygraph test. Appellant’s counsel moved for a mistrial at that time, and the trial judge denied the motion. The trial judge also refused defense counsel’s request that he instruct the witness to answer questions directly. The trial judge stated, “I do not see any justification for criticizing this witness in the reply that he made.” He further told defense counsel to formulate his own solution to the problem of witness statements that prejudice his client, and that “I [have] no suggestions as to what you should do”
The witness’ second reference to the polygraph test was more prejudicial to the appellant, the witness stating that appellant failed the test. Counsel’s motion for a mistrial was denied, notwithstanding the trial judge’s admission that the answer was not a responsive one. At that point the judge cautioned the witness, and informed the jury that the witness’ statement was to be disregarded, saying,
*399“Now, I ask the jury to erase from your minds that statement that he failed the polygraph — the defendant was informed that he failed the polygraph test and I direct that that be stricken from the record as not being a responsive answer.”
I utterly fail to see how the majority can conclude that an answer was “elicited by defense counsel” when the trial judge stated that the answer was unresponsive to the question! Such a conclusion defies reason, ignores the record, and denied appellant due process of law. I dissent.