Court Opinion

ID: 9759354
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 00:13:44.778222+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:01.420493
License: Public Domain

MANDERINO, Justice,
dissenting.
As the majority observes an accused is entitled to be protected against governmental actions intended to provoke mistrial requests. Downum v. United States, 372 U.S. 734, 83 S.Ct. 1033, 10 L.Ed.2d 100 (1963). Unless governmental action includes the type of conduct by an agent of the government such as occurred in this case, as well as bad faith conduct by a judge or prosecutor, appellant’s constitutional rights are greatly abused.
In the case before us, the witness was a police detective with over nineteen years experience on the police force. It is inconceivable that he was lacking in the knowledge that testimony concerning polygraph tests is inadmissible. The detective’s precise statement “he had flunked the polygraph exam” does constitute the type of declaration which is intended to provoke a mistrial. Therefore, appellant is protected by the double jeopardy clause.
It is always difficult to prove intent, and the intent of this witness is equally difficult to determine. Yet, one must note that the witness did not blurt out his statement on *212direct examination but waited until cross-examination to embellish his testimony with the prejudicial statement. Further, this witness was present when the judge ruled concerning the inadmissibility of the polygraph test and cautioned the jury concerning it. Finally, the statement occurred after a recess. While we cannot say the statement was deliberately made, it is obvious that a grave potential for abuse exists in this area. The statement was not accidentally made by one totally unconnected with the government and who had no reason to know of the inadmissibility of such a statement. Under the circumstances of this case, if we are to adequately safeguard this appellant’s constitutional rights and protect future defendants from similar conduct, we must hold the prosecution responsible for its witnesses. Appellant’s conviction should be reversed and he is entitled to be discharged.