Court Opinion

ID: 9688824
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 18:07:30.712929+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:42.461342
License: Public Domain

SCHUMACHER, Judge
(dissenting).
I respectfully dissent. The issue in this case is plain and simple trial court discretion. I believe there was no abuse of that discretion by the trial judge and would, therefore, disagree with the majority that a new trial is warranted.
The prosecutor asked the victim on direct examination whether she noticed anything unusual about appellant’s penis, and before the victim answered, the court called a recess to discuss the matter with counsel. The court acknowledged that a discovery violation may have occurred and, in order to rectify the situation and as a remedial measure, granted a continuance of four days, which included the weekend, so the defense could investigate the matter and further prepare its case. During the continuance, by agreement of parties, appellant was examined by a physician who found no scab or evidence of a scab on his penis.
After trial resumed, the prosecutor continued his direct examination of the victim. The victim’s testimony included a statement that appellant’s penis had a sore with a scab on it. When the prosecution rested, the following stipulation, agreed to by both the defense and prosecution, was read to the jury:
It is stipulated between [the state] and Defendant that on Monday, October 7, 1991, Defendant was examined by Dr. Carl Smith, Chief of Urology at Henne-pin County Medical Center. That examination disclosed no scab, scar or other abnormality to Defendant’s penis. If called to testify, Dr. Smith would state that as of October 7, 1991, his examination could not relate back to determine the existence or nonexistence of a scab on Defendant’s penis on June 21, 1991.
Imposing sanctions for discovery violations is a matter for the sound judgment and discretion of the trial court. State v. Lindsey, 284 N.W.2d 368, 373 (Minn.1979). I believe it was within the trial court’s discretion to order a continuance here, rather than a mistrial. The trial court was faced with a difficult situation. The court discussed possible options extensively with both the prosecution and defense and made a reasoned decision.
Clearly, there was no prejudice to appellant in this case. The trial court was cognizant of the fact that the victim’s testimony, which was subject to extensive impeachment by the prosecution, coupled with the stipulation read to the jury, worked more favorably for appellant than against him, and that his consent defense was not in any way impaired, but most probably enhanced. The fact that appellant changed his story from the statement he gave to the police at the time of his arrest, wherein he disa*611vowed any sexual contact with the victim, to the time of trial, where he claimed she consented, was his decision and that decision was in no way impaired by the victim’s testimony regarding the scab on his penis.
The trial judge in this case was on the scene and in the best position to determine if prejudice had occurred and what sanctions, if any, should be imposed. Id. I would affirm the conviction and remand for a clarification of the sentences.