Court Opinion

ID: 9570506
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:23:53.330951+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:09:22.718192
License: Public Domain

Hall, Justice,
concurring specially.
I concur in the decision of reversal and in everything that is said in the majority opinion except Division 1 (c).
I do not understand that division to conform to the rule we have heretofore adopted concerning the admissibility of a defendant’s statements made during a polygraph examination. Rather, I would reverse for the reason that this is a death case in which there are, for me, simply too many unresolved questions concerning the possible impact upon the jury of the polygraph examiner’s testimony. He was the main witness against Stack, and aside from his testimony there was virtually nothing connecting Stack to this crime except the testimony of an admitted killer who had successfully bargained with the state for a reduced sentence. The polygraph operator was recalled to the stand numerous times, and the prosecution played to the jury a tape of certain of his verbal interchanges with Stack. His examination and cross examination were, at least at times, characterized by loosely framed questions and halting or unsure responses, leaving important questions unanswered. Considering all these facts, I cannot say that the state did not possibly leave in the jury’s mind a prejudicial implication that Stack had been given a polygraph examination and had been determined to be a liar.