Court Opinion

ID: 9644181
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 20:49:33.953682+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:11:09.452270
License: Public Domain

David Newbern, Justice, dissenting. The majority opinion dismisses the Trial Court error in the limitation of cross-examination in this case by suggesting Woodruffs objection was insufficient to raise the issue. I disagree. The conviction should be reversed and remanded. The majority opinion acknowledges that defense counsel had reasons for wanting to cross examine Grant, the opinion specifically recognizes defense counsel’s statement to the Trial Court that the matter of Grant’s incarceration “is an element of his credibility that the jury should know to determine how much . . . weight to give his testimony.. . .But then the opinion states: However, it is not apparent from the context of his questions or his statements to the trial court as to why Grant was in jail, or what possible bearing his incarceration might have on Woodruffs trial. Counsel did not furnish or suggest to th.e trial court any of our rules of evidence or case law which would support his questions concerning Woodruffs incarceration. Furthermore, Woodruff s counsel did not claim or even make mention to the trial court that the information he sought could have a potential of showing bias or motive on the part of Grant. For this Court to acknowledge that defense counsel was questioning credibility based on the fact that the witness was incarcerated by the State, a party to the case, and then to say there was no claim of a “bias” or “motive” on the part of the witness is incredible. As stated in the majority opinion, defense counsel expressed his desire to let the jury know the status of the State’s witness, Grant, so jurors could have facts necessary to assessment of the witness’s credibility. Credibility is a broad term which encompasses many different aspects of a witness’s manner of and motivation for presenting testimony. There can be no doubt that the fact of incarceration and it’s motivating influence on a witness’s testimony is a critical component in determining his credibility which should be presented to the jury. In Henderson v. State, 279 Ark. 435, 652 S.W.2d 16 (1983), we made it clear that questions about the status of the individual testifying were admissible on cross-examination to show bias. We said: It is generally permissible for a defendant to show by cross-examination anything bearing on the possible bias of the testimony of a material witness. Bethel v. State, 162 Ark. 76, 257 S.W. 740; Ringer v. State, 74 Ark. 262, 85 S.W. 410; Annot. 62 A.L.R. 2d 611 (1958). This rule applies to testimony given under expectation or hope of immunity or leniency or under the coercive effect of his detention by authorities [emphasis supplied]. Stone v. State, [162 Ark. 154, 258 S.W. 116]; Boydv. State, [215 Ark. 156, 219 S.W.2d 623]. See also Campbell v. State, 169 Ark. 286, 273 S.W. 1035; Alford v. U.S., [282 U.S. 687 (1930)]. The test is the expectation of the witness and not the actuality of a promise. State v. Little, [87 Ariz. 295, 350 P.2d 756]; Spaeth v. United States, 232 F.2d 776, 62 A.L.R. 2d 606 (6 Cir., 1956). * * * Denial of cross-examination to show the possible bias or prejudice of a witness may constitute constitutional error of the first magnitude as violating the Sixth Amendment right of confrontation. Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 94 S.Ct. 1105, 39 L.Ed.2d 347 (1974). It is also wrong for this Court to bolster its opinion by saying defense counsel in this case did not cite rules of evidence or cases in support of his desire to cross examine Grant. The suggestion is that defense counsel should have entered upon his cross examination of Grant armed with citations. Given the authorities cited above, I can think of no reason defense counsel should have anticipated any serious question about whether he could cross examine Grant about his incarceration. The colloquy between defense counsel and the Trial Court quoted in the majority opinion demonstrates that defense counsel was summarily prevented from pursuing the matter and was given no opportunity to research the point and argue rules or cases. The evidence against Woodruff was strong, but that is not the question being addressed here. We must treat everyone by the same rules. If we are to maintain the quality of procedural justice we have achieved for criminal trials we cannot give up our regard for the right of any accused to engage in the adversary process, no matter how strong the evidence of guilt. Fair play requires us to abide by the rules of evidence, honor the Sixth Amendment, and not to curtail the right of cross-examination which goes to the very essence of the rights of an accused. Woodruff was entitled to a fair trial, and he did not get one. I respectfully dissent. Dudley and Brown, JJ., join in this dissent.