Court Opinion

ID: 9634482
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 13:14:25.206979+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:43:13.982603
License: Public Domain

NIX, Justice,
dissenting:
While I agree with the majority’s conclusion that there was dual representation in the instant case, I fail to see how a new trial, or any number of new trials, will remedy any possible prejudice caused by that dual representation. At appellant’s first trial, the circumstances surrounding Alphonso’s purported willingness to confess to the crimes and his subsequent refusal to do so were fully disclosed to the jury. Assuming that Alphonso persists in his refusal to incriminate himself, appellant will be in substantially the same position at his new trial as he was at his first trial, and no doubt appellant will once again introduce the same evidence concerning the above circumstances. The grant of a new trial is, therefore, a futile gesture which wastes precious judicial resources.
I dissent.