Court Opinion

ID: 9660225
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 22:07:57.103245+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:14:16.617188
License: Public Domain

STEPHENSON, Justice,
dissenting.
The majority views with alarm the cross-examination of James Lofton then proceeds to the conclusion that his credibility before the jury was destroyed thus requiring reversal of the case. To the bench and bar the conclusion of the majority opinion would appear to be proper. I also would agree that as portrayed and standing alone this would be unfairly prejudicial. However, this cross-examination did not occur in a vacuum and my curiosity leads me to review all the testimony of James Lofton, direct and cross. The majority opinion does not tell the entire story. When the direct-examination is considered, I am of the opinion the story told by this unsavory character would not be believed by any jury anywhere. Lofton’s testimony on direct-examination justified the cross-examination condemned here.
To summarize the direct-examination, Lofton stated he was presently residing in the jail, that he had been convicted of robbery in Indiana and convicted of theft in Nevada. At this point the trial court gave the jury a Cotton admonition.
Continuing Lofton stated he had been in jail “waiting for trial for three years.” Then he tells of meeting Kenny Blair for the first time and “developing a relationship.” This relationship developed after an argument between Blair and a guard when Lofton “took up” for Blair. Lofton further stated, “I don’t have anything. I lost my wife and children, and everything that was ever dear to me four years ago, and waiting for this trial here, this speedy trial.”
Then Lofton stated Blair began to “confide in me. He respected that I would stand up for him.” He stated that Blair told him about a murder charge.
“Well, he knew that I was being held here for robbery and murder, and he confided in me. I was standing tall, as you might say, this type of concept, and I can’t really say what he was thinking, but his demeanor reflected that, that he wanted to win my friendship. He was trying to act like a bad guy, and I don’t care for that type of thing.
“He started in Missouri. He told me how rough he is. He beat a man’s brains with a car tool, and about stabbing a guy in Illinois, and then about this crime—.”
Lofton then testified how Blair told him that he committed the kidnapping, robbery and murder, describing a general outline of the facts surrounding the crimes. Then Blair described how he “set up” Moore by giving Moore the car.
*439After other testimony and being asked if he had talked to the police about the effect of his testimony, he said:
“No. See, I’m going to the penitentiary, and what I’m doing now is called a snitch, and I will probably die for this. I can’t really win. My wife won’t bring my children to see me, and I love them. I’m a man. I’ve got my dignity. I think truth is an important thing, and maybe they will know this some day.”
Then he stated that Moore asked him if he would testify as to what he was told by Kenny Blair.
It is in this context that the cross-examination condemned by the majority opinion is commenced. After Lofton’s ploy to gain sympathy for being denied a speedy trial and being held in jail for three years it seems reasonable to me that the Commonwealth should be allowed to point out that escape from jail was one of the reasons for the delay and the trial on the Indiana cases also accounted for the delay.
There was no objection to the question about being convicted of robbery, murder and arson in Indiana and although partly irrelevant, considering the whole testimony, was not unfairly prejudicial.
There was no objection to the question regarding the trial in this state for kidnapping, robbery and murder. In any event Lofton on direct had testified that he was being held for robbery and murder. The rule was in effect and Lofton could not have been aware that Moore had been asked if he knew what charges were against Lofton.
Lofton was further asked if he and Moore talked about “snitches” and answered, “yes, sir.” He did not consider Blair a snitch and expressed surprise when informed that Blair had “túrned Moore into the police.”
Later he stated: “I’m subject to die. I know Brian Moore didn’t commit that murder. That boy down there told me he is the one that killed the man.”
During the recross-examination, a part of which is set out in the majority opinion, it was suggested that Lofton had nothing to lose by testifying for the reason that his Indiana convictions were for life and twenty-one years. His answer was that, “I have something to gain, a matter of dignity sir.” The questions then asked regarding the Indiana murder convictions, which are set out in the majority opinion, were without objection. The only response of defense counsel was the reference to “axed her to death, etc.” This was not an objection or request for admonition, but a request for a mistrial.
Curiously enough Cotton is invoked to condemn the cross-examination although the trial court and counsel approached the problem as to a showing of motive or bias. In my view the cross-examination enlarges or explains matters Lofton testified to on direct. In my opinion the damage to Lof-ton’s credibility was done by Lofton himself on direct. This testimony may have been the chief proof on which Moore depended, a defense of desperation. Kenny Blair is referred to as a major Commonwealth witness. The principal Commonwealth witness was Moore himself, confessing to the crimes. Lynn Thompson’s testimony was more important than that of Blair. Also the physical evidence, fingerprints, soil matching murder scene, and proof from a test of Moore’s hand that he had fired a gun, was not explained away by Lofton’s story. I do not believe the cross-examination of Lofton was reversible error when considering the entire record. While we consider errors not objected to in a capital case, I can say if a portion of this cross-examination was erroneous (the Indiana murder conviction), it was cancelled out by Lof-ton’s direct.
In addition I feel that the directions in the majority opinion to permit the Reverend Wilson to testify is bad policy. The statute on mitigating circumstances is mandatory, but there is a limit. The trial court should have some discretion in matters that are cumulative. Wilson’s concern was to instruct the jury how they should consider the death penalty. He had been told Moore’s age and lack of criminal background. This evidence was in the record and no useful purpose could be served by *440holding the trial court erroneously refused to permit Wilson’s testimony on this matter.
As to the remarks of the prosecutor in closing argument, condemned in the majority opinion, they were not objected to in order to have a ruling and a possible admonition.
The tape of Moore’s interrogation was introduced in part to contradict portions of Moore’s testimony. The court ruled out permitting the jury to hear the entire tape for the reason it contained a great deal of irrelevant material. It also contained a statement about Moore’s involvement in the crimes according to the detectives who testified at length about Moore’s statements to them while the interrogation was being taped. Defense counsel did not object probably for the reason he knew all of this, and in any event in view of the entire testimony, this could not have been prejudicial to Moore.
I am of the opinion Moore received a fair trial and that his convictions should be affirmed.
Accordingly I dissent.