Barnett v. State

• Decision Date: 14 October 1959
• Docket Number: No. 29675,29675
• Citation: 240 Ind. 129,161 N.E.2d 444
• Parties: Pete Lee BARNETT, alias Robert Baker, Appellant, v. STATE of Indiana, Appellee.
• Court: Indiana Supreme Court

Page 444

161 N.E.2d 444

240 Ind. 129

Pete Lee BARNETT, alias Robert Baker, Appellant, v. STATE of Indiana, Appellee.

No. 29675.

Supreme Court of Indiana.

Oct. 14, 1959.

Dulberger & Heeter, Indianapolis, for appellant.

Edwin K. Steers, Atty. Gen., John A. Pushor and Stanley B. Miller, Deputy Attys. Gen., for appellee.

ARTERBURN, Judge.

This is a criminal action by the State of Indiana, appealed by the defendant, in which the defendant, following a jury trial, was found guilty of the crime of inflicting physical injury while in the commission of a robbery and sentenced accordingly.

The only alleged error presented for our consideration results from the cross-examination of the defendant while on the stand. He was asked by the State upon cross-examination whether or not he had been previously convicted of a crime, to which he answered yes. Thereupon the State asked him to state the nature of the crime and the date of conviction, to which the defendant objected, claiming that this was highly prejudicial and was not competent or proper cross- examination, since the matter had not been gone into upon the examination in chief.

To support this objection, the appellant on appeal, cites only one case: Pierson v. State, 1919, 188 Ind. 239, 123 N.E. 118.

Upon examination of this case we find that it holds contrary to the contentions of the appellant. In that case on cross-examination the defendant was asked the nature and also the date of his conviction. The court held the question was proper. However, this court held the trial court erred in later instructing the jury that such evidence could be considered in determining the defendant's guilt instead of limiting its consideration to that affecting defendant's credibility.

This court said (188 Ind. at page 245, 123 N.E. at page 120):

'It has been held that any fact tending to impair the credibility of the witness by showing his interest, bias, ignorance, motives, or that he is depraved in character may be shown in cross-examination but the extent to which such cross-examination may be carried is within the sound discretion of the court.'

The defendant, in becoming a witness, subjects himself to the same treatment as any other witness and is subject to cross-examination to the same extent as any other witness concerning any facts and details that affect his credibility. Alder v. State, Ind.1958, 154 N.E.2d 716; Fritch v. State, 1927, 199 Ind. 89, 155 N.E. 257; Keyes v. State, 1889, 122 Ind. 527, 23...