State v. Stiltner, 36040

• Decision Date: 27 December 1962
• Docket Number: No. 36040,36040
• Citation: 377 P.2d 252,61 Wn.2d 102
• Court: Washington Supreme Court
• Parties: The STATE of Washington, Respondent, v. Douglas STILTNER, Appellant.

Page 102

61 Wn.2d 102

377 P.2d 252

The STATE of Washington, Respondent, v. Douglas STILTNER, Appellant.

No. 36040.

Supreme Court of Washington, Department 1.

Dec. 27, 1962.

Halverson, Applegate & McDonald, Walter E. Weeks, Jr., Yakima, for appellant.

Lincoln E. Shropshire, Pros. Atty., F. N. Halverson, Deputy Pros. Atty., Yakima, for respondent.

WEAVER, Judge.

Did the trial court err when it denied defendant the right to call the deputy prosecuting attorney as a defense witness?

Defendant was charged, tried, convicted, and sentenced for the crime of robbery. A codefendant was dismissed at the end of the state's case for want of identification.

The prosecuting witness, Harold Peden, was a reluctant one; so reluctant, in fact, that he was held in jail for three months prior to trial as a material witness.

The brief of defendant's court-appointed counsel poses the question above stated. Defendant, as was his right (see State v. Mode, 55 Wash.2d 706, 710, 349 P.2d 727 (1960)), filed a supplemental brief in which he assigns as error the alleged, unauthorized separation of the jury during trial.

Recently, we had occasion to explore the polymorphous problem of the use of trial counsel as a witness; the instant case presents one of the facets.

In State v. Sullivan, 160 Wash. Dec. 216, 220-221, 373 P.2d 474, 476 (1962), we said:

'The second facet of defense counsel's testimony presents a question that is not susceptible of categorical answer, but one that, on a retrial of this case, may be presented to the trial court.

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'We recognize, and do not wish to change or modify, the rule that a lawyer in a cause is not disqualified as a witness; his testimony is admissible, if otherwise competent. Ryan v. Ryan, 48 Wash.2d 593, 599, 295 P.2d 1111 (1956).' (Italics ours.)

In Sullivan the prosecuting attorney called defense counsel as a witness. We pointed out that on at least two prior occasions this court recognized the right to do so. State v. Cresto, 130 Wash. 436, 227 P. 856 (1924); State v. Allgood, 50 Wash.2d 618, 313 P.2d 695 (1957).

We said:

'If defense counsel is required to testify under compulsion, it might well be that defendant's right to complete an unhampered representation is invaded. Balanced against this, however, is the possibility that defense counsel's testimony is necessary to the state's case in the interest of justice and for the protection of the public.'

The Sullivan case, supra, was reversed for three reasons: (1) wrongful admission of testimony that breached the statutory protection of privileged communication between client and lawyer (RCW 5.60.060); (2) wrongful admission of testimony that breached the statutory protection of privileged communication between attending physician and patient (RCW 5.60.060(4); RCW 10.58.010; RCW 10.52.020); and (3) the possible deprivation of defendant's right to 'complete and unhampered representation' by calling defense counsel as a prosecuting witness, especially in view of the fact that his admissible testimony was cumulative and repetitious. It was abundantly clear that the state could prove everything to which defense counsel testified by a multitude of other witnesses.

'* * * There must always be a sensitive balance between the right of the state to prove its case, in the best manner possible, and the right of the accused to have unhampered and effective representation, especially when on trial for his life.' (State v. Sullivan, 160 Wash.Dec. 216, 223, 373 P.2d 474, 478)

The right of the prosecutor to call defense counsel as a witness is within the broad discretion of the trial court; however, a weather eye must be kept on the constitutional rights of the defendant in a criminal trial at all times. See State v. Sullivan, supra.

Our problem is the other side of the Sullivan coin. The defense counsel called the trial prosecutor as a defense witness. Although neither counsel is rendered incompetent as a witness because of his participation in the trial, the right of one to call the other is not exactly a 'two-way street' in view of defendant's constitutional rights. This does not mean, however, that defense counsel has an uncontrolled right to call the trial prosecutor to the stand.

We are aware of the defense poly--albeit infrequent and not present in this case--of 'trying the prosecutor'; it is not our intent to place such a sword in the hand of defense counsel.

The defendant in a criminal trial has the right to prove his defense in the best manner available to him; the trial prosecutor is a competent witness; his testimony must be relevant and material to the theory of the defense; it must not be privileged, repetitious, or cumulative. See State v. Lee, 203 S.C. 536, 28 S.E.2d 402, 149 A.L.R. 1300 (1943) and annotation, 'Competency of prosecuting attorney as a witness.' 149 A.L.R. 1305. All this lies in the broad discretionary right of the trial judge to control the trial of the case.

We do not deem it an abuse of discretion for the trial court (in the absence of the jury) to require an explanation and an offer of proof from defense counsel. Both must be considered, however, in the light of the issues raised and the theory of the defense.

We turn now to the instant case, for each case involving this problem must turn upon its own facts.

Harold Peden, an itinerate fruit picker, living in a one-room cabin owned by the orchard company employing him, was slugged and robbed by two men about ten-thirty one night while he was in bed. The light was not turned...