State v. Williams

• Court: Arizona Court of Appeals
• Writing for the Court: KRUCKER; HOWARD, C.J., and HATHAWAY
• Citation: State v. Williams, 475 P.2d 293, 13 Ariz.App. 201 (Ariz. App. 1970)
• Decision Date: 13 October 1970
• Docket Number: CA-CR,No. 2,2
• Parties: The STATE of Arizona, Appellee, v. Paul D. WILLIAMS, Appellant. 218.

Page 293

475 P.2d 293

13 Ariz.App. 201

The STATE of Arizona, Appellee, v. Paul D. WILLIAMS, Appellant.

No. 2 CA-CR 218.

Court of Appeals of Arizona, Division 2.

Oct. 13, 1970.

Rehearing Denied Nov. 12, 1970.

Review Denied Jan. 12, 1971.

Gary K. Nelson, Atty. Gen., by Carl Waag, Asst. Atty. Gen., Phoenix for appellee.

Howard A. Kashman, Pima County Public Defender, by Fredric F. Kay, Deputy Public Defender, Tucson, for appellant.

KRUCKER, Judge.

Defendant Paul D. Williams, was charged with the crime of aggravated assault in violation of A.R.S. § 13--245, as amended. He was subsequently tried, convicted and sentenced to a term of not less than four nor more than five years in the Arizona State Prison.

The facts are as follow. The victim of the assault, complainant Barbara Williams, had been twice married and divorced to the defendant. Defendant went to Barbara's place of employment, pushed her around, and struck her. He then went to her car and is alleged to have hit and choked her. He also threatened her with broken glass and threatened to kill her. She suffered cuts and bruises as a result.

An appeal was filed in this court raising several issues. However, following the filing of defendant's brief by counsel, defendant personally requested and received permission to file his own opening brief. The State responded to both. We take the several issues presented in both briefs. They are as follows:

1. Did the trial court err in admitting a photograph showing injuries to the complainant?

2. Did the trial court deprive appellant of a fair trial by curtailing his right of cross examination into complainant's bias, motive and background?

3. Was the sentence excessive and the result of abuse of the court's discretion?

4. Was defendant denied effective assistance of counsel?

5. Did the trial court err in the advising the jury that a prosecutor's opening statement is not evidence?

6. Did the trial court err in not releasing the probation report?

7. Was the complaining witness' testimony so misleading as to put doubt on her testimony?

8. Was defendant charged under a defective information?

Defendant contends that it was error to admit into evidence a photograph of the victim showing scratches and bruises as such photograph would be proof of battery instead of assault, thus making it proof of another crime and inadmissible.

We find no merit to this novel argument. To constitute an assault, it is not necessary that any actual injury be inflicted, but if an injury is inflicted, it may be considered in connection with other evidence in determining whether an assault was committed.

Defendant contends that cross examination of the complaining witness was improperly curtailed and the defense was not allowed to show bias, prejudice, or ill feeling that might have affected the credibility of the witness. In particular, defendant sought to inquire into some prior violent arguments which had apparently taken place between the parties to establish the witness's bias against the defendant. The court denied counsel's inquiry. We believe the rule is properly set forth in 3 Wigmore, Evidence §§ 950--951; Cf. State v. Taylor, 9 Ariz.App. 290, 451 P.2d 648 (1969); State v. Cadena, 9 Ariz.App. 369, 452 P.2d 534 (1969). Cross examination as to details of quarrels between a witness and a defendant may be excluded at the trial court's discretion. This rule has three bases. First, the trial court can exclude the evidence when the mere fact of a quarrel alone is misleading and an inquiry into the details leads to coverage of extraneous and often confusing, multifarious issues. Or, it can be excluded when it would injure the reputation of the witness. And thirdly, it can be excluded if it would prejudice defendant.

Our courts have required admission when it bears directly on a crucial aspect of the case. Cadena, supra; Taylor, supra.

In the instant case, however, we are confronted with a dearth of information as the what occurred. The transcript shows the following interchange:

'Q. Barbara, you and Paul have been engaged, or have during your relationship, there have been several very violent arguments in the last--preceding this August 14th, several violent arguments preceding August 14th, is that correct?

THE COURT: Pardon; sustained. Immaterial.

MR. FELKER: Your Honor, I am trying to attempt to show--if he wants to approach the bench--

(Discussion between counsel and Court at the bench off the record.)'

Following this, there was a noon recess. When cross examination resumed, an entirely now line of questioning was pursued.

It has been the rule of appellate review that the exclusion of impeaching evidence cannot be objected to on appeal where no objection was raised, or proper offer of the evidence for such purpose was made in the lower court. 4 C.J.S. Appeal and Error § 296. Our record does not show what was said, or if an offer of proof was made, and defense counsel preserved no specific objection in the record. At this point was therefore must refuse review. For all we know, the court may have believed the testimony as to prior arguments might have highly prejudiced defendant's case. We, however, decline to so speculate.

The third question deals with the sentence of the court, which is claimed to be excessive, resulting in an abuse of discretion. The statutory sentence for aggravated assault is not less than one nor move than five years. A.R.S. § 13--245. We have no record as to the probation report or other factors taken into consideration by the learned trial judge. There is testimony that defendant's acts were serious and of an aggravated nature--striking with fists, choking, cutting, threatening to kill, etc., and the sentence being within the statutory limits, we find no abuse by the trial court.

Defendant claims he was denied effective assistance of counsel. In particular, he presents facts to which he would testify tending to show counsel failed to investigate defendant's case, failed to procure defense witnesses, failed to adequately cross examine prosecuti...