People v. Homan

Supreme Court of Colorado
People v. Homan, 521 P.2d 1262 (Colo. 1974)
185 Colo. 56; 1974 Colo. LEXIS 865
Erickson, Pringle

People v. Homan

Opinion

MR. JUSTICE ERICKSON

delivered the opinion of the Court.

Rickey Lee Homan was charged and convicted of simply robbery. C.R.S. 1963, 40-5-1. On appeal, he contends that the trial judge committed reversible error in overruling his objection and permitting cross-examination to extend beyond the scope of direct examination.

A trial judge has discretion to determine the scope and the limit of cross-examination. In the absence of an abuse of discretion, the trial judge’s ruling will not be disturbed on review. Archina v. People, 135 Colo. 8, 307 P.2d 1083 (1957). Accord, People v. King, 179 Colo. 94, 498 P.2d 1142 (1972). See also Proposed Federal Rules of Evidence for the United States District Courts and Magistrates, Rule 6-11; 3A, J. Wigmore, Evidence § 944 (Chadbourn rev. 1970); C. McCormick, Evidence § 24 (2d ed. 1972).

Accordingly, we affirm.

MR. CHIEF JUSTICE PRINGLE does not participate.

Reference

Full Case Name
The People of the State of Colorado v. Rickey Lee Homan
Cited By
5 cases
Status
Published
Syllabus
1. WITNESSES — Cross-Examination — Discretion — Scope and Limit — Review. A trial judge has discretion to determine the scope and limit of cross-examination; and in the absence of an abuse of discretion, the trial judge's ruling will not be disturbed on review. 2. Cross-Examination — Beyond Scope — Discretion — Simple Robbery. In prosecution for simple robbery, trial judge did not abuse his discretion in permitting cross-examination to extend beyond scope of direct examination over objection of defendant.Page 57