Rhode Island Criminal Defense Manual by Attorney John E. MacDonald

RHODE ISLAND CRIMINAL DEFENSE
A Practice Manual, 4th Edition
© John E. MacDonald

CROSS-EXAMINATION

Prejudicial Questions

State v. Ordway, 619 A.2d 819 (R.I. 1992). During cross-examination of defendant in a murder trial, the prosecutor asked defendant if she had also previously stabbed another boyfriend. R.I.S.C. reversed and remanded.

• Prosecutor's question was so inflammatory as to render the cautionary instructions inadequate.

• “The naïve assumption that prejudicial effects can be overcome by instructions to the jury, . all practicing lawyers know to be unmitigated fiction.The well was poisoned and the bell rung, and the resulting effects cannot be altered.” Id. at 828.

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