Thomas L. Hale v. State of Indiana

On Petition to Transfer from the Indiana Court of Appeals, No. 35A02-1501-CR-57

MASSA, Justice.

Thomas Hale appeals his conviction for dealing in methamphetamine, on the sole grounds that the trial court abused its discretion in failing to grant him, at public expense, depositions of two State’s witnesses. We find that our prior precedent compels us to agree with Hale and reverse his conviction, but take this opportunity to provide guidance as to how trial courts should address such motions in the future.

Facts and Procedural History

Hale was charged with Class A Dealing in- Methamphetamine in…