State v. Santiago

I agree with the court that the defendant’s constitutional right to confrontation was violated when the trial court improperly limited his cross-examination of one of the state’s witnesses. I also agree that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the defendant access to the police personnel file. Nevertheless, I disagree with the court’s approval of the admission of evidence that is irrelevant and highly prejudicial—that is, the testimony that the gun that was used in the crime and found in the possession of the defendant was stolen.

Evidence of the defendant’s prior…