Shawn Smith v. United States

The opinion for the court holds that the trial court permissibly precluded cross-examination of Officer Damien Williams about whether Officer Williams made false statements in a sworn affidavit in connection with an unrelated matter. I respectfully dissent.

I

The opinion for the court lays out the evidence at trial and the procedural context of the ruling at issue. Ante at 48-51. I agree that Mr. Smith adequately preserved a challenge to that ruling. Ante at 53. I do not agree, however, with the court's holding that the ruling was permissible. Ante at 53-61.

The Confrontation Clause of the Sixth…