Mercer v. State

Appellant was convicted of robbery with a deadly weapon while wearing a mask. We reverse for a new trial because the court erred in limiting appellant’s cross-examination of the state’s key witness.

The robbery occurred in a barbershop and was carried out by two men with shirts pulled over their heads, both of whom had guns. Neither of the victims could identify the robbers, whom they both described as non-white but light skinned. One of the victims testified at trial that appellant had darker skin than the other robber.

The primary testimony implicating appellant was from a woman who was friend*1274…