Edward Darnell Rogers v. State of Arkansas — Baker, J., Dissenting

Summary

Justice Baker, dissenting, would reverse and remand for a new trial because the circuit court improperly prevented Rogers from impeaching a key prosecution witness with her prior theft conviction. She concluded that the error was not harmless because the prosecution's case depended almost entirely on the credibility of the victims, lacked physical or scientific corroboration, and involved significant conflicts and inconsistencies. Justice Hart separately dissented, similarly concluding that the majority failed to apply the required harmless-error analysis and that the evidence was not overwhelming. Justice Womack, concurring, joined the judgment but urged reexamination of the rule treating all theft convictions as crimes involving dishonesty per se.