Joseph Eli Bearden, Petitioner v. State of Florida, Respondent

Summary

The court quashed the Second District's decision and remanded for a new trial because the trial court improperly assessed the credibility of an in-court witness, incorrectly rejected the defendant's statement as corroboration, and prevented the defendant from recalling a witness for impeachment. The court held that credibility was for the jury, that corroboration required only some other evidence in the case, and that excluding the recall examination deprived the defendant of due process. Canady, J., concurring in result, agreed except that he would not address the recall issue.