Opinion ID: 2132943
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Failure to Prohibit Spouse from Testifying at Trial

Text: Finally, Quick contends that his wife should not have been allowed to testify against him at trial. This issue was not raised at trial and therefore is waived unless there is plain error. Litzau, 650 N.W.2d at 182. Minnesota Statutes section 595.02, subd. 1(a) (2002), provides two different marital privileges: (1) spouses cannot testify for or against each other without the other's consent during the course of the marriage, and (2) neither spouse can testify at any time, during or after the marriage, regarding confidential interspousal communication made during the course of the marriage. In this case, the first privilege does not apply because Quick was divorced from his wife at the time of the trial. As for the second privilege, his wife did testify to e-mails and notes between them while their divorce was pending. The notes were left by Quick at his wife's home or on her car and therefore would not be confidential communication and the privilege would not apply. As for the e-mails, both sides introduced various e-mails between Quick and his wife, but the record is not clear as to the source of the e-mailswhether they were off of Quick's or his wife's computer. Quick makes no showing that the e-mails were obtained from his computer and were confidential. Thus, there is no plain error, and we hold that this issue is waived. Affirmed.