Opinion ID: 2280221
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Detective Wireman Impermissibly Interpreted the Drug Buy Tape.

Text: As for Detective Wireman's comments, the law on this issue is quite clear. While a witness is permitted to testify from recollection about events captured on tape, he may not interpret what is on the tape. Gordon v. Commonwealth, 916 S.W.2d 176, 179-80 (Ky.1995) (As with any participant in a conversation, the informant witness was entitled to testify as to his recollection of what was said .... [I]t is apparent that the witness purported to interpret the tape recording rather than testify from his recollection. This was in error.). When a witness interprets what is on a tape he impermissibly invades the province of the jury, which is vested with the responsibility and duty of making determinations of fact based on the evidence. Cuzick v. Commonwealth, 276 S.W.3d 260, 265-66 (Ky.2009); Gordon, 916 S.W.2d at 180 (It is for the jury to determine as best it can what is revealed in the tape recording without embellishment or interpretation by a witness.). The trial court erred by allowing Detective Wireman to interpret the videotape. Though Detective Wireman was present at the drug buy, he was sitting in a car at a distance and could not hear firsthand what Childers said to Osborne. As such, his testimony was not from personal recollection. It was in response to the Commonwealth's Attorney's question as to what Detective Wireman heard Childers say on the tape and, thus, was improper interpretation of the tape. See, e.g., Gordon, 916 S.W.2d at 180 (finding the witness did not testify from recollection but interpreted the tape in error when, after the tape was played, the witness was asked what he said on the tape and he answered, I said, alright, I sure thank you, Maurice.). While it was improper for Detective Wireman to interpret the tape, Childers did not object to him doing so, and we find the unpreserved error was not sufficient to warrant a reversal. Under RCr 10.26 we may grant relief for an unpreserved error only when the error is (1) palpable, (2) affects the substantial rights of a party, and (3) has caused a manifest injustice. Commonwealth v. Jones, 283 S.W.3d 665, 668 (Ky.2009). In the present case, the tape itself was played for the jury several times during trial and was admitted into evidence, thus allowing the jurors numerous opportunities on their own to hear and evaluate the tape. The defense counsel pointed out in his opening statement that he had listened to the tape and never had heard anything about a hundred. I listened to it and listened to it, but that's for you all to make a fact finding. Osborne testified from recollection as to all the events on the tape and the jury had sufficient opportunity to observe him, determine his credibility, and decide what weight to give his testimony. Further, there was sufficient additional evidence to support the conviction. The testimony of both detectives, Osborne, and a recorded statement by Childers showed Childers took both phone calls from Osborne, discussed with him the availability and sale of drugs, located the drugs for Osborne, arranged the transaction, drove to the meeting place, and took the $100 buy money from Osborne. As such, there was no manifest injustice and, hence, no palpable error.