Opinion ID: 884422
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Admissibility of April's Testimony

Text: Determinations of the admissibility of evidence are within the sound discretion of the trial court. In re Marriage of Lopez (1992), 255 Mont. 238, 245, 841 P.2d 1122, 1126 (citing Cooper v. Rosston (1988), 232 Mont. 186, 756 P.2d 1125). Absent an abuse of discretion, we will not reverse a district court's ruling on the admissibility of evidence. See Werre, 913 P.2d at 633. Hearsay is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Rule 801(c), M.R.Evid. April's testimony regarding the expert witness testimony from Corliss' criminal trial was clearly a statement other than one made by the declarant while testifying at trial. Starkenburg does not argue that the testimony was not offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted and does not contend that it falls within one of the exceptions to the hearsay rule; indeed, Starkenburg concedes that April's testimony in this regard was inadmissible hearsay. Thus, we conclude that the District Court abused its discretion in admitting the testimony over the State's objection. The question remains, however, whether the court's abuse of discretion constitutes reversible error. See Marriage of Lopez, 841 P.2d at 1126. An error in the admission of evidence is harmless and, as a result, does not warrant reversal unless the substantial rights of the complaining party have been materially affected. Rule 61, M.R.Civ.P.; Marriage of Lopez, 841 P.2d at 1126. Here, the District Court provided the State with an opportunity to impeach April's testimony via the transcript from the criminal trial. In addition, Starkenburg recalled April as a witness and she testified that she had been mistaken and did not know the manufacture date of the gun. Moreover, the record before us contains other evidence regarding the gun used by Corliss. April testified without objection by the State that the gun was an old revolver and looked like a gun from a western movie. Farrington testified that Corliss had several antique guns. Furthermore, April has a.38 caliber bullet lodged near her spine as a result of Corliss' attack and Corliss' TRO against Betty stated that he and Betty had a.38 revolver in their home. On this record, April's inadmissible testimony was merely cumulative and, as such, it did not affect the State's substantial rights. See Hansen v. Hansen (1992), 254 Mont. 152, 160, 835 P.2d 748, 753; Thompkins v. Fuller (1983), 205 Mont. 168, 186, 667 P.2d 944, 953. Accordingly, we conclude that the District Court's admission of April's testimony was harmless error.