Opinion ID: 2552521
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: writing

Text: During trial, Drach sought to place Dr. Tim McBath, a board-certified psychiatrist, on the stand to give his opinion that a writing found on the dryer in the Drachs' home after Deanne's death was a suicide note. Outside the presence of the jury, the trial judge heard testimony offered by Drach to determine if Dr. McBath's testimony was admissible under the Frye test. Dr. McBath testified he was frequently called upon to examine writings to determine if they were suicide notes (if the writer says he or she is going to commit suicide, it is classified as a suicide note), and to determine if the note is a cry for help or a person who is planning to commit suicide. In about one-half of the writings, Dr. McBath does not have the opportunity tq examine or talk to the author of the writing. He also had reviewed hospital and medical records where Deanne had expressed a wish for death and had suicidal thoughts. The trial judge thought it was a Frye issue and made a preliminary ruling that Drach had not shown a basis for his opinion as generally acceptable as reliable within the expert's particular scientific field. The trial judge was influenced by the fact that Dr. McBath stated that he had never testified in court as to his opinion whether a writing was a suicide note, whether the author of the writing was serious or merely calling for help, and he did not know of any doctor who had. The trial judge then held that Dr. McBath's testimony would not be admitted in the absence of some evidence establishing that scientific evidence is accepted in his area, that it has been admissible and received in other courts. The trial judge left the door open for additional evidence or citations. None were forthcoming. Numerous courts have ruled on suicide notes and suicide threats. In Powell v. Commonwealth of Kentucky, 554 S.W.2d 386 (Ky. 1977), the court held: When suicide is the theory of defense the decedent's previous threats or attempts to kill himself are admissible for the same reason. As this court said in Marcum v. Commonwealth, 308 Ky. 740, 215 S.W.2d 846, 847 (1948), `the great weight of authority is to the effect that in prosecutions for homicide the deceased's declarations or threats indicating a suicidal disposition, if made within a reasonable time before his death, are not within the hearsay rule and are admissible unless the facts preclude the possibility of suicide.' See Wigmore on Evidence (2d ed.), § 143, and annotation at 83 A.L.R. 434. See IA Wigmore on Evidence §§ 143 and 144 (2d ed. 1983); Ott v. State, 160 Ala. 29, 49 So. 810 (1909); State v. Kelly, 77 Conn. 266, 58 A. 705 (1904); Nordgren v. People, 211 Ill. 425, 71 N.E. 1042 (1904); Hall v. State, 132 Ind. 317, 31 N.E. 536 (1892); State v. Meyer, 180 Iowa 210, 163 N.W. 244 (1917); State v. Beeson, 155 Iowa, 355, 136 N.W. 317 (1912); State v. Cater, 100 Iowa, 501, 69 N.W. 880 (1897); Epperson v. Commonwealth, 227 Ky. 404, 13 S.W.2d 247 (1929); State v. Ilgenfritz, 263 Mo. 615, 173 S.W. 1041 (1915); Sharp v. State, 115 Neb. 737, 214 N.W. 643 (1927); People v. Gehmele, 1 Sheld. 251 (N.Y. 1871); State v. Prytle, 191 N.C. 698, 132 S.E. 785 (1926); Blackburn v. State, 23 Ohio St. 146 (1872); Crow v. State, 89 Tex. Crim. 149, 230 S.W. 148 (1921). A clear majority and nearly all cited jurisdictions hold that evidence of suicide is admissible as tending to show the decedent's state of mind. Although these cases do not address the exact issue raised in the present case, they do indicate that evidence of a suicide theory can be admitted and that the jury is capable of determining its validity and attaching the proper weight. There are also courts which have allowed testimony from experts who have read the suicide note and determined the insanity of the decedent in an insurance context. See Garmon v. General American Life Ins. Co., 624 S.W.2d 42, 45-46 (Mo. App. 1981) (affirming trial court's admission of testimony by expert who determined based upon a reading of the suicide note that decedent was insane at time of his death); Friedeman v. State, 215 Neb. 413, 339 N.W.2d 67 (1983) (holding expert could testify as to decedent's state of mind after examining language used in suicide note); and Brooks v. Travelers Insurance Company, 515 S.W.2d 821, 823-24 (Mo. App. 1974) (holding expert could testify that decedent was sane at time he wrote suicide note and took his life). Experts can be used to testify whether a decedent committed suicide if they testify regarding whether a wound is self-inflicted. These types of cases are abundant. See, e.g., People v. Cole, 47 Cal. 2d 99, 301 P.2d 854 (1956) (allowing expert pathologist to testify whether victim shot herself after performing an autopsy on her, while noting that a number of jurisdictions allow evidence as to whether a wound could have been self-inflicted); State v. Mattatall, 603 A.2d 1098 (R.I. 1992) (holding trial court did not err when it admitted testimony of assistant medical examiner who stated that, based on autopsy and investigation of scene of death, decedent died by act of homicide and not self-inflicted injury); and State v. Richardson, 158 Vt. 635, 603 A.2d 378 (1992) (allowing medical examiner to testify that victim died by homicide and not by suicide). Here, the writing is described in a number of places in the record as being 12 pages in length. There is also an indication it may be two pages in length. The writing was introduced at trial, so it was read by the trial judge and jury. It is not, however, a part of the record on appeal. A paragraph of the writing was read to the jury which stated: I'm sorry that it has come to this, Roger. Everyone was so glad to hear we were back together and could go on with our lives. Since we were ... [unreadable portion] ... but were really thrilled. You believed everything except me. I'm sorry you feel like I'm doing nothing but lying to you, but what I've told you is true. I can understand your feelings because of all the interference and lies by David and Dora, but I'm not lying to you. I do love you and really thought things had a chance with us when we left Wichita, but that was only wishful thinking. I'm sorry for this Roger, but I meant it when I said I'm scared. How many times have you said, just die and I wish you were dead? I'm a pretty low and Goddamned person, but if I grant the only wish you've asked of me, maybe at least you can get on with your life. The above writing was part of a notebook. Drach was free to present the suicide defense to the jury and did so. It is impossible to have a meaningful review of this limited issue without having all of the writing. Based on the record before us, Drach did not meet his burden of proof, and we cannot say reversible error occurred on this issue.