Opinion ID: 2388708
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the trial court erred in dening appellant's objection to hearsay evidence

Text: Appellant contends it was error for the trial court to allow Dr. Rose to testify as to what his colleagues said regarding the number of points needed for an identification because it is hearsay. Hearsay is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Ark.R.Evid. 801(c) (1987). The alleged hearsay appellant objects to occurred when Dr. Rose was asked [w]hy did you pick 14 as a point of identification? Dr. Rose's response was: Well, colleagues that do the same kind of work in forensic osteology, one in discussing techniques said that he liked .... . One colleague says that he likes to have eight points similarity, another colleagues [sic] says 10 points similarity. I myself have never developed a magic, sort of magic, number, if you will. But I always make sure that you see these two previous numbers that I've been told my colleagues use, and these are major anatomical features, all 14 of these are. These are very large portions of the bone. And it was at that point that I was satisfied. As is clear from the question and Dr. Rose's answer, Dr. Rose was simply explaining why he used 14 identification points and not that his other colleagues actually use eight (8) or ten (10) identification points. See Richmond v. State, 302 Ark. 498, 791 S.W.2d 691 (1990). Since this testimony was not hearsay, it was not inadmissible hearsay as appellant claims. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAIING TO EXCLUDE TESTIMONY OF TWO SURPRISE WITNESSES Appellant objects to the introduction of the testimony of two witnesses, William Lemmons and Ted Ullman, both of whom were incarcerated with appellant and who testified about incriminating statements made by appellant while he was in jail awaiting trial. These witnesses came forward during the trial and the trial court granted a five-day continuance for the defense to interview the newly discovered witnesses. Appellant claims the testimony of these witnesses should not have been allowed because appellant had based his entire case around the fact that no confession existed and was not able to prepare for this testimony or restructure his case. Since a new trial has been granted on other grounds, this argument is moot. Appellant will have had plenty of time to restructure his case for a new trial and to change his defense, if necessary, before his new trial begins. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ALLOING INTO EVIDENCE COMPARSONS OF A LOST X-RAY Appellant contends that Dr. Rose should not have been allowed to testify regarding the use of an original X-ray of Lou Alice Brenk which he used to make comparisons to the torso in order to make an identification. The original X-ray was lost, but Dr. Rose had made slides of the original which were used at trial. The following exchange occurred at trial: [PROSECUTION]: For the record, Your Honor, the defense having rested, I would, at this point raise the issue with respect to earlier objections about the issues related to the X-rays and the evidence that was introduced through Dr. Rose. There were certain objections made that were based on the apparent misplacing of the one original X-ray after the identification process by Dr. Rose. Part of Wednesday's delay in the proceedings was to make sure that the defense, which were furnished with Dr. Rose's slides at the conclusion of the testimony on Tuesday, had an opportunity to submit those slides to Dr. Kearns, their identified expert, and have him review those slides and make a determination, based on that, as to whether to have him testify as an expert, and any issues that he would see in that. I would note that defense has now rested, and they've chosen not to call Dr. Kearns. Furthermore, I would note for the record that I have called Dr. Kearns and received, through him, his stated opinion that the examination by Dr. Rose and Ms. Murray appeared to him valid and well based from the evidence, that the slides were clear and gave an adequate basis for a determination of the identification that they made. That he saw no points of disagreement with their findings, and that he said, of course, he would like to have seen the original X-ray, but it was not necessary, in any sense, to reach the conclusion that Dr. Rose and Ms. Murray reached. Furthermore, he said that he thought that the original X-ray would have only provided him a better basis to confirm the identification, and would not have been, in any way, helpful to challenge the identification made by Dr. Rose and Dr. [sic] Murray. I think that's a fair and accurate summary of Dr. Kearns's statement to me, and in the absence of him being called as a defense witness, I would submit that the issues raised initially by the defense with regard to questions about the X-rays, the one missing X-ray and the use of the slides, I think have been effectively withdrawn. If there is still a significant question on the defense's part, I would submit that we jointly subpoena Dr. Kearns and let him address the evidence in testimony. THE COURT: Says the defense? [DEFENSE]: Your Honor, part of what [the prosecution] said is true. To my knowledge, Dr. Kearns would not, he didn't say could not, dispute the findings of Dr. Rose and Ms. Murray. We were told that he would like to see the original X-rays and he would make an opinion. He didn't know if it would make any difference if he did see the original Xrays. THE COURT: If the defense intends, for purposes of an appeal, to pursue the issue about the X-ray not being presented and about you not being able to prepare an adequate defense, then I want Dr. Kearns to come testify in this case. Apparently [the prosecution] understood Dr. Kearns one way, and you're suggesting that you understood Dr. Kearns another way. [DEFENSE]: I believe what [the prosecution] said is basically what I got, just more elaborate. I don't know. It could have been a longer conversation. THE COURT: If there's any substantial dispute or objection being made, then I think it would be appropriate to try to get Dr. Kearns here first thing Monday morning. I'm going to leave it up to defense. What's your response? Do you want Dr. Kearns here on Monday? [DEFENSE]: No, we don't. Appellant waived his right to object to the loss of the original X-ray by not calling Dr. Kearns, or anyone else, to testify that the original was necessary for identification or that Dr. Rose and Ms. Murray's identification could not be disputed without the original. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN OVERULING APPELLANT'S OBJETION TO HEARSAY TESTIMONY BY LOY CHESHIRE Appellant contends it was error for the trial court to allow Loy Cheshire to testify that Lou Alice Brenk was crying and when he asked her Lou, what's the matter, Honey? she had said to him [h]e's going to kill me, Dink. The trial court allowed this as a present sense impression showing Lou Alice's fear. Trial courts have a wide latitude of discretion in the admission of evidence. We do not reverse absent an abuse of that discretion. We do not find that the trial court abused its discretion in this instance. This statement falls under Ark.R.Evid. 803(3), which states: A statement of the declarant's then existing state of mind, emotion, sensation, or physical condition, such as intent, plan, motive, design, mental feeling, pain, and bodily health, but not including a statement of memory or belief to prove the fact remembered or believed unless it relates to the execution, revocation, identification, or terms of declarant's will.