Opinion ID: 2629713
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Hearing on BC's Competence to be a Witness

Text: [¶ 12] Although the context was somewhat different (sexual abuse of a five-year-old child), in English v. State, 982 P.2d 139, 145 (Wyo.1999) we held: The Wyoming Rules of Evidence provide that [e]very person is competent to be a witness except as otherwise provided in these rules. W.R.E. 601. A person is generally competent to testify if he can understand, receive, remember and narrate impressions and is sensible to the obligations of the oath taken before testifying. Simmers [v. State], 943 P.2d [1189] at 1199 [(Wyo.1997)]; Larsen v. State, 686 P.2d 583, 585 (Wyo.1984). Intelligence, not age, is the guiding criteria in determining the competency of a witness. Baum v. State, 745 P.2d 877, 879 (Wyo.1987). It is a well-established principle of law that competency of witnesses to testify is a question within the sound discretion of the trial court. Selby v. Savard, 134 Ariz. 222, 655 P.2d 342, 347 (1982); People v. Estorga, 200 Colo. 78, 612 P.2d 520, 524 (1980); State v. Joblin, 107 Idaho 351, 689 P.2d 767, 771 (1984); State v. Howard, 247 Mont. 370, 806 P.2d 1038, 1039 (1991). However, when children are called into the courtroom to testify, we have held that once the child's competency is called into question by either party, it is the duty of the court to make an independent examination of the child to determine competency, and that determination will not be disturbed unless shown to be clearly erroneous. Burt v. Burt, 48 Wyo. 19, 41 P.2d 524, 525 (1935) ( quoting 5 Jones Commentaries on Evidence 3958, 3959, § 2107 (2d Ed.)). See also Punches v. State, 944 P.2d 1131, 1136 (Wyo.1997); Trujillo v. State, 880 P.2d 575, 579 (Wyo.1994); Baum, 745 P.2d at 879; and Larsen, 686 P.2d at 585. We have directed the district courts to utilize a five-part test for determining the competency of child witnesses: (1) an understanding of the obligation to speak the truth on the witness stand; (2) the mental capacity at the time of the occurrence concerning which he is to testify, to receive an accurate impression of it; (3) a memory sufficient to retain an independent recollection of the occurrence; (4) the capacity to express in words his memory of the occurrence; and (5) the capacity to understand simple questions about it. Larsen, 686 P.2d at 585 (quoting State v. Allen, 70 Wash.2d 690, 424 P.2d 1021 (1967)). (Emphasis added.) Also see Alicea v. State, 13 P.3d 693, 696-98 (Wyo.2000). [¶ 13] In the instant case there is no allegation that BC's testimony was in some way tainted. However, there was an obvious basis for a request for a competency hearing in the record, as BC was then residing at the Wyoming State Hospital and, prior to his appearance on the witness stand, the record was replete with references to his numerous institutionalizations for mental disorders and emotional problems. At the time BC was called to testify, defense counsel requested that the trial court conduct a brief competency hearing. At that point, it was the duty of the court to make an independent examination of BC to determine competency. However, the trial court declined to perform that duty, viewing the request as a disruption to the proceedings and insisting that an examination should have been done prior to trial. Without question, the trial court erred in failing to make some limited inquiry as to BC's competency. However, our rules of appellate procedure admonish us to disregard [a]ny error, defect, irregularity or variance which does not affect substantial rights. W.R.A.P. 9.04. In this instance, both counsel for the State and counsel for the defense asked the crucial questions that serve to assist an appellate court in deciding and/or reviewing whether a witness appears to be competent. We are comfortable in concluding that the record clearly reflects that BC was competent to testify and that his testimony was corroborated by several witnesses, including that of his Mother and Beaugureau herself. To the extent there is any residual doubt that BC was competent to appear as a witness in this matter, that doubt quickly fades in light of the fact that virtually all of his testimony was the same as that of other witnesses to those same events. Therefore, we will disregard the trial court's error as harmless.