Opinion ID: 2621501
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Was the Proffer Sufficient?

Text: We note that a verdict or finding shall not be set aside nor shall the judgment or decision based thereon be reversed by reason of the erroneous exclusion of evidence unless it appears of record that the proponent of the evidence either made known the substance of the evidence in a form and by a method approved by the judge or indicated the substance of the expected evidence by questions indicating the desired answers. See K.S.A. 60-405. When a motion in limine has been granted, the party being limited by the motion has the responsibility of proffering sufficient evidence to the trial court in order to preserve the issue for appeal. State v. Beard, 273 Kan. 789, Syl. ¶ 7, 46 P.3d 1185 (2002); Brunett v. Albrecht, 248 Kan. 634, 640, 810 P.2d 276 (1991). The purpose of a proffer is to make an adequate record of the evidence to be introduced. See Carrick v. McFadden, 216 Kan. 683, 688, 533 P.2d 1249 (1975); see also State v. Deal, 271 Kan. 483, 490, 23 P.3d 840 (2001) (purpose of making a proffer is to allow trial court to make evidentiary decision based on substance of testimony). The proponent of excluded evidence has the duty of making known the substance of the expected evidence in a proffer. State v. Gibbons, 256 Kan. 951, 959, 889 P.2d 772 (1995). A formal offer of proof in question and answer form is not required if an adequate record is made in a manner that discloses the evidence sought to be introduced. Carrick, 216 Kan. 683, Syl. ¶ 3. See State v. Mays, 254 Kan. 479, 486, 866 P.2d 1037 (1994) (no formal proffer made on each piece of excluded evidence being challenged; however, court through sidebar conferences and statement of defendant was aware of information to be elicited and reasons why information was important to defense); McGraw v. Sanders Co. Plumbing & Heating, Inc., 233 Kan. 766, 770, 667 P.2d 289 (1983) (no formal proffer was made; however, argument on motion in limine and in-court dialogue fully set out appellant's position). Failure to make a proffer of excluded evidence precludes appellate review because there is no basis to consider whether the trial court abused its discretion. See Deal, 271 Kan. at 490; Lumley v. State, 29 Kan. App. 2d 911, 34 P.3d 467 (2001), rev. denied 273 Kan. 1036 (2002). The Court of Appeals concluded that the proffer of the excluded evidence in this case was not sufficient and stated: At the time the [State's] original motion [in limine] was heard, the trial court asked defendant's counsel if he was going to be able to present testimony other than circumstantial evidence that witnesses saw Reed with a weapon. Defense counsel advised the trial court that he would have to consult with his client to see whether such evidence was available. At this point, the trial court reserved ruling on the motion until further argument. During the trial, and for reasons of which we are not aware, the trial court noted it held a further discussion regarding the motion in limine off the record. We have no idea what took place at that discussion. However, after the discussion, the court noted it was sustaining the State's motion conditioned upon the State producing direct testimony that defendant was observed shooting Prince. The trial court inquired of defense counsel if he understood the ruling, and counsel stated that he did understand it and had no questions. The record reveals no objection from defense counsel, nor does it show a proper proffer of the evidence. We conclude that for those reasons, this issue has not been properly preserved for appeal. It appears to us that although the State did present direct evidence that defendant shot Prince, there was other evidence linking Reed to the crime. There was testimony by one witness that Reed was observed with a weapon in his hand; there was testimony by another witness that Reed had admitted to the killing. It appears to us the defense had more than circumstantial evidence, and perhaps should have been permitted to introduce this evidence. In any event we hold the issue was not properly preserved for appeal, and the record is inadequate to permit us to sustain defendant's position. At trial, defense counsel failed to object to the trial court's ruling on the motion in limine on the record and did not make a proffer of the evidence he wished to present. We have not been given a proper basis on which we can determine the trial court abused its discretion. The appellant has the burden to include a record sufficient to establish the claimed error. Error at the trial court level is never assumed but must be made to affirmatively appear. State v. Lumley, 25 Kan. App. 2d 366, 371, 963 P.2d 1238 [1998], aff'd 267 Kan. 4, 977 P.2d 914 [1999]. Evans asserts the Court of Appeals was incorrect in reaching its decision. He notes in his petition for review that the record shows that the State was well aware of the evidence in this case when it filed its motion in limine claiming that Evans would introduce testimony of witnesses who saw Reed holding the gun immediately after the shot was fired. Evans' attorney further pointed out at the hearing that the defense had a witness who would also testify that Reed later admitted to killing Prince. The trial court was further made aware of the testimony of these witnesses through the State's argument in favor of its motion in limine and defense counsel's argument opposing the State's motion. After careful review, we find that an adequate record exists for an appellate court to review whether the trial court abused its discretion in excluding the evidence. The substance of the evidence Evans sought to introduce at trial was sufficiently set forth before the trial court. Furthermore, because an adequate proffer was made, defense counsel's failure to object at trial to the exclusion of the evidence was not necessary to preserve the issue for appeal. We conclude that the Court of Appeals erred in affirming the trial court on the basis that Evans did not properly preserve the issue for appeal. Therefore, we address the merits of Evans' contention that the suppression of the evidence was erroneous.