Opinion ID: 2015290
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Admission of Testimony Regarding Women's Clothing

Text: The defendant argues that the trial court erred in allowing Officer Molleck of the Peoria County sheriff's department to testify regarding several garments he collected from the defendant's apartment. The garments included two robes and women's underwear. Defense counsel objected to the admission of such testimony, arguing that its prejudice outweighed its probative value. The objection was overruled and the officer was allowed to testify about his discoveries. We note that the garments were not admitted into evidence and were not shown to the jury. On appeal, defendant asserts that the testimony regarding these items was not relevant to his prosecution, as the garments had not been linked to any of the three victims. The State counters that the testimony was relevant as it made it more probable than not that the defendant killed the three women. Questions concerning the admission of evidence are within the discretion of the trial court. People v. Fierer, 124 Ill.2d 176, 195, 124 Ill.Dec. 855, 529 N.E.2d 972 (1988). For physical evidence to be admitted, the physical evidence must be connected to both the crime and the defendant. People v. Miller, 40 Ill.2d 154, 159, 238 N.E.2d 407 (1968). Likewise, testimony regarding physical evidence is not proper unless that testimony links the physical evidence to both the defendant and the crime. In the instant case, the undergarments were connected to the defendant, as they were found in his apartment. However, the evidence presented at trial never linked the women's undergarments to any of the three victims. The State did not lay a foundation which showed the undergarments were the women's personal property. Thus, the trial court abused its discretion in allowing Officer Molleck to testify about the undergarments. Such an abuse of discretion, however, was harmless error in light of the overwhelming evidence of defendant's guilt. People v. Carlson, 92 Ill.2d 440, 449, 66 Ill. Dec. 78, 442 N.E.2d 504 (1982) (evidentiary errors are harmless if properly admitted evidence is so overwhelming that no fair-minded juror could reasonably have voted to acquit the defendant).