Opinion ID: 1716639
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 16

Heading: Testimony Inconsistent With Bill of Particulars

Text: Defendant asserts error occurred because Dr. Schnetzler was permitted to place the outside limits of death between 12:00 noon and 11:00 P.M. on March 13th, although the State had previously put that period at between 2:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. in its bill of particulars. When a bill of particulars is furnished, the State is thereafter limited to proof of the acts indicated in such specifications. State v. White, 260 Iowa 1000, 1005, 151 N.W.2d 552, 555 (1967); State v. Schuling, 216 Iowa 1425, 1428, 250 N.W. 588, 589 (1933). The reason for this rule is to assure defendant against surprise and to give him necessary information before trial as to the matters he must defend against. At trial, Dr. Schnetzler testified time of death is difficult to ascertain. He said there are a number of factors which are used to make this determination such as lividity, the temperature of the body, the vitreous humor of the eyes and the degree of rigor mortis. The doctor then placed the outside limits of death, based on my experience, at between 12:00 noon and 11:00 P.M. He immediately added the following: I feel this can be somewhat narrowed to between the hours of 3:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. and in all likelihood the death occurred between these hours. No tests as to time of death are infallible. Defendant insists this answer substantially, and prejudicially, expanded the time within which death may have occurred. However, if the whole answer is considered instead of only the first part, it is apparent the time difference between the bill of particulars (2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.) and the doctor's testimony (3:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.) is unimportant under the record in this case. Perhaps Dr. Schnetzler was ultraconservative in his testimony, but it cannot be disputed he was of the opinion death occurred between 3:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. In many cases the precise time of death is a vital circumstance; but not here. No effort was made to account for defendant's whereabouts during either period. The minor time difference between the bill of particulars and the testimony did not prejudice defendant. Not every insignificant variation entitles defendant to exclusion of evidence which is not identical with facts detailed in a bill of particulars. Defendant has shown no right to relief on this ground.