Opinion ID: 2277075
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Transcript of Tape Recording

Text: At trial, and in this appeal, Feddiman's attorney alleges error with respect to the State's use of the transcript of his tape-recorded statement to the police. This Court recently addressed the issue of whether or not transcripts may properly be used in conjunction with an audio recording of a statement or conversation. See Atkins v. State, Del.Supr., 523 A.2d 539, 543-545 (1987), (discussing United States v. Carson, 464 F.2d 424 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 409 U.S. 949, 93 S.Ct. 268, 34 L.Ed.2d 219 (1972); United States v. Turner, 528 F.2d 143 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 996, 96 S.Ct. 426, 46 L.Ed.2d 371 (1975)). We held that [w]hen original tape recordings are properly introduced into evidence, transcriptions of those recordings may also be received into evidence with the exercise of judicial discretion. Atkins v. State, 523 A.2d at 544-45 (emphasis in original). In exercising its discretion, we held that the trial court should first satisfy itself that the transcript is accurate. Id. at 545. Then, it must decide how, if at all, the transcripts are to be used. Id. If the trial court concludes that the transcripts are needed for any purpose, the jury must be carefully instructed concerning the use of the transcripts and must specifically be instructed that the tape recording and not the transcript is the evidence of the conversation. Id. In this case, the actual tape recording of Feddiman's statement to the police was admitted into evidence at trial as an exhibit. Prior to trial, Feddiman's attorney had been provided with a copy of the transcript of Feddiman's tape-recorded conversation. At trial, the judge was provided with a copy of the transcript. The trial judge compared the transcript with the tape recording and concluded that the transcript was accurate. The trial judge found that the tape recording was somewhat difficult to hear. Therefore, before Feddiman's tape-recorded statement to the police was played for the jury, with the court's permission, the State distributed a copy of the transcript to the jury. After the tape recording had been played, the trial court instructed the jury with respect to the limited purpose of the transcript as follows: THE COURT: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the document that was provided for you was provided in an attempt to help you clearly understand what was said. It is intended to be an accurate transcript of this tape-recording. The tape-recording is the best evidence of what was said, and to the extent that you believe the tape-recording disagrees, in any way, with the transcript, you are to disregard the transcript and give weight to what you have heard on the tape. The record should reflect that the transcripts are being collected. The trial court completely complied with this Court's holding in Atkins. First, the trial court determined that the transcript was accurate. Second, the trial court found that the tape recording was difficult to hear and that the transcript would be helpful to the jury as a listening aid. Third, the trial court determined that the transcript should not be introduced into evidence but should only be used as a listening aid. Finally, the trial court instructed the jury with respect to the limited purpose of the transcript and reminded the jury that the tape recording, and not the transcript, was the evidence of Feddiman's statement to the police. We find no error in the manner in which the transcripts were used at Feddiman's trial.