Opinion ID: 2604587
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Dr Heineke's testimony

Text: In his second argument, Hayes contends the trial court erred in overruling his objection to testimony from Dr. Heineke, because the State violated Rule 16 of the Wyoming Rules of Criminal Procedure. He claims the State listed Dr. Heineke on its witness list, but failed to provide a summary of his testimony as required by Rule 16. In the State's response to the trial court's case management order, filed on August 4, 1995, we find the following: William F. Heineke, Ed.D.will testify as an expert to his knowledge of, and contact with [the victim], his counseling sessions with the victim subsequent to the events which comprise the above referenced case, as to his expert opinion, based upon his knowledge of the victim, his training and experience, as to whether the victim exhibited the characteristics of a sexual abuse victim and the underlying basis for such expert opinion, statements made by the victim during her counseling, and factors, circumstances and information concerning sexual abuse of minor children having relevance to this case. Based on the witness summary found in the record, Hayes' protest is without merit. When Dr. Heineke was called as a witness for the State, he testified that the victim was referred to him in June of 1994. At that point, Hayes conducted voir dire of the witness and then objected to his testimony because he had not been allowed to review Dr. Heineke's reports or charts, despite attempts to obtain summaries through a Rule 16 motion and speaking to Dr. Heineke. Responding to the objection, the State explained that Dr. Heineke had not rendered a written diagnosis or report and that he had not submitted his charts to anyone. The trial court overruled the objection, noting that Hayes knew the State intended to call Dr. Heineke and reminding him that he was given the opportunity to bring his alleged discovery problem to the court's attention during the pretrial conference, but failed to do so. On August 4, 1995, the State of Wyoming filed its response to the court's case management order. In its August 24, 1995, order from the pretrial conference, held on August 21, 1995, the court noted defense counsel had no comments or concerns about the State's witnesses or exhibits, except to ask whether Dr. Sirotnak did an actual examination of the victim. We see no abuse of the court's discretion in allowing Dr. Heineke to testify under these circumstances. Finally, Hayes alleges the court's failure to require Dr. Heineke to produce his charts was an abuse of discretion under WYO. R. EVID. 612(b), which states: Before testifying. If, before testifying, a witness uses a writing or object to refresh his memory for the purpose of testifying and the court in its discretion determines that the interests of justice so require, an adverse party is entitled to have the writing or object produced, if practicable, at the trial, hearing, or deposition in which the witness is testifying. Dr. Heineke testified that he prepared his notes from his charts, consisting of a personal shorthand, and that he used the notes, not the charts, to refresh his recollection. Hayes received copies of the notes Dr. Heineke used to refresh his memory. Therefore, the requirements of Rule 612 were met and the court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to require the doctor to turn over his charts to the defense.