Opinion ID: 1742511
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Limit on Social Worker Jill Miller's Testimony

Text: Also under his first assignment of error, the defendant contends that the trial court improperly limited evidence of the impact of Ricky Langley's childhood offered through Jill Miller, a forensic social worker. The State objected to Ms. Miller's testimony because it would include the hearsay responses of everyone she interviewed. The trial court ruled that, on direct examination, Ms. Miller could give her conclusions, but she could not testify on direct examination to any hearsay statements from people she interviewed and upon whose statements she relied in forming her opinions. As the trial judge explained, Ms. Miller could testify, but she could not come up here on direct and start reciting stories and things she's been told. Article 705(B) of the Louisiana Code of Evidence provides that, in a criminal case, every expert witness must state the basis for her conclusion. However, if the evidence is otherwise inadmissible, it can only be brought out on cross-examination. Miller's objectionable testimony was merely a retelling of facts obtained through the defendant's family concerning the family history; thus, it was hearsay. Under the plain language of art. 705(B), the trial court correctly ruled that it was inadmissible on direct examination.