Opinion ID: 853073
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evidence Identifying French as the Prior Offender

Text: French contends that the evidence used to connect him to the documents presented by the State violated his right to counsel and his right against self-incrimination. At the habitual offender phase of the trial, documents from two predicate felony convictions included a date of birth and social security number of the defendant, as well as his name. Columbus Police Officer Matt Myers testified to French's date of birth and social security number listed on the charging information in this case and stated that this information had been provided by French when he was booked into jail on the charge in this case. He further testified that he was not present at the initial hearing in this case but had listened to a tape of the hearing where French again provided this information. Based on his familiarity with French's voice, Myers opined that the person on the tape was French. He then testified that the date of birth and social security number on the records of the two prior felony convictions were the same as those appearing in the booking information and in the charging information, and given at the initial hearing in this case. Relying on Palmer v. State, 679 N.E.2d 887, 891 (Ind.1997), French argues that Myers' testimony prejudiced his defense because [p]roof that an individual named in an habitual offender information and an individual so named in various documents is insufficient to [prove] the person committed a prior crime. French suggests that fingerprints on documentary exhibits or prior convictions should have been offered. He also contends that proof of French's social security number and date of birth in the form of testimony to admissions by French was improper because it admitted into evidence statements French made in custody when being booked without counsel. Assuming French had not been advised of his Miranda rights at the time he gave this information, this claim is raised for the first time on appeal and was not presented to the trial court. It is a classic example of the justification that an issue be raised at trial to be preserved for appeal. Had this claim been presented at the habitual offender proceeding, it would presumably have been a simple matter to prove French's social security number and date of birth by other means. There is no fundamental error here, and the issue is not available on appeal. Finally, pictures of the Roman French in the booking information for two of the felonies were given to the jury as exhibits. This evidence was more than mere proof of French's common name. Indeed, we have previously held that a defendant's date of birth and picture is sufficient evidence for a jury to find the defendant sitting at the defense table was the same defendant listed in the charging information. Fozzard v. State, 518 N.E.2d 789, 792 (Ind.1988).