Opinion ID: 1786005
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Exclusion of State Police Accident Report

Text: During defense counsel's examination of State Police Officer James C. York, he offered in evidence a certified copy of the traffic accident report, at least partially prepared by Officer York. The report was offered for the purpose of impeaching the testimony of Reverend Johnson, the driver of the automobile that struck the deceased, by showing a prior inconsistent statement. The trial judge sustained the State's objection to the admission of the report and defense counsel reserved a bill of exceptions. LSA-R.S. 15:493 provides: Whenever the credibility of a witness is to be impeached by proof of any statement made by him contradictory to his testimony, he must first be asked whether he has made such statement, and his attention must be called to the time, place and circumstances, and to the person to whom the alleged statement was made, in order that the witness may have an opportunity of explaining that which is prima facie contradictory. If the witness does not distinctly admit making such statement, evidence that he did make it is admissible. The foundation required by the statute is a prerequisite for the introduction of documentary evidence of a prior inconsistent statement. State v. Simon, 131 La. 520, 59 So. 975 (1912); State v. Fletcher, 127 La. 602, 53 So. 877 (1910); State v. Meyers, 120 La. 127, 44 So. 1008 (1907). The Bill of Exceptions and attached excerpt from the trial record contain no foundation showing the interrogation of Reverend Johnson in accordance with the statute. Hence, the ruling of the trial judge was correct. We note, moreover, that the trial judge did allow Officer York to testify as to the content of Reverend Johnson's prior statement made to him during the investigation. It follows, therefore, that even if the trial judge erred in excluding the police report, it was harmless error. See LSA-C.Cr.P. Art. 921.