Opinion ID: 1999918
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Admissibility of testimony as part of the res gestae.

Text: The admissibility of statements as being part of the res gestae is largely within trial court's discretion. State v. Redding, 169 N.W.2d 788 (Iowa 1969); Dohse v. Market Mens Mutual Insurance Company, 253 Iowa 1186, 115 N.W.2d 844 (1962). The trend is to extend, rather than to narrow, the res gestae doctrine. Roushar v. Dixon, 231 Iowa 993, 2 N.W.2d 660 (1942). The statements of prosecutrix, testified to by her sister, meet the res gestae admissibility standards we have adopted. These are (1) spontaneity, and (2) such closeness of connection with the transaction as to exclude any presumption of fabrication. The following cases, which are factually comparable and apply these standards, are controlling here and persuade us to hold trial court did not abuse its discretion in overruling defendant's objection: State v. Smith, 195 N.W.2d 673 (Iowa 1972); Gibbs v. Wilmeth, 261 Iowa 1015, 157 N.W.2d 93 (1968); State v. Miller, 254 Iowa 545, 117 N.W.2d 447 (1962).