Opinion ID: 2022208
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Shirley Adkins' testimony

Text: Shirley Adkins, Cheryl's mother, testified about a note that Cheryl had left at her house. This note stated, I have tried so hard and it's just not working. (R. at 1383, 1400.) This statement was not offered for the truth of the matter, that Cheryl had tried hard or that it was not working. Rather, it was offered for non-hearsay purposes, to show Cheryl's unhappy state of mind. In this capacity it was not hearsay. [3] Furthermore, Adkins' testimony about the note was relevant to contest the claim that defendant and Cheryl were happily married. While the note did not specify that Cheryl was upset with her marriage, it did emanate a feeling of despair. It was within the judge's discretion to determine that this note of marginal relevance on the issue of Cheryl's happiness with her marriage was admissible.