Opinion ID: 2108883
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: In-Court Identification of Artis

Text: Artis claims that the identification evidence linking him to the crime was impermissibly suggestive and inadmissible. [R]eliability is the linchpin in determining the admissibility of identification testimony.... Manson v. Brathwaite, 432 U.S. 98, 114, 97 S.Ct. 2243, 2253, 53 L.Ed. 2d 140, 154 (1977). That entails a measurement of the totality of the circumstances and consideration of factors such as the opportunity of the witness to view the criminal at the time of the crime, the witness' degree of attention, the accuracy of the witness' prior description of the criminal, the level of certainty demonstrated by the witness at the confrontation, and the length of time between the crime and the confrontation. Neil v. Biggers, 409 U.S. 188, 199, 93 S.Ct. 375, 382, 34 L.Ed. 2d 401, 411 (1972). Here, Artis objects to his police escort to the scene shortly after the crime. Far from being conducive to misidentification, confrontation immediately after a crime promotes fairness to the accused by allowing a viewing while the witness's mental image of the perpetrator is still fresh. Stewart v. United States, 418 F. 2d 1110, 1113 (D.C. Cir.1969). See also State v. Wilkerson, 60 N.J. 452, 461-62 (1972); United States ex rel. Gomes v. New Jersey, 464 F. 2d 686, 688 (3d Cir.1972). Artis also questions the interview that Bello had with then Lieutenant DeSimone on October 11, 1966 at which time Bello was shown a photograph of Artis. This objection ignores the fact that Bello never made an identification on the basis of any photographs of the defendants. In fact, Bello said that the photographs did not resemble the defendants. Rather, his identification was based on the opportunity he had to view them at the scene. Even if bringing the car to the scene was suggestive, the totality of the circumstances indicates that the identification was reliable. Bello had time to view the killers as they walked toward him on a well-lit street. It is likely that he was attentive since he thought the two were detectives and he himself was involved in a crime being committed down the block. His description did not exactly match Artis's appearance. However, Bello maintained that although he could not indicate any particular features, the two men brought to the scene were the same ones he had seen walking down the street. Less than half an hour had elapsed between the time Bello saw the murderers on the street and the time Carter and Artis were brought to the Lafayette Bar. Defendant's objection goes to the credibility of Bello's identification rather than to any significant due process problems. It is really a challenge that bears on the proper weight to be accorded his testimony. Impeachment of credibility is best dealt with on cross-examination. We find that the identification testimony was properly admitted. Artis further contends that it was error for the trial court to refuse his requested identification charge. We disagree. Although the court failed to instruct the jury specifically as to the witness's state of mind and opportunity to observe, the charge did include the essential requirements: The burden is on the State to prove beyond a reasonable doubt not only that the offense was committed as alleged in the indictment, but also that the defendants are the persons who committed it. You must be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of the accuracy of the identification of the defendants before you may convict one or the other or both. If the circumstances of the identification do not convince you beyond a reasonable doubt you must find the defendants not guilty. You must weigh and consider all of the evidence, including contradictions and inconsistencies in the evidence, including the question of identification and the weight to be given such identification, and if after considering and weighing all the evidence you are not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Rubin Carter and/or John Artis have been accurately and been unmistakenly identified as the attackers, you must find them not guilty. In this case the defendants have denied the charge and claimed that they were not at the scene of the crime at the time of its commission. The identification testimony is to be received by you with great caution. [Emphasis added] If the subject matter is adequately covered in the text and purport of the whole charge, there is no prejudicial error. State v. Thompson, 59 N.J. 396, 411 (1971). Such is the case here.