Opinion ID: 848805
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the lower courts correctly applied mre 803(24) in this case

Text: We now turn to the facts of this case. In order to invoke MRE 803(24), the proffered statement must not [be] specifically covered by any of the foregoing exceptions of MRE 803. MRE 803(24). As described above, we interpret specifically covered to mean admissible. Defendant does not assert that DD's statement would be admissible under any of the MRE 803 categorical exceptions. Therefore, the statement is a proper candidate for admissibility under MRE 803(24). [14] With respect to the rule's requirements, there is no dispute that the prosecution gave proper notice to defendant of its intent to submit DD's hearsay statements under MRE 803(24). Moreover, it cannot be disputed that DD's statements described the material facts of defendant's abusive acts. The trial court made extensive findings on the record regarding DD's statement to Ms. Bowman and detailed the manner in which it satisfied each element of MRE 803(24). The court particularly elaborated on its findings regarding the trustworthiness of the statement, noting several times that its spontaneity and the fact it was unanticipated made it particularly reliable. The trial court also noted that the timing of the statement negated any motive to fabricate. No investigation had begun when the statement was made, and no one knew that Ms. Bowman was to interview DD that day. Additionally, DD spoke from firsthand knowledge and in terms appropriate for a child of his age. Under the totality of these circumstances, the court concluded that the statement had circumstantial guarantees of trustworthiness equivalent to any of the categorical exceptions. The trial court next found that DD's statement was the most probative evidence available concerning the actual abuse. DD did not anticipate the interview, and Ms. Bowman did not intentionally elicit incriminating information about someone other than the mother. Ms. Bowman also possessed the training to make a proper assessment of DD's credibility at the time. Defendant argues before this Court that DD's first corroborative statement, made to his mother, was more probative than his statement to Ms. Bowman. However, the record contains no information about what DD said to his mother. All that is known is that both parties stipulated at trial that DD's mother had asked him some questions about defendant's abuse before DD spoke to Ms. Bowman. [15] It is not possible to compare the value of a statement of known content with a statement of unknown content. Moreover, the statement made to Ms. Bowman is more probative than DD's testimony at trial for the same reasons that underscore the tender-years rule. As time goes on, a child's perceptions become more and more influenced by the reactions of the adults with whom the child speaks. It is for that reason that the tender-years rule prefers a child's first statement over later statements. By analogy, the child's second statement is preferable to still later statements. Similarly, if DD's mother had a motive to induce her son to lie, she would have had much more opportunity to influence him before trial than before the Bowman interview. [16] In aggregate, the trial court found that these circumstances justified the admission of DD's statement under MRE 803(24). The spontaneity of the interview, lack of motive to lie, and Ms. Bowman's interviewing methods combine to give the statement circumstantial guarantees of trustworthiness equivalent to the categorical exceptions. The unavailability of DD's first statement, the timing of the interview, and Ms. Bowman's careful conduct in eliciting information make this statement the most probative evidence of defendant's abusive acts. Having found that DD's statement met the first three requirements of MRE 803(24), the court concluded that admission would not endanger the interests of justice and ruled the statement admissible. We agree with the Court of Appeals and hold that (1) the trial court properly analyzed DD's statement under MRE 803(24), and (2) there was sufficient evidence to support the trial court's findings. Consequently, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the statement under MRE 803(24), even though the statement was not admissible under MRE 803A.
The trial court properly admitted DD's statement to Ms. Bowman under MRE 803(24), although it did not qualify for admission under MRE 803A. All the elements of MRE 803(24) were satisfied. Accordingly, there was no abuse of discretion and we affirm the decision of the Court of Appeals.