Opinion ID: 2222135
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 17

Heading: jeanette cook's letter

Text: As his fourth assignment of error, Cook asserts that the district court erred in disallowing evidence of the contents of the letter written to Cook by Jeanette. We conclude that Cook has demonstrated no exception to the hearsay rule which would allow admission of the letter. Cook argues it was error to refuse to admit the letter into evidence because the letter was relevant to assess Jeanette's credibility and it gave evidence of Cook's relationship and history with Hornbacher which would explain Cook's actions in covering up for Hornbacher after Hornbacher allegedly killed Stahlecker. Cook argues that the letter was not hearsay because it was not offered to prove the truth of the matters asserted but to prove that the statements were made. We agree with the State's argument that the letter was hearsay and that Cook has demonstrated no exception to the hearsay rules that would allow its introduction into evidence. Hearsay is defined in § 27-801(3) as a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted, and Neb.Rev.Stat. § 27-802 (Reissue 1995) provides that hearsay is not admissible except as provided by other rules. Although Cook argues the letter was not hearsay, the only apparent purpose for admitting the letter as evidence was to prove the truth of the matters asserted regarding the nature and history of Cook's friendship with Hornbacher. There was no apparent purpose in proving the mere fact that Jeanette was the author of the letter, particularly considering that the letter was never given to Cook and therefore could not have affected his actions. Further, the letter does not appear relevant to assessing Jeanette's credibility because Cook has demonstrated no inconsistency between statements she made in the letter and statements she made at trial. We therefore conclude the district court did not err in sustaining the State's objection to the letter, and we reject Cook's fourth assignment of error.