Opinion ID: 2316958
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Motion to Strike the Word Story

Text: Mr. Mann's second contention is that the trial justice's denial of his motion to strike the word story from Officer Greene's testimony constituted reversible error. When asked to describe what happened when he arrived at the police station with defendant, Officer Greene explained that he again read Mr. Mann his constitutional rights and asked him about the tools. After that inquiry, Officer Greene testified that once again he provided me the same story is [ sic ] that he bought the screw guns for $35 each and the compactor from a gentleman at a lemonade stand on Broad Street in Providence for $400. The defendant immediately objected to the word story, requesting that the witness be directed to use the word statement. On appeal, he asserts that the word story implies dishonesty, and that the jury may well have interpreted Officer Greene's use of the word as an indication that he did not believe that defendant was telling the truth. He further contends that such a characterization, coming from a police officer, probably would have a tremendous impact on the jury, to defendant's detriment. This argument fails on a foundational level. We first make the fundamental observation that [t]he determination of the truthfulness or credibility of a witness lies within the exclusive province of the jury. State v. Lassiter, 836 A.2d 1096, 1107 (R.I.2003) (quoting State v. Haslam, 663 A.2d 902, 905 (R.I.1995)). A lay witness may not invade the jury's fact-finding role by proffering an opinion, unless that opinion is based upon personal perception and helps the jury. State v. Barrett, 768 A.2d 929, 940 (R.I.2001); see also R.I. R. Evid. 701. The testimony against which we apply the general prohibition in Rule 701, however, either must state a literal opinion or one with the same substantive import. See, e.g., State v. Higham, 865 A.2d 1040, 1045 (R.I.2004); Haslam, 663 A.2d at 905; State v. Tavares, 590 A.2d 867, 870-71 (R.I.1991) (citing Commonwealth v. Montanino, 409 Mass. 500, 567 N.E.2d 1212 (1991)). Other than citing a dictionary definition of the word, the defendant provides no evidence that the manner in which Officer Greene employed the word story constituted an opinion, literally or figuratively. Nor do we construe from the context of Officer Greene's overall testimony his use of the word as commentary on Mr. Mann's veracity. See State v. Lyons, 725 A.2d 271, 276 (R.I. 1999) (reviewing the offending statements in the context of the witness's overall testimony before the jury); State v. Brown, 709 A.2d 465, 479 (R.I.1998) (same). One need not be initiated in any esoteric jargon or patois to understand the word story; rather, it is a word of everyday usage. We are satisfied that, in this case, the jury was capable of properly interpreting the word within the context of Officer Greene's testimony. We hold, therefore, that the trial justice did not abuse his discretion in refusing to strike Officer Greene's testimony.