Opinion ID: 2022208
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Sherri Lunn's testimony

Text: As discussed above, Cheryl's friend, Sherri Lunn, testified at trial to conversations she had with Cheryl. Lunn's testimony, like Toni Leisure's, consisted of both hearsay and non-hearsay statements. Lunn testified that Cheryl told her she intended to divorce defendant if he would not give her a child. This statement was hearsay, offered for the truth of the matter. It also clearly fell under the state of mind exception, as it was a statement of Cheryl's then existing intention. Lunn also testified that Cheryl had told defendant that she intended to divorce him. This statement was offered not for the truth of the matter but for non-hearsay purposes, to show state of mind. The statement was simply offered to demonstrate that Cheryl was not happy with her marriage. Thus, it was not hearsay at all. Lunn's testimony showed Cheryl's intent to divorce defendant and, as such a statement of intent, it was relevant. Taylor, 659 N.E.2d at 543. Her testimony was also relevant to contest defendant's opening statement that Cheryl was happily married. Lunn's relevant testimony, like that of Leisure, was admissibleone statement as hearsay which fell under the then existing mental state exception and the others for their non-hearsay purposes.