Opinion ID: 2594069
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Opinion as to Mr. Sanchez's Credibility

Text: [¶45] Mr. Sanchez next asserts that Dr. Sirotnak impermissibly testified regarding Mr. Sanchez's credibility. Specifically, he claims it was improper for Dr. Sirotnak to comment upon Mr. Sanchez's version of events being inconsistent with the doctor's opinion of the cause of death. Mr. Sanchez did not raise an objection to the district court, thus limiting our review to a search for plain error. Gayler v. State, 957 P.2d 855, 860 (Wyo. 1998). [¶46] Dr. Sirotnak testified that the various versions of the incident leading to JZ's death, provided by Mr. Sanchez, were inconsistent with the injuries JZ sustained: [DR. SIROTNAK] . . . This injury of did his knee hit his chest? [D]id his knee or the door hit his chest? [W]as it just the door? Was it the knee and the door and the tricycle? [W]as it the door and the tricycle, it just evolves. None of it makes clinical sense that the severity of the head bump from that kind of fall from a standing height, whether or not he was pushed forward by a knee or a door or both, it does not explain the severity of this child's massive left-sided injury. [¶47] The credibility of witnesses and the guilt of the accused are questions for the jury to resolve. Gayler, 957 P.2d at 860. A witness, lay or expert, is not permitted to articulate an opinion as to the guilt of the accused under W.R.E. 704. Stephens v. State, 774 P.2d 60 (Wyo. 1989). The obvious reason is that opinion testimony about guilt or innocence does not address areas that assist the jury in resolving factual issues. Bennett v. State, 794 P.2d 879 (Wyo. 1990). Armstrong, 826 P.2d at 1111. See also McCone v. State, 866 P.2d 740, 751 (Wyo. 1993) (no witness should be permitted to testify that another witness is or is not telling the truth). [¶48] However, testimony assisting the jury `in understanding some aspect of the testimony of another witness that does not comment directly on that witness' credibility or veracity, is not invasive of the role of the jury.' Seward v. State, 2003 WY 116, ¶ 19, 76 P.3d 805, 814 (Wyo. 2003) (emphasis added) (quoting Saldana v. State, 846 P.2d 604, 618 (Wyo. 1993)); Curl, 898 P.2d at 374 (stating [a]lthough that testimony might have had the collateral or incidental effect of supporting VD's credibility, it was not a direct comment on his credibility or veracity and cannot be said to constitute error). [¶49] Although Dr. Sirotnak discussed the implausibility of the explanations for JZ's injury given by Mr. Sanchez, Dr. Sirotnak did not comment directly on Mr. Sanchez's veracity or his credibility. He was explaining his opinion that JZ's injuries were not consistent with an accident. We find no error.