Opinion ID: 2183372
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Authentication of Letters

Text: Appellant challenges the admissibility of State's exhibits 62 and 63, two letters in an ongoing correspondence between defendant and Cathy Toy. The State alleged that the letters, which alluded to participation in the robbery, were written by defendant. Appellant charges that neither document was sufficiently authenticated. Generally, proof of authentication is required before documents may be admitted; the admissibility of such documents is within the discretion of the trial court and will be reversed only on a clear showing of error. Ashley v. State (1986), Ind., 493 N.E.2d 768, 773. Melanie (Brooks) Smith identified the handwriting in the majority of the letters offered as that of defendant. She also testified about appellant's frequent use of certain phrases and the familiar smiley face insignia. This authentication is sufficient, as anyone familiar with a person's writing is competent to give an opinion as to the genuineness of his handwriting. Spencer v. State (1958), 237 Ind. 622, 626, 147 N.E.2d 581, 583. However, exhibits 62 and 63 were not identified by Melanie, and appellant argues that this renders the authentication insufficient. The two letters in question were identified by Toy as letters she had received from the defendant. The envelopes bore the defendant's return address, and the letters were signed Michael. These letters contained the same phrases identified by Ms. Smith in the earlier letters, as well as the smiley face insignia. Additionally, the letters referred to family matters confirmed by defendant's mother, details of the pending charges against defendant and Toy, and descriptions of tattoos worn by Brooks (the latter verified by an inspection in court). Authentication has been deemed sufficient when the witness knew the alleged author and had corresponded with him, and where the envelope bore the author's return address and the letter contained familiar references and the author's signature. Kern v. State (1981), Ind., 426 N.E.2d 385, 387. Likewise, the authentication in this case was sufficient to support the admission of these exhibits.