Opinion ID: 1891504
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Testimony of Defense Expert in Eyewitness Identification

Text: In his next issue on appeal, Simmons argues that the trial court erred in refusing to admit Dr. John Brigham's expert testimony concerning the psychological factors that contribute to erroneous witness identifications when law enforcement officers use suggestive techniques. In Johnson v. State, 438 So.2d 774 (Fla. 1983), this Court found no error in a trial court's refusal to allow such expert testimony: A trial court has wide discretion concerning the admissibility of evidence and the range of subjects about which an expert can testify. Jent v. State, 408 So.2d 1024 (Fla.1981), cert. denied, 457 U.S. 1111, 102 S.Ct. 2916, 73 L.Ed.2d 1322 (1982); Johnson v. State, 393 So.2d 1069 (Fla.1980), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 882, 102 S.Ct. 364, 70 L.Ed.2d 191 (1981). Expert testimony should be excluded when the facts testified to are of such nature as not to require any special knowledge or experience in order for the jury to form its conclusions. We hold that a jury is fully capable of assessing a witness' ability to perceive and remember, given the assistance of cross-examination and cautionary instructions, without the aid of expert testimony. Id. at 777 (citation omitted). Subsequently, in McMullen v. State, 714 So.2d 368 (Fla.1998), this Court considered whether the same expert witness, Dr. Brigham, was improperly excluded as a witness when offering similar testimony. This Court concluded that the admission of such testimony is within the discretion of the trial judge and that . . . the trial judge did not abuse that discretionary authority by refusing to allow the introduction of the expert testimony. Id. at 369. This Court stated in McMullen that Florida follows the discretionary view articulated in Johnson regarding the admissibility of expert witness testimony concerning the reliability of eyewitness testimony. Id. at 370-71. Dr. Brigham stated in his proffered testimony in the present case that he would testify at trial to issues similar to those in McMullen. Under our case law we conclude the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in disallowing Dr. Brigham's testimony.