Opinion ID: 1404090
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Testimony of Dr. Walz

Text: We turn finally to Boyle's argument that the trial court abused its discretion by excluding the testimony of Dr. Patricia Walz. [3] In her proffered testimony, Dr. Walz opined that Boyle was exhausted and had some confusion on the night he killed Ms. Ivanhoe and that he suffered from various physical ailments and memory loss. Boyle argues that the State opened the door to his state of mind by offering the testimony of Shannon Bailey, who testified that Boyle told her he was available hours after Ms. Ivanhoe's death. He argues that Dr. Walz should have been allowed to state her opinion of his mental state to rebut the state's characterization of his mental state through Ms. Bailey's testimony. First, we note that Dr. Walz specifically stated in her proffered cross-examination testimony that she was not familiar with anything Boyle may have said to a booking deputy, Ms. Bailey. Furthermore, Boyle testified at trial in his own defense and had ample opportunity to explain his state of mind when he spoke to Ms. Bailey. He explained his state of mind, stating that he [could] not remember that at all. Dr. Walz's testimony was irrelevant to rebut Ms. Bailey's testimony and, therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding it on that basis. Finally, the evidence of physical ailments, sleep deprivation, confusion, and memory loss had already been introduced through other witnesses, including Boyle's treating physician and the officer who interrogated Boyle after his arrest. Therefore, Dr. Walz's opinion on Boyle's physical condition, which was obtained by reviewing the reports of the principal witnesses on these issues, was cumulative at best. While it is unclear from Boyle's argument whether he intended Dr. Walz to provide her opinion on his mental condition at the time of the murder, we hold such an opinion was inadmissible in this case. Boyle did not assert the insanity defense, and he has offered no other valid basis for admitting Dr. Walz's opinion. Hinkston v. State, 340 Ark. 530, 10 S.W.3d 906 (2000)(held that expert testimony regarding a defendant's inability to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law because of mental disease or defect is not admissible where the defendant is not asserting the insanity defense); Stewart v. State, 316 Ark. 153, 870 S.W.2d 752 (1994)(held that expert testimony on the ability of a defendant to form specific intent to murder is not admissible). We hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding Dr. Walz's testimony.