Opinion ID: 2232664
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Testimony Referring to Frazier's Statement

Text: Baker next claims that error occurred when the State was allowed to elicit testimony from Officer Troutner that he saw Frazier in the neighborhood just after the burglary and that Frazier told him his car had broken down. Baker's objection was that the evidence of Frazier's statement about his car was impermissible hearsay evidence. We disagree. Hearsay evidence is evidence offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Winningham v. State (1982), Ind., 432 N.E.2d 24. Clearly, the State was not attempting to prove the truth of Frazier's statement that his car had broken down; thus, the evidence was not hearsay. Baker has not shown a basis on which this testimony should have been excluded. The testimony that Frazier was near the scene and concocted a reason for his presence was relevant to bolster the State's contention that Frazier and Baker had gone to the house together, but that Frazier was stranded when Baker fled in the car. The court properly admitted the officer's testimony.