Opinion ID: 1999218
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Courtroom use of measurements.

Text: During the trial, the district attorney caused Brecken-ridge to make marks on the courtroom wall at a height of five feet, 11 inches, the height of Kieffer; and directly above, at a height of six feet nine inches, the height of the bullet hole. Another mark was made on the floor 26 feet three inches from the wall, to illustrate the distance from which the shot was fired. Defendant promptly objected to any measurements made in the courtroom. The objection was overruled. In response to the objection, and in the presence of the jury, the prosecuting attorney stated: ... I would just like to show to the jury how far away from the wall the defendant was at the time he fired the shot, where the shot went, and how much further down Mr. Kieffer was. I would propose to show that in the courtroom.... Appellant contends the statement was prejudicial error and placed the credibility of the prosecutor in issue. There was no objection to the prosecutor's statement. Furthermore, it is apparent that the measurements and the statement were based on evidence which was already in the record. While there was some doubt as to exactly where Kieffer was when the shot was fired, there was testimony which would place him in the approximate area where the shot hit the wall. The jury was afforded a view of the actual premises and there was ample credible testimony with regard to the distances involved. The marks of measurements made were not made in the presence of the jury, nor were they photographed, nor offered in evidence. Under the circumstances, appellant has failed to demonstrate, and we cannot find, that the prosecutor's credibility was put in issue or that the measurement markings constituted a gross exaggeration.