Opinion ID: 1577275
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Defense Efforts to Introduce Expert Eyewitness Identification Testimony

Text: Subsequently, the defense filed notice of its intent to introduce expert testimony at trial on factors that might affect the reliability of the State's eyewitness identifications. It conceded Louisiana courts have been cautious in admitting expert testimony regarding the reliability of eyewitness identifications for fear of improperly influencing and invading the province of the jury, citing State v. Stucke, 419 So.2d 939 (La.1982). However, it urged that scientific advances in the study of eyewitness identifications since Stucke indicates the probative value of the admission of expert testimony on the subject, when properly admitted, outweighs any prejudicial effect on the jury's decision-making process. The defense anticipated the State would ask the district court to perform its function as gatekeeper to the admissibility of expert testimony under Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 113 S.Ct. 2786, 125 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993), which this Court adopted in State v. Foret, 628 So.2d 1116, 1121 (La.1993), and requested a hearing to address the proposed testimony. The State opposed the hearing, citing jurisprudence from this Court disallowing expert testimony on the reliability of eyewitness testimony. Over the State's objection, the district court proceeded with the hearing. The defendant's proposed expert, Dr. Roy S. Malpass, Ph.D., a Texas psychology professor, testified regarding his credentials and education. He summarized his publications, professional affiliations, past and present research in facial recognition and eyewitness identification, and prior acceptance in other jurisdictions as an expert in the psychology of eyewitness identifications. Following cross-examination, the State conceded the witness was an expert in the field of psychology, but urged that the psychology of eyewitness identification is not a discipline recognized in the scientific community. The court directed its own questions to Dr. Malpass. Subsequently, the court accepted the witness as an expert in the science of psychology with a special emphasis in the field of eyewitness identification. Thereafter, Dr. Malpass testified that he had reviewed the police reports and found that the case presents issues of cross-race identification, gun focus, the effects of stress, estimates of confidence, and the impact of identification protocol on the outcome. He testified in general about these factors based on his research. Following the parties' submission of written argument on the issue of the admissibility of Dr. Malpass' testimony, the district court ruled that the defense's expert would be permitted to testify at trial. Relying on its gatekeeping function articulated in Daubert and Foret, the court stated that the proposed testimony would be relevant in the event the State utilized eyewitness identifications at trial. The State sought writs from the court of appeal contending the district court abused its discretion in finding that the proposed expert testimony would be relevant and not confusing to the jury. The court of appeal denied the State's writ application with one dissent. The dissenting member of the panel would have granted the writ to reverse the district court. He assigned the following reasons: A witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education may testify if scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue. La.Code Crim. P. art. 702. The requirement that an expert's testimony pertain to scientific knowledge establishes a standard of evidentiary reliability. Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 590, 113 S.Ct. 2786, 2795, 125 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993). Herein, defendant failed to show that the proposed expert testimony on eyewitness identification met the standard of evidentiary reliability. Moreover, the prejudicial effect of the proposed testimony outweighs its probative value because of the substantial risk that the expert witness will have a greater influence on the jury than other evidence presented at trial. Such evidence presents the danger of invading the province of the jury and usurping its function. See State v. Higgins , XXXX-XXXX (La.4/1/05), 898 So.2d 1219, 1240; State v. Stucke, 419 So.2d 939 (La.1982). State v. Young, unpub., 09-0154 (La.App. 1 Cir. 5/14/09) (Kuhn, J., dissenting). This Court granted the State's application for certiorari to review the correctness of the district court's action regarding the admissibility of the proposed expert's testimony. State v. Young, 09-1177 (La.9/18/09), 17 So.3d 383.