Opinion ID: 2544581
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: The Testimony of Officer Henderson

Text: Kendall next argues that the trial court erred in allowing Officer Henderson, who arrived at the scene after Officer Ogburn, to testify that, in his opinion, Kendall was under the influence of alcohol. Kendall objected to the testimony at trial. He argues that the testimony was tantamount to an opinion regarding his guilt or innocence and was a determination that should have been left to thejury. The admissibility of evidence lies within the sound discretion of the trial court. Judicial discretion is abused only when no reasonable person would take the view adopted by the trial court. State v. Villanueva, 274 Kan. 20, 49 P.3d 481, 487 (2002). K.S.A. 60-456 governs the admissibility of opinion testimony, and says: (a) If the witness is not testifying as an expert his or her testimony in the form of opinions or inferences is limited to such opinions or inferences as the judge finds (a) may be rationally based on the perception of the witness and (b) are helpful to a clearer understanding of his or her testimony. (b) If the witness is testifying as an expert, testimony of the witness in the form of opinions or inferences is limited to such opinions as the judge finds are (1) based on facts or data perceived by or personally known or made known to the witness at the hearing and (2) within the scope of the special knowledge, skill, experience or training possessed by the witness. (c) Unless the judge excludes the testimony he or she shall be deemed to have made the finding requisite to its admission. (d) Testimony in the form of opinions or inferences otherwise admissible under this article is not objectionable because it embraces the ultimate issue or issues to be decided by the trier of the fact. At trial, the State offered Officer Henderson's opinion as either expert or lay testimony. It matters little, since either type of testimony is acceptable even though it embraces the ultimate issue to be decided by the jury. In City of Dodge City v. Hadley, 262 Kan. 234, 936 P.2d 1347 (1997), we considered whether the trial court abused its discretion in admitting the opinion testimony of police officers on the issues of whether Hadley was intoxicated and whether he could safely operate a vehicle. We found no abuse of discretion, observing that the officers did not express an opinion that Hadley was guilty of the crime. Further, we noted that even if admitting the evidence was error, it was harmless, pointing out that Hadley had a bench trial, not a jury trial, and the other evidence against him was overwhelming. 262 Kan. at 239-42. Here, as in Hadley, Officer Henderson did not opine that Kendall was guilty of a crime. Officer Henderson simply stated that, in his opinion, Kendall was under the influence of alcohol. Further, the testimony of Officer Ogburn provided ample evidence on the subject. Officer Ogburn testified without objection that, given the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and Kendall's poor balance, he believed Kendall had been drinking and was probably intoxicated or, at least, impaired. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the opinion testimony of Officer Henderson.