Opinion ID: 2399306
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the reading of Ramsey's testimony

Text: Johnson claims that the trial court erred in granting the jurors' request for Ramsey's testimony to be read to them during their deliberations, particularly since the trial court did not issue contemporaneous, cautionary instructions. Generally, the determination whether to grant a request from jurors for a reading of a portion of the trial testimony during deliberations for the purpose of refreshing its recollection rests within the discretion of the trial court. See Commonwealth v. Peterman, 430 Pa. 627, 631, 244 A.2d 723, 726 (1968). The reading of the testimony does not implicate reversible error, provided that it does not place undue emphasis on one witness's testimony. See id. at 631-32, 244 A.2d at 726. In the present case, the trial court allowed the testimony to be read only after the jury's second request and undertook considerable precautions to ensure the accuracy of the reading, such as directing that it occur on the record and instructing the jurors that their own recollection should control in the event of any inconsistencies. In addition, the court required that the testimony be read in its entirety, including the direct and cross-examinations, so that neither portion received greater emphasis. Further, the jury previously received a detailed instruction from the court that the evidence regarding Johnson's drug involvement was admitted solely for the purpose of establishing motive, see supra, which instruction the jury is presumed to have followed. See Commonwealth v. Baker, 531 Pa. 541, 559, 614 A.2d 663, 672 (1992). In such circumstances, we find little basis for concluding that the trial court abused its discretion in granting the jury's request.