Opinion ID: 2295337
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Smith's Testimony

Text: [¶ 8] Mooney argues that the court abused its discretion by permitting Smith to testify concerning observations she made regarding the incident between Mooney and Brine that were not detailed in her written report because the State failed to comply with the automatic discovery provisions of M.R.Crim. P. 16(a). We disagree. [¶ 9] We review a trial court's decision to exclude or admit evidence for an abuse of discretion or clear error. State v. Waterman, 2010 ME 45, ¶ 35, 995 A.2d 243 (quotation marks omitted). Pursuant to M.R.Crim. P. 16, [4] the State is required to disclose certain information in the State's possession or control to a defendant, and to make a reasonable inquiry to uncover material relevant to the case against the defendant. State v. Foy, 662 A.2d 238, 242 (Me. 1995). The primary purpose of the Rule is to protect the defendant from any unfair prejudice. Id. (quotation marks omitted). A failure to comply with the Rule's provisions may result in the trial court's excluding the specified evidence. State v. Sanborn, 644 A.2d 475, 479 (Me.1994). [¶ 10] Smith's observations concerning the shanks, which were not detailed in her report, do not fall within the plain language of the Rule; therefore, the State was under no obligation to provide that evidence to Mooney for purposes of automatic discovery. See M.R.Crim. P. 16(a); see also State v. Griffin, 642 A.2d 1332, 1333-34 (Me.1994) (concluding that a law enforcement officer's testimony regarding his reactions to the defendant's threats in a terrorizing case was not subject to automatic discovery pursuant to M.R.Crim. P. 16(a) even though it established an element of the crime charged and the defendant was in custody when he made the threats to the law enforcement officer). Additionally, Mooney did not file a motion for a continuance when he became aware that Smith was going to testify about her observations of the incident beyond those contained in her written report. As a result, the court did not abuse its discretion by admitting Smith's testimony. See Foy, 662 A.2d at 242.