Opinion ID: 2139457
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Evidence of Letica's Prior Criminal History at Sentencing Hearing

Text: Letica contends that the trial court erred in permitting prejudicial testimony at his sentencing hearing. The State introduced a certified record from the Lake County Clerk's office concerning one of Letica's prior convictions as reflected in the pre-sentence report. This certified record was admitted without objection, but was not included in the record on appeal. Letica does not now challenge the introduction of this record, but rather maintains that the trial court erred in allowing a police officer's testimony regarding prior crimes charged. Letica does acknowledge, however, that strict rules of evidence do not apply in sentencing hearings and that hearsay evidence, including evidence of prior crimes, is admissible. Lasley v. State (1987), Ind., 510 N.E.2d 1340, 1342. Letica maintains, however, that the trial court committed reversible error in allowing a former desk sergeant with the New Chicago Police Department to testify regarding an investigation of the facts underpinning the crime to which Letica pled guilty. Because the officer was unable to identify Letica in court, Letica urges that the trial court committed reversible error in allowing the officer to testify. Because Letica did not object to such testimony on this basis, he has preserved no error with regard to this issue. Bedgood v. State (1985), Ind., 477 N.E.2d 869, 872. Moreover, a defendant retains the right to refute any inaccurate or improper information. Lang v. State (1984), Ind., 461 N.E.2d 1110, 1115. Letica did not challenge the officer's testimony. We see no error, fundamental or otherwise, in allowing the officer to testify. This testimony included not only partial confessions given by Letica himself, but also statements from the victims of these crimes. Letica had the opportunity to refute any of this information that was inaccurate. He did not attempt to explain, deny, or state his version of the alleged incidents. Nor did he request a continuance of the sentencing hearing to refute this testimony. Accordingly, the trial court properly received such testimony during the sentencing hearing concerning Letica's history of criminal misconduct. Letica presents no reversible error on this issue.