Opinion ID: 1390030
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Claim Re Josh Ryen's Videotape/Audiotape Testimony is DENIED on the Merits

Text: Petitioner alleges that his federal constitutional rights were violated because of the admission of videotape and audiotape evidence. (Pet. at 47-52.) The Court disagrees. The jury heard two taped statements of Joshua Ryen pursuant to a stipulation. The first was a videotape of a December 9, 1984 interview in which Josh, then age ten, was questioned under oath by the prosecutor and defense counsel. The second was an audiotape of a December 1, 1983 interview with Dr. Lorna Forbes, his treating psychiatrist and a specialist in treating children who survived the murder of a family member. Josh did not identify anyone as the assailant. (95 RT 4932-70; 4971-73; Trial Exs. 641, 642.) The defense received a benefit from the stipulation, as Josh Ryen did not identify his assailant and the jury heard of his earlier statement concerning three Hispanic workers coming to the ranch. The defense also avoided the drama and sympathy that would have undoubted occurred had the defense called victim Josh Ryen to the stand in the trial and heard his firsthand recollection about a man with bushy hair. (4/22/05 HRT 133.) Petitioner's claim was also denied by the state court on independent and adequate state grounds. This Court defers to the denial of Petitioner's claim on the merits by the California Supreme Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d). Accordingly, Petitioner's claim is DENIED on the merits.