Opinion ID: 422249
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Exclusion of Crosby's Prior Writings and Statements

Text: 11 During the course of trial, Crosby attempted to introduce into evidence various out-of-court writings and oral statements. These statements included a purported journal compiled by Crosby between 1972 and 1982, as well as other poetry and writings Crosby alleged illustrated the mental problems he suffered as a result of his experience in Vietnam. Crosby offered these materials in evidence under Fed.R.Evid. 801(d)(1)(B), which allows admission of a prior statement of the witness if offered to rebut an express or implied charge of recent fabrication. 5 12 Crosby claims that the trial court's exclusion of these materials was reversible error because they would have supported his contention that he had been suffering from the effects of PTSD for several years prior to the incident at the VA Hospital. The government contends that the statements were merely a selected compilation of prose writings and poetry which could not purport to be an accurate, chronological recitation of past events. Additionally, the writings were incomplete, were perhaps affected by Crosby's admitted drug and alcohol problems, and were cumulative of other testimony. As such, they were properly excluded under Rule 403 of the Federal Rules of Evidence. 6 13 A trial court has broad discretion regarding the admission of cumulative statements. This discretion to exclude is particularly appropriate when dealing with essentially cumulative evidence ... or for evidence adding only a minor 'incremental probity' , United States v. Mock, 640 F.2d 629, 632 (5th Cir.1981), quoting United States v. Beechum, 582 F.2d 898, 914 (5th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 440 U.S. 920, 99 S.Ct. 1244, 59 L.Ed.2d 472 (1979). 14 A review of the record reveals that Crosby's wife, who had read the journals, testified in detail about their contents, as well as about the problems Crosby had suffered since he returned from Vietnam. Crosby's own expert witness, Dr. C.W. Scrignar, also had reviewed the writings and referred to them repeatedly during his testimony. Scrignar stated that the writings were one of the most important bases for his conclusion that Crosby was indeed suffering from PTSD at the time of the Veterans Administration incident and therefore not responsible for his actions. Crosby's mother, brother, friends, and Crosby himself described complaints of sleeplessness and nightmares and the changes in Crosby's personality which had occurred subsequent to his return from Vietnam. It is clear that whatever probative value the writings may have had was established by the testimony of other witnesses. Moreover, the statements were convoluted and voluminous, their reliability questionable, and it was not established that they consisted of all such documents. Under these conditions, the district court's decision to exclude this evidence was proper and certainly not an abuse of the court's discretion. 7