Opinion ID: 2084047
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Allowing Witness Review of Tape Recording

Text: The defendant next contends that the trial court erred by granting a recess to permit a State witness to review the tape recording, Exhibit 4, in order to lay a foundation for its admission into evidence. Officer Williamson testified that he could not positively identify the cassette by its labelling, whereupon the trial court granted a recess to permit the witness, out of the jury's presence, to listen to the cassette. After doing so, Williamson was able to positively identify the cassette recording, and the State was thus able to show a proper foundation for its admission into evidence. The defendant argues that this procedure violated his right to a fair trial by impartial judge and jury, thereby violating his right to due process of law. He urges that this procedure constituted an intervention by the trial court analogous to that found improper in Kennedy v. State (1972), 258 Ind. 211, 280 N.E.2d 611 and Decker v. State (1987), Ind. App., 515 N.E.2d 1129, which both held that it was improper for a trial judge to question witnesses in a manner calculated to impeach or discredit. The State argues that witnesses are routinely permitted to inspect documents in the course of laying a foundation for the admission of evidence. A trial judge must maintain an impartial manner and refrain from acting as an advocate for either party. Peek v. State (1983), Ind. App., 454 N.E.2d 450. However, in granting a recess and permitting the witness to listen to the cassette tape recording for possible authentication as an exhibit, the trial court was completely impartial and in no way impaired the defendant's rights to a fair trial and due process. There is no error on this issue.