Opinion ID: 2265280
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Exclusion of Opinion on Redirect Examination

Text: As part of defendant's case John McAllister, a probation officer, was called to testify. McAllister had known Ellis for many years and also knew Patrick. He stated that in January of 1990 he saw Ellis and Patrick together in the Garrahy Judicial Complex, when McAllister was assigned to the Sixth Division District Court. He asked Ellis what he was doing at the courthouse, and in reply Ellis stated in front of Patrick that Patrick was about to withdraw the charges against Ellis. This evidence was relevant on the issue of defendant's ill will or a lack thereof toward Patrick because of Patrick's having brought a complaint of assault with intent to murder against Ellis. McAllister testified on direct examination that defendant and Patrick seemed friendly. On cross-examination counsel for the state asked the witness whether he knew if Patrick had been threatened or was at the courthouse voluntarily. McAllister replied that he did not know. On redirect examination counsel for defendant asked McAllister if Patrick looked as though he had been threatened or was in court against his will. On the state's objection the trial justice ruled that this question was improper. The defendant argues that pursuant to Rule 701 of the Rhode Island Rules of Evidence opinion testimony by a lay witness is permissible in the following circumstances: [i]f the witness is not testifying as an expert, the witness' testimony in the form of opinions is limited to those opinions which are (A) rationally based on the perception of the witness and (B) helpful to a clear understanding of the witness' testimony or the determination of a fact in issue. The defendant further cites State v. Fogarty, 433 A.2d 972 (R.I. 1981), wherein we stated before the adoption of our present rules of evidence that the more progressive rule would be to allow the short-hand rendition of such external appearances as intoxication by lay witnesses as long as the witness has had an opportunity to observe the person and to give the concrete details on which the inference or description is founded. Id. at 976. We are in agreement with defendant's contention that the shorthand rendition of observation, such as intoxication or other bodily conditions, may be rationally based on the perception of the witness and may be helpful to a clear understanding of the witness's testimony. Nevertheless, we are of the opinion that the question in issue called for an opinion or conclusion that was neither rationally based upon the perception of the witness nor helpful to a clear understanding of the witness's testimony. There is no rational basis upon which a witness can determine that another person looks as though he has been threatened or is in court against his will. There was no inhibition against defense counsel's inquiring concerning the appearance of Patrick or the witness's perceptions that might be based upon external observations. However, it can scarcely be contended that in the ordinary course of events a lay witness is able to determine such inner feelings as might arise if a person was threatened. This is a question that a lay witness (and probably most expert witnesses) would be totally unqualified to answer. Therefore, in sustaining the objection to this question, the trial justice committed no error.