Opinion ID: 2299484
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Refreshing Witness Recollection

Text: As the second basis for his appeal, the defendant asserts that the state improperly attempted to refresh his memory with the use of inadmissible statements from non-testifying witnesses where there was no actual evidence that his memory needed to be refreshed. Specifically, he asserts that because he had repeatedly testified that he did not drink, it was improper to attempt to refresh his memory on that issue. In addition, the defendant contends that the state improperly suggested that he was depressed and had been discussing girlfriend troubles on the evening prior to the collision and that these suggestions could have caused the jury to infer that he had been drinking. We have previously stated that any writing or object may be used in an effort to refresh a witness's recollection   . State v. Souza, 708 A.2d 899, 903 (R.I.1998). [I]t is not necessary that the writing thus used to refresh the memory should itself be admissible in evidence. Id. (quoting Welch & Co. v. Greene, 24 R.I. 515, 521, 54 A. 54, 56-57 (1902)). Before refreshing a witness's recollection, however, it must be apparent that the witness is unable to remember something of relevance to the matter being litigated. See McAllister v. Chase, 65 R.I. 122, 128, 13 A.2d 690, 693 (1940) (upholding an attempt to refresh a witness's recollection where the witness had already given positive testimony on a matter). After a review of the record, we are satisfied that there was ample evidence to show that the defendant was either unable or unwilling to remember much of what had occurred prior to the collision. Although he testified that he had not been drinking and that he does not drink alcohol, he also testified that he never drives and that people always give him a ride. In addition, he testified that he could not remember leaving the party; that he did not get into the car in which he was found at the scene of the collision; that he did not remember driving the car; and finally, even if he had been driving, it was his body and not his mind that did the driving. Such testimony clearly shows that a proper foundation had been laid for the state to seek to attempt to refresh the defendant's memory and that under the peculiar facts of this case, the trial justice did not err in permitting the state to attempt to refresh the defendant's memory as to whether he had been drinking and driving on the morning in question. With respect to the defendant's assertion that the state improperly suggested that he was depressed, the record reveals that it was the defendant, not the state, who put that matter before the jury. During the trial, the state merely asked him whether a certain non-testifying witness's statement could serve to refresh his memory about meeting that witness during the evening prior to the collision. In a non-responsive answer to that question, the defendant stated that he had not been depressed. The state then asked the defendant if he recalled having discussions about his girlfriend. Previously, there had been no testimony concerning a discussion with the defendant's girlfriend; however, before the defendant could answer, defense counsel objected and a conference occurred at the side bar whereupon the state withdrew the question. Consequently, no error resulted. For the foregoing reasons, the defendant's appeal is denied and dismissed, the judgment of the Superior Court is affirmed, and the case papers are remanded to the Superior Court.