Opinion ID: 1058965
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Documents Related to the Caprice

Text: During the testimony of Christopher O'Kupski, a used car salesman from New Jersey, the trial court admitted certain paperwork related to the ownership and transfer of title for the Caprice. In assignment of error 48, Muhammad argues that the trial court erred in admitting these documents because they were not properly authenticated and were hearsay. Exhibit 65 consisted of four documents: the temporary car tag, a registration application, a reassignment form, and the original title to the Caprice. Upon questioning by the trial court, the witness stated that he had filled out the documents, with the exception of the registration application which is a form regularly used by the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles. Assuming, without deciding that the admission of any or all of these documents was improper, the error would be harmless. The evidence was offered to show Muhammad's purchase of and connection to the Caprice. Considering O'Kupski's testimony apart from the documents themselves, and the extensive evidence of Muhammad's connection to the Caprice, if the trial court erred, such error was most certainly harmless error.