Opinion ID: 1663845
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Diagrams from Witness Statements

Text: The witness diagrams were not provided until the first day of trial. Their late production violated RCr 7.26, which is commonly referred to as the forty-eight hour rule. RCr 7.26 provides, in pertinent part: Except for good cause shown, not later than forty-eight... hours prior to trial, the attorney for the Commonwealth shall produce all statements of any witness in the form of a document or recording in its possession which relates to the subject matter of the witness's testimony and which (a) has been signed or initialed by the witness or (b) is or purports to be a substantially verbatim statement made by the witness. Such statement shall be made available for examination and use by the defendant. The diagrams at issue fell within the scope of RCr 7.26. They were witness statements in documentary form that were in the possession of the Commonwealth. [8] Further, they were related to the subject matter of the witnesses's testimony and were signed by the witnesses. However, even if the forty-eight hour rule is violated, automatic reversal is not required. McRay v. Commonwealth, Ky.App., 675 S.W.2d 397, 400 (1984). Some prejudice must be found, or the error, if any, is harmless. Id. Gosser argues that the violation of the forty-eight rule, without demonstrating any prejudice from that violation, is sufficient for reversal. We disagree. Because Gosser has not shown that he was prejudiced by that violation, we will not disturb the trial judge's decision.