Opinion ID: 1703071
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Interpretation of La.C.Cr.P. art. 905.2(A)

Text: Interpreting La.C.Cr.P. art. 905.2(A), we must remain mindful of the framework the law gives us for statutory interpretation. It is well established that criminal statutes are to be strictly construed. La.R.S. 14:3. Any doubt as to the extent of the coverage of a criminal statute must be decided in favor of the accused and against the State. State ex rel. Mims v. Butler, 601 So.2d 649 (La.1992). When a law is clear and unambiguous and its application does not lead to absurd consequences, the law shall be applied as written and no further interpretation may be made in search of the intent of the legislature. La.C.C. art. 9. The words of a law must be given their generally prevailing meaning. La.C.C. art. 11. Currently, article 905.2(A), as amended by Acts 1999, No. 783, § 3 provides: The sentencing hearing shall focus on the circumstances of the offense, the character and propensities of the offender, and the victim, and the impact that the death of the victim has had on family members, friends, and associates. Family members, friends, and associates may decline the right to testify but, after testifying for the state, shall be subject to cross-examination. The hearing shall be conducted according to the rules of evidence. Evidence relative to aggravating or mitigating circumstances shall be relevant irrespective of whether the defendant places his character at issue. Insofar as applicable, the procedure shall be the same as that provided for trial in the Code of Criminal Procedure. The jury may consider any evidence offered at the trial on the issue of guilt. The defendant may testify in his own behalf. In the event of retrial the defendant's testimony shall not be admissible except for the purposes of impeachment. (emphasis added) Article 905.2(A) states that the sentencing hearing shall focus on the circumstances of the offense, the character and propensities of the offender, and the victim, and the impact that the death of the victim has had on family members, friends and associates. As written, article 905.2(A) provides for the testimony of family members, friends and associates only when the victim dies. It is our position that if the legislature intended to allow victim impact evidence in capital cases where the victim survives, it would have substituted the phrase impact that the crime had on the victim and has had on the family members in the place of the phrase impact that the death had on the victim and has had on family members. Absent express legislative intent, this Court is confined to the words of the statute as written, victim impact evidence is only allowed where the crime results in the death of the victim. Based on the above, we conclude that the trial court erred by allowing the victims' mothers' testimony. La.C.Cr.P. art. 905.2 does not provide for such testimony absent the death of the victim. Accordingly, the judgments of the trial court and the court of appeal, allowing the testimony of the victims' mothers is hereby reversed.