Opinion ID: 1112237
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: evidence of estrada's burglary arrest.

Text: Estrada argues that State violated his due process and fair trial rights by essentially sneaking in evidence of an unrelated burglary which the jury did not know he was acquitted of. State counters that Bettencourt had used Estrada's fingerprint exemplar (to cross-examine a prosecution witness), knew it was an exhibit, yet failed to make a timely objection, so waived any error. State also argues the exemplar was mistakenly submitted to the jury, and no prejudice was intended. Estrada's fingerprint exemplar was part of State's Exhibit 78 (hereinafter Exhibit 78) titled Latent Fingerprints of Keith Taguma. What apparently happened is that State's Exhibit 78 was submitted to the jury with neither party realizing that Estrada's exemplar was also included. Both State and Bettencourt are at fault for not checking Exhibit 78 thoroughly and thereby avoiding this problem. But only if this court concludes beyond a reasonable doubt that the evidence had not contributed to the guilty verdict will the conviction be upheld. State v. Kahinu, 53 Haw. 536, 498 P.2d 635 (1972), cert. denied, 409 U.S. 1126, 93 S.Ct. 944, 35 L.Ed.2d 258 (1973). Because Estrada's substantial due process rights to a fair trial are implicated, we will notice plain error under HRPP Rule 52(b), notwithstanding Bettencourt's failure to timely object and bring this issue to Judge Mossman's attention. State v. Marsh, 68 Haw. ___, 728 P.2d 1301 (1986). Unquestionably, Estrada's fingerprint exemplar was inadmissible evidence of an unrelated crime under HRE rule 404(b). State v. Pokini, 57 Haw. 17, 548 P.2d 1397 (1976). Exhibit 78 also contained, moreover, fingerprint exemplars of Gamit (for Alien Possession of a Firearm) and a Romula Estrada (for Hindering Prosecution). The jury knew Gamit was with Estrada during the shooting and could have easily inferred that Romulo Estrada was a relative. Not only was the jury aware of Estrada's criminal record but might have also been prejudiced by the assumption that he associated with other criminals. State v. Medeiros, 1 Haw. App. 536, 621 P.2d 986 (1981). The evidence in this case was close as shown by the large amounts of evidence presented by both sides and the long, three-day deliberation the jury required to reach its verdict. The jury could easily have been prejudiced into convicting Estrada based on his and his associates' fingerprint exemplars. State v. Huihui, 62 Haw. 142, 612 P.2d 115 (1980). There was no overwhelming, uncontradicted evidence of guilt, so the submission of Exhibit 78 to the jury cannot be deemed harmless. See State v. Pulawa, 62 Haw. 209, 614 P.2d 373 (1980). Judge Mossman, moreover, failed to conduct a voir dire to determine the extent of any jury prejudice. State v. Keliiholokai, 58 Haw. 356, 569 P.2d 891 (1977). Because of the improper submission of those inadmissible portions of Exhibit 78 to the jury, we must conclude that the error is not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Domingo, 69 Haw. ___, 733 P.2d 690 (1987). Plain error thus occurred. See State v. LaRue, 68 Haw. ___, 722 P.2d 1039 (1986).