Opinion ID: 1652376
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 17

Heading: Lineup Testimony

Text: Morrow contends that Officer Campbell's testimony regarding Dante Charles and Yn Ye Kuo's reactions at a police lineup was inadmissible hearsay. Campbell testified that Charles (who witnessed the Abercrombie shooting) began to cry and shake when Morrow stepped forward at the lineup. Similarly, Campbell testified that Kuo backed away from the window, became weak kneed, and appeared to be fainting when she observed Morrow. [6] Neither Charles nor Yn Ye Kuo made an identification of Morrow. Morrow argues that the state's use of these reactions as evidence of identifications constituted hearsay and was prejudicial because it portrayed him as so evil and dangerous that he inspired spontaneous reactions of fear in people. This testimony does not fall under the commonly understood definition of hearsay an out of court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Neither Charles nor Kuo made a statement or assertion, they instead displayed physical reactions upon observing Morrow. The question of whether non-assertive conduct qualifies as hearsay has been discussed by evidence scholars for years. See 5 Wigmore, Evidence 1362, n.1 (Chadbourn rev.1974). [7] We need not enter this debate because even assuming that the testimony was improper hearsay, [8] it could not prejudice Morrow. To the extent the testimony implicated Morrow in the Abercrombie murder and the Kuo robbery, Morrow already confessed to those crimes. See Cruz, 481 U.S. at 192, 107 S.Ct. 1714. To the extent that the testimony might have implied a fearful reaction, the crimes themselves would naturally inspire fear in anyone witnessing them. There was no prejudice to Morrow in the admission of the evidence. Point denied. Morrow claims that the testimony was irrelevant. This argument is unpreserved as it was not raised in his motion for new trial. Because we find no manifest injustice or miscarriage of justice, we do not review for plain error. See Rule 30.20.