Opinion ID: 2169046
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Reference to M.W.'s Interview with Mason

Text: During opening statements, the Commonwealth informed the jury that Mason interviewed M.W., and that M.W. told her what had happened. The Commonwealth then stated that the interview was video recorded and used by counsel to prepare for trial, but that the recording would not be played because it is what we call hearsay. Appellant now claims that he was deprived of a fair trial by this reference to excluded evidence. This error is not preserved for appellate review, and Appellant requests palpable error review. RCr 10.26. An error must seriously affect the `fairness, integrity, or public reputation' of a judicial proceeding in order to be considered palpable under RCr 10.26. Page v. Commonwealth, 149 S.W.3d 416, 422 (Ky.2004) ( quoting U.S. v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 736, 113 S.Ct. 1770, 123 L.Ed.2d 508 (1993)). [T]he required showing is probability of a different result or error so fundamental as to threaten a defendant's entitlement to due process of law. Martin v. Commonwealth, 207 S.W.3d 1, 3 (Ky.2006). Assuming arguendo that the reference to the recording was error, we find no indication that a manifest injustice occurred. The fact that M.W. was interviewed by Mason was discussed extensively at trial. Defense counsel cross-examined M.W. about the interview and various statements she made to Mason. Detective Judah referenced the interview and the fact that he watched the interview take place via closed circuit television. He also mentioned that the interview was recorded absent defense objection. Mason likewise testified that the interview was recorded, again without defense objection, and was asked questions based on a transcript of the interview. In light of the repeated reference to the recording of the interview, we discern no manifest injustice resulting from the Commonwealth's statement to the jury that the recording was excluded because it contained hearsay. We emphasize that the Commonwealth did not reference any of the recording's content, simply the fact that the interview was recorded. Cf. Parker v. Commonwealth, 241 S.W.3d 805, 808-09 (Ky.2007) (holding error where recording, which was later deemed inadmissible, was played during opening statement). Even if this reference was absent from the Commonwealth's opening statement, we do not believe there exists any probability that Appellant would have been acquitted of raping M.W. Nor do we believe that Appellant's due process rights were infringed upon by the Commonwealth's explanation as to why the recording was not played for the jury.