Opinion ID: 2111897
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Harmless Error and Overwhelming Evidence.

Text: In a jury trial of a criminal case, whether an error in admitting or excluding evidence reaches a constitutional dimension or not, an erroneous evidential ruling results in prejudice to a defendant unless the State demonstrates that the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Cox, 231 Neb. 495, 504, 437 N.W.2d 134, 140 (1989). Accord, State v. Lonnecker, supra ; State v. Messersmith, supra . Harmless error exists in a jury trial of a criminal case when there is some incorrect conduct by the trial court which, on review of the entire record, did not materially influence the jury in a verdict adverse to a substantial right of the defendant. State v. Watkins, 227 Neb. 677, 686, 419 N.W.2d 660, 666 (1988). Accord, State v. Dixon, 237 Neb. 630, 467 N.W.2d 397 (1991); State v. Cox, supra . Lang's testimony was the only evidence on Coleman's incarceration. While it is true that evidence is accumulated in the course of a trial to determine a defendant's guilt, not all evidence is cumulative. Cumulative evidence means tending to prove the same point to which other evidence has been offered. Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged 553 (1981). Therefore, Lang's testimony was not cumulative evidence concerning Coleman's incarceration. In the trial of a criminal case, erroneous admission of evidence which is not cumulative may constitute harmless error beyond a reasonable doubt, when a defendant's conviction is supported by overwhelming evidence which has been properly admitted or admitted without objection. See State v. Watkins, supra . In contrast with the preceding, we have expressed the harmless error standard pertaining to erroneous admission of cumulative evidence: Erroneous admission of evidence is harmless error and does not require reversal if the evidence erroneously admitted is cumulative and other relevant evidence, properly admitted, or admitted without objection, supports the finding by the trier of fact. State v. Cox, supra, 231 Neb. at 504, 437 N.W.2d at 140. Accord, State v. Messersmith, supra (erroneous admission of cumulative evidence; no reversible error); State v. Twohig, 238 Neb. 92, 469 N.W.2d 344 (1991) (erroneous admission of cumulative evidence; no reversible error). For other Nebraska decisions reflecting the overwhelming evidence standard, which renders erroneously admitted noncumulative evidence harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, see, State v. Chapman, 234 Neb. 369, 451 N.W.2d 263 (1990); State v. Oliva, 228 Neb. 185, 422 N.W.2d 53 (1988); State v. Smith, 218 Neb. 201, 352 N.W.2d 620 (1984); State v. Weible, 211 Neb. 174, 317 N.W.2d 920 (1982); State v. Van Egmond, 206 Neb. 356, 293 N.W.2d 74 (1980); and State v. Stewart, 197 Neb. 497, 250 N.W.2d 849 (1977). The overwhelming evidence standard in relation to harmless error has been adopted by several jurisdictions other than Nebraska; for example, Justice v. State, 775 P.2d 1002 (Wyo.1989); Jones v. State, 536 N.E.2d 267 (Ind.1989); State v. Lafferty, 749 P.2d 1239 (Utah 1988); State v. DePew, 38 Ohio St.3d 275, 528 N.E.2d 542 (1988); Com. v. Bricker, 378 Pa.Super. 265, 548 A.2d 604 (1988); People v. Rodgers, 756 P.2d 980 (Colo. 1988); U.S. v. Moore, 872 F.2d 251 (8th Cir.1989); U.S. v. Gonzalez, 833 F.2d 1464 (11th Cir.1987); and United States v. Ackerman, 704 F.2d 1344 (5th Cir.1983). Although Lang's testimony concerning Coleman's statement about previous incarceration was irrelevant and, therefore, should have been excluded, there was other evidence before the jury, admitted without objection or properly admitted over objection, which tended to establish Coleman's guilt, such as the circumstances surrounding Coleman's arrest during the traffic stop and his statements. For example, Coleman acknowledged that he was a user of cocaine; had purchased the crack cocaine discovered during the traffic stop; and, regarding that cocaine, was going to use it, since it was a new thing to do. Anthony Coleman, as the only occupant of the back seat in the Buick, had easy access to the back seat ashtray where the crack cocaine was found, became frightened at the police traffic stop, and put the cocaine in the Buick's ashtray on the back of the passenger seat immediately in front of himself. Additionally, Coleman fessed up to the fact that he was the person in possession of the cocaine discovered during the traffic stop because he did not want to get Branch and his nephew in trouble. Any prejudice which might have resulted from Lang's testimony regarding Coleman's previous incarceration shortly before his arrest on November 29, 1989, pales by comparison with the damaging effect and, therefore, prejudice to Coleman's case as the result of his incriminating statements and the circumstances of his arrest. We conclude that the overwhelming evidence in Coleman's case renders the erroneous admission of Lang's testimony about Coleman's previous incarceration harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Consequently, admission of Lang's testimony in question does not require reversal of Coleman's conviction. We note the proposition expressed in the State's brief: The court's determination regarding admissability will not be set aside absent an abuse of discretion. Brief for appellee at 18. We direct the State to the recent decision State v. Messersmith, 238 Neb. 924, 936, 473 N.W.2d 83, 92 (1991), wherein we expressly disapproved the expression `The admission or exclusion of evidence is a matter within the discretion of the trial court.' For that reason, we also reject the proposition expressed by the State in Coleman's case regarding our review of a trial court's ruling on admissibility of evidence. Finally, we must comment on the district court's remark when the court denied Coleman's motion in limine with the understanding [Coleman] is going to testify. Should that status change, then I might change my mind on the motion in limine also. Neb.Evid.R. 104(2), Neb.Rev.Stat. § 27-104(2) (Reissue 1989), states: When the relevancy of evidence depends upon the fulfillment of a condition of fact, the judge shall admit it upon, or subject to, the introduction of evidence sufficient to support a finding of the fulfillment of the condition. Admissibility of Coleman's previous incarceration did not involve a factual question for conditional admissibility within the purview of Rule 104(2), that is, evidence of incarceration would not somehow be rendered inadmissible if Coleman did not testify in his trial; rather, Coleman's motion in limine to exclude Lang's testimony about Coleman's previous incarceration and the eventual ruling on admissibility of that evidence in Coleman's trial were matters of law generally for the court's consideration unaffected by the possibility of Coleman's testifying or not testifying at trial. In situations such as that presented in Coleman's case, a trial court should rule on a motion in limine irrespective of anticipation that a defendant will testify or likelihood that a defendant may testify. Coleman's motion in limine stood on its own merits without reference to the possibility or likelihood of his testifying at trial. Since Coleman's assignments of error are without merit, we affirm Coleman's conviction. AFFIRMED.