Opinion ID: 2330825
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Prior Statement of a Witness.

Text: In the child protective proceeding before the District Court, Patricia Easler retracted her inculpatory statement made to Dr. Lambert on August 17, 1981. The defendant, pursuant to M.R.Evid. 801(d)(1), sought to introduce this testimony, claiming it was inconsistent with her testimony at the trial of the defendant. After receiving an offer of proof, the trial justice determined the testimony was not inconsistent and ruled the prior testimony inadmissible. The presiding justice makes the preliminary determination whether a prior statement of a witness is inconsistent with that witness's testimony given at trial. State v. St. Germain, 369 A.2d 631, 632 (Me.1977); Field & Murray, Maine Evidence § 613.1 at 162 (1976). We have examined carefully the two statements of Patricia Easler, and agree with the trial court there is no inconsistency.