Opinion ID: 2144314
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Exclusion of Testimony Concerning Mental Disabilities

Text: Defendant contends that the trial court erred in refusing to allow a witness to testify regarding the difficulties faced by mentally handicapped people. The offered witness was a member of the Illinois Human Rights Commission at the time of trial, and had previously served as chair of the Advisory Council for the Education of Handicapped Children of the Illinois State Board of Education. In an offer of proof, she testified that mentally handicapped people have a difficult time learning. She also testified that mentally handicapped parents need support because they have trouble performing basic parenting skills. On cross-examination, she conceded that she was not acquainted with defendant's case. The trial court refused to allow the witness to testify before the jury. Defendant argues that this was error because the evidence the witness would have offered was relevant to mitigation. The determination of relevance lies within the discretion of the trial judge. Eddmonds, 101 Ill.2d at 65, 77 Ill.Dec. 724, 461 N.E.2d 347. When the witness was introduced to the court, the defense conceded that it had already presented expert testimony substantially similar to the testimony it desired the witness to offer. The defense also conceded that the witness would not be offering expert testimony. The witness admitted that she did not know defendant and had not reviewed her medical history. Finally, the defense failed to notify the court or the State that it would offer the witness until the moment it did so. Given the above factors, as well as the trial judge's observation that there was a significant dispute over whether defendant was in fact mentally retarded, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to allow the witness to testify.