Opinion ID: 1423616
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Unsubstantiated Investigations

Text: Franklin's argument appears to be that she was prejudiced when the trial court granted the Commonwealth's motion to prohibit witnesses from offering opinions that prior abuse investigations were unsubstantiated, although she also argues that this foreclosed her from determining how the witnesses' statements may have changed over time. However, defense witnesses were allowed to testify that prior investigations had been made and that no charges were filed as a result of the investigations. Wisely understanding that the term unsubstantiated could be interpreted to mean that the claims were false, which would be a statement of belief as to whether the claimants were telling the truth, the trial court granted the Commonwealth's motion to exclude such an opinion question. This question would have violated KRE 602, which prohibits a witness from testifying about matters on which he or she has no personal knowledge. The trial court was correct.