Opinion ID: 1518773
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: did the trial court erroneously exclude a facsimile transmission sought to be introduced into evidence by appellant?

Text: Defense counsel sought to introduce into evidence a facsimile transmission sent to the Indiana State Police by Kentucky State Police Detective Johnny Phelps on October 30, 1991. The fax indicates that Gordon Canter was wanted as a potential witness to a quadruple homicide. In response to the KSP fax, the Indiana State Police sent a fax to Detective Phelps containing a description and photograph of Canter. The fax stated that Canter was with the shooter when some of the victims were shot, that Canter is armed and dangerous, and that the Kentucky State Police primarily want him as a witness, but if uncooperative, will charge him also as a co-conspirator. Appellant called Detective Phelps to the stand and sought to introduce the faxes, arguing that they are probative and relevant to demonstrate the bias of the police when talking to Canter, and the bias Canter may have had toward the Commonwealth's version of events to avoid possible criminal charges. The Commonwealth objected to the faxes, stating that the statement contemplating criminal charges originated with the Indiana Police, not the KSP, that the ATTEMPT TO LOCATE bulletin does not indicate the issuing organization or officer and that Appellant was able to effectively cross-examine Phelps on all of these issues without introducing the documents. We agree that the trial court ruled correctly in excluding the documents. They were of marginal relevance at best and, given the ability of Appellant to elicit similar information from Detective Phelps without the documents, introduction would have been cumulative evidence. KRE 403.