Opinion ID: 2276120
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: evidence of head-banging

Text: Appellant argues that she was prevented from establishing a complete defense when the trial court refused to allow the introduction of previous medical records tending to show that Ju'monie had a history of banging his head. Appellant sought to admit this evidence in rebuttal of the autopsy photo and corresponding medical testimony, and the testimony of Appellant's daughter that she had seen Appellant hit Ju'monie on the head four times prior to setting the fire. The trial court excluded the evidence as irrelevant. We believe the exclusion of this evidence limited Appellant's ability to counter the implication that she attempted to knock Ju'monie unconscious before the fire. Such rebuttal evidence is proper since it was offered in an attempt to explain a fact the adverse party had attempted to prove. See Keene v. Commonwealth, Ky., 307 Ky. 308, 210 S.W.2d 926, 928 (1948) (overruled in part, Colbert v. Commonwealth, Ky., 306 S.W.2d 825 (1957)). Although the trial court has broad discretion in making decisions on such evidentiary issues, its decision in this respect was an abuse of discretion. English, 993 S.W.2d at 945. Accordingly, the trial court should admit Appellant's rebuttal evidence if the issue occurs on retrial.