Opinion ID: 1443650
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Admission of the 911 Recording

Text: [¶ 8] The State proffered the recording of the 911 call in rebuttal to Bennett's claim of self-defense and testimony that Ohrt was angry and smug during the altercation. The State argued that the tape was relevant and probative as rebuttal evidence because the recording took place immediately after the attack and demonstrates that Ohrt was not angry or smug. Bennett argued that the recording was unfairly prejudicial because the probative value was outweighed by the risk that the jury would make its decision based upon emotion, and he renews this argument on appeal. The court admitted the recording, finding that the probative value outweighed the extremely slight prejudicial effect. [¶ 9] Maine Rule of Evidence 403 provides in relevant part: Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice . . . . We review the admission of evidence over a Rule 403 objection for an abuse of discretion. State v. Allen, 2006 ME 21, ¶ 9, 892 A.2d 456, 458. Based upon a review of the recording, we agree with the court that any prejudicial effect is extremely slight, and, therefore, the court did not exceed the bounds of its discretion by admitting the tape over Bennett's objection. Furthermore, admitting the tape did not violate the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment. See U.S. CONST. amend. VI; Davis v. Washington, ___ U.S. ___, 126 S.Ct. 2266, 2273-74, 165 L.Ed.2d 224 (2006); Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 53-54, 124 S.Ct. 1354, 158 L.Ed.2d 177 (2004). The entry is: Judgment affirmed.