Opinion ID: 2222135
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: testimony by cook regarding conversation with hornbacher

Text: In his first assignment of error, Cook contends that the district court erred in sustaining the State's objection to testimony by Cook regarding his conversation with Hornbacher the day following the killing of Stahlecker. Because Cook made no offer of proof, we cannot find that his testimony would have met an exception to the hearsay rule, and we therefore conclude that the court did not err in sustaining the State's objection. With respect to his own statements during the conversation, Cook argues that his testimony was not hearsay because it was offered to rebut express charges against him. Cook cites Neb.Rev.Stat. § 27-801(4)(a)(ii) (Reissue 1995), which provides that a statement is not hearsay if the declarant testifies at the trial or hearing and is subject to cross-examination concerning the statement, and the statement is consistent with his testimony and is offered to rebut an express or implied charge against him of recent fabrication or improper influence or motive. With respect to Hornbacher's statements during the conversation, Cook argues that his testimony was admissible under Neb.Rev.Stat. § 27-613 (Reissue 1995) as extrinsic evidence of a prior inconsistent statement by a witness regarding a material fact. Section 27-613(2) provides in part, Extrinsic evidence of a prior inconsistent statement by a witness is not admissible unless the witness is afforded an opportunity to explain or deny the same and the opposite party is afforded an opportunity to interrogate him thereon, or the interests of justice otherwise require. Cook argues that Hornbacher was available to be afforded an opportunity to explain or deny any statements which Cook would testify that Hornbacher had made. Cook notes three points in his testimony regarding the conversation with Hornbacher where hearsay objections were sustained. First, defense counsel asked Cook, Can you tell the ladies and gentlemen of the jury what the nature of the conversation was between you and ... Hornbacher? The State objected on the basis of hearsay, and the court stated, The question calls for hearsay. That's sustained. Next, defense counsel immediately stated Okay. Do you remember what youyou can't talk about what ... Hornbacher said. Do you remember what you had discussed with Mr. Hornbacher? Cook began to reply, I discussed what I had told.... The State broke in to object on the basis of hearsay, and the court sustained the objection. Finally, a bit later, defense counsel asked Cook, Did you and ... Hornbacher arrive at some sort of plan of action, if you will, as a result of the driving around you did? Cook replied Not really. We discussed what had happened the night before. He was worried sick about his phone until it went off and actually rang, and he was really relieved that it did. He was also worried sick about his checkbook that was missing. He felt it was going to be out at the crime scene. He and I discussed that. He, again, reiterated to me that.... The State interrupted to object to what Hornbacher reiterated on the basis of hearsay, and the court sustained the objection. Cook made no offer of proof at these three points or at any other point as to what he would have testified in response to the questions. Cook argues that his assignment of error may be reviewed on appeal despite his failure to make an offer of proof. Cook cites Neb.Rev.Stat. § 27-103(1) (Reissue 1995) which provides: Error may not be predicated upon a ruling which admits or excludes evidence unless a substantial right of the party is affected, and ... (b) In case the ruling is one excluding evidence, the substance of the evidence was made known to the judge by offer or was apparent from the context within which questions were asked. Cook also cites Anderson/Couvillon v. Nebraska Dept. of Soc. Servs., 253 Neb. 813, 572 N.W.2d 362 (1998) (in absence of offer of proof, question becomes whether substance of evidence was apparent from context within which question was asked). Cook argues that in the present case, despite the lack of an offer of proof, the substance of his proposed testimony was apparent from the context within which the questions were asked. The lack of an offer of proof in this case prevents this court from determining the nature of the proposed testimony and therefore from determining its admissibility. Each of the questions to which the State objected asked for testimony regarding an out-of-court statement, and without an offer of proof, we cannot determine on appeal whether such statements would have met an exception to the hearsay rule. The substance of Cook's proposed testimony was not apparent from the context in which the questions were asked. The questions generally called for testimony regarding the content of the conversation, but the specific content to which Cook would have testified was not apparent. It would require speculation on this court's part to find that such proposed testimony would have met either of the categories of admissible testimony urged by Cook on appeal. We therefore reject Cook's first assignment of error.