Opinion ID: 1188017
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Testimony of Eyewitness.

Text: The third issue is whether the trial court erred in not admitting into evidence at the hearing for a new trial the statement of the State eyewitness, Ronnie Fritts (Fritts). Fritts' statement purportedly contradicted his previous trial testimony and was to be introduced through the testimony of a defense investigator. This issue is without merit. It is well settled that evidentiary rulings are within the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Marquez, 87 N.M. 57, 529 P.2d 283 (Ct.App.) cert. denied, 87 N.M. 47, 529 P.2d 273 (1974). Absent a showing of abuse of that discretion, this Court will not disturb an evidentiary ruling of the trial court. State v. Ewing, 97 N.M. 235, 638 P.2d 1080 (1982). In this case, Colby and Stephens sought admission of Fritts' statement through an offer of proof. If the statement was admitted, they contend, the statement would support their alibi that Price was the killer of Stevens. The trial court determined that Fritts' statement was hearsay, because it was offered into evidence through the defense investigator. The trial court also determined that the defense had not demonstrated the unavailability of Fritts in order that his statement would have been admissible under the hearsay exception. We find no error by the trial court in refusing to admit Fritts' statement because even if the statement had been admitted, it would not have contradicted his previous testimony but merely have been cumulative of the defense propounded by Colby and Stephens. N.M.R.Evid. 103, N.M.S.A. 1978; State v. Perez, 95 N.M. 262, 620 P.2d 1287 (1980); State v. Marquez, supra . A new trial, therefore, is not warranted under this claim of error. State v. Mabry, supra .