Opinion ID: 2604192
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Presentment of Hearsay Evidence to the Grand Jury

Text: Edmonson, relying on I.C. § 19-1105 and I.C.R. 6(f), argues that the indictment should be dismissed because hearsay evidence was presented to the grand jury. I.C. § 19-1105 provides in part: The grand jury can receive none but legal evidence, and the best evidence in degree, to the exclusion of hearsay or secondary evidence, ... Similarly, I.C.R.6(f) places like restrictions upon the nature and quality of evidence the grand jury can receive. The trial court found that hearsay evidence had been presented to the grand jury but that exclusive of the hearsay there was adequate evidence to support the grand jury's determination that there was probable cause to believe an offense had been committed and the accused committed it. Edmonson does not challenge this finding. Thus, the issue that we face today is whether the grand jury's receipt of hearsay evidence demands a dismissal of an indictment even where the probable cause finding is based on otherwise legally sufficient evidence. [1] Several states have rules similar to Idaho, thereby excluding hearsay evidence before a grand jury. See for example, Giacomazzi v. State, 633 P.2d 218 (Alaska 1981); State v. Miyazaki, 64 Hawaii 611, 645 P.2d 1340 (1982); State v. Terrell, 283 N.W.2d 529 (Minn. 1979); People v. Backus, 23 Cal.3d 360, 152 Cal. Rptr. 710, 590 P.2d 837 (1979); and Franklin v. State, 89 Nev. 382, 513 P.2d 1252 (1973). However, the presentation of hearsay evidence is not necessarily a fatal error. The indictment will be sustained if, after excluding the inadmissible evidence, there remains sufficient admissible evidence to indict. Giacomazzi, supra ; Miyazaki, supra ; Terrell, supra, Franklin, supra . See also, People v. Meegan, 60 A.D.2d 961, 401 N.Y.S.2d 602 (1978), People v. Skelton, 109 Cal. App.3d 691, 167 Cal. Rptr. 636 (1980), cert. denied, Curtin v. U.S., 450 U.S. 917, 101 S.Ct. 1361, 67 L.Ed.2d 343 (1981); and State v. Waste Management of Wisconsin, Inc., 81 Wis.2d 555, 261 N.W.2d 147 (1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 865, 99 S.Ct. 189, 58 L.Ed.2d 175 (1978). The rationale used by these courts is readily apparent. The purpose of a grand jury proceeding is to determine whether sufficient probable cause exists to bind the defendant over for trial. The determination of guilt or innocence is saved for a later day. As long as the grand jury has received legally sufficient evidence which in and of itself supports a finding of probable cause it is not for an appellate court to set aside the indictment. Therefore, we reject Edmonson's argument and hold that where legally sufficient evidence will sustain an indictment, improperly admitted hearsay evidence will not overturn the indictment.