Opinion ID: 2446404
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Cross-Racial Jury Instruction

Text: Because the victims in this case were Hispanic and the robbers were African-American, the defendant requested a cross-racial jury instruction, citing the differences in accuracy between same-race identification and cross-racial identification. The trial court denied his request, reasoning that its instructions adequately addressed the defendant's concerns. The defendant argues that the trial court unsustainably exercised its discretion because identification was the central issue and Rodriguez's identification was suspect. Whether or not a particular jury instruction is necessary, and the scope and wording of the instruction, are within the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Kousounadis, 159 N.H. 413, 422-23, 986 A.2d 603 (2009). We review the trial court's decision for an unsustainable exercise of discretion. Id. at 423, 986 A.2d 603. To show that the trial court's decision is not sustainable, the defendant must demonstrate that the court's ruling was clearly untenable or unreasonable to the prejudice of his case. State v. Deschenes, 156 N.H. 71, 82, 931 A.2d 558 (2007). The trial court gave the jury the following instruction on identification: One of the most important issues in this case is the identification of the defendant as the perpetrator of the crime. The State has the burden of proving identity beyond a reasonable doubt. It is not essential that the witness himself be free from doubt as to the correctness of his statement. However, you, the jury, must be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of the accuracy of the identification of the defendant before you may convict him. If you are not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was the person who committed the crime, you must find the defendant not guilty. Identification testimony is an expression of belief or impression by the witness. Its value depends on the opportunity the witness had to observe the person who committed the crime at the time of the crime, and to make a reliable identification later. In appraising the identification testimony of a witness, you should consider the following: one, are you convinced that the [witness] had the capacity and an adequate opportunity to observe the person who committed the crime? Whether the witness had an adequate opportunity to observe at the time of the crime will be affected by such matters as how long or short a time was available, how far or close the witness was, how good were the lighting conditions, and whether the witness had occasion to see or know the person in the past. Two, are you satisfied that the identification made by the witness after the crime was the product of his own recollection? You may take into account both the strength of the identification and the circumstances under which the identification was made. If the identification by the witness may have been influenced by the circumstances. . . under which the defendant was presented to him for identification, you should scrutinize the identification with great care. You may also consider the length of time that elapsed between the occurrence of the crime and the next opportunity of the witness to see the defendant as a factor bearing on the reliability of the identification. You may also take into account that an identification made by picking the defendant out of a group of similar individuals is generally more reliable than one which results from the presentation of the defendant alone to the witnesses. Three, you may take into account any occasion in which the witness failed to make an identification of the defendant or made an identification which was inconsistent with his identification at trial. Four, finally, you must consider the credibility of each identification witness in the same way as any other witness. Consider whether he is truthful, and consider whether he had the capacity and opportunity to make a reliable observation on the matter covered in his testimony. I again emphasize the burden ofthat the burden of proof is on the State. Now, I did emphasize the burden of proof on the State extends to every element of the crime charged, and this specifically includes the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt the identity of the defendant as the perpetrator of the crime with which he stands charged. If, after examining the testimony, you have a reasonable doubt as to the accuracy of the identification of the defendant, you must find him not guilty. The trial court acted within its discretion by declining to give the cross-racial instruction. The identification jury instruction provided ample guidance to the jury on how to properly assess the identification testimony. We find that the court sufficiently charged the jury on identification.