Opinion ID: 1316820
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Testimony of Expert Witnesses

Text: Guzman called Dr. Reed and Dr. Fink to testify that in their opinion, Guzman's mental impairment alone should preclude him from receiving the death penalty. The trial court did not allow this testimony. Throughout the trial, evidence was presented concerning Guzman's emotional and mental condition. The question of whether Guzman should receive the death penalty is a matter of fact to be decided by the trier of fact. NMSA 1978, § 31-20A-1 (Repl.Pamp. 1981). As previously mentioned, Rule 702 provides in pertinent part: [i]f    specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert    may testify thereto.   In the present case, the jury, having heard all the evidence, was qualified to decide this issue. Therefore, we determine that the trial court properly excluded the testimony of the expert witnesses on the issue of whether the death penalty should, in their opinion, be imposed.