Opinion ID: 2599060
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: mcclellan's audio-taped police interview was admissible as rebuttal evidence

Text: ¶ 30 Having remanded McClellan's entire case for a new trial on the basis of the conflict of interest, the outcome of the remaining issue on appeal is without consequence. However, we briefly address the admissibility of McClellan's taped police interview for guidance to the bench and bar. ¶ 31 McClellan argues that the trial court erred in allowing portions of his recorded police interview to be played for the jury because he had not previously been made aware of the existence of the recording. He argues that this failure was a violation of the discovery rules found in Rule 16 of the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure and constitutes plain error. The State argues that any violation was merely technical in nature. ¶ 32 In order for the admission of evidence to constitute plain error, a defendant must demonstrate that (i) an error exists; (ii) the error should have been obvious to the trial court; and (iii) the error is harmful, i.e., absent the error, there is a reasonable likelihood of a more favorable outcome. State v. Ross, 2007 UT 89, ¶ 17, 174 P.3d 628 (internal citations and quotation marks omitted). Here, McClellan is unable to satisfy the third prong of the test; there is no realistic possibility that the outcome of his trial would have been different had the recording not been admitted. Identical evidence was already before the jury in the form of the testimony of the interviewing officer. And while it is true that had McClellan been aware of the recording he may have altered his testimony and chosen not to perjure himself, there is no privilege to testify falsely in the mistaken belief that prior statements will not be disclosed.