Opinion ID: 2322376
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Summation of Dissent

Text: Therefore, for the aforementioned reasons, I respectfully dissent from the majority's determination that this case does not require this Court to address the jury instruction issue raised in this appeal. In cases in which a confession to a crime punishable by imprisonment for life is garnered in a detention setting, justice is best served if the trial justice, upon request, instructs the jury that it may consider that the police had the opportunity to video record the confession but did not do so. Although a recording requirement may be an eventual step taken by more courts and legislatures, the step herein advocated that the jury be informed by the court when law enforcement had the ability to contemporaneously record a detention-centered interrogation and chose not to do sodoes not overreach or risk uncertain footing. In my opinion, it would provide the jury with a helpful general guideline designed to do no more than assist the trier-of-fact who is burdened with the responsibility for truth-seeking.