Opinion ID: 1625285
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: property/evidence tag

Text: CASE NO. XX-XXXXXX-XX DATE 03 / 23 / 91 TIME 11:42 AM OFFENSE Del. Cont. Sub. DESCRIPTION ______________________________ Fourteen (14) pieces of paper that are to contain drugs on them. _____________________________________ State vs. Gerald Gallup ______________________________________ 44-3Y ______________________________________ SIGNATURE Wittmer Were it not for the fact that Gallup admitted that he had sold LSD to Craff, we would reverse his conviction on this issue. Generally, the admission of incriminating evidence with an evidence tag still attached is prejudicial error. State v. Shultz, 231 N.W.2d 585, 587 (Iowa 1975); State v. Branch, 222 N.W.2d 423, 427 (Iowa 1974). Such a tag is clearly hearsay. Branch, 222 N.W.2d at 426. And, in addition, the tag has the effect of unduly emphasizing the State's evidence because it is a neat condensation of the [State's] whole case against the defendant. Id. at 427 (citation omitted), accord Shultz, 231 N.W.2d at 587. So even though recitals on the tag are merely cumulative of the State's evidence, prejudicial error can still occur. Shultz, 231 N.W.2d at 587; Branch, 222 N.W.2d at 427. Here, because of Gallup's admission, we think any error created by admission of the tag was harmless. In Shultz and Branch, there was no such admission. However, we take this opportunity to remind the bench and the bar that [o]nce an exhibit has been received in evidence, no proper purpose exists for leaving attached to it an identification tag which summarizes the State's testimony regarding the exhibit. Shultz, 231 N.W.2d at 587.