Opinion ID: 2543636
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Consistency Of Witness Descriptions

Text: ¶ 55 We next consider the consistency of the witnesses' descriptions of the disguised robber. Although the trial court made no specific findings in this regard, the record reveals some variation in the witnesses' descriptions of the disguised robber. For example, in contrast to the other witnesses, Pittman did not describe the disguised robber as wearing sunglasses. Moreover, unlike the other witnesseswho described the disguised robber as wearing a white t-shirt or tank top, and his accomplice as wearing a sweatshirtLivolsi remembered the disguised robber as wearing the sweatshirt. ¶ 56 In Ramirez, the descriptions [were also] somewhat confused. Id. For example, at a suppression hearing, the Ramirez witness initially stated positively that the actor wore no hat. This assertion conflicted with (1) another eyewitness's recollection that the actor wore a baseball cap, (2) the witness's later testimony at trial that he was unsure as to whether the actor wore a hat, (3) and the fact that the Ramirez defendant was wearing a baseball cap when taken into custody shortly after the robbery. Id. at 784. The inconsistencies regarding the hat were troubling because the witness claimed to have identified [the defendant] principally by his eyes, . . . [and a hat] would seem to affect a witness's view of the gunman's eyes. Id. ¶ 57 In contrast, the inconsistencies regarding the sunglasses and clothing in this case seem less consequential. Indeed, although Pittman did not describe the actor as wearing sunglasses, she did not claim to have identified Hollen based on his eyes. Similarly, Livolsi, who differed with the other witnesses regarding the actor's clothing, did not claim to have relied on what Hollen was wearing at the lineup in identifying him.