Opinion ID: 2192374
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: dr caughey's testimony

Text: [¶ 15] Haque contends that the trial court erred in excluding Caughey's testimony on cultural transitions because the testimony would have assisted the jury in determining whether Haque had the requisite state of mind to be guilty of murder. [¶ 16] A qualified expert may testify if his or her specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue. M.R. Evid. 702. A cultural anthropologist or other expert in cultural norms may possess specialized knowledge that can assist the trier of fact. See Dang Vang v. Vang Xiong X. Toyed, 944 F.2d 476, 481 (9th Cir.1991) (upholding decision in civil trial to allow epidemiologist to testify about women in the Hmong culture); see also People v. Aphaylath, 68 N.Y.2d 945, 510 N.Y.S.2d 83, 502 N.E.2d 998, 999 (1986) (reversing order excluding expert testimony on the stress encountered by Laotian refugees). As with all expert testimony, however, the expert's opinion must be relevant. M.R. Evid. 402. Testimony is relevant when it has any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence. M.R. Evid. 401. [¶ 17] The trial court concluded that the testimony was not relevant to any issue that was before the court. Dr. Caughey qualified as an expert in cultural anthropology, but was not qualified to, and did not, offer testimony as to Haque's state of mind. Although cultural differences may be relevant to a defendant's state of mind, Caughey's testimony was not relied on by Haque's psychiatric expert, Dr. Bloom. Moreover, Haque expressly disavowed any reliance on a cultural defense. Accordingly, the testimony of Dr. Caughey was irrelevant to any state of mind defense. See State v. Girmay, 139 N.H. 292, 652 A.2d 150, 152 (1994) (testimony of expert in Ethiopian culture not relied on by defendant's psychiatric expert in murder case involving Ethiopian defendant was irrelevant and properly excluded); see also People v. Poddar, 26 Cal.App.3d 438, 103 Cal.Rptr. 84, 88 (1972), rev'd on other grounds, 10 Cal.3d 750, 111 Cal.Rptr. 910, 518 P.2d 342 (1974) (testimony relating to defendant's culture properly excluded as to issue of diminished capacity). [¶ 18] The one issue to which Caughey's testimony would be relevant would be the defense of adequate provocation. Adequate provocation is an affirmative defense. 17-A M.R.S.A. § 201(3), which reduces murder to manslaughter, id. § 203(1)(B). The defendant must demonstrate (1) that he caus[ed] the death while under the influence of extreme anger or extreme fear, which (2) was brought about by adequate provocation. Id. § 201(3) & 203(1)(B). Provocation is adequate only if [i]t is not induced by the actor, and [i]t is reasonable for the actor to react to the provocation with extreme anger or extreme fear, provided that evidence demonstrating only that the actor has a tendency towards extreme anger or extreme fear shall not be sufficient, in and of itself, to establish the reasonableness of his reaction. Id. § 201(4). [¶ 19] There are limits on the type of conduct that we will recognize as sufficient to engender extreme anger or fear and mitigate the conduct of the defendant. State v. Cumming, 634 A.2d 953, 957 (Me. 1993). For example, mere words alone, however inflammatory or opprobrious, do not suffice. State v. Hilliker, 327 A.2d 860, 865 (Me.1974). Neither will finding a note that suggests that a former wife has formed a new relationship, Cumming, 634 A.2d at 957, or discovering a former wife in a lounge slow dancing with a man, Tribou v. State, 552 A.2d 1262, 1263-65 (Me.1989). [¶ 20] Although the determination as to the adequacy of the provocation under sections 201 and 203 is a conclusion to be drawn by the trier of fact, ... whether the evidence is legally sufficient to generate the defense ... is a question of law for the determination of the court. State v. Michaud, Jr., 611 A.2d 61, 63 (Me.1992). The concurrent events which Haque contends provoked his extreme anger were Taylor's refusal to marry Haque, her desire to terminate their relationship, and her statement that we [are] just too different. As mere words that ended a romantic relationship, these events do not constitute a legally adequate provocation as a matter of law. Therefore, it was not reasonable for [Haque] to react to the provocation with extreme anger or extreme fear. See 17-A M.R.S.A. § 201(4)(B). Given that the evidence was not legally sufficient to generate a defense of adequate provocation, Caughey's testimony was ultimately not relevant to any determination properly before the jury.