Opinion ID: 1191313
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: did the testimony of defendant's former wife violate defendant's marital privilege?

Text: The marital privilege of the spouse given by § 13-1802 A.R.S. survives the marriage, but it applies only to communication[s] made by one to the other during the marriage. The defendant's former wife gave very damaging testimony on behalf of the State. Prior to her testimony the defendant made a continuing objection to any testimony concerning either verbal or non-verbal confidential communications made during the marriage. The court ruled that Mrs. Barr would not be allowed to testify as to any conversations between herself and the defendant, but that all other testimony would be allowed. In an early case this court held that the marital privilege applies only to confidential communications. In other words, [spouses] may testify as to what was done by either spouse, but not as to what was said.  Posner v. N.Y. Life Ins. Co., 56 Ariz. 202, 106 P.2d 488 (1940). In a later case we held that the communication must be one which occurs in a context which inspires or induces confidentiality. Arizona Title Guarantee & Trust Co. v. Wagner, 75 Ariz. 82, 251 P.2d 897 (1952). And our Court of Appeals has held that the marital privilege applies only to words and not to acts. State v. Hunt, 8 Ariz. App. 514, 447 P.2d 896 (1968). Defendant urges that we reconsider our prior decisions and extend the privilege to any confidential communication whether it be oral conversation or conduct. There is some disharmony among the various jurisdictions on the precise issue with which we are faced, with perhaps a majority of the states disallowing testimony as to communicative conduct as well as conversation. See 38 A.L.R.2d 567; McCormick on Evidence, Marital Communication  Privilege, § 79, pp. 163-65. There are a number of commentators and text-writers, however, who hold the view that the privilege is an obstacle to the pursuit of truth, that it serves no real function in the reality of married life, and that it should be limited rather than expanded. See McCormick on Evidence, supra, § 86, pp. 172-73; Hutchins and Slesinger: Some Observations on the Law of Evidence: Family Relations, 13 Minn.L.Rev. 675 (1929); Hines: Privileged Testimony of Husband and Wife in California, 19 Calif.L.Rev. 390 (1931). We agree with this latter view, and so, we are not persuaded to overrule our previous cases at this time. We hold that the testimony of Mrs. Barr was properly allowed. WAS THE DEFENDANT'S INCULPATORY STATEMENT VOLUNTARY? Defendant's next argument is that the court erred in finding that his statement was voluntarily given and thus properly admissible as evidence. The trial court found as follows: THE COURT: Show that it's the finding of the court that the defendant was advised of his constitutional rights prior to the taking and making of the statement. It's the further finding that he understood these rights and that he made a voluntary waiver of these rights. Each of these findings is made beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial court actually applied a stricter standard of proof than is constitutionally required for in Lego v. Twomey, 404 U.S. 477, 92 S.Ct. 619, 30 L.Ed.2d 618 (1972), the United States Supreme Court held that voluntariness need only be shown by a preponderance of the evidence. In Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 93 S.Ct. 2041, 36 L.Ed.2d 854 (1973), the Supreme Court discussed the criteria by which voluntariness of a confession should be judged. The court wrote: In determining whether a defendant's will was overborne in a particular case, the Court has assessed the totality of all the surrounding circumstances  both the characteristics of the accused and the details of the interrogation. Some of the factors taken into account have included the youth of the accused, e.g., Haley v. Ohio, 332 U.S. 596, 68 S.Ct. 302, 92 L.Ed.2d 224; his lack of education, e.g., Payne v. Arkansas, 356 U.S. 560, 78 S.Ct. 844, 2 L.Ed.2d 975; or his low intelligence, e.g., Fikes v. Alabama, 352 U.S. 191, 77 S.Ct. 281, 1 L.Ed.2d 246; the lack of any advice to the accused of his constitutional rights, e.g., Davis v. North Carolina, 384 U.S. 737, 86 S.Ct. 1761, 16 L.Ed.2d 895; the length of detention, e.g., Chambers v. Florida, supra; the repeated and prolonged nature of the questioning, e.g., Ashcraft v. Tennessee, 322 U.S. 143, 64 S.Ct. 921, 88 L.Ed. 1192; and the use of physical punishment such as deprivation of food or sleep, e.g., Reck v. Pate, 367 U.S. 433, 81 S.Ct. 1541, 6 L.Ed.2d 948 [footnote omitted]. In all of these cases, the Court determined the factual circumstances surrounding the confession, assessed the psychological impact on the accused, and evaluated the legal significance of how the accused reacted. Culombe v. Connecticut, supra, 367 U.S. at 603, 81 S.Ct., at 1879. The significant fact about all of these decisions is that none of them turned on the presence or absence of a single controlling criterion; each reflected a careful scrutiny of all the surrounding circumstances.    412 U.S. at 226, 93 S.Ct. at 2047, 36 L.Ed.2d at 862. In assessing the totality of the circumstances in the instant case, we note that the defendant was advised of his Miranda rights, he stated that he understood those rights and wished to waive them, there is no evidence of physical mistreatment, and there is no evidence of mental duress. On the other hand, defendant had been incarcerated for a period of ten days on another charge, and psychiatric testimony at trial reveals that the defendant has an I.Q. of 77, and is classified as a borderline mental retard. Two defense psychiatrists, in fact, testified that in their opinion the defendant probably had trouble understanding the substance of his Miranda rights. Low intelligence is not a controlling criterion that would negate an otherwise voluntary and intelligent waiver. When we examine all the factors presented by the record, we come to the inevitable conclusion that the evidence established by a preponderance, if not beyond a reasonable doubt, that the confession was voluntary and the trial court did not err in admitting it into evidence. WAS DR. CLEARY'S TESTIMONY PROPERLY ADMITTED? During the trial, the defendant had introduced into evidence a discharge summary from the Texas State Hospital: Q [By Mr. Kashman] Let me show you, Doctor Cutts, Defendant's Exhibit `G' for Identification and ask you if you recognize that psychiatric summary? A Yes, I believe you presented this to me about a week ago. Q You have had an opportunity to read that over? A Yes. Q Your Honor, at this time I would advise the court that Exhibit `G' is a psychiatric summary prepared by Doctor L.F. Wilson, from San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Cochran plans to put Doctor Wilson on tomorrow. This would be advanced rebuttal, and it's offered solely for that purpose at this time to avoid having to call Doctor Cutts back. THE COURT: You've no objection? MR. COCHRAN: I've no objection, no. THE COURT: All right. MR. KASHMAN: I would like to offer Exhibit `G' so I can question Doctor Cutts. MR. COCHRAN: No objection. THE COURT: Go ahead, `G' may be admitted. Later in the trial when Dr. Michael Cleary, a psychiatrist employed as chief of the maximum security division of the Arizona State Hospital, testified on behalf of the State rebutting defense testimony on the insanity issue, the defendant objected to Dr. Cleary basing any of his opinion upon the Texas discharge summary: MR. KASHMAN: My objection is to this witness making or stating opinions based on information that's not before the court and not available to counsel to use for cross examination.       MR. KASHMAN: Q Doctor, have you ever seen Exhibit `G' before or a copy thereof? A Yes sir. Q In the course of your testimony and in referring to material from Texas was there any other material other than Exhibit `G' that was available to you? A No sir, this is the one. I stated in my examination, and my diagnosis of February 28th, the psychological testing was summarized as follows. Then I quoted two or three lines in there. Q So you haven't had any opportunity to see the actual psychologist's report or the tests themselves or anything other than a summary made in March of 1969? A That's correct. Q I would definitely object to it as I have already, to the conclusions and opinions based on summaries, on summarized statements by a third party. THE COURT: No, the objection is overruled. MR. COCHRAN: That information is already in evidence. THE COURT: It's in the hospital records, too, and they are in evidence. We have stated:    an expert may not base his opinion upon the inferences and conclusions of others, (citations omitted). The purpose of this rule is to prevent the expert from basing his testimony on assumptions which are unknown to the jury and unsupported by the evidence.    Gillespie Land and Irrigation Co. v. Gonzalez, 93 Ariz. 152, 159, 379 P.2d 135, 141 (1963). See also State v. Gevrez, 61 Ariz. 296, 148 P.2d 829 (1944). In the instant case, however, Exhibit G was in evidence and the doctor could base his opinion upon the evidence already admitted by the defendant: An expert may be allowed, in cases where expert opinion is appropriate, to interpret facts in evidence which the jury are not qualified to interpret for themselves, McCormick, Evidence § 13, p. 28 (1954). He may base such an opinion either on his personal observations given into evidence, Gray v. Woods, 84 Ariz. 87, 324 P.2d 220 (1958), or upon assumption that some portion of the testimony of others already in evidence is true.    Gilbert v. Quinet, 91 Ariz. 29, 32, 369 P.2d 267, 268 (1962). We find no error. WAS THERE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF CRIMINAL AGENCY? The evidence concerning the death was conflicting. Dr. Edward Brucker, the pathologist who performed the autopsy on Foster, testified that his examination of Foster revealed multiple external abrasions, a fractured rib, a fractured jaw, and hemorrhages throughout the body. He further testified that in his opinion the traumatic injuries caused Foster to vomit and impeded his ability to expel the vomit, causing in turn the aspiration which was the ultimate cause of death. He admitted on cross examination, however, that Foster's blood alcohol level could have induced vomiting irrespective of the injuries. He also stated that the injuries caused by the beating could not alone have resulted in death. Dr. Charles Leroy Crone, a specialist in gastroenterology, was called to testify on behalf of the defendant. He testified that although there is no direct correlation between excessive ingestion of intoxicants and vomiting because of other factors such as the amount of food one has eaten, one's tolerance to alcohol, and whether different kinds of alcohol have been mixed, nevertheless there is a relationship between the two. He stated that frequently a high intake of alcohol such as was indicated by Foster's .27 reading, could cause gastritis and consequent vomiting. He also stated that alcohol could act directly on the vomiting center of the brain. In turn, intoxication could so affect one's normal reflexes in the expulsion of vomit through the mouth that aspiration could result. Dr. Crone also agreed with Dr. Brucker that traumatic injuries frequently cause one to vomit, and that the injuries such as Foster suffered could impede his ability to expel the vomit through the mouth. As noted in our recitation of the facts, after his preliminary hearing, the defendant challenged, by petition for writ of habeas corpus, the finding that there was probable cause to believe that the death of Foster was caused by a criminal agency. Drury v. Burr, 13 Ariz. App. 164, 474 P.2d 1016 (1970). On petition for review we stated:    From this testimony, defendant concludes that probable cause was not established, since, as he states, it was too conjectural to support the inference that death was caused by a criminal agency. We do not agree. The very nature of the severity of the beating inflicted upon the deceased compels the inference that the defendant intended great bodily injury with the attendant likelihood that death would result. The nature and extent of the injuries are reflective of an intent equivalent to a criminal purpose aimed against life. An inference of intent to kill can be drawn from these facts as well as such other facts as the failure to obtain medical attention for the deceased. People v. Geiger, 10 Mich. App. 339, 159 N.W.2d 383. If we assume the intoxication of the deceased was the cause of his vomiting, it is clearly an antecedent condition which, concurring with the defendant's blow breaking the deceased's jaw, combined to cause the death. `One who inflicts an injury on another is deemed by the law to be guilty of homicide if the injury contributes mediately or immediately to the death of such other. The fact that other causes contribute to the death does not relieve the actor of responsibility, provided such other causes are not the proximate cause of the death.' State v. Cooley (Mo.) 387 S.W.2d 544.  And see State v. Minton, 234 N.C. 716, 68 S.E.2d 844, 31 A.L.R.2d 682; State v. Catellier, 63 Wyo. 123, 179 P.2d 203. Moreover, it is not indispensible to a conviction that the wounds be fatal and the direct cause of death. It is sufficient that they cause death indirectly through a chain of natural effects and causes unchanged by human action. 40 Am.Jr.2d, Homicide, § 20 (1968). And see Commonwealth v. Cheeks, 423 Pa. 67, 223 A.2d 291. Drury v. Burr, 107 Ariz. 124, 125-126, 483 P.2d 539, 540-541 (1971). While the opinion of this court in Drury v. Burr, supra, was limited to the facts presented at the preliminary hearing and the determination of probable cause, we believe that the language of the court, when considered in light of the facts presented at the trial, is dispositive of this matter. Although the testimony indicates that it was possible for Foster to have died from causes independent of the beating, we believe that there was sufficient evidence from which the trier of fact could have found that the beating contributed to Foster's death. State v. Bearden, 99 Ariz. 1, 405 P.2d 885 (1965); State v. Rivera, 94 Ariz. 45, 381 P.2d 584 (1963); State v. Mahan, 92 Ariz. 271, 376 P.2d 132 (1962). We find no error. WAS THE EVIDENCE SUFFICIENT? Defendant also contends that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of malice, which is a necessary element of the crime of second degree murder. §§ 13-451, 13-452 A.R.S.; State v. McIntyre, 106 Ariz. 439, 477 P.2d 529 (1970). He claims that any possible evidence of malice was negated by countervailing evidence of his intoxication, provocation by the deceased, and his diminished mental capacity. We have previously indicated that voluntary intoxication may produce a state of mind which incapacitates an accused from forming malicious intent. State v. Contreras, 107 Ariz. 68, 481 P.2d 861 (1971). In the instant case there was evidence that the defendant had imbibed a large quantity of alcohol prior to the subject beating. Provocatory conduct, too, may negate malice if it is of such a nature as would ordinarily arouse the passions of the reasonable man. § 13-451(B) A.R.S.; State v. Harwood, 110 Ariz. 375, 519 P.2d 177; State v. Schantz, 98 Ariz. 200, 403 P.2d 521 (1965); State v. Douglas, 2 Ariz. App. 178, 407 P.2d 117 (1965). The defendant's statement in the instant case is some evidence that the deceased provoked the defendant. As to defendant's contention that his diminished mental capacity prevented him from forming the requisite malicious intent, this court has specifically rejected the doctrine of partial responsibility. State v. Harwood, supra; State v. Malumphy, 105 Ariz. 200, 461 P.2d 677 (1969); State v. Narten, 99 Ariz. 116, 407 P.2d 81 (1965); State v. Schantz, supra. In any event, this evidence was all before the trial court, and in his summation defense counsel urged that the evidence was sufficient to reduce the grade of the offense. We must assume that the court considered the evidence and weighed it against contrary evidence of malice. We feel that the severity of the beating  particularly considering the vast difference in age between the defendant (23) and the deceased (59) , the use of a piece of wood as a bludgeon, and the calculated effort to conceal the beating instead of seeking medical help are all facts from which the trier of fact could infer malice. § 13-451(B) A.R.S. Although an instruction on manslaughter would find support in the facts were this case tried to a jury, this does not mean that the court, any more than a jury, must find the lesser grade of offense. There being ample evidence from which the court could find the malice essential to second degree murder, we will not disturb the judgment of the trial court on appeal. IS THE SENTENCE EXCESSIVE? The defendant finally asks us to exercise our power to reduce his thirty to forty year sentence pursuant to § 13-1717 A.R.S. He suggests that the sentence imposed reflects a fundamental misconception of modern penology. In a recent case we reaffirmed that the purpose of our criminal laws are multifold: In State v. Kennedy, 106 Ariz. 190, 472 P.2d 59 (1970), we held that not only are punishment and rehabilitation two objectives of our penal laws, but also there is the function of protecting society from further harm by the criminal.    State v. Battelle, 110 Ariz. 436, 520 P.2d 308. The presentence report reveals that the defendant has had an established predilection for violence in his history. The sentence is within the statutory limits, § 13-453(B) A.R.S., and we find no abuse of the trial court's discretion. State v. Fischer, 108 Ariz. 325, 498 P.2d 147 (1972). Judgment affirmed. HAYS, C.J., and STRUCKMEYER, LOCKWOOD and HOLOHAN, JJ., concur.