Opinion ID: 1934913
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: testimony at variance with offer

Text: The next assertion of error involves the testimony of an expert witness which was at variance with the Commonwealth's offer of proof. Appellant claims that the effect of this trial mistake, even though corrected by the court, was so prejudicial that it deprived him of his right to a fair trial. We disagree with appellant's evaluation of the incident. The court en banc fairly states the record facts. While it was the Commonwealth's contention that Eckert died as a result of a bullet wound, no bullets were recovered, no comparison tests could be made, and no weapon was connected with the victim's death. In spite of this, two weapons, Exhibit 48, apparently in possession or control of the witness Bailey, and Exhibit 49, found in the possession of the defendant when he was arrested, were introduced into evidence, along with Exhibit 50, cartridges, by agreement of both sides.. . . In fact, the record clearly indicates . . . that defense counsel, more so than the prosecuting attorney, desired that the guns be admitted into evidence. Thereafter, the Commonwealth called a weapons expert to testify relative to types of bullets. The offer of proof . . . was: `May it please the Court, the Commonwealth intends to prove by this witness, in relation to both Exhibits 48 and 49, that neither gun fires a jacketed bullet.' No objection was offered, apparently for the reason that an expert witness had testified that in his opinion the cause of death was the result of a jacketed bullet passing through the skull. In spite of the offer, the witness testified to the contrary, and stated in effect that steel jacketed bullets could be fired from Exhibit 49 . . . . The defense objected and moved for a mistrial which was refused by the trial judge. 65 Berks County L.J. at 103-04. The defense asserts that the variance of the evidence from the offer necessitates a new trial. We cannot agree. First, the court en banc found that the answer of the witness was as much a surprise to the district attorney as it was to defense counsel. The prosecuting attorney may have been derelict in not making certain what the witness would answer, but we are satisfied that there was no intent to deceive or trick the defense. Id. at 104. The record fully supports this conclusion, arrived at on the basis of the trial court's observation of the concrete realities of trial. Second, the trial judge instantaneously instructed the jury in the most emphatic fashion not to consider the answer of the Commonwealth's expert. THE COURT: The motion of defense counsel for a mistrial is refused. However, I want the jury to in no way be influenced by the last answer given by Mr. Rafter [Commonwealth's expert], insofar as the defendant is concerned, nor to consider it in any way. At sidebar, the district attorney made an offer to prove a certain answer by the witness. As the offer was made, the defendant didn't object. The answer given by the witness, and apparently the correct answer as far as the witness is concerned, was exactly the opposite of what was made in the offer. It is unfortunate that the offer was made in the fashion it was, when the testimony was just the opposite. I ask you to strike out that question and answer and consider it in no way. I'll go even further. Counsel can object to this statement if they want to. In the stipulation, they agreed that no expended bullets were found in the body of the victim or in the area. In the opinion of this trial judge, from many years experience as a defense lawyer, a prosecuting lawyer and a judge in many cases  and I think it's also a fact in science  unless expended bullets are recovered, which definitely can be tied into the wound of an alleged victim, no comparison tests can be made by experts to determine whether any weapon was in fact used to make the wound. Have I correctly stated it? MR. VAN HOOVE [District attorney]: Agreed, Your Honor. THE COURT: Is there any objection to what I have said? MR. CASSIDY [Defense counsel]: No, Your Honor. THE COURT: I have made this explanation to show you why you shouldn't consider this evidence in any way that might harmfully affect the defendant. In the charge to the jury, the trial court again emphasized that because no spent bullets were discovered, no comparisons of guns would be proper. [12] Whatever prejudicial effect the variance of testimony from offer may have had on the jury was more than adequately rectified by the trial judge's forceful instruction to the jury. It is conceivable, moreover, that it was the Commonwealth, and not appellant, who suffered a loss of credibility in the eyes of the jury as a result of the erroneous offer. Finally, the enforcement of offers of proof is within the sound discretion of the trial judge. In the circumstances of this case, we find no abuse of discretion.