Opinion ID: 1353139
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Admission of So-Called Blood Spatter Evidence

Text: Appellant's final evidentiary claim involves so-called blood spatter evidence, the admission of which Appellant challenges with three distinct arguments. The Commonwealth sought to establish that blood spatters were found inside the calf stall in which Mr. Cash's body was found. The presence of blood spatters inside the stall would tend to support the Commonwealth's theory that Appellant beat Mr. Cash both inside and outside the calf stall. Defense counsel entered an objection to the admission of this evidence, and the trial court entertained extensive and lengthy arguments in chambers concerning the matter. The Commonwealth asserted that blood spatter evidence was relevant to undermine Appellant's credibility, as Appellant testified at his original trial that no assault occurred in the stall. The trial court ultimately prohibited any expert evidence concerning the possibility of an additional assault in the calf stall or the presence of blood spatters in the calf stall, on the grounds that it had not been admitted at the first trial. [33] The trial court did permit the Commonwealth to admit photographs of the crime scene, as well as the testimony of investigating officers as to what they observed in the calf stall, including the presence of fresh blood. However, the trial court sternly and unequivocally prohibited the Commonwealth from allowing the investigating officers to conclude that the presence of blood spatters in the calf stall indicated that a second assault occurred. The testimony at the heart of Appellant's claims of error is that of Sheriff Ronald Murphy, who was the investigating officer and personally observed Mr. Cash's body in the calf stall. The trial court permitted Sheriff Murphy to testify that he found Mr. Cash's body in the stall and observed bloody spots around the body and around the straw there and around the head. Sheriff Murphy further testified that he noticed a curry comb laying right close to his head and it had blood spots all over it and that the straw around the upper part of his body had blood specks all over it. Finally, the Commonwealth asked Sheriff Murphy if the blood on the hay and on the curry comb appeared to be fresh blood, and the witness replied in the affirmative. Appellant now objects to the admission of this testimony on two grounds. Appellant first challenges the admission of Sheriff Murphy's testimony on grounds that it was inadmissible because it was not introduced at his first trial. The trial court had ordered that the Commonwealth would not be permitted to introduce evidence that had not been introduced at the first trial. [34] Appellant argues that the admission of the testimony of Ronald Murphy, an investigating officer, violated this order. Without analyzing whether a violation of this order would even constitute reversible error, we conclude that this argument is without merit because the Commonwealth did not introduce any new evidence. Ronald Murphy's testimony was limited to his own observations when he found Mr. Cash's body in the stall. After reviewing his testimony at both proceedings, we conclude that his testimony at the penalty phase proceedings did not substantively expand the testimony he gave at Appellant's first trial. Nor did Sheriff Murphy testify as to blood spatters in relation to the second assault theory as Appellant argues; rather, Sheriff Murphy merely stated that he observed fresh blood on the hay and the curry comb that were found inside the stall with Mr. Cash's body. Having determined that no new evidence was admitted, we find no error. Appellant next argues that Sheriff Murphy's testimony constitutes expert testimony on blood spatters within the meaning of KRE 702, and therefore it was error for the trial court to admit such testimony without the benefit of a hearing pursuant to Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [35] Further, Appellant argues that it was an abuse of discretion for the trial court to deny his motion for a continuance for the purpose of refuting Sheriff Murphy's expert testimony. We find both arguments to be without merit. Upon review of Sheriff Murphy's testimony, we do not believe that he testified as an expert witness, and therefore KRE 702 and Daubert have no application. Sheriff Murphy testified as to his observations upon entering the stall: that he observed blood on the hay and the curry comb near Mr. Cash's body, and that in his opinion the blood was fresh. We simply do not agree with Appellant's characterization of Sheriff Murphy's testimony as expert testimony based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge within the meaning of KRE 702. Murphy never testified regarding blood spatter patterns; in fact, the term blood spatter is not to be found once in the entirety of his testimony. His testimony was limited to his own observations. It does not take an expert to identify blood around a dead body, nor to give an opinion as to whether blood appears fresh. Whether a witness is a qualified expert is a matter within the sound discretion of the trial court. [36] Here, as Sheriff Murphy's testimony was limited solely to his personal observations on the morning of the murder, we are not persuaded that the trial court in any way abused its discretion. Accordingly, no abuse of discretion occurred when the trial court denied Appellant's motion for a continuance.