Opinion ID: 2622639
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Demonstrative Models

Text: [¶ 6] During trial, the witnesses used two small personal watercraft models for demonstrative purposes in front of the jury. These models were neither offered nor received into evidence as exhibits in the case. However, during the jury's deliberation, the justice of the peace court permitted the models to be taken into the jury room. Mr. Worcester claims the justice of the peace court committed error by permitting the models to go to the jury room during deliberations when they were not admitted into evidence as an exhibit. No objection was lodged at trial against the submission of the models to the jury; therefore, the plain error analysis applies. [¶ 7] A failure to object constitutes a waiver of whatever error occurred, unless the error rises to the level of plain error. Bradley v. State, 635 P.2d 1161, 1163-64 (Wyo.1981). The plain error doctrine is applied cautiously and only in exceptional circumstances. Hays v. State, 522 P.2d 1004, 1007 (Wyo.1974). A three-part test has been established to determine whether plain error exists. Capshaw v. State, 10 P.3d 560, 566 (Wyo.2000). First, the record must be clear as to the incident which is alleged as error. Id. Second, the party claiming the error amounted to plain error must demonstrate that a clear and unequivocal rule of law was violated. Id. Finally, that party must prove a substantial right has been denied him and, as a result, he has been materially prejudiced. Id. Mr. Worcester claims all three requirements are met in this case; however, we disagree. We hold the final requirement has not been satisfied since the error did not result in material prejudice. [¶ 8] The first requirement is easily satisfied as the alleged error is sufficiently clear in the record. Mr. Worcester next claims his right to due process of law was denied and the submission of the nonadmitted demonstrative models to the jury for deliberations was a violation of a clear and unequivocal rule of law. He relies upon Hays, 522 P.2d 1004, wherein this court considered the propriety of submitting nonadmitted evidence to the jury during deliberations without objection. In Hays, the trial court provided the jury with an instruction containing the criminal information in the case with a detailed statement of the essential facts and acts upon which the crime was charged. 522 P.2d at 1006. Upon reversal of the case, we stated: Viewed factually, this resulted in the submission to the jury of a written evidentiary statement inadmissible in evidence by any standard in the guise of an instruction with probable reliance thereon by the jury in its deliberations. The submission to the jury of papers or exhibits not received in evidence is prejudicial error. 522 P.2d at 1008 (emphasis added). This is the law in Wyoming which we herein reaffirm recognizing it still provides the most appropriate bright-line rule. However, the submission of demonstrative models which have not been admitted into evidence presents a factual situation not previously considered by this court. [¶ 9] Demonstrative evidence has been defined as [p]hysical evidence that one can see and inspect (such as a model or photograph) and that, while of probative value and usu[ally] offered to clarify testimony, does not play a direct part in the incident in question. Black's Law Dictionary 577 (7th ed.1999). In addition: [J]ust as the testimony of the witness is not sent to the jury room, so illustrative objects should be left behind when the jury retires to deliberate. This practice will reduce the likelihood that jurors will use the object as a source of original inference. Moreover, it will eliminate any incentive for counsel to use illustrative objects solely as a method of smuggling argument into the jury room. 22 Charles Alan Wright & Kenneth W. Graham, Jr., Federal Practice and Procedure § 5174 at 137 (1978). [¶ 10] It is uniformly viewed as improper to send into the jury room items not admitted into evidence. 2 John W. Strong, McCormick on Evidence § 217 (5th ed.1999). Pierce v. Ramsey Winch Company, 753 F.2d 416 (5th Cir.1985), addressed the use of jury charts and other visual aids that have not been admitted into evidence but summarize or organize testimony or documents which have already been properly admitted. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held that such aids are not evidence and, absent the consent of the parties, they should not be sent to the jury room. 753 F.2d at 431; see also GNB Battery Technologies, Inc. v. Exide Corporation, 876 F.Supp. 582, 604 (D.Del.1995), aff'd, 78 F.3d 605 (Fed.Cir.1996). United States v. Wood, 943 F.2d 1048, 1053 (9th Cir.1991), [3] addressed the very same type of evidence as that in Pierce and held the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals had long held such evidence should only be used as testimonial aid and should not be admitted into evidence or otherwise used by the jury during the deliberative process. Moreover, in Osborne v. United States, 351 F.2d 111, 115 (8th Cir.1965), a transcript of testimony given to a federal grand jury which had not been admitted into evidence at the defendant's trial was sent to the jury room. The court held the highly prejudicial and inadmissible evidence contained in the transcript deprived the defendant of a fair trial and [t]he delivery to the jury for [its] consideration of an exhibit not received in evidence constitutes error. 351 F.2d at 115. The holding in Hays, 522 P.2d 1004, and the persuasive authorities cited in this discussion convince this court that Mr. Worcester has demonstrated that a clear and unequivocal rule of law was violated. [¶ 11] Mr. Worcester's final burden is to prove he has been denied a substantial right and, as a result, he has been materially prejudiced. He relies upon Hays in which the court found plain error based on material prejudice to the defendant. 522 P.2d at 1008. However, the nonadmitted evidentiary statement submitted to the jury in Hays concerned unusually prejudicial information that directly contradicted the defendant's sole defense. [4] Id. The evidentiary statement read by the trial judge attacked the defendant's credibility while bolstering the victim's credibility, therefore resulting in material prejudice. Id. The plain error rule must be applied to each case on its own particular facts. Clearwater v. State, 2 P.3d 548, 552 (Wyo.2000). [¶ 12] While we recognize the use of the demonstrative models under the circumstances of the instant case was error, we can discern no indication that the jury used or could have used the models for any improper or prejudicial purpose. A lack of prejudice is indicated by the fact that both the prosecution and the defense utilized the models. Likewise, the defense counsel had the opportunity to cross-examine John Davis, the Moorcroft game warden, and his demonstrative use of the models. As the state points out, the jury could recreate the accident by using any devices available to it in the deliberation room; e.g., paper, pens, or even the jurors' own hands. These models were not physically altered to depict the resultant damage, but rather they were merely generic models. Upon review, neither this court nor Mr. Worcester can be sure of what use, if any, the jury made of the models. Without a more specific indication of prejudice, Mr. Worcester's generalized allegation of prejudice is not sufficient to require reversal. Scheikofsky v. State, 636 P.2d 1107, 1111 (Wyo.1981). We cannot discern a reasonable possibility that, in the absence of the models being sent into the jury room, the verdict may have been more favorable to Mr. Worcester. Nimmo v. State, 603 P.2d 386, 395 (Wyo.1979). Mr. Worcester has failed to establish prejudice from this error; therefore, we conclude it is harmless.