Opinion ID: 2525436
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: prior inconsistent statements of j.w. and c.w.

Text: ¶ 64 Defendant next argues that the trial court erred in not admitting audio tapes and transcripts of police interviews with J.W. and C.W. Defendant contends that the transcripts were admissible as prior statements that were inconsistent with the children's trial testimony. ¶ 65 The trial court excluded the audio tapes and transcripts on the ground that most of the statements were not inconsistent, but merely cumulative of the children's testimony. Instead, the court permitted defendant to examine the two detectives who interviewed the children regarding any statements made that were inconsistent with their testimony at trial. ¶ 66 On appeal, defendant identifies only one prior statement as being improperly excluded, namely, that J.W. stated that Ms. Sanders often hit Breanna. Defendant claims this statement should have been admitted because it pointed to Ms. Sanders, not defendant, as the abuser. As the State points out, however, defendant's argument fails for three reasons. First, J.W.'s statement was inadmissible for lack of foundation because J.W. had no personal knowledge that Ms. Sanders ever hit Breanna. See Utah R. Evid. 602. Although J.W. stated that Ms. Sanders hit Breanna twice, J.W. denied ever seeing this happen. Second, J.W. never testified at trial regarding whether Ms. Sanders hit Breanna. Therefore, J.W.'s statement during her interview was not inconsistent with her trial testimony. See State v. Velasquez, 672 P.2d 1254, 1264-65 (Utah 1983) (stating that, under predecessor rule, it was error to admit prior statements made by witness that witness was not asked about at trial). Finally, the trial court gave defendant the opportunity to examine the two detectives who conducted the interviews about any prior inconsistent statements J.W. and C.W. made during the interviews. During examination of the detectives, defendant never asked them about J.W.'s statement regarding Ms. Sanders. ¶ 67 Defendant has not demonstrated that the audio tapes and transcripts contained any prior inconsistent statements that should have been admitted, nor has she shown any prejudice. She was given full opportunity at trial to explore any alleged inconsistent statements made to the police, and her counsel had full access to the tapes and transcripts. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding the audio tapes and transcripts of the prior interviews of J.W. and C.W.