Court Opinion

ID: 9549416
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 18:18:00.667212+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:20:16.626005
License: Public Domain

DORAN, J.
I concur in the judgement.
But I know of no rule or principle of law that authorizes or justifies a relaxation of the hearsay rule for expediency. The evidence of the telephone conversations was pure hearsay. Evidence of the fact that a conversation was received would be admissible for the purpose of proving that the telephone was in order and functioning, but for no other purpose; the substance of the conversation is unnecessary for this purpose. The argument in People v. Joffe, 45 Cal.App.2d 233, 235 [113 P.2d 901], namely, that such evidence is admissible because “it tended to establish the fact that the premises were occupied for the purpose of recording wagers on horse races,” clearly permits a consideration of hearsay for the purpose of proving the very offense charged. And the same inaccurate reasoning appears in People v. Reifenstuhl, 37 Cal.App.2d 402, 405 [99 P.2d 564], where the court declared, referring to such evidence, that “It was not subject to the hearsay rule. The conversation was not admitted for the purpose of proving its own contents (16 Cor.Jur. 624) but to prove the use to which the telephone was subjected by the public and to demonstrate the *724reaction of the defendant at the time. The use of the room occupied by defendant was in issue and the nature of the telephonic call was a circumstance to establish the truth. The uses to which a telephone is put reveal more truthfully the character of the establishment that houses the instrument than do the words of description attached to the listing. ’ ’
It is futile to argue that such evidence is not hearsay. In my judgment the preservation of the hearsay rule is not only important but vital in the administration of justice. To relax the rule just to uphold the conviction of a bookmaker, or for any other purpose, is nothing short of judicial stupidity.
White, J., concurred.
Appellant’s petition for a hearing by the Supreme Court was denied December 4, 1944. Carter, J., and Schauer, J., voted for a hearing.