Court Opinion

ID: 9586394
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:10:04.96221+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:30:01.119782
License: Public Domain

NIX, Judge
(dissenting).
My primary concern is Syllabus 3, to the effect that failure to object to mention of a pre-trial lineup identification takes same out of category of reversible error and becomes grounds to modify.
If improper testimony (an error) may have prejudiced the jury in assessing the severity of punishment, then it logically may require modification of the sentence, although not requiring reversal of the conviction because the error does not substantially affect a finding of guilty. However, if an error allows improper testimony which directly affects a finding of guilt, then modification is an inadequate remedy to correct the error. Thus, modification can only cure errors in admitting evidence which results in the jury “piling on” the punishment; but modification cannot cure an error in admitting evidence which directly influences a jury’s finding of guilt.
In the instant case, testimony about a pre-trial lineup identification of defendant absent counsel, where defendant was distinctly dressed from the others in the lineup (all being either firemen in uniform dress or police officers), is evidence which directly reinforces the otherwise somewhat inconclusive evidence identifying defendant as the assailant. This evidence goes to the finding of guilt, not the severity of the punishment imposed. There remains the question that had such evidence been excluded, would the jury have been satisfied defendant was the assailant and thus convicted him. Such a question cannot be satisfied by modification.
I agree that the “lineup” conducted was improper and falls within Foster v. California, set forth in the majority opinion. But I disagree that a modification of the sentence will correct the error. Evidence regarding the “lineup” went directly to the guilt or innocence, thus the error could only be corrected by a re-trial of the case with such evidence excluded.