Court Opinion

ID: 9578061
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:41:05.085598+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:22:29.186596
License: Public Domain

STEWART, Justice,
dissenting:
I respectfully dissent. In this case the defendant, a school teacher, was convicted solely on the basis of one person’s eyewitness identificatidn, which was different from that person’s initial description, and a blood test which showed the defendant to have the same blood type as 40% of the population. Against this was strong alibi and character evidence from students and fellow teachers. The trial court’s refusal, on the facts of this case, to admit expert testimony on the unreliability of eyewitness identification and its failure to instruct the jury, sua sponte, on the appropriate caution with which eyewitness identification should be viewed, require a new trial in my view.
The inherent dangers of good faith error in eyewitness identification are widely recognized. “The vagaries of eyewitness identification are well-known; the annals of criminal law are rife with instances of mistaken identification.” United States v. Wade, 388 U.S. 218, 228, 87 S.Ct. 1926, 1932, 18 L.Ed.2d 1149 (1967). Numerous law review articles have been written substantiating the unreliability of eyewitness identification and the serious threat that it poses to the proper administration of criminal justice. E.g., Did Your Eyes Deceive You? Expert Psychological Testimony on the Unreliability of Eyewitness Identification, 29 Stan.L.Rev. 969 (1977); Due Process Standards for the Admissibility of Eyewitness Identification Evidence, 26 Kan.L.Rev. 461 (1978); Eyewitness Identification Evidence: Flaws and Defenses, 7 No.Ky.L.Rev. 407 (1980); Ellis, Davies, Shepherd, Experimental Studies of Face Identification, 3 Nat.J. Crim.Def., 219 (1977); Use of Eyewitness Identification Evidence in Criminal Trials, 21 Crim.L.Q. 361 (1979). Particular difficulties are encountered when photographs are used some time after the event to identify a defendant because of the tendency of the witness to substitute in his mind the image on the photograph for that of the perpetrator of a crime if there is some likeness between the two. Bates, Identifi*63cation from Photographic Evidence, 6 Anglo-Am.L.Rev. 90 (1977); Libling, Use of Photographs for the Purpose of Identification, 1978 Crim.L.Rev. 343.
In United States v. Telfaire, 469 F.2d 552, 555 (D.C.Cir.1972), the court stated:
The presumption of innocence that safeguards the common law system must be a premise that is realized in instruction and not merely a promise. In pursuance of that objective, we have pointed out the importance of and need for a special instruction on the key issue of identification, which emphasizes to the jury the need for finding that the circumstances of the identification are convincing beyond a reasonable doubt. This need was voiced in 1942 in McKenzie v. United States [126 F.2d 533] and it has been given vitality in our opinions of recent years — following the Supreme Court’s 1966 Wade-Gilbert [v. California, 388 U.S. 263, 87 S.Ct. 1951, 18 L.Ed.2d 1178 (1967) ]-Stovall [v. Denno, 388 U.S. 293, 87 S.Ct. 1967, 18 L.Ed.2d 1199 (1967)] trilogy focusing on the very real danger of mistaken identification as a threat to justice. We refer to our post-Wade opinions in Gregory [v. United States, 369 F.2d 185 (1966)] and Macklin [v. United States, 409 F.2d 174 (1969)]. These opinions sought to take into account the traditional recognition that identification testimony presents special problems of reliability by stressing the importance of an identification instruction even in cases meeting the constitutional threshold of admissability. [Footnotes omitted].
Recently, a number of state and federal courts have attempted to minimize the dangers of eyewitness identification, when it is a crucial issue, by adopting the model jury instruction on eyewitness identification set forth in Telfaire or a similar version of that instruction.1 E.g., United States v. Hodges, *64515 F.2d 650 (7th Cir. 1975); United States v. Holley, 502 F.2d 273 (4th Cir. 1974); United States v. Barber, 442 F.2d 517 (3rd Cir. 1971); Commonwealth v. Rodriguez, 378 Mass. 296, 391 N.E.2d 889 (1979); State v. Green, 86 N.J. 281, 430 A.2d 914 (1981). In People v. Gaines, 80 A.D.2d 561, 435 N.Y.S.2d 346 (1981), the court ordered a new trial, holding that “the trial court’s failure to give something more than a bare-bones charge on the sole issue of identification was error.” 435 N.Y.S.2d at 347.
Some courts have even stated that in cases where identification is a major issue the trial judge should give an effective instruction even though defense counsel fails to request it. See e.g., United States v. Butler, 636 F.2d 727 (D.C.Cir.1980); Macklin v. United States, 409 F.2d 174 (D.C.Cir.1969); People v. Hall, 82 A.D.2d 838,439 N.Y.S.2d 661 (1981). See also State v. Schaffer, Utah, 638 P.2d 1185 (1981) (Stewart, J., dissenting).
In the instant case, the victim was sexually assaulted on April 16, 1980. In June, defendant’s car, a white Peugeot, was found improperly parked at an Ogden park location which had been the scene of sexual offenses unrelated to the criminal charge for which defendant stood trial. A picture was subsequently taken of defendant from his driver’s license and shown to the victim in July, along with pictures of six other individuals. She chose two, including defendant’s, and requested additional pictures of these individuals. Officer Moody, the investigating officer, testified that he then showed the victim a high school yearbook, opened to a page on which defendant appeared with the studentbody in his capacity as a coach, and asked her if that was the man. The victim, however, testified that she thumbed through the book until she found the picture. In any event, it was not until approximately three months after the assault that defendant became a suspect through the use of photographic identification.
Officer Moody also testified that he had not found either the blue sweat suit apparently worn by the assailant during the assault nor located the only car, a silver Honda, seen by the victim in a nearby parking lot after the assault.
The victim’s original description of her assailant included the following characteristics: He had a leathery complexion with large pores which appeared to be acne scars. He had a predominant line on the left side of his face. When he leaned forward his hair parted and fell to the right. By using her husband, who stands 5' 11" tall, as a reference point, she evaluated her assailant’s height to be 6' 3" or 6' 4". At trial, it was established that the defendant was not a very close match of the description. Defendant is 6' 1", and did not have acne scars or leathery skin. The lines on the left side of his face were no more distinct than the lines on the right side. His hair, at the time of trial, was too short to form a part, and witnesses testified that for many years preceding the trial defendant had consistently kept his hair as short as it was at trial.
Defendant produced numerous witnesses to substantiate his alibi. Several students testified that school let out at 2:40 and they remained after school with Coach Malmrose between 2:45 and 3:15 to practice gymnastics. They particularly remembered that day because of the weather. They testified *65that during the gymnastic practice that day Coach Malmrose requested they return the mats indoors because of a light rain which was beginning to fall. The mats, just purchased that year, were quite expensive and Coach Malmrose was particularly careful about keeping them in good condition. Therefore, even though the rain was not heavy enough to cause a baseball game being played on the school grounds to be called off, the students were requested to terminate their outdoor practice and return the mats indoors. The students recall watching the baseball game in lieu of gymnastic practice that afternoon.
The principal and school secretary testified that defendant had been teaching at the junior high school for eleven years and had a fine reputation, as well as an impeccable attendance record. They testified that the school policy required all teachers to remain one hour after classes ended and anyone leaving before that time was required to receive permission. The policy also required anyone with knowledge of a teacher’s leaving early without permission to inform the principal. Aside from the policy requiring teachers to remain one hour past the school day, defendant’s duty as coach regularly kept him after hours to assist in various sport practices and activities. There was no 'record of defendant ever requesting to leave early. And, although it was difficult to leave early without being seen by someone due to the nature of the school grounds and the placement of the parking lot, there was no record of defendant ever being seen leaving before the requisite time. Moreover, the school principal and secretary corroborated the students’ testimony that it rained on the afternoon in question. Because of the afternoon rain, they both were concerned about their respective engagements scheduled for that evening.
At trial, there was evidence that defendant’s blood type is similar to that of the assailant’s. The evidence ■ was admitted without objection even though, as found by the majority opinion, it was inadmissible hearsay, and even though the blood type was similar to 40% to 45% of the male population at large. Other than this highly speculative evidence, the only evidence connecting defendant to the crime is the eyewitness testimony of the victim.
Apparently because there was no other evidence of defendant’s connection with the crime, apart from the victim’s eyewitness identification, the prosecutor’s direct examination of the victim and his argument to the jury sought to bolster the credibility of the victim’s eyewitness identification by reference to her particular background and education. The prosecutor went into the victim’s academic record extensively at trial. The testimony included the fact that she had an undergraduate degree in psychology, had received a master’s in criminal justice and was half way through the Ph.D program, and was currently working on an MBA. In closing argument the prosecutor stated:
We know that from listening to her testimony that she is a sensitive person that prides herself on her ability to perceive things and remember those things. And she has been very specific about those things that she perceived and remembered.
⅝ ⅜ ⅝ # ⅝« #
Ladies and gentlemen, the most critical identification at this point in the trial, the most critical description, is that given from the stand when that accusing victim looks in the face of the defendant and said, That is the man. I have no doubt in my mind.
In sum, the combination of the following factors renders the possibility of mistaken eyewitness identification particularly significant in this case. There was no eyewitness other than the victim connecting the defendant to the crime; there were discrepancies in the victim’s description of the defendant and the defendant’s actual appearance; there was a lengthy period of time between the assault and identification; the manner in which the first two pictures were presented was suggestive; and there was very substantial corroboration by numerous, highly credible witnesses of defend*66ant’s alibi. Under these circumstances, I submit that there was error in excluding the expert testimony and in not giving a cautionary instruction on eyewitness identification.
DURHAM, J., concurs in the dissenting opinion of STEWART, J.

. In Telfaire, 469 F.2d at 558-59, the court framed the following instruction:
One of the most important issues in this case is the identification of the defendant as the perpetrator of the crime. The Government has the burden of providing identity, beyond a reasonable doubt. It is not essential that the witness himself be free from doubt as to the correctness of his statement. However, you, the jury, must be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of the accuracy of the identification of the defendant before you may convict him. If you are not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was the person who committed the crime, you must find the defendant not guilty.
Identification testimony is an expression of belief or impression by the witness. Its value depends on the opportunity the witness had to observe the offender at the time of the offense and to make a reliable identification later.
In appraising the identification testimony of a witness, you should consider the following:
(1) Are you convinced that the witness had the capacity and an adequate opportunity to observe the offender?
Whether the witness had an adequate opportunity to observe the offender at the time of the offense will be affected by such matters as how long or short a time was available, how far or close the witness was, how good were lighting conditions, whether the witness had had occasion to see or know the person in the past.
[In general, a witness bases any identification he makes on his perception through the use of his senses. Usually the witness identifies an offender by the sense of sight — but this is not necessarily so, and he may use other senses.] *
* Sentence in brackets ( [ ]) to be used only if appropriate. Instructions to be inserted or modified as appropriate to the proof and contentions.
(2) Are you satisfied that the identification made by the witness subsequent to the offense was the product of his own recollection? You may take into account both the strength of the identification, and the circumstances under which the identification was made.
If the identification by the witness may have been influenced by the circumstances under which the defendant was presented to him for identification, you should scrutinize the identification with great care. You may also consider the length of time that lapsed between the occurrence of the crime and the next opportunity of the witness to see defendant, as a factor bearing on the reliability of the identification.
[You may also take into account that an identification made by picking the defendant out of a group of similar individuals is generally more reliable than one which results from the presentation of the defendant alone to the witness.] *64[ (3) You may take into account any occasions in which the witness failed to make an identification of defendant, or made an identification that was inconsistent with his identification at trial.]
(4) Finally, you must consider the credibility of each identification witness in the same way as any other witness, consider whether he is truthful, and consider whether he had the capacity and opportunity to make a reliable observation on the matter covered in his testimony.
I again emphasize that the burden of proof on the prosecutor extends to every element of the crime charged, and this specifically includes the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt the identity of the defendant as the perpetrator of the crime with which he stands charged. If after examining the testimony, you have a reasonable doubt as to the accuracy of the identification, you must find the defendant not guilty.