Court Opinion

ID: 9776039
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 19:17:03.663821+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:32:33.186254
License: Public Domain

ON MOTION FOR REHEARING
PER CURIAM:
Appellant’s motion for rehearing contends the opinion in this case errs in holding that defendant’s cautionary identification instruction, refused by the trial court, violates MAI-CR2d Notes on Use. In support of his position, appellant cites State v. Little, 674 S.W.2d 541 (Mo.banc 1984), which holds that MAI does not forbid the giving of an identification instruction. Appellant argues that the point should have been considered in this case, not on the strictures of MAI-CR2d, but upon the discretionary authority of the trial court and the contended abuse of that discretion.
The instruction offered by appellant in this case is patterned after the “Telfaire Instruction”, so named from United States v. Telfaire, 469 F.2d 552 (D.C.Cir.1972). The instruction emphasizes the burden on the state to prove identification beyond a reasonable doubt and directs the jury to consider the capacity, opportunity and circumstances of the witnesses affecting their ability to make the identification. The instruction offered and refused in State v. Little, supra, is not set out in the opinion or otherwise described except as an “identification instruction.” We assume that it was essentially the same in content as the instruction in this case.
MAI-CR2d 2.01 informs the jury that it alone must decide upon the believability of witnesses and in doing so, the jury may take into consideration the ability and opportunity of the witness to observe and remember. Notes on Use 2 following MAI-CR2d 2.01 prohibits any other or additional instruction on believability of witnesses or the weight or value of their testimony. State v. Borden, 605 S.W.2d 88, 93 (Mo. banc 1980), affirms that no added instruction as to the believability of a witness or the value of the witness’ testimony is to be given.
The evidence given by an identification witness is evaluated by the jury for believability and, in so doing, the jury necessarily considers whether the witness had the opportunity and ability to observe and recall the features which made identification possible. MAI-CR2d 2.01 instructs the jury upon these factors. The Telfaire instruction repeats the content of MAI-CR2d 2.01 with particular stress upon identification evidence. It is an added instruction on the believability of witnesses and the value of their testimony.
The cases have repeatedly and consistently held that MAI-CR2d Notes on Use are to be religiously observed and a failure to instruct in conformity therewith results in presumptive error. State v. Mee, 643 S.W.2d 601 (Mo.App.1982); State v. Franks, 643 S.W.2d 624 (Mo.App.1982). Notwithstanding the comment contained in State v. Little, supra, the identification instruction offered by appellant in this case could not have been given without violating MAI-CR2d 2.01 Notes on Use. We are unwilling to accept appellant’s argument that State v. Little has, in effect, modified MAI-CR2d sub silentio. Unless and until the Supreme Court expressly directs that MAI-CR2d or the Notes on Use be changed, the trial courts are obligated to instruct juries in accordance with the pattern instructions. With like effect, a failure to follow MAI-CR2d must result in presumptive error.
The motion for rehearing is overruled and the motion to transfer is denied.