Court Opinion

ID: 9505635
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-06 20:13:32.610883+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:04:39.806656
License: Public Domain

BOEHM, Justice,
concurring.
I concur in Parts I, II, and IV. I concur in result in Part III because I agree the error in admitting Ward’s testimony was harmless. It seems to me that in the testimony quoted by the majority Ward did express an opinion, and that, although not directly stated, her opinion was that Cline was guilty of the crime. If Ward is an expert, this opinion is relevant, but inadmissible under Evidence Rule 704(b) because it is an expression of opinion as to guilt. Because Ward’s opinion was derived not from “rational inferences” from her “perceptions” but rather from her experience, she was not a lay witness under Evidence Rule 701, and needed to be qualified as an expert. If Ward is not an expert, I agree with the majority that her opinion may be viewed as irrelevant, but is specifically rendered inadmissible by Rule 701 and also by Rule 704(b).