Court Opinion

ID: 9742854
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 21:21:40.111309+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:37.257433
License: Public Domain

Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE T. MORAN specially concurring: The doctrine of past recoUection recorded is an exception to the hearsay rule and is offered to prove the truth of what is asserted. As an exception, however, the doctrine should be strictly construed. Although affording the opportunity of cross-examination, such examination is limited since, by the very nature of the doctrine itself, the witness can have no other recollection other than the facts contained in the statement. I am of the opinion, therefore, that only the facts contained in such statement should be admissible, not conclusions therein. In the instant case, the court, after preliminary foundation had been laid, aUowed the witness (nurse) to read the foUowing statement: “White male admitted cart to 4 C. 2 from E.P. Patient has head dressings and multiple facial lacerations. Patient sleeping — is under alcoholic influence. BeUigerent when awake. Side rails applies.” On cross-examination, when asked if she recaffed the condition of the plaintiff with respect to his injuries, she responded, “only just from what I read there. I have no recollection of the case.” Research of Illinois law reveals no case wherein the doctrine has been either refined or limited with relation to conclusionary matters contained therein. However, it is my opinion in the instant case that, without any factual basis being recorded, the conclusionary statement, “is under alcoholic influence,” should not have been admitted. As the majority opinion relates, this was an issue to be considered by the jury. Further, however, it is my opinion that this error was not prejudicial and that it did not effect the outcome as a whole since, from a reading of the record, there was other ample evidence on the same subject matter to support the verdict. Consequently, I specially concur in the results reached by the majority herein.