Court Opinion

ID: 9642833
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 18:10:27.360082+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:53.249665
License: Public Domain

MAUS, Presiding Judge,
dissenting.
I must respectfully dissent. I do not believe the record supports the determination of plain error upon which the majority opinion rests.
Error not properly preserved will not be considered ‘plain error’ unless there is a finding that ‘manifest injustice or miscarriage of justice has resulted therefrom,’ Rule 30.20; and instructional error will not be considered plain error unless it is found that the trial court has so misdirected or failed to instruct the jury upon the law as to produce or cause manifest injustice or a miscarriage of justice. State v. Ealey, 624 S.W.2d 465, 467 (Mo.App.1981).
The majority opinion finds plain error from an incongruity in the trial court failing to give MAI-CR2d 2.50 on the one hand and the cross examination of Woodward and the presentation of the testimony of the Dean of Students on the other hand. Pattern instruction MAI-CR2d 2.50 concerns the character of a defendant bearing on guilt or innocence. Note on Use 1 declares it must be given “whenever there is evidence of defendant’s general reputation of good character.” When read in connection with the instruction itself, this language may be said to refer to those traits which ordinarily would be involved in the offense. MAI-CR2d 2.50; State v. Wells, 586 S.W.2d 354 (Mo.App.1979). The testimony of Woodward that the defendant’s truthfulness was not questioned did not require this instruction. MAI-CR2d 2.50, Note on Use 2; State v. Wells, supra; State v. Woodfin, 559 S.W.2d 273 (Mo.App.1977). Only Woodward’s testimony that the defendant’s peacefulness was not questioned can be said to require the instruction. However, the force of that testimony must be determined in the light of his admission his opinion concerning defendant’s reputation for truthfulness would be affected if he had heard the defendant was the prime suspect in connection with two thefts. Evidence was later properly received that in fact the defendant was investigated in connection with four or five incidents of various sorts, “most of them robberies.” State v. Stearns, 617 S.W.2d 505 (Mo.App.1981). Considering all of the evidence, I question if Woodward’s testimony was substantial evidence of a good character trait of peacefulness. Assuming that it was, it could have been prejudicial to have *356given MAI-CR2d 2.50. It could have served to emphasize the evidence unfavorable to the defendant. The failure to give that instruction was not plain error.
As stated, Woodward testified concerning the defendant’s reputation for truthfulness. It is proper to test a witness vouching for the good character of a defendant by inquiring into his knowledge of reports concerning acts of misconduct of the defendant. State v. Myers, 579 S.W.2d 828 (Mo.App.1979); State v. Harris, 558 S.W.2d 282 (Mo.App.1977). There may be a difference between truthfulness and honesty. It has been said honesty encompasses truthfulness and has a more comprehensive meaning. State v. Wells, supra. I believe it was not error to ask Woodward if knowledge of the investigations would affect his opinion of the defendant’s reputation for honesty, a term which includes the term truthfulness used in Woodward’s direct examination. State v. Harris, supra. It was not plain error.
The Dean of Students testified in rebuttal. Woodward’s testimony has been recounted. The defendant testified concerning his extensive activities in church work, that he did not drink or smoke, and had never been in trouble with the law. The Dean’s rebuttal testimony concerning the defendant’s reputation for honesty was not plain error. The defendant’s explanation for being at the mall and of his activities there was far from convincing. The same is true of his explanation for having a realistic toy gun in his car. The quantum of proof is properly considered in determining plain error. State v. Miller, 604 S.W.2d 702 (Mo.App.1980). I do not believe such error is established by the record.