Court Opinion

ID: 9752911
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 18:43:51.811698+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:41:57.357821
License: Public Domain

Carey, J., (concurring).
In my opinion, something more needs to be said concerning the testimony of Detective Rodenheiser at the original trial. Although he was on the stand for a considerable length of time, he said nothing about the fact that the original written statements were destroyed after they had been retyped and that the papers actually put into evidence were the second ones not typed by him but signed by J ones and Maguire. He seeks to excuse this by now saying that he thought the matter was unimportant, and that the proper questions were not asked of him so as to give him a chance to tell about the episode. A witness, of course, has no business deciding upon the importance of any particular question or line of testimony; his sworn duty is to answer the questions put to him truthfully and fully.
*358As to the suggested excuse that no opportunity was given him to explain this matter, it seems plain to me that there were at least three places in the questioning when a full and truthful answer would necessarily have included this information. I quote only one of those instances, which occurred during examination by Mr. Young:
“Q. I hand you State’s Exhibit No. 11. Is that the statement that you took from Ira'Jones? A. It is.
“Q. At what time? A. At 2:45 A.M., starting at 2:45 A.M.
“Q. Did you type it yourself? A. I did.”
The officer now admits under oath that he did not type this piece of paper, that the one he typed was destroyed, but that this particular exhibit was an exact copy of the one he did type. I cannot understand how he could possibly have understood the questions above quoted to refer to anything other than the piece of paper that was then shown to him and identified by him. Moreover, while this witness was still on the stand, a lengthy colloquy took place between counsel and the Court, the nature of which could only indicate to him that the matter was of importance and so considered by counsel. Immediately after he left the stand, a recess was taken. Notwithstanding this, he admittedly made no effort to tell the Attorney General or any one else about the retyping episode.
Regardless of the category into which this testimony should be pláced, nevertheless the witness was certainly guilty of conduct of a censorable character, regardless of its actual effect upon the outcome of the trial. If we pass this sort of thing in silence, we may be thought to give our sanction to such conduct.
This does not mean that petitioners are entitled to a new trial because of that evasive testimony of this witness. To warrant such relief under Rule 35(a) there must be a showing that a retrial could reasonably be expected to result in a different verdict and judgment. United States v. Bowen, D. C., 94 F. Supp. *3591006, affirmed, 5 Cir., 192 F. 2d 515, certiorari denied 343 U. S. 943, 72 S. Ct. 1036, 96 L.Ed. 1348, rehearing denied 343 U.S. 988, 72 S. Ct. 1079, 96 L. Ed. 1375; United States v. Moore, 7 Cir., 166 F. 2d 102. Under all the evidence in this case, no such likelihood appears. The only criticism which petitioners have ever made of the statements admitted into evidence is that they never used the word “moaning”. The only basic issue in the case was whether the victim consented. We know from other evidence presented that she was making some kind of noise, which must have been the result of fear or pain on her part; otherwise there would have been no phone call to the police station and there would have been no woman yelling to these boys .to leave the girl alone. Accordingly, it makes little difference whether the proper word was “moaning” or something else. In short, I cannot believe that there would have been any difference whatever in the outcome of the trial had the full facts concerning the aforesaid retyping been disclosed to the jury.
I, therefore, concur with the result reached in Judge Richards’ opinion. I am authorized to say that Judge Terry concurs with what has been said herein.