Court Opinion

ID: 9796345
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 03:55:56.405595+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:50:06.287652
License: Public Domain

Luckert, J.,
concurring in part and dissenting in part: I respectfully disagree with the majority’s conclusion that the erroneous admission of Dr. Nelson’s expert testimony requires the reversal of Hughes’ convictions. In all other respects, I agree with the majority opinion, including the conclusion that the profiling testimony of the expert witness was inadmissible.
*1031The majority, in concluding Hughes’ convictions should be reversed, opined that Hughes’ substantial rights were violated by the admission of Dr. Nelson’s testimony. See K.S.A. 60-261 (harmless error rule; no error in admission of evidence is ground for disturbing judgment “unless refusal to take such action appears to the court inconsistent with substantial justice”). This opinion was largely based upon the majority’s perception that the evidence against Hughes was relatively weak. Although the evidence came primarily from codefendant Mollie Paico, there was evidence to substantiate her version of events. In addition, Plughes’ girlfriend’s statements to cellmates implicated him in the murder. In my view, this evidence is sufficient for a jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Hughes was guilty.
In addition, the majority noted that Dr. Nelson’s testimony regarding crack cocaine was prejudicial. Yet, the record is replete with evidence regarding drugs and drug use, much of it admitted without objection. Given the pervasive theme of drugs throughout the trial, it seems very questionable that the expert testimony was so prejudicial as to violate substantial rights. In fact, Hughes’ own arguments suggest he does not perceive that Dr. Nelson’s testimony added to information otherwise available to the jury. Rather, he argues Dr. Nelson’s testimony should have been excluded because his opinion was unnecessary to aid the jury’s understanding of crack cocaine. In other words, while Dr. Nelson’s testimony added scientific insight into why crack impacts users, much of his testimony related to matters within the common knowledge of a juror.
I agree with Hughes’ argument that Dr. Nelson’s expert testimony added little to the understanding of the case. And, while his testimony made little difference, the evidence against Hughes, while not overwhelming, was strong. Therefore, I would conclude that the admission of his testimony did not deny Hughes substantial justice. The standard of K.S.A. 60-261, stating that a new trial shall not be granted on the basis of the erroneous admission of evidence unless the error affects the substantial rights of the parties, is not met.
*1032McFarland, C.J., and Nuss, J., join in the foregoing concurring and dissenting opinion.