Court Opinion

ID: 9683715
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 13:35:39.652793+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:17:49.875403
License: Public Domain

WINTERSHEIMER, Justice,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent from the majority opinion because none of the alleged errors require reversal of this conviction.
The trial judge did not abuse his discretion in allowing the introduction of the evidence of sex abuse because it was admissible to prove motive. The ruling of the trial judge on admissibility, if supported by the evidence, is dispositive of the question. Cf. Halvorsen v. Commonwealth, 730 S.W.2d 921 (Ky.1986).
The reference to the polygraph test was arguably inappropriate but it did not prejudice Major. In Tamme v. Commonwealth, 973 S.W.2d 13 (Ky.1998), we held that the mere utterance of the word “polygraph” is not grounds for reversal.
The telephone conversation was admissible because the father consented to the taping. It was not error or an abuse of discretion for the trial judge to permit the tape to be introduced. Rulings on the admissibility of evidence by the trial judge should not be disturbed on appellate review in the absence of an abuse of discretion. Partin v. Commonwealth, 918 S.W.2d 219 (Ky.1996).
Admission of the firearms previously owned by Major was proper and was really not properly preserved for appellate review. The emotional display on two occasions by the prosecutor at trial was not error and certainly not palpable. The actions of the prosecutor in this situation did not rise to the level of misconduct. The behavior was not inflammatory; it did not substantially prejudice the defendant, nor violate his constitutional rights in any respect. Cf. Byrd v. Commonwealth, 825 S.W.2d 272 (Ky.1992).
The admonition by the trial judge to the jury regarding a question by a juror to a bailiff cured any possible error in regard to the statement. There is always a presumption that the jury can follow any curative admonition. Gould v. Charlton Co., Inc., 929 S.W.2d 734 (Ky.1996). The errors alleged here did not cause the trial to be fundamentally unfair to Major and did not violate any of his constitutional rights as protected by the Kentucky or federal constitution.
I would affirm the conviction in all respects.