Court Opinion

ID: 9773015
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 17:35:12.363265+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:49.718435
License: Public Domain

STEPHENSON, Justice,
concurring.
I agree with the majority opinion. However, it should be extended so as to mandate that the competency-to-testify proceeding by the trial court be held in open court and before the jury. It is the province of the trial court to ascertain whether the child is sufficiently intelligent to observe, recollect, and narrate the facts and has a moral obligation to speak the truth. Moore v. Commonwealth, Ky., 384 S.W.2d 498 (1964). However, this inquiry is important to the jury in evaluating the credibility of the child’s testimony.
Further, I believe it highly improper in a hearing to determine competency to testify to inquire into substantive testimony, as was done here with one of the child witnesses. Conducting this hearing before the jury would eliminate the temptation to hear substantive testimony about the case.
LEIBSON, J., joins in this concurring opinion.