Court Opinion

ID: 7815339
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-07 17:34:06.202591+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:28:37.598992
License: Public Domain

Carleton Harris, Chief Justice, dissenting. I am of the opinion, that because of two errors (in my view) committed during the trial, this case should be reversed and remanded. Dr. T. E. Williams was called as a witness for the State, and testified relative to the numerous injuries received by Mrs. Benning and Linda Schol. According to his evidence, the injuries to both were very severe, and those received by Mrs. Benning covered most of the body. He mentioned that the bone was protruding through the skin of her elbow, and also her right ankle. Appellant’s counsel had previously in Chambers, made the following admission and objection: “We concede that Mrs. Benning and the child, Linda Schol, died as a result of the collision within the statutory period. I believe a year is the statutory period, so we admit that fact. We feel that they should not pursue at any length in regard to the gravity of the injuries. We feel, Your Honor, that the State, since we have admitted the death of Mrs. Benning and the death of Linda Schol as a result of this collision, should not be permitted to introduce evidence by Dr. Williams, or anyone else, bearing solely upon the aggravated nature of the injuries, which could only serve to inflame the passions, and not to enlighten the jury as to any fact.” Also, at the conclusion of Dr. Williams’ testimony, counsel again renewed the objection, and requested the court to exclude this evidence and to instruct the jury to disregard all of the doctor’s testimony except that which showed the deaths of the persons involved. The court again overruled the objection and appellant’s exceptions were noted. The injuries were of an extensive nature, and it is my feeling that this testimony could have influenced the jury in its verdict. The evidence was certainly unnecessary as the prosecution was based solely ■upon the death of Mrs. Benning and Linda Schol, which fact counsel admitted. I also feel that the admission of State’s Exhibit No. 7, a posed photograph, showing a State Police car parked on the side of the highway, was prejudicial error. The evidence pretty well reflected that the footage between the pavement and a ditch on the right-hand side (facing north), was insufficient to be properly termed a shoulder. The photograph, however, shows the car as resting between the edge of the pavement and this ditch. The State admitted that the two-ton truck owned by appellant, involved in the collision, was wider than the automobile, but stated that the picture was only offered as an aid to the jury in visualizing the width of the side of the highway. I cannot see that it was admissible for any purpose. Evidence had already been offered as to the width between the edge of the pavement and the ditch (7 feet, 1 inch) and it is quite obvious to me that the truck, carrying a large wide bed, could not possibly have parked completely off the highway. Yet, this picture, when viewed by the jury, could have well served as a suggestion that if the trooper could park his car in tluu space, appellant could have done likewise. For these reasons, I respectfully dissent to the holding of the majority.