Court Opinion

ID: 9603157
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 02:03:47.404198+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:02:09.088258
License: Public Domain

BRETT, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent to this decision. I would grant the defendant a new trial.
I believe the showing of the videotaped confession of witness Pickinpaugh was highly prejudicial. As I view the record, the prosecutor should have used the same transcript of the confession that defense counsel used to rehabilitate his witness. Pickinpaugh had made at least three other statements each of which contradicted the other. There appeared to be no other simple way to identify the confession other than to refer to the videotaped confession, which defense counsel did, in an effort to show the contradictory statements the witness had made. When the videotaped confession was shown to the jury, it was the same as permitting the witness to testify again, but without being subject to cross-examination. In addition it tended to overemphasize his testimony. I can see a clear distinction between the situation in Huntley v. Territory, supra, and the facts of the instant case. In Huntley the transcript of testimony taken at the preliminary examination was introduced into evidence. But that was testimony taken under oath. In the instant case no oath was given when the videotape was taken. Also, the statement in Huntley, that includes the word “conversations”, is pure dictum. On the basis of that statement most anything would be subject to introduction into evidence.
Also, I can see no probative value in allowing into evidence the photographs of the dead body of Mrs. Cochran. Pickin-paugh testified that he killed the lady and how he did the act. Therefore, I can see no particular value in the photographs other than to arouse the prejudices of the jury. There is little doubt in my mind that the photographs had that effect. The defendant in this case was not being tried for the murder of Mrs. Cochran, but with aiding and abetting the crime.
Therefore, after considering this record in its entirety, I would grant the defendant a new trial.