Court Opinion

ID: 9585052
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 22:55:35.240356+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:27:12.289326
License: Public Domain

CHAPEL, P.J.,
dissenting.
¶ 1 I would reverse and remand this ease for a new trial as I find merit in Brown’s first proposition of error. The majority finds error but resolves the error by judging it harmless. In so doing, the majority winks at *936a very serious constitutional violation. The majority justifies its action by noting that evidence, other than that which ought to have been excluded, proves Brown was guilty. My own view is that in the case of serious constitutional errors, this court should reverse and require the State to do it right. If, as the majority argues, the evidence was otherwise sufficient, the outcome will be the same. But this Court by its action would have upheld the constitution. Winking at serious constitutional errors, while expedient, degrades and demeans our rights.