Court Opinion

ID: 9769520
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 14:53:15.967954+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:37:54.228877
License: Public Domain

ON ALTERNATIVE MOTION FOR REHEARING OR TO TRANSFER TO SUPREME COURT
PER CURIAM.
The defendant has timely filed an alternative motion for rehearing or to transfer the appeal to the Supreme Court, pursuant to Rule 84.17, V.A.M.R. Defendant asserts: 1) that this court overlooked a material matter of fact and law in failing to consider her 12th assignment of error, specifically that the trial court erred in refusing to permit her to introduce the testimony of Dr. George Parlato, a practicing psychiatrist; 2) that this court erred in holding that defendant’s consent to the search of her dwelling was made voluntarily, and 3) that this court erred in holding there was no prejudicial error in permitting the State to introduce evidence tending to implicate the defendant in the commission of other, unrelated offenses. Points two and three are mere rearguments of issues determined by the principal opinion; they must be disregarded. Rule 84.17, V.A.M.R. Point one was not overlooked by this court; our conclusions were simply not articulated in the principal opinion. We concluded there was no merit in assignment of error number 12, and perhaps, again in view of the fact that defendant has received a life sentence and this is her appeal of constitutional right, we should address defendant’s claim of error on this motion for rehearing. We note that this assignment of error was not preserved in the motion for new trial; it is before us only as a possible matter of plain error under Rule 27.20(c), V.A.M.R.
It was developed during the trial that Harris, at the request of his counsel, was examined by Dr. George Parlato, a practicing psychiatrist, to determine whether he was competent to stand trial. Upon cross-examination, Harris was asked if he had had psychiatric examination and treatment; he responded that he had. Later, and before the defendant testified, her counsel asked to call Dr. Parlato as a witness. Defendant’s trial counsel indicated that Dr. Parlato would testify that Harris had a tendency to become “extremely tense and agitated” in situations involving physical violence, and would further testify that Harris placed his own conduct in as favorable a light as possible. The State objected on the ground that such testimony would introduce a collateral issue, and upon the ground that “this doctor has only seen this young man one time.” The court inquired whether defendant’s counsel based his offer on Dr. Parlato’s report; counsel answered “yes”. The court asked about a particular sentence which read: “[Harris] was quite persistent in disclaiming any knowledge of [defendant’s] intention to rip somebody off in regards to the instant offense. He tries to place himself in as favorable a light as possible. For instance, he offered me a cigarette when talking about Chyral’s alleged activities.” Counsel stated he would offer the whole sentence, except the part about cigarettes. The State objected on the ground that Dr. Parlato’s testimony would not constitute “direct evidence of [Harris’] reputation for truth and veracity.” Counsel for Harris, who was present, objected to the introduction of any evidence based on Dr. Parlato’s examination because any statements made by Harris would be privileged by the operation of § 552.020, para. 9, RSMo Supp. 1975. Without specifying its reason, the trial court refused to allow the defendant to call Dr. Parlato. Defendant now suggests that denying her the benefit of Dr. Parlato’s testimony amounted to a manifest injustice.
The real difficulty with this point, and the reason it was not specifically discussed in the principal opinion is that defendant’s argument has far outrun the record. Apparently Dr. Parlato’s examination and re*840port were made pursuant to § 552.020, RSMo Supp. 1975, and apparently that report was before the trial court but it is not before us, sealed, under protective order or otherwise. Perhaps it is possible in the arcane world of modern psychiatry to determine whether or not a person is a soeiopathic or pathological liar in one examination, but this record does not demonstrate that Dr. Parlato arrived at any such conclusion. We will concede that the existence of mental derangement may be shown to discredit a witness provided it affected the witness at the time of the incident testified to, or while he is on the stand or in the meantime so as to cripple his powers of recollection. 3A J. Wigmore, Evidence § 932 (Chadbourn rev. 1970), and see United States v. Hiss, 88 F.Supp. 559, 560[2] (D.C.N.Y.1950); Fries v. Berberich, 177 S.W.2d 640, 643-644[8-10][11-13] (Mo.App.1944). It should appear clearly, however, that the expert’s observation of the witness was sufficient for the expert to form a reasonably certain opinion, Annot., 20 A.L.R.3d 684, 697-698 (1968), and no such showing was made here. In any event, and quite apart from questions of privilege,2 we believe the admission of such expert testimony is a matter resting in the discretion of the trial judge, and we find no abuse of that discretion, much less manifest injustice in this case. United States v. Barnard, 490 F.2d 907, 912-913[11-14] (9th Cir. 1973), cert. denied 416 U.S. 959, 94 S.Ct. 1976, 40 L.Ed.2d 310 (1974).
The motion for rehearing is denied; the motion to transfer to the Supreme Court is denied.

. We are inclined to think the privilege conferred by § 552.020, para. 9, may be more extensive and complex than defendant argues, see, e. g., United States v. Alvarez, 519 F.2d 1036 (3d Cir. 1975), (construing 18 U.S.C. § 4244, from which the language of § 552.020 is in part taken), but we do not here examine the question of privilege.