Facts: Sergeant First Class Dashaun Henry’s son JH told his neighbor, Staff Sergeant DC that his father was beating his mother. JH seemed afraid and screamed 'You better not hit her again' as he went back home after he alerted his neighbor. A few minutes later, Staff Sergeant DC saw Henry chasing his wife, KH, and children and his wife shouted 'He hit me. He hit me.' Staff Sergeant DC brought KH and the children into his home, before asking if she wanted to call the police. KH told the operator 'My husband has hit me a couple of times over the past few hours.' The police found potential evidence of the abuse on KH: red marks on her cheeks and a scratch on her neck. Procedural History:
The government wanted to introduce four statements: two from JH ('He’s beating my mom” and “You better not hit her again'), two from KH ('He hit me. He hit me' and 'My husband has hit me a couple of times over the past few hours.'). The military judge denied admission of the four statements under the present sense impression, using a test from U.S. v. Arnold, 25 M.J. 129, 132 (C.M.A. 1987). He ruled that the government did not show that the statements were a excited utterance impression because there was no evidence that the statements were made spontaneously after a 'startling event or after observing a startling event,' no evidence establishing the timing of the assault and if the statements were made after the assault. Issue: Do the statements fall under the present sense or excited utterance hearsay exception? Holding: The government appeal was rejected and the military judge’s ruling was affirmed. All four statements did not fit into the excited utterance exception, as there was insufficient information surrounding the time of the incident. All information provided was circumstantial or was based off assumptions that Staff Sergeant DC made. The statements did not fall into the present sent impression either because the statements were not made immediately after the incident took place. Explanation: Under Military Rule of Evidence 802, hearsay is generally prohibited, unless it falls into a present sense or excited utterance exception. An excited utterance must be spontaneous, must be in response to a startling and be caused by a stressful situation. See U.S. v. Arnold, 25 M.J. 129, 132 (C.M.A. 1987).
The government’s appeal was rejected and the military judge’s ruling was affirmed." - Jonathan Goldhirsch Comments are closed.
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