Brown v. State, 389 So. 2d 269

PER CURIAM.

Brown appeals his conviction on a charge of sexual battery. Because Brown has not demonstrated reversible error, we affirm.

Brown is correct that the trial judge erred in admitting into evidence a doctor‘s testimony about the results of two gonorrhea tests. The doctor did not perform the tests, had no personal knowledge of who performed the tests, and was unaware of the process by which the samples left the hospital for a state laboratory, and returned as test reports. The test results were total hearsay and should not have been admitted into evidence. The doctor clearly was not a “custodian or other qualified witness” as contemplated in Florida‘s Uniform Business Records as Evidence Act, Fla. Stat. § 92.36, which was controlling at this trial.

However, given the totality of the evidence, this error was harmless. Fla. Stat. § 924.33.

The other issues raised by Brown are without merit and do not warrant discussion.

Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

MILLS, C.J., and McCORD and THOMPSON, JJ., concur.

Case Details

Case Name: Brown v. State

Court Name: District Court of Appeal of Florida

Date Published: Oct 7, 1980

Citations: 389 So. 2d 269; NN-352

Docket Number: NN-352

Court Abbreviation: Fla. Dist. Ct. App.