Appellant challenges the restitution order entered against him after he pled guilty to exploitation of an elderly person. After hearing, the trial court awarded restitution in the amount of $450,534.57. We reverse and remand for a new restitution hearing.
At the restitution proceeding, State presented testimony from the victim’s attorney, the victim’s daughter, and an affidavit from the victim’s accountant. We think this testimony was insufficient to support the restitution award because it was speculative and hearsay.
The victim’s attorney testified only to statements made to him by the victim. This could not form the basis of the restitution award. Miller v. State,
The victim’s daughter testified that the victim had a net worth of between $750,000 and $2,000,000 before the victim met Appellant, but that her net worth had diminished to $100,000. Even if this testimony was properly admitted over Appellant’s foundation objection, it was far too speculative to support the restitution award. Henry v. State,
Finally, as to the accountant’s affidavit, Appellant objected to its introduction on the basis that “there’s no way for me to cross examine the person who made the affidavit.” Although not textbook, we think this was sufficient to apprise the trial court of the nature of the legal objection. See Layman v. State,
REVERSED and REMANDED.
