State v. Dullard
Supreme Court of Iowa
668 N.W.2d 585 (2003)
Relevant factsFree
Police searching Dullard's (defendant's) home found pseudoephedrine-containing medicine, other methamphetamine-manufacturing paraphernalia, and an anonymous handwritten note warning that someone had seen a car watching the house. At Dullard's trial for possessing pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, the prosecution used the note to suggest that its unknown author believed Dullard needed a warning about police surveillance because he was in fact manufacturing drugs; the trial court admitted the note, and the jury convicted Dullard.
IssueFree
Whether a statement introduced into evidence for its implied meaning, rather than the literal truth of what it says, is inadmissible hearsay.