STATE OF LOUISIANA v. SATURNINO PENA (2026)

Writ application granted. See per curiam.

JMG

JLW

JBM

CRC

AHP

Supreme Court of Louisiana March 11, 2026

SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA

No. 2026-KK-00318

STATE OF LOUISIANA

VS.

SATURNINO PENA

On Supervisory Writ to the 24th Judicial District Court, Parish of Jefferson

PER CURIAM

Writ granted; stay denied. The ruling of the trial court excluding the CARE Center audio from evidence is reversed. We find the trial court abused its discretion because it provided no legal support for its ruling and relied on its determination that the other evidence “should cover it.” However, as the court noted, a finding that evidence is duplicative or cumulative is not a basis for inadmissibility. See State v. Davis, 92-1623 (La. 5/23/94), 637 So.2d 1012, 1026; State v. Garrison, 400 So.2d 874, 881 (La. 1981); State v. Green, 24-415, (La. App. 4 Cir. 10/8/25), 424 So.3d 225, 234. This ruling does not bar the trial court from making a later determination during proceedings as to the admissibility of the CARE Center audio evidence.

Griffin, J., would deny the stay and writ.