State v. Ruelke, 366 A.2d 497 (N.H. 1976). · Go Syfert
State v. Ruelke, 366 A.2d 497 (N.H. 1976). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
112 citation events across 1 distinct court.
Strongest positive: State v. Crosby (nh, 1997-07-01)
Treatment trajectory · 1978 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1978 2002 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 45 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Crosby
N.H. · 1997 · confidence medium
In determining whether an error was harmless, we ask not “whether the evidence, apart from that erroneously admitted, would support a finding of guilt, but whether it can be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the inadmissible evidence did not affect the verdict.” State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Croft
N.H. · 1997 · confidence medium
Our inquiry in a harmless error analysis is not “whether the evidence, apart from that erroneously admitted, would support a finding of guilt, but whether it can be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the inadmissible evidence did not affect the verdict.” State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Smith
N.H. · 1996 · confidence medium
Our inquiry in a harmless error analysis is not “whether the evidence, apart from that erroneously admitted, would support a finding of guilt, but whether it can be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the inadmissible evidence did not affect the verdict.” State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Skidmore
N.H. · 1993 · confidence medium
The State argues that the evidence against the defendant was overwhelming. “[I]t is not a question whether the evidence, apart from that erroneously admitted, would support a finding of guilt, but whether it can be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the inadmissible evidence did not affect the verdict.” State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Wong
N.H. · 1993 · confidence medium
Bailey, 127 N.H. at 421 , 503 A.2d at 767 ; State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Favreau
N.H. · 1991 · confidence medium
The erroneous admission of hearsay evidence is harmless when it can be said “beyond a reasonable doubt that the inadmissible evidence did not affect the verdict.” State v. Elwell, 132 N.H. 599, 607 , 567 A.2d 1002, 1007 (1989); State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Kallgren v. Chadwick
N.H. · 1991 · confidence medium
State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Eldridge
N.H. · 1991 · confidence medium
State v. Sampson, 132 N.H. 343, 348 , 565 A.2d 1040, 1043 (1989) (citing State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Peters
N.H. · 1991 · confidence medium
As we cannot say beyond a reasonable doubt that the admission of the videotaped testimony, in the absence of the required showing by the State, did not affect the verdict, see State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976), we hold that the defendant’s confrontation rights under part I, article 15 of the State Constitution were violated.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Williams
N.H. · 1990 · confidence medium
The State concedes it was error for the judge to decide this question as a matter of law, but argues in turn that this error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, see State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976), and that we should therefore affirm Williams’s fraud convictions.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Green
N.H. · 1990 · confidence medium
In State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976), we explained the doctrine of harmless error: “[I]t is not a question whether the evidence, apart from that erroneously admitted, would support a finding of guilt, but whether it can be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the inadmissible evidence did not affect the verdict.” The screwdriver was introduced by the State as evidence that Green was at the Richards house on the night of the crime and that he engaged in destructive conduct by slashing the tires of Dorothy Richards.
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Elwell
N.H. · 1989 · confidence medium
State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
examined Cited as authority (rule) State v. Sampson (3×) also: Cited "see"
N.H. · 1989 · confidence medium
State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Dube
N.H. · 1988 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
WlGMORE, supra at 251-52; cf. State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 592 , 694, 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976), explained in State v. Varagianis supra (statement clearly admitted for its truth and no other purpose).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Woods
N.H. · 1988 · confidence medium
Given the obviously damaging nature of the hearsay testimony, we cannot conclude that the erroneous admission of the statements was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976), and we accordingly reverse the defendant’s conviction.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Bujnowski
N.H. · 1987 · confidence medium
We will order a new trial if the State is not able to show “beyond a reasonable doubt that the [improper statements] did not affect the verdict.” State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. O'Leary
N.H. · 1986 · confidence medium
State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Dellorfano
N.H. · 1986 · confidence medium
In determining the gravity of an error, this court asks “whether it can be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the inadmissible evidence did not affect the verdict.” State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. McPherson
N.H. · 1986 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Ober
N.H. · 1985 · confidence medium
Because the prosecutor’s attempt to bolster the State’s witness by a reference to a polygraph test was, therefore, not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976), we must reverse and remand for a new trial.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Munson
N.H. · 1985 · confidence medium
“In this State the test for determining in a criminal case whether error can be harmless is ‘whether it can be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the inadmissible evidence did not affect the verdict.’” State v. Welch, 120 N.H. 687, 688 , 421 A.2d 142, 142-43 (1980) (quoting State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Lake
N.H. · 1984 · confidence medium
State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Shannon
N.H. · 1984 · confidence medium
State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976); see State v. LaBranche, 118 N.H. 176, 179 , 385 A.2d 108, 110 (1978).
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Sidebotham
N.H. · 1984 · confidence medium
State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 693 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976); see United States v. Thomann, 609 F.2d 560, 563 (1st Cir. 1979).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Leuthner
N.H. · 1984 · confidence medium
When irrelevant evidence is improperly admitted, the critical question is “whether it can be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the inadmissible evidence did not affect the verdict.” State v. LaBranche, 118 N.H. 176, 179 , 385 A.2d 108, 110 (1978) (quoting State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Woodbury
N.H. · 1983 · confidence medium
In this State, the test for determining harmless error in a criminal case is “whether it can be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the inadmissible evidence did not affect the verdict.” State v. Welch, 120 N.H. 687, 688 , 421 A.2d 142, 142-43 (1980) (quoting State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Dustin (2×)
N.H. · 1982 · confidence medium
See State v. Welch, 120 N.H. 687, 688 , 421 A.2d 142, 142-43 (1980); State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Settle (2×)
N.H. · 1982 · confidence medium
We are asked in this case to determine whether the automatic standing rule adopted by this court in State v. Crump, 107 N.H. 62, 65 , 217 A.2d 183, 186 (1966), and more recently affirmed in State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 693 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976), constitutes the standard by which searches must be judged or whether the "legitimate expectation of privacy" doctrine, expressed more recently by the United States Supreme Court in Rakas v. Illinois, 439 U.S. 128, 143 (1978) and United States v. Salvucci, 448 U.S. 83, 91-92 (1980), governs. [1-3] This court has historically viewed the rights of …
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Scarlett
N.H. · 1981 · confidence medium
State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Driscoll
N.H. · 1980 · confidence medium
See State v. Scarlett, 118 N.H. 904, 907 , 395 A.2d 1244, 1246-47 (1978); State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Welch (2×)
N.H. · 1980 · confidence medium
They lacked any foundation or support and were properly stricken by the trial judge. [2] In this State the test for determining in a criminal case whether error can be harmless is "whether it can be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the inadmissible evidence did not affect the verdict." State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976); State v. LaBranche, 118 N.H. 176, 179 , 385 A.2d 108, 110 (1978).
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Beaulieu
N.H. · 1979 · confidence medium
State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 693 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976); State v. Fernandez, 113 N.H. 5, 7 , 300 A.2d 55, 56-57 (1973).
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Scarlett
N.H. · 1978 · confidence medium
State v. Labranche, 118 N.H. 176, 179 , 385 A.2d 108, 110 (1978); State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976); accord, Fahy v. Connecticut, 375 U.S. 85 , 86—87 (1963).
discussed Cited "see" State v. Bassett (2×)
N.H. · 1995 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited "see" State v. Davis (2×)
N.H. · 1994 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited "see" State v. Anctil (2×)
N.H. · 1991 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976) (where it can be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the inadmissible evidence did not affect the verdict, error is harmless and court will uphold the conviction).
discussed Cited "see" State v. Fecteau (2×)
N.H. · 1991 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited "see" State v. Coleman (2×)
N.H. · 1990 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976); see also State v. Nadeau, 126 N.H. 120, 125 , 489 A.2d 623, 626 (1985).
discussed Cited "see" State v. Monsalve (2×)
N.H. · 1990 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited "see" State v. Stanley (2×)
N.H. · 1989 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited "see" State v. Cannata (2×)
N.H. · 1988 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited "see" State v. Hickey (2×)
N.H. · 1986 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited "see" Fenlon v. Thayer (2×)
N.H. · 1986 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited "see" State v. Avery (2×)
N.H. · 1985 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976).
discussed Cited "see" State v. Woodard (2×)
N.H. · 1981 · signal: see · confidence high
See State v. LaBranche, 118 N.H. 176, 179, 385 A.2d 108, 110 (1978) (quoting State v. Ruelke, 116 N.H. 692, 694 , 366 A.2d 497, 498 (1976)).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
State of New Hampshire
v.
Peter R. Ruelke
7382.
Supreme Court of New Hampshire.
Nov 30, 1976.
366 A.2d 497
1976 N.H. LEXIS 450
David H. Souter, attorney general and Peter W. Heed, attorney (Mr. Heed orally), for the State., Goodnow, Arwe, Ayer & Prigge and Eric R. Gardner (Mr. Gardner orally) for the defendant.
Grimes, Bois.
Cited by 52 opinions  |  Published
Grimes, J.

Defendant was charged with possession of in excess of a pound of marijuana and with conspiring with one Dennis McAlary to sell marijuana. He was found guilty of conspiring and of the lesser offense of knowingly being present where a controlled drug was kept but did not appeal the latter conviction. His motion to suppress the evidence obtained as a result of the search of the Butler farm was denied subject to his exceptions. During the trial certain hearsay evidence was introduced subject to his exceptions. All questions of law raised by his exceptions were transferred by King, J.

The search warrant in issue was obtained as a result of an affidavit based on information obtained from a Dana Lawrence whose Volkswagon bus was stopped and searched by an Officer Byrnes. Defendant first contends that the evidence obtained from Lawrence and his van was the result of an illegal stop and search and therefore not only could not be used in evidence but also could not be used as a basis for obtaining the warrant to search the Butler farm, thereby making inadmissible the evidence obtained as a result of that search and requiring the granting of his motion to suppress.

Although because he was present when the search of the Butler farm was made, he has standing to contest the validity of that search, Jones v. United States, 362 U.S. 257 (1960), he has no standing to complain about the stopping of Lawrence or of the search of Lawrence’s van or the use of information obtained from him. He was not present, did not own the van or anything which was seized and no rights of his were violated by the stop, the search or the questioning. Wong Sun v. United States, 371 U.S. 471 (1963); Alderman v. United States, 394 U.S. 165 (1969); Brown v. United States, 411 U.S. 223 (1973). Having no standing to complain about any possible violation of Lawrence’s rights, he cannot prevent the use of the evidence thus obtained to support the issuance of the warrant to search the Butler farm, and the motion to suppress was properly denied.

Dana Lawrence was called as a witness by the State. He testified that he purchased the marijuana from McAlary at the Butler farm. Although he stated that the defendant and others were present while they tested the drug by smoking it, he did not otherwise implicate defendant in the sale. After Lawrence left the[*694] court, but still under subpoena, the prosecution called Officer Byrnes as a witness and asked “what Lawrence related to you as to where he had obtained the marijuana.” Subject to exception, Byrnes responded that “[h]e, Mr. Lawrence, stated that he just came from Chesterfield and that he had purchased the quantity of marijuana from Dennis McAlary and Peter Ruelke for a hundred fifty dollars.”

The State admits that this evidence was hearsay and that it was error to admit it but contends that the error was harmless. It contends that since there was sufficient other evidence to justify a conviction, the error was not prejudicial. However, it is not a question whether the evidence, apart from that erroneously admitted, would support a finding of guilt, but whether it can be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the inadmissible evidence did not affect the verdict.

Although we hold that the other evidence which is circumstantial, as evidence in conspiracy cases often must be, State v. Gilbert, 115 N.H. 665, 348 A.2d 713 (1975), would support a guilty verdict, it barely meets the minimum standard. The only direct evidence that defendant participated in the sale was the improperly admitted hearsay evidence. Considering these factors, we cannot say that the jury may not have drawn entirely different inferences from all the evidence than they would have drawn if the hearsay evidence had not been admitted.

“The tendency of the [hearsay] evidence to prejudice the jury [with direct evidence] that the defendant was guilty is not doubtful.” State v. Wargo, 83 N.H. 532, 534, 145 A. 456, 458 (1929). See also Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 67 (1942); Blumenthal v. United States, 332 U.S. 539, 551 (1947).

Exceptions sustained in part and overruled in part; new trial,

Bois, J., did not sit; the others concurred.