Bruton v. State

In this case, we must determine whether two State’s exhibits that purport to be foreign public documents or records were properly authenticated under Rules of Evidence 902(3) and (4). 1 Although the documents meet some of the requirements of the rules, we hold that the documents were not properly authenticated because neither was accompanied by a final certification from a diplomatic or consular official specified in Rule 902(3) and because good cause for failing to obtain a final certification was lacking. 2 Consequently, we affirm the judgment of the court of appeals. 3

I. BACKGROUND

A. The…