Baker v. State

This appeal addresses the intriguing question of what latitude a judge should permit counsel when a witness takes the stand and says, “I don’t remember.” What are the available keys that may unlock the testimonial treasure vaults of the subconscious? What are the brush strokes that may be employed “to retouch the fading daguerreotype of memory?” 1 The subject is that of Present Recollection Revived. 2

The appellant, Teretha McNeil Baker, was convicted by a Baltimore City jury of both murder in the first degree and robbery. Although she raises two appellate contentions, the only one which we…