Quality of Evidence

Qualities of Evidence

Leslie Sweeney

Everest Online

The three qualities of evidence are competent, relevant and reliable. When there is competent evidence, this is evidence that has been deemed relevant and reliable and has not been ruled excludable. Reliable evidence is evidence that is thought to be true and correct. Relevant evidence is evidence that could show probable cause that the person was more likely to have done the crime by the material issue they have against them.

State of Ohio vs. Dr. John F. Boyle Jr. is a good example of reliable, relevant and competent evidence. On December 31, 1989, Dr. Boyle was accused of murdering his wife and burying her under his house he had built in Erie, Pa., that he planned on sharing with his two children and his girlfriend. Dr. Boyle was found guilty of aggravated murder and abuse of a corpse. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for twenty years. Dr. Boyle was also fined $25,000.00 on the aggravated murder charge and $2,500.00 on the abuse of a corpse charge.

The evidence that was presented against Dr. Boyle:

Relevant: On Nov. 13, 1989; Dr. Boyle and his pregnant mistress signed a contract on a home they were purchasing in an Erie, Pa. suburb for $299,000.00.

Relevant: Nov. 17, 1989; the doctor’s wife, Noreen Boyle filed for divorce.

Competent: Nov 27, 1989; Dr. Boyle sends a letter out to all his patients telling them he is closing his office in Mansfield, Ohio.

Relevant: Dec 15, 1989; Dr. Boyle completed the purchase of his new home in Pennsylvania.

Competent: Dec. 29, 1989; Dr. Boyle rents a jackhammer.

Competent: Dec.30, 1989; Dr. Boyle called his real estate agent in Pennsylvania and questioned him about the soil under the house he purchased.

Reliable: Dec. 31, 1989; Sometime between midnight and 5a.m., Dr. Boyle hit his wife in the head and suffocates her with a plastic bag. Their 11 year old son hears the trouble but doesn’t know what happened.

Relevant: Jan. 1, 1990; One of Noreen’s friend’s called police to tell them she can’t get ahold of Noreen and their son said