Section 10.43 Letters

• Library: Criminal Practice 2012 Supp

3. (§10.43) Letters

Execution or authenticity of a private writing must be established before it may be received as evidence. State v. Davis, 849 S.W.2d 34 (Mo. App. W.D. 1993). Authenticity of a document cannot be assumed; what it purports to be must be established by proof. Moreover, the fact that a letter purports to have been written and signed by the person to whom it is attributed does not establish its authenticity and genuineness. Id.

Under the reply letter doctrine, however, authenticity and...