sonjay
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- Jul 3, 2014
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If the State introduced CHARACTER evidence of DW, the door would be open for the Defense (of DW) to bring in character evidence of MB. I believe that's how it works, as to admissible evidence. Any lawyers here? JMO
I'm not a lawyer either, but I don't believe that's how it works. I don't think that character evidence about one person ever opens the door to character evidence about a different person.
If I understand correctly, the state would not be allowed to introduce character evidence of DW. In a criminal prosecution, they're simply not permitted to use "prior bad acts" of the defendant to prove the particular "bad act" being prosecuted. But if the defense introduced character evidence about DW, that would then open the door for the prosecution to bring in their own character evidence about DW. IOW, the state couldn't say, "DW was disciplined for excessive force last year, and that's evidence that he used excessive force in this instance." But if the defense said, "DW has never been accused of excessive force," the state could then introduce the prior excessive force complaint (if one existed) in rebuttal.
As to the question of whether character evidence about MB would be allowed in trial, I have no idea. He wouldn't be the defendant, so he wouldn't have the protections afforded to the defendant. I would think the strong-arm robbery would be permitted because it's so close in time to the shooting and speaks to MB's state of mind and possible motives for his behavior at the time of the shooting.
But I'm not a lawyer, and the above is all simply my layman's understanding of trial practices. And MOO.