Document: 485 U.S. 681 108 S.Ct. 1496 99 L.Ed.2d 771 Guy Rufus HUDDLESTON, Petitionerv.UNITED STATES. No. 87-6. Argued March 23, 1988. Decided May 2, Syllabus Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b) provides that evidence "other crimes, wrongs, or acts" is not admissible to prove a person's character, but may be for other purposes, such as proof knowledge. Petitioner was charged under federal law with the knowing possession and sale stolen videocassette tapes. At his trial, District Court allowed Government introduce "similar petitioner's involvement in series sales allegedly televisions appliances from same suspicious source tapes, concluding had clear relevance knowledge tapes were stolen. The jury convicted petitioner on count only, Appeals ultimately affirmed, declaring it could say abused its discretion admitting United States v. Ebens, 800 F.2d 1422 (CA6), which authorized courts admit if showed by preponderance defendant did fact commit prior bad act. Held: district court need itself make preliminary finding has proved act" before submits jury. requirement would inconsistent structure Article IV Rules, allows admission relevant proper purpose subject only general strictures, 404(b)'s plain language, legislative history behind Rule. Rather, "similar" acts should admitted there sufficient support committed similar Here, does dispute appliance properly admitted. Moreover, trial television go jury, since reasonably have concluded light low price sought petitioner, large quantity he offered sale, inability produce bill appliances. Pp. 685-692. 811 974 (CA 6 1987), affirmed. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion unanimous court. Don Ferris, Hamilton, Ohio, petitioner. William C. Bryson, Washington, D.C., respondent. Chief Justice REHNQUIST Court. provides: 1 "Other acts.—Evidence character person order show action conformity therewith. It may, however, motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence mistake accident." 2 This case presents question whether must We hold do so. 3 Petitioner, Huddleston, one selling goods interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 2315, possessing property 659. two counts related portions shipment Memorex alleged possessed sold, they 4 at trailer containing over 32,000 blank manufacturing cost $4.53 per tape Overnight Express yard South Holland, Illinois, sometime between April 11 15, 1985. On 17, 1985, contacted Karen Curry, manager Magic Rent-to-Own Ypsilanti, Michigan, seeking her assistance number After assuring Curry stolen, told wished sell them lots least 500 $2.75 $3 tape. subsequently arranged total 5,000 various purchasers—who apparently believed legitimate. 5 There no sold stolen; material issue knew 404(b), "clear [petitioner's knowledge]." App. 11. first piece act testimony Paul Toney, record store owner. He testified February new 12" black white $28 apiece. According indicated obtain several thousand these televisions. Toney eventually traveled Rent-to-Own, where purchased 20 Several days later, more second Robert Nelson, an undercover FBI agent posing buyer store. Nelson him Amana appliances—28 refrigerators, ranges, 40 icemakers. agreed pay $8,000 arrested shortly after arrived parking lot transfer A truck stopped short distance lot, Leroy Wesby, who driving truck, also arrested. determined value approximately $20,000 part been 7 televisions, all provided represented merchandise obtained legitimately. stated 6,500 Wesby commission basis. maintained basis any 8 In closing, prosecution explained dealings instructed used establish character. only. 9 divided panel Sixth Circuit initially reversed conviction, because failed convincing erred concerning 802 874 (1986).1 granted rehearing address decision (CA6 1986), different held: "Courts shows act." Id., 1432. rehearing, affirmed conviction. "Applying standard adopted we cannot here." 974, 975 (1987) (per curiam ). noted probative this outweighed potential prejudicial effect. 10 certiorari, 484 894, 226, 98 185 (1987), resolve conflict among Courts submitted jury.2 conclude 404(b)—which applies both civil criminal cases—generally prohibits introduction extrinsic might adversely reflect actor's unless bears upon Extrinsic critical establishment truth disputed issue, especially when involves state mind means ascertaining mental drawing inferences conduct. actor instant defendant, charged. Our use terms meant suggest our analysis limited circumstances. 12 Before Court, argues Toney's televisions.3 threshold inquiry than Government's theory engaged strong aware each items, including stolen.4 As such, acknowledges showing asserts, 13 premise grave causing improper prejudice. For instance, choose punish rather act, infer evil inclined violate law. Because danger, maintains, ought exposed until heard made determination 104(a) "[p]reliminary questions qualification witness, existence privilege, admissibility shall court, provisions subdivision (b)." evidence.5 14 reject position, Rules language 404(b). deals relevancy evidence. 401 402 broad principle evidence—evidence makes less probable—is provide otherwise. 403 judge exclude if, things, "its substantially danger unfair prejudice." 404 through 412 specific types generated problems. Generally, latter flatly prohibit instead limit introduced. example, protects against solely text contains intimation, necessary introduced purpose. If purpose, strictures limiting 403. 15 Petitioner's reading mandating occurred superimposes level judicial oversight nowhere apparent provision, simply Advisory Committee specifically declined offer "mechanical solution" Committee's Notes Fed.Rule Evid. 28 U.S.C.App., p. 691. assess usual rules admissibility: "The undue prejudice outweighs view availability factors appropriate making decisions kind 403." Ibid. see S.Rep. 93-1277, 25 (1974) ("[I]t anticipated respect permissible uses evidence, those considerations set forth 403, i.e. prejudice, confusion waste time"). 16 suggestion protect belied Reports House Representatives Senate. version became intended "plac[e] greater emphasis final version." H.R.Rep. 93-650, (1973). Senate echoed theme: "[T]he discretionary word 'may' confer arbitrary judge." supra, 24. Thus, Congress nearly so concerned effect ensuring restrictions placed 17 called 104(a).6 say, parade past litany potentially established connected unsubstantiated innuendo. relevant. "Relevancy inherent characteristic item exists relation matter provable case." 401, App., 688. context, can actor. See Beechum, 582 898, 912-913 (CA5 1978) (en banc). case, find Such conditioned are dealt 104(b). 912-913; E. Imwinkelried, Uncharged Misconduct 2.06 (1984). 104(b) "When depends fulfillment condition fact, upon, to, condition." 19 determining meet 104(b), neither weighs credibility nor conditional examines decides fact—here, stolen—by 21 Wright & K. Graham, Practice Procedure 5054, 269 (1977). traditionally exercised broadest sort controlling nothing change practice. Often decide allow proponent later point permit requisite finding.7 minimal proof, instruct disregard emphasize assessing sufficiency consider presented "[I]ndividual pieces insufficient themselves point, cumulation it. sum evidentiary presentation well constituent parts." Bourjaily States, 483 171, 179-180, 107 2775, 2781, 97 144 (1987). here required direct point—the sale—but Given therefore share concern unduly Michelson 335 469, 475-476, 69 213, 218-219, 93 L.Ed. 168 (1948). think, protection emanates four sources: first, purpose; second, 402—as enforced 104(b); third, assessment determine prejudice,8 691; 25; fourth, 105, shall, request, considered Ingraham, 832 229, 235 (CA1 1987). 22 Affirmed. government's assertion [petitioner's] failure price." F.2d, 876, n. 5. First, Fourth, Fifth, Eleventh Circuits 1987); Martin, 773 579, (CA4 1985); 914 banc), cert. denied, 440 920, 1244, 59 472 (1979); Dothard, 666 498, 502 (CA11 1982). Consistent Circuit, Second finds Leonard, 524 1076, 1090-1091 (CA2 1975). Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Columbia require Leight, 818 1297, 1302 (CA7), 958, 356, 381 (1987); Weber, (CA8 Vaccaro, 816 443, 452 (CA9), denied sub nom. Alvis 914, 262, 220 Lavelle, 243 U.S.App.D.C. 47, 57, 751 1266, 1276, 474 817, 106 62, 88 51 (1985). Nelson's even sets found indicating suggested relied below, ruling, alternative theory. brief, argued proof. oral argument, counsel conceded position untenable last Term factual findings preponderance-of-the-evidence standard. Tr. Oral Arg. 12. now asserts although correctly held preponderant admitted, applying test facts. what finding, any, letting suggests performing balancing prescribed concludes admits gloss holding erroneous reasons inappropriate. do, agree concession argument strength establishing conducting balancing. 26. conditionally relevant, often possible offeror time offered. cases customary 'connect up' later. continues practice, authorizing 'subject to' fact. is, course, responsibility sua sponte insure foundation offered; objector move strike close satisfy pp. 269-270 (1977) (footnotes omitted). seek review performed below. 14. issue.

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