Opinion ID: 1710697
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Subsequent Drug Transaction

Text: The record demonstrates that Appellant initially objected to the testimony concerning the 1994 drug transaction on the ground that it was irrelevant. The State responded that the testimony was relevant as to Agent Ray's identification of Appellant as the person from whom he had purchased drugs in 1993. The State indicated that the testimony was especially relevant because the defense had put the jury on notice that it challenged the agent's identification of Appellant. Appellant's counsel then responded by arguing that the testimony concerning what Krite actually purchased from Appellant was not relevant to the issue of identification. The trial court overruled the objection, and Agent Ray continued his testimony: Q: And what was given to you by Mr. Krite, Mr. Ray? A: Several rocks of crack cocaine. Q: Alright, now, after this transaction took Appellant counsel's then moved for a mistrial on the ground that the testimony was so prejudicial to Appellant's case that the jury could not possibly view the rest of the evidence against him fairly. The trial court denied the motion. We are not persuaded by Appellant's argument that the trial court abused its discretion in permitting the testimony of the 1994 drug transaction. An element that must be proved in every case is that the person who stands before the court in the position of the defendant is the one whom the information accuses and to whom the evidence relates. Green v. State, 310 Ark. 16, 832 S.W.2d 494 (1992). The identity of the person who sold the drugs to Agent Ray was a key issue, in light of Appellant's challenge to the agent's identification of him as the person who sold the drugs to the agent from Noland's residence in 1993. The relevance of the evidence therefore went to the issue of identification, as well as to Agent Ray's explanation as to why he did not arrest Appellant for over one year. Notwithstanding the fact that the testimony may have been prejudicial to Appellant, we cannot say that its probative value was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. The testimony was additionally relevant under Rule 404(b) to show Appellant's intent or lack or absence of mistake. In Scroggins v. State, 312 Ark. 106, 848 S.W.2d 400 (1993), the appellant wanted the trial court to delete a portion of a taped interview, which referred to an informant's previous purchase of drugs from the appellant. This court held that because the appellant was charged with delivery of a controlled substance in exchange for money, the testimony was admissible to show his intent pursuant to Rule 404(b). Here, Appellant was likewise charged with delivery of a controlled substance and, as such, the testimony of the 1994 drug transaction was relevant to show Appellant's intent or lack of mistake as to the hand-to-hand delivery to Agent Ray in 1993. We are equally unpersuaded that the trial court erred in refusing to grant Appellant's motion for mistrial. Trial courts are granted wide latitude of discretion in granting or denying a motion for mistrial, and we will not reverse the court's decision absent an abuse of that discretion or manifest prejudice to the complaining party. Brown v. State, 320 Ark. 201, 895 S.W.2d 909 (1995). Among the factors we consider on appeal is whether the defendant requested a cautionary instruction or admonition to the jury. Id. The failure of the defense to request an admonition may negate the mistrial motion. Boyd v. State, 318 Ark. 799, 889 S.W.2d 20 (1994). It is also true that the failure to give an admonition or cautionary instruction is not error where none is requested. Id. The bottom line on mistrials is that the incident must be so prejudicial that the trial cannot, in fairness, continue. Id. at 804, 889 S.W.2d at 22. Based upon our conclusions above, as well as the fact that Appellant did not request a cautionary instruction to the jury, we cannot say that the admission of Agent Ray's testimony deprived Appellant of a fair trial.