Opinion ID: 2109354
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Evidence of Charge Pending Against Junkins in New Hampshire

Text: [¶ 18] The State's theory was that Junkins' motive for the robbery was to obtain money to pay the friend who had posted bail in Junkins' criminal case in New Hampshire so that the friend would not revoke the bail and cause Junkins to be incarcerated. Thus, the State indicated to the court that it would be offering evidence that Junkins had been charged in New Hampshire and was out on bail at the time of LaFoe's murder. The trial court allowed the evidence but instructed the prosecutor that he was not to give the specifics of the New Hampshire offense and to refer to it as a nonviolent offense. The court gave a limiting instruction to the jury that the exact nature of the New Hampshire charge was of no consequence and that the jurors were not to use the fact for any purpose except motive. The probative value of this motive evidence sufficiently outweighed any danger of unfair prejudice, particularly given the court's instruction. The court did not abuse its discretion in allowing the evidence.