Opinion ID: 1742617
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; KRS 527.040(1).

Text: Wiley Pinson, a former officer of the Fulton Police Department, testified that he obtained from Appellant's wife a brown-and-black-colored Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver, as well as a silver Ruger .45 caliber pistol, a Stephens .16-gauge shotgun, and six .38 special bullets. When Appellant objected to the relevancy of the shotgun and bullets, the prosecutor responded that the indictment charged possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (Class D felony). Upon being advised that the indictment charged only possession of a handgun by a convicted felon (Class C felony), the prosecutor responded that the relevancy of the shotgun was that it was found in Appellant's residence. He did not explain the relevancy of the bullets. Of course, evidence that the shotgun was found in Appellant's residence was only relevant to prove that he possessed the shotgunbut the fact that he possessed the shotgun was irrelevant to prove the handgun charge. In addition to Pinson, Captain Ward, the former Fulton P.D. evidence custodian, and Officer David Townsend, the present evidence custodian, also identified and discussed the shotgun, which was marked and introduced into evidence. Captain Ward even handled the weapon, breaking it down in an ostensible attempt to find its serial number and pointing out to the jury that the weapon's stock was handmade.