Opinion ID: 566029
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Otts' prior conduct

Text: 32 Mr. Whalen also contends that the district court improperly excluded evidence of Otts' prior aggressive and homosexual behavior. This evidence consisted of a note written by Otts suggesting sexual activity (not the note placed in Mr. Whalen's shirt pocket), the testimony of inmates who had received sexual overtures from Otts, and a prison report about a fight involving Otts. Prior to trial, the court ruled that specific acts of aggressive or homosexual behavior were not admissible unless Mr. Whalen demonstrated that he had knowledge of these acts at the time of the incident in the cell. The court reasoned that only specific acts of which Mr. Whalen was aware at the time of the assault were relevant to his state of mind and, thus, his claim of self-defense. 33 Mr. Whalen asserts that, under Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b), he should have been permitted to introduce the note written by Otts, as well as Otts' prior overtures to other inmates to show Otts' intent, preparation, or plan to engage in sexual conduct with Mr. Whalen. Nothing about the note suggests that Otts intended, planned, or prepared to sexually assault Mr. Whalen. Rather, the note at most indicates Otts' interest in consensual sex with Mr. Whalen. Similarly, the affidavit detailing Otts' prior sexual advances toward other inmates contained no assertion that Otts had either threatened to assault, or actually did assault, anyone. The trial court thus did not abuse its discretion by excluding this evidence. 3 34 Mr. Whalen also suggests that the prison report of Otts' fight with another inmate was admissible under Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b). This evidence is a classic example of prior act evidence to show a propensity for violence. Indeed, Mr. Whalen has not demonstrated that Otts' previous fight was in any way relevant to the slashing incident except to show Otts' propensity for violence. 4 Accordingly, the evidence was not admissible under Rule 404(b).