Opinion ID: 2085778
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Admissibility of Evidence of the Defendant's Other Crimes

Text: As proof of the defendant's identity, the State introduced evidence that the defendant was also responsible for the December 18, 1990, shotgun killings of Eli Balovski and George Balovski. The defendant had been charged with these crimes, but was not tried and convicted of these murders until after he had been convicted of the murders in the case at bar. [15] The defendant argues that the admission of this evidence was error. However, even if the evidence was erroneously admitted, which we do not decide, such error would be harmless. Ignoring any reference to the Balovski murders, the evidence presented to the jury in this case was overwhelming. First and foremost, the jury was presented with the defendant's voluntary confession to police. The State also presented testimony that, prior to his arrest, the defendant admitted to an acquaintance that he had committed the murders. The defendant acknowledged his possession of a .12 gauge sawed-off shotgun, which was identified as the same weapon used to commit the murders. Several witnesses testified to seeing the shotgun in the defendant's possession. The shotgun was found in a closet in the bedroom which was previously occupied by the defendant. Three other witnesses testified they saw the defendant or his car either at the murder scene or in close proximity thereto. In determining whether the erroneous admission of extrinsic offenses is harmless error, we look to whether the error had substantial influence on the jury or whether one is left in grave doubt. Hardin v. State, 611 N.E.2d 123, 132 (Ind.1993) (internal citations omitted). See Ind.Trial Rule 61. [16] In light of the above evidence, we do not find the jury would have been substantially influenced by the possible erroneous admission of evidence relating to the Balovski murders, nor are we left in grave doubt as to the influence such admission may have had on the verdict. Any error was therefore harmless.