Opinion ID: 2440999
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether Introduction of Evidence of Prior Lawsuit was Error

Text: While Mr. Sonny did not specifically seek a review of the Court of Appeals' decision relating to the introduction of evidence regarding the earlier lawsuit, we first address that issue because it was included in his original appeal. Mr. Sonny claimed that the evidence of the earlier lawsuit between the parties should have been excluded pursuant to Ark. R. Evid. 403 and 404. We will not reverse a lower court's determination regarding this evidentiary balancing of probative value against prejudice absent a manifest abuse of discretion. Wallace v. State, 326 Ark. 376, 379, 931 S.W.2d 113, 115 (1996); Jarrett v. State, 310 Ark. 358, 363, 833 S.W.2d 779, 781 (1992). After reviewing the record, we find that none of the evidence relating to the circumstances surrounding the prior lawsuit was used to prove that Mr. Sonny acted in conformity with the earlier incident in the circumstances at issue in this trial. Ark. R. Evid. 404. Rather, the trial court found the evidence to be relevant and admissible due to Mr. Sonny's counterclaim alleging malicious prosecution. [1] We hold that the trial court's decision to admit the evidence of the earlier incident does not reflect a manifest abuse of discretion and affirm on this point.