Opinion ID: 1762379
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to Lodge Due Process Objection

Text: Sasser next argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to lodge a due process-based objection to the admission of Jackie Carter's testimony. During the trial, Ms. Carter's testimony, while evidence of a prior crime, was ruled admissible because it had independent relevance toward proving Sasser's modus operandi and intent in the crime against Joanne Kennedy, and because its probative value was not outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Sasser now argues that his counsel, in addition to arguing that Ms. Carter's testimony was inadmissible pursuant to Rules 403 and 404(b) of the Arkansas Rules of Evidence, should have also argued that the admission of the testimony would violate the Due Process Clause. Sasser contends that his rights to due process and a fair trial were violated because the probative value of the testimony was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, and that an appropriate objection during trial would have either led to the exclusion of the evidence or a different outcome in the direct appeal. We find no merit to this claim because it is unlikely that a due process-based objection would have achieved any more than counsel's objections based on the Rules of Evidence. In fact, such an objection would have been redundant because fairness to the party who opposes the admission of the evidence is built in to Rule 403 and Rule 404(b). According to Rule 404(b), evidence of prior crimes, wrongs, or acts is generally not admissible unless it has independent relevance. Despite having independent relevance, however, the evidence must still pass the balancing test in Rule 403, which provides that relevant evidence may be excluded if the probative value is outweighed by, among other things, the danger of unfair prejudice. The Advisory Committee Note to Rule 403 explains that unfair prejudice within the context of the rule, means an undue tendency to suggest a decision on an improper basis, commonly, though not necessarily, an emotional one. Accordingly, it is unlikely that a due process-based objection would have been any more successful during trial, or in the direct appeal, and counsel did not perform deficiently by limiting the grounds for his objection to the Rules of Evidence.