Opinion ID: 1060587
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: conclusion

Text: To summarize, we hold that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting evidence of the appellant's involvement in a prior shooting over an objection made pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Evidence 404(b). The evidence of the prior shooting possessed only a modicum of probative value as contextual background evidence, and this slight value was clearly outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. This error, though, does not affirmatively appear to have affected the outcome of the trial on its merits, particularly when viewed in the context of the tremendous circumstantial evidence of guilt. We further hold that the State's withdrawal of its intention to seek the death penalty, without more, also operated as a withdrawal of its intention to seek life imprisonment. Accordingly, the Court of Criminal Appeals is affirmed in part as modified and reversed in part, and the appellant's sentence is modified to life imprisonment. Costs of this appeal shall be paid by the appellee, the State of Tennessee. BIRCH, J., dissenting, without opinion.