Opinion ID: 1451491
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the introduction of appellant's bad acts evidence was harmless error

Text: Appellant next argues that the trial court impermissibly allowed the admission of his prior bad acts into evidence. In particular, Appellant argues that Dalton's testimony informed the jury that he had been in jail for domestic violence against his wife and that there had been an emergency protective order taken out against him. Dalton also testified that Appellant was considered to be a really bad person by a Kentucky State Police detective. Appellant objected to Dalton's initial statements regarding his alleged domestic violence, but did not object to her statements regarding the EPO or that he was a really bad person. KRE 404 governs the admission of prior bad acts evidence into trial. We have adopted a three-part inquiry to help determine if the evidence of prior bad acts evidence is admissible. Bell v. Commonwealth, 875 S.W.2d 882, 889 (Ky.1994); see also Lawson, The Kentucky Evidence Law Handbook, 4th ed., § 2.25(3) (2003). We must determine if the evidence is relevant, probative, and not overly prejudicial. Bell, 875 S.W.2d at 889. Here it is obvious that the bad acts evidence Dalton testified about is irrelevant to this trial. Whether Appellant abused his wife, had an emergency protective order against him, or was considered a bad person by the police adds nothing probative towards determining whether Appellant helped rob and murder Morris. Thus, the admission of this evidence was error. Had Appellant requested a jury admonishment, the trial judge should have provided it, and that would have cured any error. See Combs v. Commonwealth, 198 S.W.3d 574, 581 (Ky.2006) (stating a jury is presumed to follow any admonishment given by the trial judge). However, while the admission of this evidence was error, it was harmless. Dalton's statements were spontaneous and not elicited by the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth never tried to use her statements to prove that Appellant acted in conformity with them. Additionally, they were brief, isolated comments. Considering the overwhelming evidence against Appellant in this case, we cannot say that Dalton's isolated statements affected the trial's outcome. Any error here is harmless.