Opinion ID: 1439460
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Testimony of Kathy Elliott Hart

Text: Appellant also claims that the testimony of Kathy Elliott Hart was improperly allowed. Kathy testified that she was afraid for her brother to be around the Greens because her nephew had died mysteriously after he had stolen some of appellant's marijuana plants. Appellant immediately objected to this statement and moved for a mistrial. The trial court overruled the mistrial motion, but offered a limiting instruction. Appellant never clearly accepted the offer, and a limiting instruction was not given. Upon reviewing this testimony and appellant's objections to it, it is clear that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion by denying the motion for mistrial. The statements fell within Rule 404(b), as they established motive on the part of appellant. The motive was anger for the theft of the marijuana plants. Therefore, appellant's argument is meritless. Appellant had the intent to premeditate and deliberate the murders of the Elliot family. Further, he had the intent to use the control over his own family to make them help him commit these unspeakable crimes. The evidence should be admissible under the intent exception to Rule 404(b). The evidence in this case is over-whelming. The circuit court did not abuse its discretion. Therefore, this case should be affirmed. GLAZE and DICKEY, J.J., join.