Opinion ID: 2133959
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Lack of Foundation

Text: Despite McDonough's hearsay and lack of foundation objection, Crenshaw testified that his brothers were involved in a dispute with McDonough. Before asking Crenshaw if his brothers were involved in a dispute with McDonough, the state asked Crenshaw whether he was close to his brothers, and Crenshaw's affirmative answer may have provided the foundation for the state's questions. However, even if the testimony was admitted in error, the error is harmless because motive is not an element of the crimes McDonough was charged. Minn.Stat. §§ 609.11; 609.17; 609.185, cl. 3; 609.19, subd. 1(2) (2000). As a result, the verdict is surely unattributable to evidence of a dispute between Crenshaw's brothers and McDonough, which would indicate a motive. Therefore, the district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Crenshaw's statement, and McDonough is not entitled to a new trial based on this claim.