Opinion ID: 2137352
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Testimony About Witchcraft Involvement

Text: Each of the co-defendants was questioned by the state about Naylor's involvement in witchcraft, despite what Naylor characterizes in his brief as a continuing objection. Naylor's trial counsel referred to such a continuing objection on relevancy grounds near the conclusion of the trial, but no specific objection was raised when testimony about witchcraft involvement began. Naylor discussed his interest in witchcraft with Jennifer Keller and told her that he was a warlock. Naylor likewise described himself as a warlock to Cynthia Blomgren in early 1989 and to David Duncan in October 1989. Toche, Blomgren, Jennifer Keller, and another, non-accomplice, witness testified that Naylor described himself as a warlock or satanic high priest at various times, and Jennifer Keller also testified that she discussed books on witchcraft with Naylor. Naylor properly objected to the testimony of later witnesses about his witchcraft involvement but he has made no showing that evidence linking him to witchcraft or satanism would result in unfair prejudice and substantially outweigh the probative value of such evidence. The trial court's ruling admitting the testimony of Naylor's admissions of witchcraft and satanism involvement did not abuse the discretion granted the trial court under Rule 403.