Opinion ID: 1793829
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Trial Court's Failure to Give Limiting Instructions

Text: Appellant points out that the trial court did not provide any limiting instructions to the jury regarding the use of the relationship evidence. As a general rule, even absent a request by the defense, such instructions [1] should be given prior to the admission of 404(b) evidence and again at the end of trial to help ensure that the jury does not use the evidence for an improper purpose. State v. Frisinger, 484 N.W.2d 27, 31 (Minn.1992); see also Buggs, 581 N.W.2d at 337. However, where such instructions are not requested, the court's failure to give them is not grounds for reversal absent a showing of plain error. See Frisinger, 484 N.W.2d at 31. In the present case, the defense made no requests for any cautionary instructions prior to the admission of the relationship evidence. At the end of trial, the defense did include a standard 404(b) instruction in its list of proposed jury instructions. However, at a hearing on those instructions, the trial court indicated that it was provisionally declining to give the 404(b) instruction. The court then asked the defense if it had any objection to the court's proposed list of instructions. Defense counsel replied, I can't find fault with it judge, at this point. Thus, the defense waived any objection to the lack of a limiting instruction. Under the facts of this case, the failure to give a limiting instruction absent a request was not plain error. Importantly, at no time did the state suggest that the relationship evidence be used for an improper purpose. See Frisinger, 484 N.W.2d at 31. Rather, in its closing argument, the state prefaced its summary of the relationship evidence by pointing out that the evidence was relevant to show motive, a permissible use. Moreover, the jury was presented with evidence that tended to mitigate the potential prejudice of the 404(b) evidence. The jury heard testimony that appellant and Ms. Bauer had been together 12 years and that despite the order for protection, Ms. Bauer willingly continued to have frequent contact with appellant. The jury also heard of several instances where appellant expressed concern for Ms. Bauer and showed love and affection for his children. In addition, the jury heard testimony concerning several instances of Tran's past violence, including his threats to kill Ms. Bauer. In light of such mitigating evidence, the danger that the evidence of appellant's relationship with Ms. Bauer would be taken out of context or be given disproportionate weight by the jury was minimal. Accordingly, the court's failure to give a limiting instruction as to the proper use of the relationship evidence was not plain error.