Opinion ID: 2649691
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Admission of Informants’ Testimony

Text: ¶42 Forde argues that the trial court violated Arizona Rules of Evidence 403 and 404(b) and deprived her of due process by denying her motion in limine to preclude R.W. and R.C. from testifying about the Colorado meeting. According to Forde, evidence of the meeting was improper “other act” evidence and any probative value was substantially outweighed by a danger of unfair prejudice. We review the court’s ruling for an abuse of discretion. State v. McGill, 213 Ariz. 147, 156 ¶ 40, 140 P.3d 930, 939 (2006). ¶43 During the Colorado meeting, Forde related her plan to raid a house in Arivaca in September to steal weapons, drugs, and money. She said she had the house under surveillance and asked those present to join the raid. Forde later called R.C. and asked if he could be ready to assist immediately. 13 STATE V. FORDE Opinion of the Court ¶44 The meeting demonstrated Forde’s preparation and plan for the crimes and was therefore admissible under Rule 404(b), Ariz. R. Evid. And the court properly rejected Forde’s Rule 403 argument because evidence of the meeting did not “suggest decision on an improper basis, such as emotion, sympathy, or horror” and did not give rise to any undue prejudice. State v. Schurz, 176 Ariz. 46, 52, 859 P.2d 156, 162 (1993).