Opinion ID: 1891781
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Evidence of victim's past acts of violence

Text: At trial, during an in-camera hearing, Appellant presented testimony from Craigmiles and himself as to Hinkle's past acts of violence. Craigmiles testified about an incident that occurred a year before Appellant shot Hinkle, in which Hinkle punched Craigmiles in the face three times without provocation. Appellant then testified that Hinkle had told him about the encounter with Craigmiles, bragging that he had kicked [Craigmiles'] butt. Appellant testified that he was fearful of Hinkle because of this incident. The trial court sustained the State's objection to testimony of the specific act of violence against Craigmiles. However, the trial court stated that it would permit evidence of Hinkle's reputation for violence in the community. Later, at trial, Appellant reiterated his offer of proof of Craigmiles' testimony, which was again rejected by the trial court. Appellant argues that the trial court erred in refusing to allow him to present evidence of specific acts of violence by the victim. He maintains that the evidence was admissible in order to establish and support Appellant's fear and apprehension of the victim, which was essential to his claim that he acted in self-defense. A trial court is not required to admit all evidence proffered about a victim's prior specific acts of violence. State v. Waller, 816 S.W.2d 212, 216 (Mo. banc 1991). When other competent evidence has raised the question of self-defense, the trial court must exercise caution in discretionary rulings that permit a defendant to introduce evidence of a victim's prior specific acts of violence: (1) for which the defendant has laid a proper foundation; (2) of which the defendant had specific knowledge; (3) that are reasonably related to the crime with which the defendant is charged; (4) that are not too remote in time; (5) that are of quality such as to be capable of contributing to the defendant's fear of the victim; and (6) that are not of quality substantially different from the act that the defendant accuses the victim of committing. Id. Appellant testified at the hearing that his only knowledge of Hinkle's alleged assault of Craigmiles came directly from Hinkle, was brief, and provided little detail of the incident. Appellant has not demonstrated that he was sufficiently aware of a specific act of violence against Craigmiles by Hinkle. Nor was the proposed testimony of sufficient quality to reasonably show that Appellant had reason to fear Hinkle would kill him. The trail court did not err in sustaining the State's objection to the proposed evidence.