Opinion ID: 1747473
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Handcuffs

Text: Finally, I must dissent on the majority's holding that admission of the handcuffs was not an abuse of discretion. The handcuffs found on Brian and Shannon Day's bodies were simply metal handcuffs. The pair of handcuffs Jennifer Qualls testified that she saw in the possession of Howard were fur covered and intended for a sexual purpose. Based upon information from Quall, the State went to the store where Howard was believed to have acquired his and purchased a pair thought to be similar. The purchased pair had fur on them. The State moved to admit these purchased hand cuffs and they were admitted over objection. There was no evidence linking Howard to the handcuffs found on Brian and Shannon. There was no evidence Howard possessed two pair. The handcuffs on Shannon and Brian had neither fur nor any glue residue. In short there was no similarity beyond the fact all three pairs of handcuffs were handcuffs of one form or another. Because handcuffs were found on Shannon and Brian, an argument may be made that Howard having handcuffs in his possession prior the murders is relevant as having some tendency to make it more likely Howard was connected to their murders. Ark. R. Evid. 401. However, under Ark. R. Evid. 403, the court must weigh the probative value against the prejudicial harm. Here the likelihood the handcuffs on the victims came from Howard is lessened by the fact they are so dissimilar to those Qualls testified to. Further, the pair Qualls testified to were not the ones admitted, but rather a pair purchased that were thought to be similar. This lessens the relevance and heightens possible prejudice even more. In the end, the probative value is slight and the potential harm is great. Under Rule 403 the handcuffs should have been excluded. On this basis, this case should be reversed and remanded for a new trial. The majority's states the law on admission of evidence and then simply states a conclusion that there was no abuse of discretion in admitting the handcuffs. There is no analysis of why the handcuffs were or were not properly admitted. For the foregoing reasons, I respectfully dissent.