Opinion ID: 2391925
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Indebtedness and Bad Acts

Text: Banther's final argument challenges the certain other evidentiary rulings by trial judge under either D.R.E. 403 or 404(b). At trial, the State presented evidence that Banther owed Samo Lesjak $700 and Michael Hall and his mother an additional $950 to $1,150. The Superior Court permitted the evidence over defense objection to prove motive for the murder. [53] The trial judge did the appropriate analysis under Getz. [54] There was no abuse of discretion in allowing the evidence of Banther's indebtedness to prove motive for the murder. The trial judge also pointed out that Banther was charged with theft. The evidence at trial showed that Banther forged an endorsement on a $1,500 check drawn on Ravers' checking account two days after the homicide. This evidence led to Banther's convictions for Forgery in the Second Degree and Felony Theft. Therefore, the debt evidence was also independently relevant in establishing a motive for the forgery and theft charges. [55] In addition to objecting to evidence that Banther owed two debts, the defense objected at trial to evidence that Banther fled from military police after a motor vehicle stop on February 10, 1997; that Banther gave a false name to the Maryland State Police and drove with a suspended license on February 25, 1997; that Banther had some connection with a dealer's price list for weapons and that there was a second motor vehicle stop of Banther in Maryland on March 5, 1997 for driving while suspended and for being wanted for a North Carolina parole violation. The Superior Court did the appropriate Getz analysis for three of these items. No Getz analysis was required for the price list since this involved neither a bad act nor other crime. With regard to the price list, the trial judge performed the proper balancing analysis in response to the defense objection under D.R.E. 403. Banther has shown no abuse of discretion as to any of the trial judge's evidentiary rulings on the four matters challenged under either D.R.E. 403 or 404(b).