Opinion ID: 1755027
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: motion in limine regarding dessaure's argument with his fiancee

Text: Dessaure argues that the trial court erroneously denied defense counsel's motion to exclude the part of Dessaure's statement to police concerning a telephone argument he had with his fiancée, Mary Parent, shortly before the murder occurred. He argues that the argument was not relevant to his state of mind, as the State claimed, and was unfairly prejudicial because it showed his bad character in regard to matters not connected to the alleged murder. Dessaure gave a taped statement to detectives in which he discussed a telephone argument he had with his fiancée, Mary Parent, shortly before the murder. Before trial, defense counsel filed a motion in limine to exclude evidence of this argument, arguing that the evidence was not relevant to any material fact in issue and prejudiced Dessaure by showing his bad character. The State argued that the evidence was relevant to show that Dessaure was angry and the argument was part and parcel of what set him off. The State further argued that his reaction to this line of questioning and the change in his tone of voice was relevant. The court denied the motion in limine. Defense counsel renewed their objection at trial. In his statement to police, Dessaure said that Parent telephoned him. At first he denied arguing with her. Upon further questioning, he admitted they argued with each other and that each of them had accused the other of cheating. Dessaure hung up on Parent but then called her back and continued the argument. The detectives accused Dessaure of being pissed off at the time of the murder because of the argument he had. The State argues on appeal that the evidence is relevant because it showed a possible motivation for the murder, demonstrated Dessaure's tendency to give the detectives false information, and showed Dessaure's change in demeanor after being confronted with the argument. These arguments are well-founded. The murder occurred at most one to two hours after Dessaure's conversation with Parent, and Dessaure was, by his own admission, somewhat upset about the conversation. The change in his story to law enforcement also evidenced the giving of false information. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion in limine.