Opinion ID: 853717
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Abortion Testimony

Text: Wise also contends that the trial court erred in allowing testimony recounting his premarital discussions with Michelle of the possibility of an abortion. The couple ultimately decided to marry, she chose not to have an abortion, and Matthew was born. Wise sought to exclude this testimony through a motion in limine, but the trial court ruled it admissible, reasoning that the evidence was offered to establish motive and finding the evidence both relevant and surviving the balancing test of Evidence Rule 403. A ruling on a motion in limine does not preserve an error for appellate review unless the party objects contemporaneously with the introduction of the evidence at trial. See White v. State, 687 N.E.2d 178, 179 (Ind.1997) (citing Poulton v. State, 666 N.E.2d 390, 393 (Ind.1996)); (Ind. Trial Rule 46). A contemporaneous objection allows the trial court an opportunity to make a final ruling on the matter in the context in which the evidence is introduced. See White, 687 N.E.2d at 179 (citing Clausen v. State, 622 N.E.2d 925, 927-28 (Ind.1993)). Because Wise did not object at trial to this testimony at trial, any claim of error is waived. [1]