Opinion ID: 1285642
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Excluded evidence explaining reference to a safe

Text: Appellant proffered testimony by an investigator with the Richland County Public Defender's office who, after speaking with appellant several days before trial, investigated a reported break-in at Andrews Travel Agency that occurred in February 1996. Appellant also proffered the testimony of the travel agent who stated that his office was broken into on the night of February 5th and his safe was moved but not broken into. Some stamps and petty cash were stolen. Appellant never proffered any declaration that he actually committed the travel agency break-in. Appellant argued the evidence regarding the travel agency was relevant to explain the reference to the safe in his letter to Virgil Howard, thereby contradicting his connection to the barbershop murders. The State objected on hearsay grounds and the trial judge refused to allow the admission of this evidence. Without appellant's admission that he committed the travel agency break-in, [4] evidence regarding this unrelated crime, which may or may not have been committed by appellant, is irrelevant and therefore inadmissible. We find no error in its exclusion.