Opinion ID: 2332719
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: Prior theft

Text: Pursuant to KRE 404(b), the Commonwealth introduced the testimony of Betty Geiman, who testified that Appellant had cleaned her carpets on April 17, 1998, while he was employed with Kiwi Carpet Cleaning. On June 12, 1998, Appellant returned to Geiman's home on a bicycle and requested to inspect her carpets. Geiman testified that she was unaware Appellant was no longer employed by Kiwi and allowed him to enter her home when she noticed that his bike had a flat tire. After looking at the carpets, Geiman left Appellant alone in the kitchen to make several phone calls to ostensibly get help with his bicycle. At some point after Appellant left, Geiman went to retrieve her purse from the kitchen and realized that her wallet was missing. On cross-examination, Geiman conceded that she did not actually see Appellant take her wallet nor had she used her wallet for two days prior to realizing it was missing. Defense counsel did not object to Geiman's testimony and Appellant concedes that this issue is not preserved. However, in cases in which the death penalty has been imposed, a two part inquiry is made to determine whether there is a reasonable justification or explanation for counsel's failure to object, and, if there is no reasonable explanation, whether the unpreserved error was prejudicial. Sanders v. Commonwealth, Ky., 801 S.W.2d 665, 668 (1990), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 831, 112 S.Ct. 107, 116 L.Ed.2d 76 (1991) ( citing Cosby, supra ). We are of the opinion that it was reasonable trial strategy not to object to Geiman's testimony because it supported defense counsel's opening proposition that while Appellant was a thief, he was not a murderer. Geiman was not injured in any manner nor was she physically threatened by Appellant. The allegation was that he simply stole he wallet. As such, we do not believe her testimony was prejudicial to Appellant. Reversal is not warranted.