Opinion ID: 2171641
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: admissibility of prior physical abuse evidence

Text: As stated, the appellate court reversed the defendant's conviction, holding that the trial court erred in admitting Svarz's testimony of prior physical abuse inflicted upon the victim by the defendant. (204 Ill.App.3d 701, 149 Ill.Dec. 877, 562 N.E.2d 341.) The admissibility of evidence at trial is a matter within the sound discretion of the trial court, and that court's decision may not be overturned on appeal absent a clear abuse of discretion. ( People v. Franklin (1990), 135 Ill.2d 78, 96, 142 Ill.Dec. 152, 552 N.E.2d 743; People v. Brown (1990), 199 Ill.App.3d 860, 145 Ill. Dec. 841, 557 N.E.2d 611; People v. Kimbrough (1985), 138 Ill.App.3d 481, 93 Ill. Dec. 82, 485 N.E.2d 1292.) Such an abuse of discretion will be found only where the trial court's decision is `arbitrary, fanciful or unreasonable' or `where no reasonable man would take the view adopted by the trial court.' ( People v. M.D. (1984), 101 Ill.2d 73, 90, 77 Ill.Dec. 744, 461 N.E.2d 367, quoting Peek v. United States (9th Cir.1963), 321 F.2d 934, 942.) We hold that the trial court here did not abuse its discretion in determining that the prior-abuse evidence was proper to show the defendant's intent and motive and to establish that the shooting was not an accident. It is well established that evidence of other offenses is not admissible for the purpose of showing the defendant's disposition or propensity to commit crime. ( People v. McKibbins (1983), 96 Ill.2d 176, 70 Ill.Dec. 474, 449 N.E.2d 821.) Such evidence is admissible, however, where relevant to prove modus operandi, intent, identity, motive or absence of mistake. ( People v. McKibbins (1983), 96 Ill.2d 176, 182, 70 Ill.Dec. 474, 449 N.E.2d 821; People v. Baptist (1979), 76 Ill.2d 19, 27 Ill. Dec. 792, 389 N.E.2d 1200.) In fact, this court has held that evidence of other offenses is admissible if it is relevant for any purpose other than to show the propensity to commit crime. ( People v. McKibbins (1983), 96 Ill.2d 176, 182, 70 Ill.Dec. 474, 449 N.E.2d 821; People v. McDonald (1975), 62 Ill.2d 448, 455, 343 N.E.2d 489.) When evidence of other crimes is offered, the trial judge must weigh its probative value against its prejudicial effect ( People v. Stewart (1984), 105 Ill.2d 22, 62, 85 Ill. Dec. 241, 473 N.E.2d 840), and may exclude the evidence if its prejudicial effect substantially outweighs its probative value. People v. Stewart (1984), 105 Ill.2d 22, 62, 85 Ill.Dec. 241, 473 N.E.2d 840; People v. Cage (1966), 34 Ill.2d 530, 216 N.E.2d 805. The principal issue here is whether the trial court abused its discretion in admitting the testimony that the defendant physically abused and verbally threatened his wife throughout their marriage. The defendant claims that it was error to introduce such testimony because (1) the prior assaults were not probative of any proposition at issue in the action; (2) the prior assaults were too remote in time; (3) the prior assaults were not sufficiently similar to establish a common mental state; and (4) the probative value of the evidence was outweighed by its prejudicial effect.