Opinion ID: 1859555
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Evidence of an Earlier Fire

Text: For his first point on appeal, Mr. Gaines argues that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing evidence of the June 9, 1996 fire and Ms. Davis's testimony that Mr. Gaines told her the fire should have came [ sic ] down a little further, presumably to her apartment. The State contends that Mr. Gaines's motion in limine only sought to exclude evidence of the fire itself, and that any objection to testimony about his subsequent statement is not preserved for appellate review. We will not consider an argument raised for the first time on appeal. McDole v. State, 339 Ark. 391, 6 S.W.3d 74 (1999); McGhee v. State, 330 Ark. 38, 954 S.W.2d 206 (1997). To preserve an argument for appeal, there must be an objection in the trial court that is sufficient to apprise the court of the particular error alleged. Love v. State, 324 Ark. 526, 922 S.W.2d 701 (1996). A party cannot change the grounds for an objection or motion on appeal, but is bound by the scope and nature of the arguments made at trial. Henderson v. State, 329 Ark. 526, 953 S.W.2d 26 (1997). Prior to trial, Mr. Gaines moved in limine to exclude all evidence concerning the earlier fire that occurred on June 9, 1996. Such evidence would necessarily encompass Mr. Gaines's remarks to Ms. Davis about the fire. The admissibility of that evidence, including Mr. Gaines's subsequent statement, is therefore preserved for appellate review. Mr. Gaines's first challenge to the admissibility of evidence about the earlier fire is on grounds of relevancy. Arkansas Rule of Evidence 401 defines relevant evidence as: ... evidence having any tendency to make the existence of fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence. Pursuant to Ark. R. Evid. 402, all relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by statute or rule, and evidence which is not relevant is not admissible. The charges of capital murder in this case included not only felony murder, but also an allegation that Mr. Gaines caused the deaths of the unintended victims while acting with the premeditated and deliberate purpose of causing the death of Ms. Davis. See Ark.Code Ann. § 5-10-101(a)(4) (Repl.1997). Thus, evidence having any tendency to establish Mr. Gaines's intent toward Ms. Davis would be pertinent to the premeditation element of the State's alternative capital murder charge. There was evidence of domestic violence in Mr. Gaines's relationship with Ms. Davis before the June 9 fire. An order of protection had been issued in May 1996 based upon Ms. Davis's allegations that she had been beaten by Mr. Gaines. Moreover, he had been shot in the legs by Ms. Davis's brother. Under these circumstances, Mr. Gaines's remark to Ms. Davis that the first fire should have reached her apartment was relevant in establishing his intent toward her. With regard to the fire itself, the State did not attempt to establish that Mr. Gaines committed any crime in connection with the first fire. However, evidence of that earlier fire was also relevant in that it provided the necessary context for Ms. Davis's testimony regarding the statement Mr. Gaines made to her about the fire on June 9, 1996. Mr. Gaines also challenges the admissibility of this evidence under Ark. R. Evid. 404(b), which states: Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of the person in order to show that he acted in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. Evidence offered under Rule 404(b) must be independently relevant, thus having a tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more or less probable than it would be without the evidence. McGehee v. State, 338 Ark. 152, 992 S.W.2d 110 (1999). The admission or rejection of evidence under Rule 404(b) is committed to the sound discretion of the trial court, and this court will not reverse absent a showing of manifest abuse. Echols v. State, 326 Ark. 917, 936 S.W.2d 509 (1996). As previously stated, the State did not attempt to establish that Mr. Gaines committed any crime in connection with the June 9, 1996 fire. In any event, evidence that the first fire occurred was independently relevant under Rule 404(b). The first fire was a catalyst for Mr. Gaines's statement that the fire should have came [ sic ] down a little further to reach Ms. Davis's apartment, suggesting his desire that she be harmed. Where the purpose of evidence is to disclose a motive for a killing or attempted killing, anything that might have influenced the commission of the act may be shown. McGhee v. State, supra . Evidence of circumstances that explain the act, show a motive, or illustrate the accused's state of mind, may be independently relevant and admissible. Lee v. State, 327 Ark. 692, 942 S.W.2d 231 (1997). In this case, the first fire might have given Mr. Gaines the idea to harm Ms. Davis by means of fire. Thus, evidence about the earlier fire was not prohibited by Rule 404(b). Finally, Mr. Gaines asserts that the evidence should have been excluded as unduly prejudicial. Rule 403 of the Arkansas Rules of Evidence states: Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading of the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence. The trial court has the discretion to determine whether the prejudicial value of the evidence substantially outweighs its probative value, and its judgment will be upheld absent a manifest abuse of discretion. Parker v. State, 333 Ark. 137, 968 S.W.2d 592 (1998). Ms. Davis's testimony regarding the statement Mr. Gaines made to her as well as evidence about the earlier fire, which provided a context for that statement, were probative of his intent and of a possible plan or scheme. We cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion in ruling that the probative value of that evidence was not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. We affirm on this point.