Opinion ID: 2135987
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Prior bad acts were properly admitted.

Text: State sought to admit testimony that Knoche had passed other forged checks during the two days prior to the forgery with which he was charged. Per SDCL 19-12-5, evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show that he acted in conformity therewith. However, it may be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. Knoche objected to admission of these bad acts arguing that they served no other purpose than to portray him as a bad person. When ruling on the admissibility of other acts testimony, the trial court must determine if the intended purpose for offering the other acts evidence is relevant to some material issue in the case. State v. McDonald, 500 N.W.2d 243, 245 (S.D.1993). Once deemed relevant, [the evidence] may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Such determination by the trial court will not be disturbed absent an abuse of discretion. State v. McCord, 505 N.W.2d 388, 392 (S.D.1993) (citing State v. Means, 363 N.W.2d 565, 568-69 (S.D.1985)). Whereas Knoche denied he had been passing forged checks, the trial court found that the proffered evidence was relevant and probative as to identity and common plan, two exceptions admissible under SDCL 19-12-5. State v. Werner, 482 N.W.2d 286, 289 (S.D.1992). Finding that the probative value substantially outweighed any prejudicial effect, the evidence was admitted. As an added precaution, the trial court gave limiting instructions to the jury each time evidence of these prior acts was admitted and during the final instructions to the jury. Hence, we find no abuse of discretion. [1]