Opinion ID: 1809345
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: the trial court erred in allowing the state to put forth testimony about gangs and alleged gang involvement of the appellant.

Text: Prior to trial, Hoops joined in a motion in limine to prevent the State from introducing evidence of his alleged involvement in a gang. The State opposed the motion and argued that proof of Hoops's gang involvement was relevant and probative to establish a motive for the shooting. The trial judge overruled Hoops's motion based on Miss. R. Evid. 404(b) and stated that he would admit such evidence as long as the prosecution laid a proper predicate at trial. During the trial, the following colloquy developed between the State's witness Bell and the district attorney: Q Of your own personal knowledge do you know why Mr. Anderson and Mr. Hoops would shoot at you? A Yeah, it got to be gang violence. They hang with the Bloods. BY MR. SIMONS: We would object to that, Your Honor, and ask that the jury be excused. BY MR. ISHEE: We would also object to that, Your Honor. BY THE COURT: What's your objection? BY MR. SIMONS: We would object to it subject to some previous motions we filed with Your Honor. And we would ask that the jury be excused right now. BY THE COURT: Okay. I will excuse the jury for a few minutes. [Jury excused.] ... . BY THE COURT: ... The objection will be sustained. And the Court will require you to lay a predicate in regard to gangs or drugs prior to the question as to whether or not he knows he is a gang member. The district attorney asked questions to lay his foundation, and the trial judge admitted Bell's testimony. Hoops argues that the introduction of this evidence violated Rules 401, 402, 403, 404, and 602 of the Mississippi Rules of Evidence.