Opinion ID: 2518342
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Admission of K.S.A. 60-455 Evidence

Text: Next, Overton argues that the trial court erroneously admitted the testimony of A.D. in violation of K.S.A. 60-455. Although evidence of prior crimes and other civil wrongs is inadmissible to prove a person's propensity to commit crime, thereby implying that he or she committed the crime at issue, K.S.A. 60-455 allows the admission of such evidence when that evidence is relevant to prove some other material fact, including motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. Before evidence of prior crimes may be admitted pursuant to K.S.A. 60-455, three requirements must be met. First, the evidence must be relevant to prove one of the facts specified in the statute. Second, the fact must be a disputed, material fact. Third, the probative value of the evidence must outweigh its potential prejudice. State v. McHenry, 276 Kan. 513, 519, 78 P.3d 403 (2003). A.D. testified that while she was a student at the middle school, Overton befriended her, kissed her at school, groped her at his house, and eventually raped her at his house. Overton was initially charged with aggravated indecent liberties and rape for A.D.'s allegations. The State dismissed the charges because the 5-year statute of limitations had expired. Overton argues that A.D.'s testimony was admitted into evidence to show his propensity to commit the crimes charged and, therefore, violated K.S.A. 60-455. Upon appellate review, this court's analysis is limited to determining whether the trial court properly admitted K.S.A. 60-455 evidence to show plan. See State v. Marquez, 222 Kan. 441, 447-48, 565 P.2d 245 (1977). The State's motion to admit evidence of Overton's sexual conduct with A.D. requested that the evidence be admitted in this case to show plan. Prior to A.D.'s testimony, the trial court instructed the jury to consider A.D.'s testimony solely for the purpose of proving [Overton's] plan. To support his claim that evidence regarding A.D. should not have been admitted, Overton raises several arguments. Overton's first argues that there was no definite project or structured design connecting the alleged incidents with G.B. and A.D. because there was no causal connection between the two. Overton then asserts that A.D.'s credibility was unreliable and the prejudicial effect of the evidence outweighed its probative value. Overton further argues that the evidence does not prove the facts specified in the statute, as required by K.S.A. 60-455. Finally, Overton asserts that the trial court's admission of evidence beyond the State's proffer was in error. The State presented testimony of a high school counselor who observed Overton with A.D. while A.D. was attending high school. The State also presented testimony from the principal of the high school who reported Overton's presence with A.D. at the high school to the principal of Truesdell Middle School, where Overton worked. Relying on State v. Jones, 247 Kan. 537, 802 P.2d 533 (1990), and Marquez, 222 Kan. at 446, Overton claims that the evidence regarding A.D. was inadmissible because that evidence established no causal link between A.D.'s allegations and G.B.'s allegations to indicate a preexisting design, plan, or scheme to commit a rape or aggravated indecent liberties against G.B. We point out that this court addressed a similar argument in State v. Rucker, 267 Kan. 816, 828-29, 987 P.2d 1080 (1999). In Rucker, the defendant was charged with aggravated indecent liberties against his daughter. The State presented evidence that Rucker had committed similar acts against his other daughter. The Rucker court agreed that Marquez did not apply but then noted that the evidence could have been admitted to show modus operandi because the crimes, although unrelated, were strikingly similar. 267 Kan. at 828-29. In reaching this conclusion, the Rucker court relied on State v. Damewood, 245 Kan. 676, 783 P.2d 1249 (1989), which had recognized two theories for admitting prior crimes or civil wrongs to prove plan. One of the theories, as argued by Overton, requires proof of a causal connection. The other theory allows prior crimes evidence to be admitted to show modus operandi or the general method the defendant used to perpetrate similar but totally unrelated crimes. 267 Kan. at 828. Overton fails to distinguish Rucker. Instead, he asserts that Damewood is directly at odds with Marquez and implies that this court should overrule Damewood and its progeny based on an article in Purinton  Call it a `Plan' and A Defendant's Prior (Similar) Sexual Misconduct Is In: The Disappearance of K.S.A. 60-455,  70 J.K.B.A. 8 (2001). Other than this article, Overton fails to cite a statute or case to support overruling Damewood or other similar cases which allowed the introduction of evidence of other crimes or civil wrongs to show a defendant's modus operandi. We note that this court has authorized the use of such evidence pursuant to K.S.A. 60-455 for nearly 4 decades. In State v. Poulos, 196 Kan. 287, 291-92, 411 P.2d 689, cert. denied 385 U.S. 827 (1966), this court upheld the admission of evidence that tended to show Poulos' method for stealing televisions from hotel rooms. The State introduced evidence that Poulos had offered a hotel clerk money for a passkey to hotel rooms nearly 2 years after the incidents for which the defendant was being tried. This evidence corroborated the codefendant's testimony that Poulos gave him a pass-key to steal televisions. The Poulos court stated: This court has often held that evidence of independent similar offenses is admissible, under appropriate instruction as to the purpose for which it may be considered, where it tends to prove, among other things, intent, inclination, plan, scheme, method or system of operation. 196 Kan. at 291-92. Overton does not argue that the accusations involving A.D. are not strikingly similar to those involving G.B. Nevertheless, the State highlights the similarities between both accusations. Both A.D. and G.B. were 14 years old when Overton began talking with them at school. Both girls confided in Overton about their family problems at home. Overton complimented both girls and arranged to be alone with them at the school, where he kissed and fondled each of them. Overton also hired each of the girls as babysitters and used that opportunity to get them alone in his house. Both girls testified that Overton raped them on the bed in the master bedroom. As the State argues, these similarities are striking and clearly show Overton's modus operandi or plan. Overton next claims the probative value of that evidence is outweighed by its prejudicial effect because A.D.'s testimony lacked credibility. Essentially, Overton is asking the appellate court to reweigh the evidence and pass on the witness' credibility. An appellate court does not weigh the evidence or determine the credibility of witnesses. That function is within the province of the trier of fact. On appeal by a defendant, all questions of credibility are resolved in favor of the State. State v. Moore, 269 Kan. 27, 30, 4 P.3d 1141 (2000). All evidence supporting the State's charges is prejudicial to the defendant. However, under K.S.A. 60-455, if the prejudicial effect outweighs its probative value, the evidence is inadmissible. See McHenry, 276 Kan. at 519. Overton's defense was to deny all of the charges and discredit G.B. We note that A.D.'s testimony corroborates G.B.'s testimony and directly counters Overton's defense. Consequently, that evidence was probative. Overton further attacks the admission of A.D.'s testimony on the basis that the evidence does not prove one of the facts specified in the rape statute. This argument misinterprets the case law for applying K.S.A. 60-455. To be admissible, evidence must prove one of the facts specified in K.S.A. 60-455, such as intent, plan, or absence of mistake or accident, not a fact of the crime charged. Rucker, 267 Kan. at 824-29. Contrary to Overton's claim, A.D.'s testimony shows the defendant's plan, one of the requirements specified in K.S.A. 60-455. Proof of Overton's plan was material and corroborated G.B.'s testimony in opposition to Overton's general denial of the charges. Accordingly, this argument has no merit. This court reviews the admission of A.D.'s testimony using an abuse of discretion standard. See McHenry, 276 Kan. at 519. Overton bears the burden of establishing that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting evidence under K.S.A. 60-455, and he has failed to demonstrate such an abuse in the admission of A.D.'s testimony. See Rucker, 267 Kan. at 823. A.D.'s testimony proves Overton's plan, one of the facts specified in K.S.A. 60-455. Overton's plan is a material fact that directly contradicts his defense and corroborates G.B.'s testimony. Likewise, the evidence is more probative than prejudicial. A.D.'s testimony survives the three-prong test required for K.S.A. 60-455 evidence. See McHenry, 276 Kan. at 519. The trial court did not err by admitting A.D.'s testimony. Finally, Overton asserts that the trial court admitted evidence beyond the State's proffer by including testimony from high school personnel who witnessed interactions between Overton and A.D. We note that Overton failed to object to the admission of the testimony of these witnesses. A party must make a timely and specific objection to the admission of evidence at trial in order to preserve the issue for appeal. State v. Jamison, 269 Kan. 564, 569-70, 7 P.3d 1204 (2000). Overton has failed to preserve this argument.