Opinion ID: 1501117
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 18

Heading: Use of Alias

Text: Brown argues that the trial court erred by allowing witnesses to refer to him by the name Thomas Turner. Brown contends that the use of his alias was evidence of other crimes or bad acts and was presented for the sole purpose of painting him as a deceitful, shady character who may be guilty of other crimes not mentioned in this case. The record indicates that the witnesses referred to Brown as Thomas Turner because that was the name he used in St. Louis and that was the name by which they knew him. Even Brown's wife knew him as Thomas Turner and did not know that his name was Vernon Brown. The use of an alias does not constitute clear evidence associating defendant with other crimes. State v. Morrow, 968 S.W.2d 100, 111 (Mo. banc 1998). See also State v. Brown, 902 S.W.2d 278, 287 (Mo. banc 1995). Unless the testimony objected to consists of clear evidence of another crime, there is no trial court abuse of discretion in denying a mistrial. State v. Simmons, 955 S.W.2d 729, 737 (Mo. banc 1997). Since the witnesses referred to Brown as Thomas Turner, the record does not support the contention that it was for the purpose of proving that Brown committed other crimes. Witnesses who knew him as Thomas Turner referred to him as such. The trial court did not abuse its discretion.