Opinion ID: 2243559
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Chicago Robbery

Text: Lockhart correctly contends that evidence of criminal acts other than those charged are generally inadmissible to prove a defendant's guilt. However, such evidence may properly be introduced for the purpose of showing intent, motive, purpose, identity, or a common scheme or plan. Bedgood v. State (1985), Ind., 477 N.E.2d 869, 872. That is, such evidence may be admissible despite its tendency to show bad character or criminal propensity, if it makes the existence of an element of the crime charged more probable than it would be without such evidence. Id. The facts before the trial court clearly supported the trial judge's decision to admit the evidence: Lockhart robbed Lair of her purse on Monday, Gallagher was killed in an adjacent county and her purse taken on Tuesday, Lair retrieved her purse on Thursday and found Gallagher's purse and calendar inside. This is strong circumstantial evidence connecting Lockhart to the murder of Windy Gallagher. It is probative of identity and thus makes the existence of an element of the crime charged more probable than it would be without such evidence. The fact that Lair's purse passed through the hands of one or more persons before she recovered it goes to the weight of the evidence in this instance and not to its admissibility. There was no error in admitting Tammy Lair's testimony.