Opinion ID: 522285
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Lack of Motive

Text: 12 During trial, in cross-examination and in the defense case, the defense counsel suggested Brown had no motive to kill the postal carrier. The Government argues that the defense thus made motive a key issue in the case. According to the Government, this entitled it to introduce evidence of Brown's prior wrongful acts to show Brown's motive in performing this killing. The Government reads Brown's prior wrongful acts as showing that Brown derives a thrill from creating violence, and that the motive behind the killing was the desire to obtain this thrill. 13 Contrary to the Government's suggestion, evidence of other bad acts is not automatically admissible simply because the defendant argued at trial that he had no motive to commit the crime. Under Rule 404(b), evidence is admissible for purposes other than to show the character of the defendant only if it relates to an element of the crime charged. Sarault, 840 F.2d 1479, 1485; United States v. Bailleaux, 685 F.2d 1105, 1109-10 (9th Cir.1982). Motive, however, is not an element of the offense of first degree murder. Cf. United States v. Franklin, 704 F.2d 1183, 1188 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 845, 104 S.Ct. 146, 78 L.Ed.2d 137 (1983) (racial motive element of crime under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 245(b)). 14 Our cases reflect the principle that where motive is not an element of the offense, prior bad act evidence is allowed to show motive only when motive is in turn relevant to establish an element of the offense that is a material issue. See 22 C. Wright and K. Graham, Federal Practice and Procedure: Federal Rules of Evidence Sec. 5240, at 480 (1978) (motive is not an ultimate issue; therefore, proof of motive must always be directed at some other fact that is an ultimate issue in the case[; e]vidence of motive may be offered to prove that the act was committed, or to prove the identity of the actor, or to prove the requisite mental state.). See also United States v. Bowman, 720 F.2d 1103, 1104-05 (9th Cir.1983) (defendant's prior conviction for assault of wife's relative held admissible to show motive of revenge in assault against his wife, where defendant claims self-defense); United States v. Bradshaw, 690 F.2d 704, 708-09 (9th Cir.1982), cert. denied, 463 U.S. 1210, 103 S.Ct. 3543, 77 L.Ed.2d 1392 (1983) (defendant's prior sexual acts with minor held admissible to show motive behind kidnapping of minor, where the defense raises a theory of consent). 15 The only disputed material issue in this case was whether Brown had the specific intent required to commit first degree murder. The evidence of Brown's prior acts is therefore admissible to show motive only if relevant to show Brown's specific intent. 16 We conclude the prior bad act evidence fails to show any motive which would in turn be relevant to show the required intent. The prior wrongful acts must establish a motive to commit the crime charged, not simply a propensity to engage in criminal activity. See United States v. Feldman, 788 F.2d 544, 556-57 (9th Cir.1986), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1067, 107 S.Ct. 955, 93 L.Ed.2d 1003 (1987) (evidence of substantial debt admitted to show motive for bank robbery); Bowman, 720 F.2d 1103, 1104-05 (evidence of prior conviction admitted to show motive of revenge); Bradshaw, 690 F.2d 704, 708-09 (evidence of prior sexual acts between victim and defendant admitted to show motive for kidnapping). 17 Here, however, the evidence established, at most, Brown's general propensity for violence. The bad act evidence concerns Brown's efforts to recover his property at gunpoint seven years prior to this offense, and a shooting into Ms. Dukes' home. No evidence whatsoever links the postal carrier to Brown's prior acts. There is no evidence in the record that Brown was acquainted with the carrier in a capacity other than as his parents' mail carrier. In sum, we do not see a single fact contained in Brown's prior acts from which Brown could have derived a motive to kill the carrier in this case. The prior acts clearly establish Brown's propensity for violence, but that is precisely the use of evidence barred by Rule 404(b). 3