Opinion ID: 2033698
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Child Support Arrearage Testimony

Text: The defendant contends that the trial court erred in allowing the State, over his objection, to question him during cross-examination regarding his child support arrearage. He then testified that the arrearage was approximately $15,000 and that just prior to the murder he had been informed that a wage garnishment was being sought. On appeal, the defendant argues that the arrearage was a collateral matter inadmissible for impeachment and constituted an evidentiary harpoon. The State asserts that the evidence was presented not for purposes of impeachment but to demonstrate motive. Prior evidence had indicated that two weeks before the victim's death, Debra Bolin took out a life insurance policy on her husband. The other co-conspirator, French, testified that the defendant had said before the murder that he planned to use the insurance proceeds in part to pay his ex-wife, to whom he owed a large amount of money. Evidence of a defendant's past acts, even those reflecting adversely upon his character, may be admissible for purposes other than character, including motive. See Campbell v. State, 622 N.E.2d 495, 500 (Ind. 1993); Lannan v. State, 600 N.E.2d 1334, 1339 (Ind.1992). [2] We find no error in the admission of this motive evidence.