Opinion ID: 2437984
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dismissal of Count I

Text: The defendant argues that she was prejudiced when the state elected to enter a nolle prosequi as to Count I, charging the murder of Jeremy, and to proceed to trial only on Count II, involving the death of Eric. The bare circumstance of being required to defend against only one charge instead of two surely does not support a claim of prejudice. The prosecutor has discretion as to what will be charged, and may not be required to proceed with a particular charge or a particular count. Prejudice was argued because the state introduced evidence about the killing of Jeremy after the charges involving him had been dismissed. The evidence showed that the two boys were taken together to a motel room and contemporaneously stabbed to death. The state is entitled to introduce evidence of the circumstances surrounding the offense charged, and the relevant circumstances may include other crimes. State v. Kenley, 693 S.W.2d 79 (Mo. banc 1985). Any claim that the record must be purged of evidence relating to the killing of Jeremy is unsound. This record does not show any such evidence which was not properly admitted in the case involving Eric. The court on retrial will be able to balance potential prejudice and probative value as to any proffered evidence of crimes not charged. The defense also suggests that there will be problems of double jeopardy and collateral estoppel if the count involving Eric is tried to judgment, and the state then seeks to prosecute the defendant for the murder of Jeremy. Any such problems are foreign to this case and must be dealt with when they arise. The state must weigh any potential problems under such holdings as Ashe v. Swenson, 397 U.S. 436, 90 S.Ct. 1189, 25 L.Ed.2d 469 (1970) and Grady v. Corbin, ___ U.S.___, 110 S.Ct. 2084, 109 L.Ed.2d 548 (1990).