Opinion ID: 2116666
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Drug Paraphernalia as Motive Evidence

Text: Houser argues that several drug syringes, a medicine bottle and six unidentified pills were wrongly admitted as evidence of his motive. Specifically Houser contends that the purpose and effect of admitting this evidence was to allow the jury to convict him for being a drug user and, therefore, the prejudicial impact of this evidence outweighed its probative value. Houser correctly notes that our evidence rules forbid admitting extrinsic evidence solely to show the defendant is a person of bad character. Ind. Evidence Rule 404. Although the State does not have to prove motive, nothing prevents it from doing so and motive evidence can be relevant to proof of a crime. Id. We review evidence rulings for an abuse of discretion. Willoughby v. State, 660 N.E.2d 570, 580-81 (Ind.1996). The drug paraphernalia here tended to show that Houser had a drug habit to support and helps establish a motive for the crime. Moreover, it is consistent with White's testimony that Houser robbed Murphy to obtain money to buy drugs. Although Houser testified that the drug items belonged to an employee he had fired, Houser also told the jury that he was a cocaine and marijuana user. Accordingly, it is difficult to see how this physical evidence, even if wrongly admitted, prejudiced Houser. We see no abuse of discretion.