Opinion ID: 1712255
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 18

Heading: Bag of Marijuana

Text: During his examination of Williams, the prosecutor asked the witness to identify as State's Exhibit 31 a dime bag of marijuana. The prosecutor later moved to introduce the exhibit into evidence. It was admitted over defense objection, despite the fact that no effort was made to establish the exhibit's relevance by connecting it to the State's case in any way. Defendant argues the erroneous admission of the marijuana was prejudicial and tainted the sentencing proceeding. While it is clear from the record that the State failed to demonstrate the relevance of the marijuana to its case, defense counsel subsequently questioned Williams about his marijuana use in general, and Williams acknowledged that he had smoked a dime bag of marijuana before the robbery and murder at the Fleet Boats offices. At no time during the penalty phase of the trial was the marijuana linked to defendant. Under these circumstances, it appears the introduction of the bag of marijuana did not impact the jury's sentencing determination.