Opinion ID: 1205136
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: prior bad acts of hanahan

Text: Hanahan next asserts error in the trial court's admission of evidence of prior acts which reflected on her character. [8] At trial, Hanahan sought to exclude the majority of these items under the Dead Man's Statute. She also sought to exclude a 1972 affidavit of her father on grounds it was too remote. Her objections on these grounds were deemed continuing by the trial court. She now contends this evidence was improperly admitted to demonstrate her bad character. As this was not the basis of her objection below, nor was it the basis of the trial court's observance of a continuing objection, we find the issue unpreserved for review. Rosamond Enterprises, Inc. v. McGranahan, 278 S.C. 512, 299 S.E.2d 337 (1983)(appellant may not argue a different ground on appeal than he argued in his objection at trial); Shayne of Miami, Inc. v. Greybow, Inc., 232 S.C. 161, 101 S.E.2d 486 (1957); White v. Livingston, 231 S.C. 301, 98 S.E.2d 534 (1957)(party may not argue one ground at trial and an alternate ground on appeal). As to that evidence to which Hanahan did properly object at trial, we find no abuse of discretion in the trial court's ruling. American Federal Bank v. No. 1 Main Joint Venture, 321 S.C. 169, 467 S.E. 2d 439 (1996)(conduct of a trial, including admission and rejection of testimony, is largely within the trial judge's sound discretion, the exercise of which will not be disturbed on appeal unless appellant can show abuse of such discretion, commission of legal error in its exercise, and resulting prejudice to appellant's rights). To the extent any of the evidence was improperly admitted, Hanahan has not demonstrated prejudicial error warranting reversal. Powers v. Temple 250 S.C. 149, 156 S.E.2d 759 (1967)(to justify reversal based upon improper admission of evidence, appellant must show prejudice and that jury was likely influenced thereby).