Opinion ID: 1809345
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Miss R. Evid. 401, 402, 404(b)

Text: In addition to claiming that this evidence was not relevant, Hoops claims that if the State was introducing the evidence as a character trait or to impeach his character, then the trial judge erred in admitting it under Rule 404(b). But there is no question about what the State intended to use this evidence for. The record reflects that the prosecution repeatedly requested admission of the evidence to show motive. During the hearing for Hoops's motion in limine, the district attorney made his intentions quite clear. He stated the following: I think that that is relevant. I think it is probative, I think it goes toward a motive for an otherwise totally unexplained criminal activity. And I think certainly it is prejudice. Anything you present against a Defendant is prejudice. But certainly it's important in this case because it goes directly to the reason for the shooting. Now simply to make inquiry of an individual, is he in a gang, and he is charged with a crime and there is no relationship and the crime charged, I can see where that would be irrelevant and not admissible. In this particular case it goes to the very heart of the incident... . [I]n this particular case I certainly wanted to explore that particular area to show motive and to explain a totally senseless act that would appear to have no other justification. And that would be the State's offer on this particular motion. To the extent that the State wished to introduce this evidence for reasons other than motive, Hoops's claim is without merit. However, Hoops's argument has another point which is worthy of discussion. Although somewhat poorly articulated, Hoops appears to challenge whether membership or affiliation in a gang qualifies as an act under Miss. R. Evid. 404(b). The rule states: Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show that he acted in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. Miss. R. Evid. 404(b). This Court has yet to make a determination on this matter, and Hoops cites no authority for his proposition. Many other courts, however, have addressed this issue and have approved the use of evidence of gang affiliation and membership to show motive in certain circumstances. See State v. Romero, 178 Ariz. 45, 870 P.2d 1141, 1147-48 (App. 1993) (citing United States v. Abel, 469 U.S. 45, 49, 105 S.Ct. 465, 467, 83 L.Ed.2d 450 (1984)); State v. Vickers, 159 Ariz. 532, 768 P.2d 1177, 1182 (1989) (evidence of membership in prison gang probative of bias), cert. denied, 497 U.S. 1033, 110 S.Ct. 3298, 111 L.Ed.2d 806 (1990); People v. Mendez, 221 Ill. App.3d 868, 164 Ill.Dec. 321, 582 N.E.2d 1265, 1267 (1991) (defendant's membership in gang relevant to motive for drive-by shooting against rival gang); People v. Contreras, 144 Cal. App.3d 749, 192 Cal. Rptr. 810 (1983) (gang membership relevant to motive for assault and attempted robbery); State v. Garcia, 99 N.M. 771, 664 P.2d 969 (1983) (prison gang membership relevant to motive in stabbing inmate who had insulted gang), cert. denied, 462 U.S. 1112, 103 S.Ct. 2464, 77 L.Ed.2d 1341 (1983); State v. Ruof, 296 N.C. 623, 252 S.E.2d 720 (1979) (defendant's association with motorcycle gang relevant to motive for shooting victim who had come into bar in gang's territory); People v. Hairston, 10 Ill. App.3d 678, 294 N.E.2d 748 (1973) (evidence of membership of defendant and victim in rival gangs relevant to drive-by shooting); John E. Theuman, Annotation, Admissibility of Evidence of Accused's Membership in Gang, 39 A.L.R.4th 775 (1985); United States v. Rodriguez, 925 F.2d 1049, 1053 (7th Cir.1991); State v. Campbell, 78 Wash. App. 813, 901 P.2d 1050, 1055 (1995); United States v. Santiago, 46 F.3d 885, 889 (9th Cir.1995), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 115 S.Ct. 2617, 132 L.Ed.2d 860 (1995). It would be folly for this Court to hold that affiliation or membership with a street gang such as this one does not constitute a bad act as contemplated by Miss. R. Evid. 404(b). It is clear that many jurisdictions across the country find gang involvement to be quite probative on the question of motive as suggested by the State. Therefore, this Court should reject Hoops's contention that his alleged involvement in a gang is not subject to the Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts exception found in Miss. R. Evid. 404(b). On the other hand, circuit judges must be quite careful in their assessment of such evidence. While evidence of affiliation or membership with a street gang can certainly be relevant under Miss. R. 404(b), as stated above, it also has the potential to be quite damaging in the eyes of a jury. To ensure that no unfair prejudice accrues to a defendant, a trial judge should administer the balancing test of Rule 403 under the Mississippi Rules of Evidence before admitting such evidence into the trial.