Opinion ID: 2614904
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: A complete recitation of the facts is found in the Court of Appeals opinion, and we will not repeat it here in its entirety. See State v. Conn, 115 N.M. 101, 847 P.2d 746 (App. 1992). The Court of Appeals reversed Conn's conviction, holding that under SCRA 1986, 11-609(A)(1), the trial court abused its discretion in admitting evidence of Conn's prior conviction of assault. The Court of Appeals held that the timing of the introduction of the impeachment evidence, combined with the specific circumstances which occurred during trial, was prejudicial and that such prejudice outweighed any probative value of the impeachment evidence. Id. at 106, 847 P.2d at 751. The Court of Appeals noted that the trial judge initially determined that the evidence of the prior conviction was inadmissible as unduly prejudicial. The trial court's reluctance to admit that evidence seemed to be primarily based upon the absence of documentary proof of the conviction. Once the prosecution obtained such documentation, however, the trial judge reversed himself and allowed the impeachment. Faced with the prospect of having the prosecution cross-examine the defendant at the end of the trial, defense counsel asked Conn about the prior conviction under objection, and Conn admitted that he had pleaded guilty to the charge. The impeachment evidence literally was the last evidence that the jury heard before it retired for deliberation. Id. at 104, 847 P.2d at 749. The Court of Appeals correctly stated that Rule 11-609(A)(1) allows evidence of prior convictions not involving dishonesty which were committed less than ten years prior to trial to be admitted if the district court determines that the probative value of such evidence outweighs its potentially prejudicial effect. Id. at 104, 847 P.2d at 749. The Court of Appeals believed, however, that this last minute effort by the prosecution had a significant impact upon the jury because the Court analyzed the case as having boiled down to a swearing match between the victim and Conn, making his credibility the central issue. Because it believed that the probative value of the prior conviction was questionable on the basis of remoteness and that it lacked direct evidence of dishonesty, the Court of Appeals held that the admission of the prior conviction was reversible error. Id. at 106, 847 P.2d at 751. The State argues that the Court of Appeals opinion conflicts with opinions of this Court and with its own opinions because the opinion essentially safeguards a defendant from legitimate impeachment evidence. In addition, the State claims that the Court of Appeals violated the abuse of discretion standard for reviewing decisions of a district court. Conn argues that the Court of Appeals properly overruled the trial court and correctly found that it abused its discretion in allowing the admission of evidence of the prior conviction. Conn claims that the Court of Appeals applied the unique facts of his case to Rule 11-609 and correctly determined that the prejudice to him outweighed any possible probative value of the evidence. Thus, Conn asserts that the Court of Appeals opinion is consistent with prior law.