Opinion ID: 1160840
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Harriman Drug Transactions

Text: Ochoa contends that the trial court erred in allowing testimony regarding Ochoa's prior drug transactions with Harriman and Ortiz. Ochoa asserts that this evidence was irrelevant, that its probative value was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, and that it was improperly admitted under NRS 48.035(3). [3] We conclude that the testimony at issue was admissible under NRS 48.035(3). The drug transactions at issue were so interconnected to the dispute between Ochoa and Ortiz that Harriman could not have accurately described the nature of that dispute without referring to the drug transactions. See Powell v. State, 108 Nev. 700, 707-08, 838 P.2d 921, 926 (1992), vacated on other grounds, 511 U.S. 79, 114 S.Ct. 1280, 128 L.Ed.2d 1 (1994). The evidence of drug transactions is also admissible under NRS 48.045(2). [4] Ochoa argued the shooting was self-defense. It is clear from the record that the incidents are relevant to establish animosity between Ochoa and Ortiz and go to show motive and rebut the assertion of self-defense. The record also supports a finding that the acts were proven by clear and convincing evidence and that the probative value of the acts was not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Accordingly, this evidence was admissible under NRS 48.045(2). See Tinch v. State, 113 Nev. 1170, 1176, 946 P.2d 1061, 1064-65 (1997).