Opinion ID: 2590371
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Admission of Evidence Regarding Bloodstained Clothes and Air Gun

Text: During trial, Ransom objected to the admission of evidence about the bloodstained clothes and the air gun, arguing that such evidence was derived from an unlawful search. Now Ransom argues that this evidence was irrelevant and highly prejudicial because neither the clothes nor the air gun was connected to the charged crimes. Ransom acknowledges that he did not object on relevance or undue prejudice at trial. The State argues first that Ransom failed to preserve this issue for appeal. It also asserts that Ransom invited any error on admission of evidence about the clothes because his counsel asked several questions about them on cross-examination. In addition, the State maintains the clothes were relevant to connect Ransom to Washington's house. The State also argues that evidence about the clothes was not prejudicial because the State readily admitted they were connected to the car accident rather than the homicides or attempted aggravated robberies before the jury. Finally, the State asserts that Ransom has failed to support his claim that evidence about the air gun was irrelevant or prejudicial. A party may not object at trial to the admission of evidence on one ground and then argue a different ground on appeal. State v. Engelhardt, 280 Kan. 113, 127, 119 P.3d 1148 (2005). Regardless of this rule, Ransom's arguments on this issue would not merit reversal. Relevant evidence is evidence having any tendency in reason to prove any material fact. K.S.A. 60-401(b). The concept encompasses both the existence of probative value and materiality. See State v. Vasquez, 287 Kan. 40, 50, 194 P.3d 563 (2008); State v. Reid, 286 Kan. 494, 505, 186 P.3d 713 (2008). The standard of review on whether evidence is probative in a particular case is abuse of discretion, and the standard of review on whether evidence is material is de novo. Reid, 286 Kan. at 507-09, 186 P.3d 713. If error has occurred in a district court ruling on the admissibility of evidence, that error must be further evaluated for harmlessness. See State v. Gonzalez, 282 Kan. 73, 99-100, 145 P.3d 18 (2006). Reversal is required only where an erroneous admission of evidence is of such a nature as to affect the outcome of the trial and deny substantial justice. State v. Garcia, 282 Kan. 252, 270, 144 P.3d 684 (2006); see also K.S.A. 60-261 (reversal required only if refusal to reverse inconsistent with substantial justice). The evidence regarding the bloodstained clothes found in Washington's house was neither irrelevant nor unduly prejudicial. The State is correct that the clothes connected Ransom to Washington's house, where evidence of the charged crimes was found. Although the evidence about the air gun was not probative or material, neither was it unduly prejudicial. It constituted a speck of debris in an otherwise clean and clear case against Ransom. We are confident its admission was not inconsistent with substantial justice; it did not affect Ransom's substantial rights; and there is no likelihood that it affected the outcome of the trial.