Opinion ID: 2071409
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Other Crimes Generally Inadmissible Exceptions Require Balancing

Text: Evidence of other crimes is generally inadmissible to prove the commission of the offense charged. Getz v. State, Del. Supr., 538 A.2d 726, 730 (1988). The general rule is intended to prevent the State from proving the charged offense by evidence of other crimes on the theory that the defendant acted in conformity with those other bad acts in committing the charged offense. Thus, the State cannot use another offense to establish that the defendant had a propensity to commit the charged offense. D.R.E. 404; Getz v. State, 538 A.2d at 730. The prohibition against other crime evidence is not absolute. D.R.E. 404(b). Such evidence may be admitted properly for other purposes, for example, to show: motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. D.R.E. 404(b). Evidence of other crimes may also be admitted where two crimes constitute one transaction and proof of one necessarily requires proof of the other. Getz v. State, 538 A.2d at 730. This Court has articulated a six-part analysis, for the guidance of trial judges, concerning the admissibility of other crime evidence by the State. Getz v. State, 538 A.2d at 734. The first two parts of the Getz outline are relevant to Deshields' appeal: (1) The evidence of other crimes must be material to an issue or ultimate fact in dispute in the case. If the State elects to present such evidence in its case-in-chief it must demonstrate the existence, or reasonable anticipation, of such a material issue. (2) The evidence of other crimes must be introduced for a purpose sanctioned by Rule 404(b) or any other purpose not inconsistent with the basic prohibition against evidence of bad character or criminal disposition. Id. The fact that other crime evidence comports with one of the exceptions listed in Rule 404(b) does not make it admissible per se. Getz v. State, 538 A.2d at 730. Delaware Rule of Evidence 404(b) is identical to Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b). Tice v. State, Del.Supr., 624 A.2d 399, 400 n. 1 (1993). Professor Graham Lilly has concluded [f]rom the language of the [Federal] Rule, as well as its legislative history, it is clear that the federal drafters created an open system in which a trial judge neither mechanically excludes, nor routinely accepts, other crimes evidence: rather, she [or he] determines admissibility on the basis of such factors as probative value, potential prejudice, and the availability of alternative forms of evidence. Graham C. Lilly, An Introduction to the Law of Evidence § 5.14, at 169 (3d ed. 1996). Professor Lilly also notes that another treatise sets forth a thoughtful enumeration of `at least' nine factors that a court should consider in applying the Rule 403 balancing test to Rule 404(b) evidence: (1) the extent to which the point to be proved is disputed; (2) the adequacy of proof of the prior conduct; (3) the probative force of the evidence; (4) the proponent's need for the evidence; (5) the availability of less prejudicial proof; (6) the inflammatory or prejudicial effect of the evidence; (7) the similarity of the prior wrong to the charged offense; (8) the effectiveness of limiting instructions; and (9) the extent to which prior act evidence would prolong the proceedings. Graham C. Lilly, An Introduction to the Law of Evidence § 5.15, at 177-78 (3d ed. 1996) (citing C. Mueller & L. Kirkpatrick, Federal Evidence § 4.21, at 268-71 (1995)). In addition, if other crime evidence is admitted during the State's case-in-chief to prove the charged offense, it must have independent logical relevance and the jury should be carefully instructed regarding the limited purpose for which it can be considered. Getz v. State, 538 A.2d at 730-31, 734. See also Allen v. State, Del.Supr., 644 A.2d 982, 984-85 (1994).