Opinion ID: 1922618
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: April 1997 Domestic Violence Incident Evidence

Text: [¶ 34] Lockhart contends that the evidence involving the April 1997 incident should not have been admitted because the danger of unfair prejudice far outweighed its probative value. The State responds that because Lockhart stipulated that the evidence could be presented, he waived any objection. [¶ 35] We review unpreserved alleged trial errors that affect substantial rights for obvious error. State v. Thomes, 1997 ME 146, ¶ 7, 697 A.2d 1262, 1264. Although M.R. Evid. 404(b) provides that `[e]vidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show that the person acted in conformity therewith,' evidence of such acts is admissible when offered to prove, among other things, motive, intent, or absence of accident. State v. Huntley, 681 A.2d 10, 13 (Me.1996) (quoting M.R. Evid. 404(b)). The probative value of the evidence must not be substantially outweighed by any prejudicial effect pursuant to Rule 403. State v. Krieger, 2002 ME 139, ¶ 8, 803 A.2d 1026, 1029 (reviewing cases where evidence of previous uncharged acts was admissible to establish whether a defendant's actions were intentional instead of accidental, or the nature of a relationship). [¶ 36] Here, Lockhart and the State stipulated that an emergency room physician assistant could testify to the following: in April 1997, Andrea stated that Lockhart kicked the door open, causing the door to hit her over her left eyebrow; and that Andrea was referred to counseling services. As part of the stipulation, the State agreed to not have the physician assistant testify that Andrea told him the reason she waited a day before seeking treatment was that she felt threatened by Lockhart who had told her he would kill her if she did so. Lockhart did not object to any of the testimony by the physician assistant, two other witnesses, and Lockhart himself, regarding the general description of the April 1997 incident and injury. [¶ 37] At trial, the prosecution claimed that the killing of Andrea was intentional. The testimony that Lockhart had previously engaged in an act of domestic violence toward Andrea by kicking in the locked front door of their home causing the door to strike her in the head, was offered to prove the absence of mistake or accident as to the murder and is, therefore, admissible under Rule 404(b). Further, the trial court acted within its discretion in applying Rule 403 and concluding that this evidence was not so prejudicial as to substantially outweigh its probative value.