Opinion ID: 884661
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: issues

Text: ¶ 35 Did the District Court err when it allowed the State to introduce evidence of Berger's other acts? ¶ 36 During cross-examination of Agner, Berger's attorney asked Agner a series of questions that were intended, according to Berger's attorney, to be questions about prejudice having to do with background, affinity. She was questioned about where she had lived in the past, whether she had lived in Seattle and Missoula prior to the drug transaction at issue, whether she had ever obtained methamphetamine in Washington, whether she had stolen a car, whether there were any pending criminal charges against her, whether she used drugs on the night in question, and whether she had ever been convicted of other crimes. The State, on the other hand, contended that the intent of the questioning was to imply that Agner was the actual source of the drugs and to imply that she is a sort of skip-around who goes hither and yon and chases drugs, and is just this little bit of trash that floats around the surface of the drug culture. The State argued that it should be entitled to rebut any inferences that the defense conveyed on cross-examination, and particularly the reason for Agner's frequent moves. According to the State, one of the reasons Agner moved from the Stevensville area was that she had been threatened and severely beaten by Berger sometime after the drug transaction at Agner's house, and was afraid of Berger and her family. ¶ 37 The District Court concluded that the assault by Berger was not a prior bad act but a subsequent act which was intended to influence a prosecution witness and which could demonstrate Berger's consciousness of her guilt. The District Court allowed the State to question Agner about why she moved and why she was fearful of Berger and her family. ¶ 38 On appeal, Berger contends that the District Court abused its discretion when it allowed the State to question Agner about her frequent moves, even though Berger introduced the issue on cross-examination. Berger characterizes the response elicited by the State's question on re-direct as improper character evidence in violation of Rule 404(b), M.R.Evid., because it revealed Berger's assault of Agner. Rule 404(b), M.R.Evid., provides: Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. ¶ 39 We have held that the district court has broad discretion to determine whether evidence is relevant and admissible. See State v. Oatman (1996), 275 Mont. 139, 143, 911 P.2d 213, 216. An item of evidence is relevant if it will have any value, as determined by logic and experience, in proving the proposition for which it is offered. See Oatman, 275 Mont. at 143-44, 911 P.2d at 216. We review a district court's evidentiary ruling to determine whether the district court has abused its discretion. See Oatman, 275 Mont. at 144, 911 P.2d at 216. Even if evidence is improperly admitted, we will not reverse the district court unless the evidence admitted prejudiced the defendant. See State v. Gray (1983), 202 Mont. 445, 449, 659 P.2d 255, 257. In order for inadmissible evidence to be prejudicial, there must be a reasonable possibility that the evidence might have contributed to the conviction. See Gray, 202 Mont. at 449-50, 659 P.2d at 257. ¶ 40 We conclude that the District Court did not abuse its discretion when it allowed the State to question Agner during re-direct examination about her reason for moving from Stevensville. ¶ 41 We recognize the rule that when one party cross-examines a witness regarding an event, the witness may be re-examined for the purpose of elaborating on the event in order to explain the part already in evidence. See Croft v. Thurston (1929), 84 Mont. 510, 515, 276 P. 950, 952. In this case, the District Court did not err when it gave the State an opportunity to give a complete impression about why Agner moved from town to town. The jury is entitled to a complete explanation, even if that explanation reflected poorly upon Berger. ¶ 42 The facts of this case are analogous to the facts of State v. Crockett (1966), 148 Mont. 402, 421 P.2d 722. In Crockett, the appellant cross-examined a witness about time she spent in jail for a prostitution charge in an attempt to show that police coercion was the reason for her testimony. The district court held that by inquiring on cross-examination about the witness's incarceration, the appellant opened the door for the State to explain her testimony during re-direct examination. See Crockett, 148 Mont. at 409, 421 P.2d at 726. During re-direct examination, the witness explained that although her jail sentence had expired, she remained in jail for an additional month for her own protection from the appellant. See Crockett, 148 Mont. at 409, 421 P.2d at 726. We held that the re-direct examination addressed evidence elicited on cross-examination, and was, therefore, permissible examination. See Crockett, 148 Mont. at 409, 421 P.2d at 726. Similarly, our decision in State v. Board (1959), 135 Mont. 139, 145, 337 P.2d 924, 928, reflects the policy that [a party] may not parry with sharpened blade in cross and expect only a sheathed blade in return. The district court makes the final determination of how much evidence is permissible to explain answers during cross-examination. ¶ 43 The District Court properly admonished the jury prior to re-direct that Agner's testimony should be received only to help explain her testimony on cross-examination and not to show Berger's character. We conclude that the District Court did not abuse its discretion when it allowed Agner to explain that one of the reasons she moved was because of threats and an assault by Berger.