Opinion ID: 1742617
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sodomy; KRS 510.070.

Text: Captain Ward had prepared separate reports on the sodomy and handgun charges. For some reason, he brought both reports to the trial of the handgun offense. During direct and cross-examination, he testified only from his report describing the weapons obtained from Appellant's residence. On cross-examination, Appellant pointed out a discrepancy in the report. In attempting to rehabilitate the witness, the prosecutor asked Ward about another entry in his report. Ward responded: That was the report on the handgun case. This is the report on the sodomy case. Appellant moved for a mistrial. The trial court overruled Appellant's motion and offered to admonish the jury not to consider Ward's reference to the sodomy case. Appellant declined this offer on grounds it would only emphasize the point and further taint the jury. Frankly, we fail to perceive how this jury could have been further tainted by an admonitionor how the avalanche of irrelevant and prejudicial evidence introduced in this case could have been cured by an admonition. Except for the factual details of the sodomy charge, the jury already knew everything it would have known if the handgun charge and sodomy charge had not been severed. At least three jurors knew before the trial began that Appellant was previously tried for sodomizing a child under the age of twelve. In case they had forgotten, they were reminded of that fact by Captain Ward's reference to the sodomy case. They were also told in this trial that Appellant threatened to kill the child he was accused of sodomizing; that he was previously convicted of three counts of sexually abusing another child who was twelve years of age, but only after the indictment for perpetrating far more serious charges against that child was either amended or dismissed; and that he had another conviction of sodomy and sexual abuse for which he served no time in prison. They now also knew that in addition to possessing the only handgun that was proven by competent evidence, he also possessed a second handgun, a shotgun with a handmade stock, and six bullets.