Opinion ID: 2279730
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Connie Sparks404(b)

Text: I further disagree with the majority's analysis of the Rule 404(b) issue for the same reasons set out in Chief Justice Hannah's dissenting opinion on this point. The Sparks offense and the Crowder murder have little factual commonality but, more importantly, the Sparks bad act is twenty-seven years old. With the notable exception of pedophile cases ( see, e.g., Allen v. State, 374 Ark. 309, 287 S.W.3d 579 (2008)), I know of no Arkansas cases that have gone so far back in time to prove intent or plan under 404(b). The more appropriate reversal and remand for trial would be on this point. But any holding on this twenty-seven-year-old bad act is largely irrelevant in light of the fact that the majority has thrown out the 8:55 p.m. confession. Because of this, I am exceedingly doubtful that a retrial will occur where the 404(b) issue would be resurrected. For all of these reasons, I respectfully dissent.