Opinion ID: 1970433
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: exclusion of proffered evidence relating to victim's prior conduct

Text: In his final claim, Weedon argues that the trial court abused its discretion in precluding cross-examination of Ward and Mrs. Weedon regarding an alleged May 1992 Child Protective Services investigation of Ward for his alleged depiction of sexually explicit material to Billy. Weedon claims that such evidence was relevant because his purported magnanimous response to the May 1992 incident could have rebutted the State's theory that the subject attack on Ward was motivated by anger. The trial court sustained the State's objection to such questioning, reasoning that its probative value was substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect, given the collateral nature of such evidence. A trial court's balancing of probative value versus prejudicial effect under D.R.E. 403 [15] is a matter within the discretion of the trial judge, who had a first-hand opportunity to consider all relevant factors. Williams v. State, Del.Supr., 494 A.2d 1237, 1241 (1985). The trial court's ruling should not be set aside absent an abuse of discretion. Pope v. State, Del.Supr., 632 A.2d 73, 79 (1993). The Court holds that the Superior Court did not abuse its discretion in excluding Weedon's proffered evidence. Thus his final contention lacks merit. We therefore AFFIRM Weedon's conviction.