Opinion ID: 1882654
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: issue 2. improper introduction of evidence

Text: Seibert next argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a mistrial after the State attempted to introduce testimony concerning the time of intercourse, which Seibert claims was evidence of collateral criminal acts. During the testimony of Ms. McCue and Dr. Lew, the State asked whether these experts could determine if the victim was alive during intercourse. Both experts replied that the time of intercourse and its relation to the time of the victim's death could not be determined. Seibert made motions for mistrial after each witness's testimony, and the trial court denied the motions without discussion. In a criminal trial, it is generally improper to admit evidence tending to show that the accused committed crimes other than those of which he stands accused. Craig v. State, 510 So.2d 857, 863 (Fla.1987). Seibert argues that the introduction of this testimony was effectively the introduction of evidence that he committed sexual acts on a dead body, a crime for which he was not charged, and was therefore inadmissible because it was unduly prejudicial. The State asserts that the testimony was relevant to the issue of the timing of the murder in relation to the time of intercourse. Part of the defense's theory of innocence, as set out in the opening statement of the defense, was that Seibert had sexual relations with the victim, and then, while he was passed out, someone else killed the victim. The State argues that the testimony of these experts was relevant as a result of this theory of the case. We do not find that the trial court erred in denying the new trial. A ruling on a motion for mistrial is within the sound discretion of the trial court. See Power v. State, 605 So.2d 856, 861 (Fla. 1992). A motion for mistrial should be granted only when it is necessary to ensure that the defendant receives a fair trial. Id.  Cole v. State, 701 So.2d 845, 853 (Fla.1997). In Cole, we affirmed the trial court's denial of a motion for mistrial after a witness made a comment in her testimony indicating that the defendant had a prior criminal history. We stated that this remark was not so prejudicial as to require reversal and that the comment also did not require reversal because it was isolated and inadvertent and was not focused upon. Id. Seibert has failed to show the necessary level of prejudice resulting from the challenged testimony at his trial that necessitated a mistrial. The challenged questions and responses were isolated. Neither of the experts gave an opinion as to when intercourse occurred; rather, both simply stated that they could not determine whether it happened before or after the victim's death. The evidence that Seibert murdered the victim was strong. As in Cole, we do not believe that the statement concerning the timing of intercourse prejudiced the guilt-phase proceedings.