Opinion ID: 1119070
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Subsequent Homosexual Assault

Text: Kemp claims that the admission of evidence that he sexually assaulted the man he abducted after selling his truck in Flagstaff unfairly prejudiced his defense and requires reversal. The victim testified that while alone with Kemp in a hotel room, Kemp forced him to undress and then touched his genitals. At trial, the State sought to introduce evidence of the kidnapping, robberies, and sexual assault committed by Kemp and Logan after the murder of Juarez and during the flight from Tucson. The trial court granted Kemp's motion in limine to exclude all of the criminal acts except the sexual assault. We agree that the trial court erred. All of the kidnapping and robbery evidence should have been admitted as evidence of flight showing consciousness of guilt. See M. Udall & J. Livermore, Law of Evidence § 125, at 258 (3d ed. 1991). The sexual assault is more problematic. At trial, the State offered the sexual assault evidence to establish motive for the abduction of Juarez and to prove the identity of the person who killed him. On appeal, the State abandoned this rationale and argued that the evidence would have been properly admitted to show a common plan or scheme. Rule 404(b), Ariz. R.Evid. We need not consider the new theory, because even if there was error, it was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Kemp's conviction is supported by overwhelming evidence of his guilt, including his own statements to the police and corrections officials. After viewing the record in its entirety, we find beyond a reasonable doubt that the jury would have reached the same verdict if the evidence had been excluded. Kemp also argues that the prosecutor did not timely disclose that the subsequent homosexual assault would be used against him. Before trial, the court on two occasions ordered the State to disclose the bad acts it would use. See Rule 15.1(a)(6), Ariz. R.Crim.P. The State did disclose the victim of the subsequent homosexual assault as a possible witness approximately six months before trial. While it never provided Kemp with a list of his bad acts, Rule 15.1(a)(6) appears to apply to prior acts and not subsequent conduct. But even if Rule 15.1(a)(6) applies here, there simply was no prejudice. Discovery rulings are affirmed unless there is an abuse of discretion. See State v. Krone, 182 Ariz. 319, 321, 897 P.2d 621, 624 (1995). Kemp argues that he was unable to obtain a fair and impartial jury and he was unable to develop any impeachment or motive evidence against the victim of the subsequent homosexual assault. We disagree. First, the record is clear that Kemp's trial counsel was aware that Kemp's homosexuality potentially would be placed before the jury. Logan's statements to the police and media raised the issue. In addition, Logan's trial preceded Kemp's, and the witness Kemp sought to preclude testified regarding the same events at Logan's trial. Furthermore, Kemp successfully suppressed other evidence of his homosexuality, including sexually explicit photographs and a journal purportedly detailing his homosexual encounters. Although Kemp did not have a ruling regarding the bad act evidence prior to voir dire, he was clearly aware of the issue, was not surprised, and could have developed it at voir dire if he so wanted. Second, Kemp's argument that he was unable to develop impeachment or motive evidence is without merit. The only connection the witness had to Kemp was the misfortune of being his kidnapping, robbery, and sexual assault victim. The witness was listed approximately six months before Kemp's trial and testified about the same events at Logan's trial. There was no abuse of discretion.