Opinion ID: 1725936
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Was defendant's karate uniform and testimony relating to it improperly admitted?

Text: Defendant asserts his karate (Tae Kwon Do) uniform was erroneously admitted into evidence. The exhibit, a green belt uniform, was found in the mobile home. Defendant made no objection to the admission of this exhibit. The State presented testimony the green belt indicated a lower to middle proficiency in the art of empty handed fighting. The art of Tae Kwon Do, a branch of karate originating in Korea, uses both foot and hand movement. The autopsy conducted on Carole disclosed she suffered abrasions on both the left and right side of her neck. The hyoid bone in her neck was broken. There were bruises on the inside of her mouth, left side of her face, hip and ribs. There were hemorrhages in the right ear area. The doctor testified these injuries were caused by blunt force, consistent with blows struck by a fist or foot. When the testimony relating to the significance of the green belt and the art of karate was offered through a qualified police officer who found the uniform in the mobile home, defendant's relevancy objection was overruled. The determination of relevancy rests largely within trial court's discretion. State v. Kaufman, 265 N.W.2d 610, 619 (Iowa 1978). Although the question here is close, we hold no abuse of discretion is disclosed by this record. Other evidence concerning defendant's karate expertise came in without objection. The testimony of the police officer was coupled with the uniform which came in without objection and the evidence tended to prove defendant possessed the capacity to inflict the injuries disclosed by the autopsy.