Opinion ID: 509071
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evidence of Characteristics of a Child Molester

Text: 19 The appellant contends the district court erred in admitting the testimony of clinical psychologist Dr. Maloney on characteristics common to child molesters. The appellant contends he did not put his general character at issue and did not assert his character was such that he could not sexually abuse a child. He argues that under such circumstances Dr. Maloney's testimony was irrelevant except for the unpermitted purpose of showing he had a propensity to molest the child because his background matched that of a typical child molester. 20 Generally, we review the trial court's admission of evidence for abuse of discretion. United States v. Hernandez-Cuartas, 717 F.2d 552, 554-55 (9th Cir.1983). Rule 404(a)(1) provides: 21 Evidence of a person's character or a trait of character is not admissible for the purpose of proving action in conformity therewith on a particular occasion, except....[e]vidence of a pertinent trait of character offered by an accused, or by the prosecution to rebut the same. 22 Fed.R.Evid. 404(a)(1). 23 A defendant puts his character at issue when he offers testimony as to honesty or his good reputation. Michelson v. United States, 335 U.S. 469, 479, 483-84, 69 S.Ct. 213, 220, 222, 93 L.Ed. 168 (1948). In Michelson, the court held that the defendant in a trial for bribery put his general character at issue when he called five witnesses who testified that he had a good reputation and was honest, truthful, and law abiding. Id. at 483-84, 69 S.Ct. at 222. Testimony limited to the defendant's background, however, is not sufficient to put the defendant's general character at issue. See United States v. McLister, 608 F.2d 785, 790 (9th Cir.1979). In McLister, the court held that the defendant did not put his general character at issue in his drug trial when his counsel told the jury the defendant was well-off, from a privileged background, had no need to enter into an illegal business, and intended to go into a legitimate business. Id. 24 The government called Dr. Maloney allegedly to rebut what it termed the appellant's testimony he could not have molested the child. Dr. Maloney testified that the characteristics of a molester include an early disruption in the family environment, often with one parent missing: a relationship with the parent of the opposite sex who is dominant; unsuccessful relationships with women; a poor self-concept; and general instability in the background. 25 The trial court's admission of the testimony was an abuse of discretion. Neither the appellant, his witnesses, nor his lawyer put his general character at issue or testified he had any specific character traits that rendered him incapable of molesting a female child. The appellant's testimony as to his childhood was general background information, which did not put his character at issue. See McLister, 608 F.2d at 789. 26 We have stated in dictum that testimony of criminal profiles is highly undesirable as substantive evidence because it is of low probativity and inherently prejudicial. See Hernandez, 717 F.2d at 554-55 (testimony of the profile of a drug courier ordinarily inadmissible as substantive evidence of guilt). The jury's perception of the appellant's character and credibility are crucial to the outcome of this case; therefore, admission of Dr. Maloney's testimony was not harmless error. 27