Opinion ID: 2466731
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Letter Written by Greg Cook

Text: For her last point on appeal, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in allowing the State to introduce into evidence a letter written by Greg Cook, intended for codefendant Patrick Walker, on the grounds that the letter was irrelevant and highly prejudicial. Specifically, Appellant takes issue with the following statements contained in the letter: It's fucked up that we shouldn't be on trial because look at what they got on the other suspects.... I believe the Judge is crooked himself.... You have to deny your statement and say they scared you into make [ sic ] that false statement all right? ... Oh, yeah, Lil Psycho will tell you how weak those low ass niggers is [ sic ].... Flush this down the toilet because they [ sic ] looking for any reason to convict us. The State asserts that the letter was properly admitted to impeach Cook's credibility by showing that he had attempted to influence a potential witness's testimony. Appellant offers no citation to authority in support of this point, nor does she offer any convincing argument as to how the letter, written by another person, was prejudicial to her case. Moreover, we agree with the State that the admission of this letter went to the issue of Cook's veracity and credibility. It is settled law that matters pertaining to the admission of evidence are within the sound discretion of the trial court, and we will not reverse such a ruling absent an abuse of that discretion. Jameson v. State, 333 Ark. 128, 970 S.W.2d 785 (1998); Newman v. State, 327 Ark. 339, 939 S.W.2d 811 (1997).