Opinion ID: 2433485
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 21

Heading: Arthur McOmber's Testimony

Text: Nicklasson argues that testimony from FBI Special Agent Arthur McOmber was improperly admitted. Nicklasson asserts in his brief to this Court that this exchange was both improper and highly prejudicial, but he cites no authority and presents no argument to support those broad conclusions. His argument is waived. State v. Isa, 850 S.W.2d at 900.

Nicklasson alleges that the trial court erred in admitting other crimes evidence during penalty phase. This evidence showed that Nicklasson had discharged a firearm in California, committed serious assaults and had admitted to two additional murders in Arizona. Separate punishment phases exist in capital cases to permit the presentation of a wide range of evidence about the defendant's past character and conduct, while avoiding the possibility of placing prejudicial or irrelevant evidence in front of the jury before the determination of guilt or innocence. Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153, 190, 96 S.Ct. 2909, 2933, 49 L.Ed.2d 859 (1976). The sentence-recommender should generally hear any evidence that aids it in making an individualized determination of an appropriate punishment. State v. Kreutzer, 928 S.W.2d 854, 874 (Mo. banc 1996), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 117 S.Ct. 752, 136 L.Ed.2d 689 (1997). This evidence includes evidence of separate crimes. State v. Wise, 879 S.W.2d 494, 520 (Mo. banc 1994), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 1093, 115 S.Ct. 757, 130 L.Ed.2d 656 (1995); State v. Jones, 749 S.W.2d 356, 364 (Mo. banc), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 871, 109 S.Ct. 186, 102 L.Ed.2d 155 (1988).
Nicklasson claims that the trial court improperly prevented him from presenting the following penalty-phase evidence: two-hundred-sixty-five exhibits; evidence about Nicklasson's mother; evidence regarding abandonment by Nicklasson's father; evidence of Nicklasson's mother's sterilization; evidence that Nicklasson was willing to plead guilty to first-degree murder; a display to the jury of Nicklasson's hand; a photograph of Nicklasson drinking beer with his father; that Skillicorn was the brains of the group; testimony of an art therapist; and evidence that his relatives would visit him in prison. The trial court has broad discretion in determining whether evidence offered during the penalty phase of a capital case is admitted. State v. Leisure, 749 S.W.2d 366, 379 (Mo. banc 1988), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 923, 113 S.Ct. 343, 121 L.Ed.2d 259 (1992). A court may exclude, as irrelevant, any evidence not bearing on the defendant's character, prior record, or the circumstances of his offense. Lockett v. Ohio, 438 U.S. 586, 604, n. 12, 98 S.Ct. 2954, 2964-65, n. 12, 57 L.Ed.2d 973 (1978). Absent clear abuse of discretion, an appellate court will not interfere with the trial court's ruling on admission or exclusion of evidence. State v. Heinz, 607 S.W.2d 873, 877 (Mo.App.1980); State v. Radford, 646 S.W.2d 366, 367 (Mo.App.1982); State v. Kalna, 595 S.W.2d 299, 300 (Mo.App. 1979). It is not an abuse of discretion for the trial court to limit cumulative evidence. State v. Heinz, 607 S.W.2d at 877; State v. Radford, 646 S.W.2d at 367; State v. Kalna, 595 S.W.2d at 300.