Opinion ID: 1060393
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Altercation on the Alcoa Highway and the Burning of Griffin's Trailer

Text: The trial court ruled that evidence about the altercation on the Alcoa Highway and the burning of Griffin's trailer was relevant to establishing the sequence of events on the night of Griffin's murder. In addition, the trial court also found that the probative value of this evidence was not outweighed by danger of unfair prejudice. We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it ruled that this evidence was admissible. The evidence that showed that Appellants were involved in an altercation with Griffin and that they set fire to Griffin's trailer on the night that he was killed was relevant to establishing Appellants' intent and motive for killing Griffin. Indeed, the Tennessee Supreme Court has previously recognized that evidence of prior acts of violence against the victim are admissible under Rule 404(b) because the evidence is relevant to show the defendant's hostility toward the victim, malice, intent, and a settled purpose to harm the victim. State v. Smith, 868 S.W.2d 561, 574 (Tenn.1993). Moreover, the evidence that tied Appellants to the other crimes against Griffin that were committed just hours before Griffin was killed was also relevant to establishing the identity of Griffin's killers. Indeed, Rule 404(b) provides for the admissibility of evidence about other crimes when relevant to issues of identity, intent, and motive. See Tenn. R. Evid. 404(b) (Sentencing Commission Comments). We also conclude that the probative value of this evidence was not outweighed by danger of unfair prejudice. This issue has no merit.