Opinion ID: 2073792
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Admission of Neighbor's Testimony

Text: Several of the victim's neighbors observed Stwalley in the area on the morning of the attack. One female neighbor, who was alone in her home prior to the attack, testified she saw Stwalley prowling around her home. Stwalley argues that testimony was irrelevant to the crimes charged and thus inadmissible. The trial court has wide discretion in determining the relevancy of evidence. Armstrong v. State (1982), Ind., 429 N.E.2d 647. Evidence having some tendency to prove a material fact is relevant. Turpin v. State (1980), 272 Ind. 629, 400 N.E.2d 1119. The neighbors' testimony about Stwalley's suspicious actions with regard to another female alone at home was probative of his intent in entering the home of his eventual victim. We affirm Stwalley's convictions for rape and burglary but remand the case to the trial court to vacate the child molesting conviction. PIVARNIK and DICKSON, JJ., concur. GIVAN, J., concurs in result without opinion.