Court Opinion

ID: 4699935
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-06-30 15:08:09.220777+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:06:06.706162
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA

                                   No. 20-0110
                               Filed June 30, 2021

STATE OF IOWA,
     Plaintiff-Appellee,

vs.

EDWARD MILLER JR.,
     Defendant-Appellant.
________________________________________________________________

      Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Jeffrey Farrell, Judge.

      Edward Miller Jr. appeals his convictions for attempted murder, willful injury

causing bodily injury, assault while participating in a felony, going armed with

intent, felon in possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to obstruct prosecution.

AFFIRMED.

      Britt Gagne of Gagne Law Office, Des Moines, for appellant.

      Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, and Israel Kodiaga, Assistant Attorney

General, for appellee.

      Considered by Vaitheswaran, P.J., and Greer and Schumacher, JJ.
                                         2

SCHUMACHER, Judge.

       Edward Miller Jr. appeals his convictions for attempted murder, willful injury

causing bodily injury, assault while participating in a felony, going armed with

intent, felon in possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to obstruct prosecution.

Miller claims substantial evidence does not support the jury’s guilty verdicts. He

also argues the trial court erred in denying his motion for a new trial and erred in

evidentiary rulings, including improperly allowing prior bad acts evidence. We find

the verdicts supported by substantial evidence. We also determine the district

court did not err in the evidentiary rulings or in denying Miller’s motion for a new

trial. Accordingly, we affirm.

       I.     Background and Proceedings.

       A rational jury could find the following facts based on the evidence admitted

at trial. On November 30, 2018, Ryan Stout drove his car to see his ex-wife, who

had a valid no-contact order against him. Stout parked near an apartment complex

some distance from his ex-wife’s house.        While he was near the apartment

complex, a truck driven by Miller approached, and Miller warned Stout to move

away from the apartment complex because Stout did not belong in the area. Stout

did not know Miller.

       Approximately fifteen minutes after their initial interaction, Stout again

encountered Miller outside the apartment complex. During this second encounter,

Miller was wielding a sawed-off shotgun. After exchanging words, Miller raised the

gun in the direction of Stout and fired at him, shooting Stout in the abdomen and

his face. Stout fled to his ex-wife’s house. Stout sustained injuries to his ribcage,
                                         3

bicep, and face. One bullet fragment went between Stout’s orbital bone and

eyeball.

       Police arrived on the scene of the shooting. A live Winchester .12-gauge

shotgun shell, commonly referred to as “birdshot,” was located outside the

apartment complex near the backdoor. Stout provided officers with a description

of Miller. Officers sought to interview the residents of the five-unit apartment

complex. Officers were able to speak with the residents of four of the units;

however, none of the residents matched Miller’s description.        Miller’s brother

leased the remaining unaccounted-for apartment. Although officers repeatedly

knocked on the door of the fifth unit, no one answered.

       On December 3, police detectives interviewed Stout. During the interview,

Stout was asked to review a photo line-up. A photo of Miller was not included.

Stout reviewed the photos and identified a potential suspect; however, he was

uncertain the identified individual was the perpetrator.    Days later, the police

produced another photo line-up, which now included a photo of Miller. Stout

identified Miller as his assailant.

       Investigators interviewed Miller concerning his whereabouts on the night in

question. Miller stated at the time of the shooting, he was living with his ex-wife,

K.T. He reported he was not at the apartment complex in question on the night of

the shooting and initially claimed to have been out with a girlfriend.       When

investigators informed Miller they planned to speak to the female Miller used as an

alibi, Miller changed his story and said that he was actually with his other

girlfriends. When asked to provide contact information for the people he was
                                          4

allegedly with, Miller could not provide last names or physical addresses for

verification. When investigators then offered a random name as someone Miller

may have been with on the night of the shooting, Miller responded that he could

have been with that person.

        In late December, while incarcerated, Miller instructed K.T. to remove his

property from his brother’s apartment. Miller’s possessions were later recovered

from K.T.’s residence after investigating officers obtained a search warrant for her

home.    Included in the property seized were Miller’s camera equipment and

shotgun ammunition.

        While serving time for violating his no-contact order in late December, Stout

encountered Miller in the Polk County jail. The encounter resulted in Miller pointing

his hands at Stout to feign firing a gun at him. Stout reported the incident to jail

security and again identified Miller as the man who previously shot him.

        On February 8, 2019, the State filed a trial information charging Miller with

attempted murder, willful injury causing bodily injury, assault while participating in

a felony, going armed with intent, felon in possession of a firearm, and conspiracy

to obstruct prosecution.    Miller demanded speedy trial.      Trial commenced on

May 6, 2019. Kenneth Hardy, an acquaintance of Miller, testified. At trial, Hardy

testified that Miller had been living at Miller’s brother’s apartment when the

shooting took place. Hardy testified that on the night of the shooting, he observed

police investigating the apartment complex. The next day, Hardy asked Miller why

the police were at his apartment the night before. Hardy testified Miller said it was

because he shot somebody who refused to leave the apartment complex. Miller
                                         5

described the man as “lucky” because the gun was loaded with birdshot and not

slugs. Hardy later relayed these statements to law enforcement. Hardy testified

he believed Miller’s description of the events was plausible because, in the days

leading up to the shooting, Miller had grown increasingly paranoid, resulting in

Miller putting up cameras and purchasing a shotgun. Hardy testified that when he

was in Miller’s apartment a few days before the shooting, he observed a shotgun

as well as red shotgun shells underneath Miller’s couch and in his bedroom.

      The jury found Miller guilty of all charges. Miller’s felony convictions were

enhanced by the habitual offender status pursuant to Iowa Code section 902.8

(2018). On June 24, Miller filed a motion for a new trial, citing newly discovered

evidence and arguing the jury verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence.

Following an evidentiary hearing held on December 23, the district court denied

the motion. On January 2, 2020, the district court imposed an indeterminate forty-

year period of incarceration with a mandatory minimum term of twenty-and-a-half

years. Miller now appeals.

      II.    Sufficiency of the Evidence

      Miller challenges the sufficiency of the evidence concerning the charges of

attempted murder, going armed with intent, and conspiracy to obstruct

prosecution.1 Miller also conflates his sufficiency of the evidence arguments with

1 To the extent Miller argues sufficiency of the evidence as to the other three
convictions, we find such arguments waived by lack of citation to the record.
“When a party, in an appellate brief, fails to state, argue, or cite to authority in
support of an issue, the issue may be deemed waived.” State v. Adney, 639
N.W.2d 246, 250 (Iowa Ct. App. 2001); see also Iowa R. App. P. 6.903(2)(g)(3)
(stating the argument section shall include “[a]n argument containing the
appellant’s contentions and the reasons for them with citations to the authorities
                                           6

a “weight of the evidence” standard. We address his sufficiency of the evidence

arguments immediately below and address the weight of the evidence challenge

in conjunction with Miller’s motion for a new trial argument.

              A.      Standard of Review

       “Challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence are reviewed for errors at

law.” State v. Hansen, 750 N.W.2d 111, 112 (Iowa 2008). The jury’s verdict is

binding upon the reviewing court unless there is an absence of substantial

evidence to sustain it. See Iowa R. App. P. 6.904(3)(a); State v. Schrier, 300

N.W.2d 305, 306 (Iowa 1981). “Evidence is substantial if it would convince a

rational fact finder that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” State

v. Williams, 695 N.W.2d 23, 27 (Iowa 2005). We review the evidence in the light

most favorable to the State, and all reasonable inferences are drawn to uphold the

verdict. State v. Leckington, 713 N.W.2d 208, 212–13 (Iowa 2006). Direct and

circumstantial evidence are equally probative. Iowa R. App. P. 6.904(3)(p).

relied on and references to the pertinent parts of the record . . . [and f]ailure to cite
authority in support of an issue may be deemed waiver of that issue”); State v.
McCright, 569 N.W.2d 605, 607 (Iowa 1997); Metro. Jacobson Dev. Venture v. Bd.
of Rev., 476 N.W.2d 726, 729 (Iowa Ct. App. 1991). As noted above, random
mention of an issue, without elaboration or supportive authority, is not sufficient to
raise an issue for review. Schreiber v. State, 666 N.W.2d 127, 128 (Iowa 2003).
We do not consider conclusory statements not supported by legal argument. See,
e.g., Baker v. City of Iowa City, 750 N.W.2d 93, 103 (Iowa 2008) (holding that a
party’s “conclusory contention” was waived where the party failed to support it with
an argument and legal authorities); State v. Piper, 663 N.W.2d 894, 913–14 (Iowa
2003), overruled on other grounds by State v. Hanes, 790 N.W.2d 545, 551 (Iowa
2010) (concluding the defendant waived consideration of the merits of his claims
on appeal, which were presented as one-sentence conclusions without analysis);
McCleeary v. Wirtz, 222 N.W.2d 409, 417 (Iowa 1974) (holding that a “subject will
not be considered” where a “random discussion” is not supported by a legal
argument and citation to authority).
                                           7

                  B.   Attempted Murder

       First, Miller asserts the State failed to provide sufficient evidence to support

his attempted murder conviction. For the jury to convict Miller of attempted murder,

the State was required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that (1) Miller shot

Stout; (2) he expected that his actions would set in motion a force or chain of

events that would cause or result in Stout’s death; and (3) his specific intention

was to cause Stout’s death.

    The State proved the identity of the shooter through Stout’s eyewitness

testimony, Hardy’s testimony, and other circumstantial evidence. Miller challenges

the reliability of Stout’s eyewitness identification and argues that without it, there is

insufficient evidence to prove he was the shooter. He points to Stout’s initial

incorrect photo lineup identification and offers other factors that may affect

eyewitness identification, including distance and visibility, the presence of a

dangerous weapon, intoxication levels of the witness, and cross-racial

identification.

    However, “[g]enerally, direct eyewitness testimony establishing the elements

of the crime are sufficient to generate a jury question.” State v. Keys, No. 15-1991,

2017 WL 1735617, at *9 (Iowa Ct. App. May 3, 2017). Although we recognize that

eyewitness testimony is not without fault, our supreme court has stated, “[t]he

fallibility of eyewitness evidence does not, without the taint of improper state

conduct, warrant a due process rule requiring a trial court to screen such evidence

for reliability before allowing the jury to assess its creditworthiness.” State v.
                                          8

Doolin, 942 N.W.2d 500, 509 (Iowa 2020) (citing Perry v. New Hampshire, 565

U.S. 228, 245 (2012)).

    “[T]he jury, not the judge, traditionally determines the reliability of evidence.”

Id. “[I]t suffices to test reliability through the rights and opportunities generally

designed for that purpose, notably, . . . vigorous cross-examination, protective

rules of evidence, and jury instructions on both the fallibility of eyewitness

identification and the requirement that guilt be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Id. at 509–510.

       The potential shortcomings of Stout’s eyewitness testimony were presented

to the trier of fact. The jury was aware of Stout’s identification in the initial photo

lineup, which did not include Miller. They heard Stout describe the distance and

condition under which he observed Miller.        Additional circumstantial evidence

identifying Miller as the shooter was also presented. Miller and Stout encountered

each other while incarcerated and Stout reported to jail security that Miller stared

at him and made a shooting motion with his hands. Additionally, Hardy’s testimony

that Miller lived at the apartment building, had recently become increasingly

paranoid and purchased a shotgun, and admitted to shooting Stout offers support

for the jury verdict. We find sufficient evidence establishing Miller as the shooter.

       Miller challenges the remaining intent-related elements of his attempted

murder conviction. He argues the probability of the shooter’s actions causing

death was so low, such cannot sufficiently prove the shooter acted with the

necessary intent. Miller argues because Stout was shot with birdshot from a

distance, the shooter could not have expected the shooter’s actions to result in
                                          9

Stout’s death and, therefore, the shooter lacked the specific intent to cause Stout’s

death. However, intent is not dependent on the probability of a certain outcome; it

is the action and its expected consequences from which intent is inferred. See

State v. Young, 686 N.W.2d 182, 185 (Iowa 2004) (finding that factual possibility

is unnecessary to find an act was in furtherance of the required specific intent

necessary to support a conviction for attempted murder).

       “The general rule is that one who arms himself with the express purpose of

shooting another cannot ordinarily claim the elements of first degree murder are

lacking.” State v. Smith, 240 N.W.2d 693, 695 (Iowa 1976). Miller pointed a loaded

shotgun at Stout, pulled the trigger, and Stout sustained injuries. That Stout did

not sustain more serious injuries as a result of the shooting does not negate the

action itself and the intent derived therefrom. Further, the jury heard Miller’s

statement that Miller believed the gun was loaded with slugs rather than birdshot.

The jury also heard testimony that birdshot fired at a certain distance could still be

lethal. We find the record contains sufficient evidence for the jury to convict Miller

of attempted murder.

              C.     Going Armed with Intent

       Next, Miller argues that the State failed to sufficiently prove the identity and

“going” elements of the conviction for going armed with intent. As the charged

offense arises from the same underlying factual scenario, our analysis regarding

the identity element as discussed above is applicable here. The “going” element

requires the State to prove that while armed with a firearm, Miller moved from one
                                         10

place to another. Miller argues the State failed to meet its burden because no

testimony was offered to show he went somewhere to obtain the shotgun.

       The evidence presented to the jury established that no weapon was

observed during Miller and Stout’s initial confrontation. When Stout returned and

the two men met again, Miller was armed with a shotgun. From the evidence

presented, a jury could reasonably infer Miller left the initial scene, obtained the

shotgun, and returned—carrying the firearm from one place to another. See State

v. Harris, 891 N.W.2d 182, 187 (Iowa 2017) (finding sufficient circumstantial

evidence for the jury to infer defendant carried a knife from inside the bar where

an initial verbal confrontation occurred to the street where the stabbing later took

place). When viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, we find

sufficient evidence to support Miller’s conviction of going armed with intent.

              D.     Conspiracy to Obstruct Prosecution.

       Finally, Miller challenges his conviction for conspiracy to obstruct

prosecution. Miller attacks the sufficiency of the evidence to support the first two

elements the jury was required to find: (1) that he agreed with K.T. that one of them

would commit the offense of obstruction of prosecution and (2) he entered into the

agreement with the intent to promote or facilitate the commission of the offense.

       While incarcerated, Miller called K.T. and requested she remove his

property from his brother’s apartment. The phone calls in the jail were monitored.

Included in the items K.T. removed and which were subsequently seized at her

apartment were Miller’s camera equipment and shotgun ammunition. At trial, the

State argued the removed property could be admissible, and the circumstances
                                         11

surrounding the call indicate Miller intended for K.T. to remove the property in order

to conceal it from the prosecution. K.T. testified that Miller had asked her to

remove the property for safekeeping but that Miller never asked her to remove a

gun or ammunition, only to remove a washer and dryer, his camera equipment,

and a vehicle.

       A reasonable jury could infer from the surrounding circumstances that

Miller’s intent was to remove potentially incriminating evidence from his brother’s

apartment.    Miller specifically asked K.T. to remove his camera and camera

equipment.    The cameras and equipment could potentially contain evidence

relevant to the night of the shooting, and Miller’s request for K.T. to remove it from

the apartment would prevent investigators from finding it. Intent is usually proven

“by circumstantial evidence and inferences reasonably drawn from the conduct of

the defendant and all the attendant circumstances in light of human behavior and

experience.” State v. Casaday, 491 N.W.2d 782, 788 (Iowa 1992). We find the

record contains sufficient evidence to support Miller’s conviction for conspiracy to

obstruct prosecution.

       III.   Motion for New Trial

       Following trial, Miller filed a motion for a new trial arguing newly discovered

evidence and that the jury’s verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence.

When reviewing a district court’s ruling on a motion for a new trial based on newly

discovered evidence, we review for an abuse of discretion. State v. Smith, 573

N.W.2d 14, 17 (Iowa 1997). An abuse of discretion occurs when the “district court

exercised its discretion on grounds or for reasons clearly untenable or to an extent
                                          12

clearly unreasonable.” State v. Reeves, 670 N.W.2d 199, 207 (Iowa 2003). When

a defendant claims the district court should have granted a motion for new trial on

a claim the verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence, review is for an

abuse of discretion. State v. Nitcher, 720 N.W.2d 547, 559 (Iowa 2006).

         As noted by the trial court, in order to receive a new trial for newly

discovered evidence, the defendant has the burden of showing that (1) the

evidence was discovered after the verdict, (2) could not have been discovered

earlier in the exercise of due diligence, (3) is material to the issues in the case and

not merely cumulative, and (4) probably would have changed the result of the trial.

See Harrington v. State, 659 N.W.2d 509, 516 (Iowa 2003); see also Iowa R. Crim.

P. 2.24(2)(b)(8).

         The district court held an evidentiary hearing to consider the new evidence.

At the hearing, Miller called Marshall Wilkerson as a witness. Wilkerson testified

that in late November or early December 2018, his friend, Luke Swann,2 asked

him to hide a sawed-off shotgun and Swann stated that he shot Stout. He further

testified he did not report such to the police because he “was not even sure it was

true or not.” However, on redirect, Wilkerson, for the first time, stated that he was

an eyewitness to the shooting.

         The district court found it questionable as to whether Miller met the

discoverability element. However, the court determined that even given the benefit

of the doubt on the discoverability element, Miller had not proven that the newly

2   Swann died on March 4, 2019, which was prior to Miller’s trial.
                                          13

discovered evidence was likely to change the outcome of the trial. The court noted

that the State had presented “a strong case” with “evidence [that] was rationally

connected and made logical sense,” whereas the testimony offered by Wilkerson

lacked credibility and would not change the outcome of a new trial. The court noted

that Wilkerson never reported Swann’s involvement to law enforcement and stated

that he actually witnessed the shooting for the first time on redirect at the hearing.

Additionally, while Miller asserted that he did not know Wilkerson and they did not

discuss the shooting, the two men were housed on the same unit while

incarcerated. Finally, the court reasoned that if a new trial were granted, previously

excluded incriminating evidence of Miller’s attempts to fabricate an alibi through

another inmate while incarcerated would likely be introduced, undermining any of

Wilkerson’s testimony and further incriminating Miller.

       Motions for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence are “not favored

and should be closely scrutinized and granted sparingly.” State v. Kramer, 231

N.W.2d 874, 881 (Iowa 1975). “The standard for whether the evidence probably

would have changed the result of the trial is a high one because of the interest in

bringing finality to criminal litigation.” More v. State, 880 N.W.2d 487, 499 (Iowa

2016). The record supports the district court’s determination. There are issues of

reliability surrounding Wilkerson’s explanation of the shooting. Evidence of Miller’s

previous attempts to fabricate an alibi further discredit Wilkerson’s testimony and,

if introduced at a new trial would incriminate Miller. “The trial court is generally in

a better position than we to determine whether evidence, newly discovered, would

probably lead to a different verdict upon retrial, and we have often said we will not
                                          14

interfere with its ruling unless it is reasonably clear that such discretion was

abused.” State v. Compiano, 154 N.W.2d 845, 849 (1967). We affirm the district

court’s denial of Miller’s motion for a new trial, finding no abuse of discretion by the

trial court.

        Finally, Iowa Rule of Criminal Procedure 2.24(2)(b)(6) allows the district

court to grant a new trial when the verdict is contrary to law of evidence. “Contrary

to the evidence” means contrary to the weight of the evidence. State v. Ellis, 578

N.W.2d 655, 659 (Iowa 1998).          “The ‘weight of the evidence’ refers to ‘a

determination [by] the trier of fact that a greater amount of credible evidence

supports one side of an issue or cause than the other.’” Id. at 658 (quoting Tibbs

v. Florida, 457 U.S. 31, 37–38 (1982)). “This is a more stringent standard than the

sufficiency-of-the-evidence standard.” Nguyen v. State, 707 N.W.2d 317, 327

(Iowa 2005). “[The court] may weigh the evidence and consider the credibility of

witnesses. If the court reaches the conclusion that the verdict is contrary to the

weight of the evidence and that a miscarriage of justice may have resulted, the

verdict may be set aside and a new trial granted.” Ellis, 578 N.W.2d at 658–59.

The district court’s discretion should be exercised with caution and invoked “only

in exceptional cases in which the evidence preponderates heavily against the

verdict.” Id. at 659. “[A]ppellate review is limited to a review of the exercise of

discretion by the trial court, not of the underlying question of whether the verdict is

against the weight of the evidence.” Reeves, 670 N.W.2d at 203.

        Following an evidentiary hearing, the trial court denied the motion, finding:

               The weight of the evidence supports defendant’s
        convictions. The victim identified defendant as the shooter. While
                                          15

       he picked out a different person in the first photo lineup, he had
       stated he was not sure and did not definitively identify him. He
       immediately recognized defendant from the second lineup. Further,
       he encountered defendant at the jail and recognized him from that
       event. Mr. Stout testified that defendant even made a shooting
       motion when they saw each other. Mr. Stout reported the incident to
       the jail and again identified defendant as the shooter from a jail video.
       Mr. Hardy testified that defendant admitted to and described the
       shooting. That description is consistent to the actual shooting. Mr.
       Hardy testified that he had seen a shotgun at defendant’s apartment
       previously. Law enforcement located a shotgun shell outside the
       apartment building. Defendant resided in that building, so he was
       tied to the location. There was no history between defendant and
       Mr. Stout, but defendant was dealing drugs and the jury heard
       testimony that he was becoming increasingly paranoid. Mr. Stout did
       not live at the building and was walking through the parking lot late at
       night, which may have fed into defendant’s paranoia. Defendant’s
       testimony was not clear and lacked credibility. The jury’s decision
       was reasonably based on credible evidence presented at trial.

We find the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying Miller’s motion for

a new trial based on the weight-of-the-evidence standard as the verdict is not

contrary to the weight of the evidence.

   IV. Evidentiary Objections

       Evidentiary rulings are generally reviewed for abuse of discretion. State v.

Einfeldt, 914 N.W.2d 773, 778 (Iowa 2018). An abuse of discretion occurs when

“discretion was exercised on grounds or for reasons clearly untenable or to an

extent clearly unreasonable.” State v. Long, 814 N.W.2d 572, 576 (Iowa 2012).

The standard of review for hearsay, however, is for errors at law. State v. Huser,

894 N.W.2d 472, 495 (Iowa 2017). When hearsay is improperly admitted, the

district court’s error is presumed to be prejudicial unless the State demonstrates

the error was harmless. Id.
                                           16

       Miller begins by pointing to the sustained hearsay objection following an

exchange between defense counsel and witness Hardy during cross-examination.

The exchange involved a question of whether Hardy remembers ever being told

by Miller if the cameras were put up in part to keep an eye on his brother. Without

deciding whether the district court erred in its ruling, the excluded testimony of

Hardy did not prevent Miller from offering his explanation for installing security

cameras or otherwise limit his defense. During his testimony at trial, Miller’s

counsel specifically asked him his reasoning for installing security cameras. The

jury heard Miller’s explanation, including that he did so in part to protect his brother.

We find the sustained objection was harmless to Miller.

       Additionally, Miller challenges the overruled objection raised by defense

counsel following the prosecution’s inquiry into the observations an officer made

while watching Stout study the photo lineup. Defense counsel objected to the

question and potential answer on the grounds of speculation. Here, the question

presented to the officer regarded the officer’s observation of Stout while he was

looking over the photo lineup.

       An answer to the question posed requires nothing more than the officer’s

observations that Stout studied the lineup carefully and intently and appeared

uncertain when identifying the potential defendant.           These are the officer’s

observations and they are personal to him. Additionally, this was not new evidence

for the jury as the testimony that Stout was uncertain and improperly identified the

defendant had already been provided to the jury, and therefore any alleged error

is harmless. We affirm the district court’s rulings on the objections.
                                           17

   V.          Prior Bad Acts Evidence

        Finally, Miller challenges the district court’s admittance of certain prior bad

acts evidence. Prior to trial, Miller filed a motion in limine concerning proposed

testimony of Hardy suggesting Miller had purchased a shotgun because he sold

drugs and was concerned about being robbed. Miller asserted the evidence was

inadmissible character evidence, irrelevant, and its probative value was

substantially outweighed by the risk of unfair prejudice. The State responded that

the evidence was being introduced to prove motive and offered to explain why

Miller would shoot Stout, whom he did not know. The court preliminarily accepted

the evidence could be used to prove motive but reserved ruling until proper

foundation had been laid at trial. The State made an offer of proof prior to Hardy

testifying, and the court ruled the testimony admissible.

        A trial court’s ruling on the admissibility of evidence is reviewed for an abuse

of discretion. State v. Rodriguez, 636 N.W.2d 234, 239 (Iowa 2001). The party

challenging the evidentiary ruling must prove the trial court abused this discretion.

State v. Plaster, 424 N.W.2d 226, 232 (Iowa 1988). Abuse occurs when the trial

court exercises its discretion “on grounds or for reasons clearly untenable or to an

extent clearly unreasonable.” State v. Helmers, 753 N.W.2d 565, 567 (Iowa 2008).

When an appellate court weighs the probative value of the evidence against its

prejudicial effect, it gives significant leeway to the trial judge’s determination. State

v. Newell, 710 N.W.2d 6, 20–21 (Iowa 2006).

        Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the

character of a person in order to show that the person acted in conformity
                                         18

therewith.” Iowa R. Evid. 5.404(b). It may, however, be admissible for other

purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan,

knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. State v. Castaneda, 621

N.W.2d 435, 439–40 (Iowa 2001). In order for the district court to properly admit

prior bad acts evidence, it must first find that the evidence is relevant to some fact

in issue other than the defendant’s criminal disposition, that there is “clear proof”

the defendant committed the act, and that the evidence’s probative value is not

substantially outweighed by the risk of unfair prejudice. State v. Sullivan, 679

N.W.2d 19, 25 (Iowa 2004).

       We have found evidence is “prima facie admissible” if it is offered for a

legitimate purpose other than to prove propensity. Castaneda, 621 N.W.2d at

439–40. Miller did not know Stout, and thus the State needed to establish a motive

for Miller shooting Stout. Hardy’s testimony was used to explain Miller had grown

increasingly paranoid of being robbed and Miller did not like that Stout kept

“creeping back” after warning him to leave the area. This testimony could establish

a motive for the shooting and serves a legitimate purpose. See State v. Nelson,

791 N.W.2d 414, 425–26 (Iowa 2010) (finding evidence of drug dealing was

relevant to motive because a drug dealer would be more inclined to shoot a person

seeking to buy drugs if they believed the person was an undercover police officer).

       Regarding clear proof, Miller argues Hardy lacks credibility and, therefore,

his testimony could not be used as evidence Miller sold drugs.

       In assessing whether there is clear proof of prior misconduct, it is not
       required that the prior act be established beyond a reasonable doubt,
       nor is corroboration necessary. There simply needs to be sufficient
                                         19

       proof to prevent the jury from engaging in speculation or drawing
       inferences based on mere suspicion.

Newell, 710 N.W.2d at 23 (quotations and citations omitted).            Hardy’s trial

testimony concerning Miller’s admissions, which were subject to cross-

examination, is sufficient to satisfy the clear proof requirement.

       Finally, we turn to whether the probative value of the evidence was

substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Evidence is unfairly

prejudicial it “appeals to the jury’s sympathies, arouses its sense of horror,

provokes its instinct to punish, or triggers other mainsprings of human action.”

Castaneda, 621 N.W.2d at 440. The probative value of evidence is substantially

outweighed by its prejudicial effect when it could lead a jury to base its decision on

unrelated or un-established factors in the case. Plaster, 424 N.W.2d at 231.

       In State v. Larsen, 512 N.W.2d 803, 808 (Iowa Ct. App. 1993), we

concluded that prior bad acts evidence that was no more sensational or disturbing

than the crime charged did not meet this standard.         Miller was charged with

attempted murder and other violent offenses—conduct more alarming than dealing

drugs. Additionally, evidence of Miller’s drug dealing was not overreaching but

briefly mentioned to establish motive. We find it unlikely the jury convicted Miller

based on Hardy’s testimony that Miller sold drugs. “Because the weighing of

probative value against probable prejudice is not an exact science, we give a great

deal of leeway to the trial judge who must make this judgment call.” Newell, 710

N.W.2d at 20–21. We affirm the court’s ruling.
                                           20

       VI.     Conclusion

       We find the jury’s verdict supported by substantial evidence. We also

determine the district court did not err in its evidentiary rulings or by denying Miller’s

motion for a new trial. Accordingly, we affirm Miller’s convictions.

       AFFIRMED.