Court Opinion

ID: 9586011
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:06:17.694923+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:24:18.691229
License: Public Domain

Justice MOORE:
I respectfully dissent. I agree with the majority’s conclusion that the trial judge erred in allowing Lambert’s testimony; however, in my opinion, this error cannot be harmless. Identity was a critical issue in this case. Petitioner’s failure to stop for a blue light in 1999 was irrelevant to his identity as the murderer. The fact that the trial judge specifically instructed the jury it could consider this evidence for identification purposes made the erroneous admission of this evidence even more prejudicial. I would reverse and remand for a new trial.
PLEICONES, J., concurs.