Court Opinion

ID: 9536292
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 06:57:14.709414+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:32:02.737048
License: Public Domain

Hunter, C. J.
(concurring) — I concur in Justice Rosellini’s opinion and have the following observations as to the admissibility of the two worthless checks issued by the appellant 1 and 2 weeks after issuance of the checks involved in this case.
The record is replete with evidence to show that the checks were issued under similar motivations and conditions. The checks were issued with the same knowledge that no deposit would be available for payment on their presentment, as in the case of the issuance of the prior checks with which the appellant was charged. The Small Business Administration’s priority to draw upon funds when deposited to the appellant’s account was continuing and in existence at the time the subsequent checks were issued. As in the case of issuance of the checks with which the appellant was charged, no money would have been available for payment of the subsequent checks had a deposit been made.
The appellant argues that except for the garnishment by the state over $3,000 would have been available for payment of the checks. This does not follow. Had the funds been deposited they would have been subject to immediate withdrawal by the SBA, as in the case of the deposit for the prior checks.
The appellant argues that the exception to the rule permitting the introduction of similar acts to show intent, plan, knowledge, or scheme applies only to prior acts. To the contrary, the general rule permits the introduction of subsequent similar acts for such purposes. This rule has been followed in this state. In State v. Brown, 31 Wn.2d 475, 197 P.2d 590, 202 P.2d 461 (1948), a prosecution for *354murder and robbery, it was held that a subsequent robbery, “committed by the same parties, employing the same means, operating in the same vicinity, on the same day within a couple of hours’ time” of the principal charge, was admissible to disclose the modus operandi and the appellant’s intent in the crime charged. In State v. Johnson, 60 Wn.2d 21, 371 P.2d 611 (1962), a prosecution for indecent liberties, it was held not to be error to admit evidence of immoral conduct involving the defendant and the prosecuting witness which occurred several hours subsequent to the crime charged. It was there said, at 26:
The testimony of the prosecuting witness, to which defendant now objects, is relevant, for it tends to establish a common scheme or plan. Being a continuation of the crime charged, we cannot say that the “minute peg of relevancy will be entirely obscured by the dirty linen hung upon it.”
Our conclusion that the evidence of a subsequent crime was admissible, under the facts of this case, is supported by the decisions of this court in State v. Crowder, 119 Wash. 450, 205 Pac. 850 (1922), and State v. Brown, 31 Wn. (2d) 475, 197 P. (2d) 590, 202 P. (2d) 461 (1948).
In cases involving the element of fraud, subsequent similar acts and offenses have also been admitted. Thus, other worthless checks drawn on the same day were allowed in State v. Jeane, 35 Wn.2d 423, 213 P.2d 633 (1950). Likewise, two checks found in the defendant’s pocket at about the same time as the forgery charged were held admissible in State v. Russell, 70 Wn.2d 552, 424 P.2d 639 (1967). In another forgery prosecution, State v. Harrison, 72 Wn.2d 737, 435 P.2d 547 (1967), evidence of two other checks forged at about the same time and place were held admissible. In State v. Hujus, 73 Wn.2d 240, 438 P.2d 212 (1968), we affirmed a conviction on eight counts of larceny by false representation and held that it was proper to admit evidence of other similar transactions occurring over a 7-month period subsequent to the crimes with which the defendant was charged.
The trial court did not err in admitting the worthless *355checks issued subsequent to the checks involved in this case. I agree with the majority’s disposition of this case and the reasoning stated in the opinion.
Neill, J. concurs with Hunter, C. J.
March 25,1970. Petition for rehearing denied.