Court Opinion

ID: 9723010
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 09:59:56.466884+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:43.754397
License: Public Domain

Mr. JUSTICE KUNCE, dissenting: I agree and would adopt as part of my dissent the reasoning and statement of the specially concurring opinion on the proper interpretation of the Montgomery decision that the conviction for any felony is presumed to relate to honesty and veracity and that, in the instant case, the defendant’s record of prior convictions has more than zero probative value. Only lesser offenses must relate directly to dishonesty and false statement under Montgomery and Federal Rule 609 adopted by the Supreme Court in that decision. I cannot, however, agree with the majority in the case before us that the statement of the trial judge indicates that he admitted the evidence of defendant’s prior felony convictions solely to establish the defendant’s propensity to engage in violent crimes and not to attack the defendant’s veracity which constituted an abuse of discretion in the application of the Montgomery test requiring reversal. The trial court pointed out that his ruling was influenced by the recent date of the convictions and that the aggravated batteries tended to discredit the defendant’s testimony that he did not use force in the commission of the offense when the evidence to the contrary was overwhelming. The court considered relevant factors in exercising his discretion as required by Montgomery. He did not act arbitrarily or capriciously, but after thoughtful consideration, weighed and struck a reasonable balance between the interest of the defendant and the public interest in the search for truth. I find the discretion so exercised by the trial judge under the facts of this case, considering the nature and circumstances of the offense and the entire record, was sound and not abusive. In my opinion, to so find would not be an extension of Blythe, as the majority opinion indicates, but an adoption and following of the holding in that case. For these reasons, I must respectfully dissent and would affirm the judgment of the trial court of Champaign County.