State v. Slocum

¶1 Evidence of a criminal defendant’s prior bad acts “is objectionable not because it has no appreciable probative value but because it has too much.” 1A John Henry Wigmore, Evidence in Trials at Common Law § 58.2, at 1212 (Peter Tillers rev. ed. 1983). It presents a danger that the defendant will be found guilty not on the strength of evidence supporting the current charge, but because of the jury’s overreliance on past acts as evidence of his character and propensities. This potential for prejudice from admitting prior acts is “ ‘at its highest’ ” in sex offense cases. State v. Gresham, 173…