State v. Johnson

Robert Johnson appeals his convictions of felon in possession of a firearm, first degree assault, and second degree assault. We find that the cumulative effect of the following erroneous rulings denied Johnson a fair trial: (1) admitting Johnson’s prior rape conviction to prove the unlawful possession charge; (2) allowing questions about Johnson’s assertion of self-defense in an omnibus order to prove the assaults; (3) denying Johnson permission to impeach the State’s key witness with a prior inconsistent statement; and (4) allowing the State to use a probation violation to impeach a defense…