People v. Musitief

The defendant, Rabhe Musitief, was charged with committing arson with the intent to defraud an insurer in violation of section 20— 1(b) of the Criminal Code of 1961 (the Code) (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 20 — 1(b)). At his jury trial, the State introduced evidence pertaining to the defendant’s unrelated financial misdeeds in an attempt to demonstrate motive or intent. The defendant was convicted of the offense charged, and he now brings this appeal.

On appeal, the defendant contends that his conviction must be reversed and the cause remanded for a new trial because evidence of other…