Lockhart v. Commonwealth

Opinion

KOONTZ, J.

Ronnie Lockhart (Lockhart) appeals his conviction by jury under Code § 18.2-248 for distribution of cocaine. Lockhart asserts that the trial court erred in admitting into evidence testimony of a police witness concerning Lockhart’s subsequent arrest for a similar crime. The Commonwealth’s Attorney adduced this evidence on redirect examination after Lockhart’s counsel had inquired about the witness’s prior dealings with Lockhart. These facts present an issue of the proper balance between the general prohibition against the admissibility of other crimes evidence and the concept…