Government of the Virgin Islands v. Allan Petersen

OPINION OF THE COURT

SEITZ, Chief Judge

Defendant, Alan Petersen, appeals from a final judgment of conviction and sentence upon a jury verdict finding guilt on two counts of second degree murder. Defendant urges five bases for reversal, 1 only two of which require discussion: the district court’s refusal to suppress eyewitness testimony, and its refusal to admit opinion testimony concerning defendant’s religious beliefs bearing upon his character trait for nonviolence.

I. Eyewitness Testimony

Uncontradieted testimony at trial established the events surrounding the homicides. Just before midnight…