State Ex Rel. Caton v. Sanders

DAVIS, Justice:

In this original proceeding in prohibition, a criminal defendant seeks to prohibit the circuit court from allowing evidence of prior bad acts pursuant to West Virginia Rule of Evidence 404(b). Finding a proper purpose for the admission of the challenged evidence, we deny the writ. In addition, however, we clarify the requirements for demonstrating the purpose which must be shown in order to achieve the admission of such evidence.

I

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On October 16, 2002, Jason L. Catón (hereinafter “Mr. Catón”) was named as the defendant in a four count indictment…