People v. Jackson

The defendant, Timothy Ward Jackson, was convicted by a jury of six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC-I), for sexually abusing a 12- to 13-year-old member of the church where he served as a pastor. Before us is whether certain testimony regarding prior sexual relationships the defendant had with other parishioners constituted evidence of “other acts” under MRE 404(b) and, if so, whether that testimony could be admitted without reference to or compliance with MRE 404(b) by virtue of a “res gestae exception” to that rule. We agree with the Court of Appeals that the testimony…