Leaustin Barnett v. State

The defendant appeals his conviction and sentence for first degree murder with a firearm and robbery with a firearm. He argues the trial court committed fundamental error in allowing Williams 1 rule evidence to become a feature of the trial, particularly in the State’s closing argument. We disagree and affirm.

The information charged the defendant with first degree murder with a firearm while wearing a mask and robbery with a firearm. The State filed a notice of intent to introduce Williams rule evidence. The notice advised that the State intended to introduce evidence of a subsequent shooting…