State v. Long

¶ 1. Tito J. Long opened fire in a crowded bar, resulting in a conviction of first-degree intentional homicide, party to a crime, while using a dangerous weapon and ten counts of recklessly endangering safety. He argues that evidence of gang affiliation is only admissible if the State's theory of the case is that the crime was gang-related. Because this was not a gang-related crime, Long argues that the gang-affiliation evidence was irrelevant and prejudiced the jury. We hold that evidence of gang affiliation was properly admitted in this case to suggest the possible bias of the witnesses in…