State Of Iowa Vs. Calvin Clarence Nelson, Jr.

WIGGINS, Justice.

The State seeks further review of a court of appeals decision reversing a defendant’s first-degree murder conviction. A jury found the defendant guilty of first-degree murder. On appeal, the court of appeals reversed the conviction because it concluded the district court should not have admitted evidence of the defendant’s drug dealing. On further review, we find the evidence is not excludable under Iowa Rule of Evidence 5.404(5). Therefore, we vacate the decision of the court of appeals and affirm the judgment of the district court.

I. Background Facts and Proceedings.

On the…