English v. State

I respectfully dissent.

The majority holds the trial court erred by failing to declare a mistrial after the officer presented evidence of another crime because such evidence constituted an improper and deliberate "evidential harpoon." I disagree.

Evidence tending to show an accused's separate, independent, and distinct crimes is inadmissible to prove guilt of the present crime for which he is being tried. How*416ever, an exception to this rule allows such evidence to be admitted if it tends to prove an accused's identity, knowledge, intent, motive, or common scheme or plan. Jenkins v. State (1985),…