State v. Townsend

OPINION

GARDEBRING, Justice.

Appellant Otha Eric Townsend was convicted of first-degree murder for the killing of Candis Koch-Wilson. Minn.Stat. § 609.185 (1994). On appeal he argues that certain evidence was erroneously admitted and therefore a reversal of his conviction is required and a new trial must be granted. We affirm his conviction, concluding that admission of certain contested evidence, though error, was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.

In the fall of 1992, Koch-Wilson lived in St. Paul, with her husband and daughter. Lisa M. Johnson was a neighbor and friend. Johnson testified at…