Commonwealth v. Guevara-Reyes

Alexandria County Circuit Court

Commonwealth v. Guevara-Reyes

52 Va. Cir. 73, 2000 Va. Cir. LEXIS 228

CourtAlexandria County Circuit Court

DecidedFebruary 28, 2000

DocketCase No. CF000036

StatusPublished

This text of 52 Va. Cir. 73 (Commonwealth v. Guevara-Reyes) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Alexandria County Circuit Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

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Commonwealth v. Guevara-Reyes, 52 Va. Cir. 73, 2000 Va. Cir. LEXIS 228 (Va. Super. Ct. 2000).

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Opinion

BY JUDGE JOHN E. KLOCH

This matter comes on the motion in limine filed by defense counsel to bar introduction of “other crimes” evidence contained in statements by the Defendant made to the police. Specifically, in his statement to the police, the Defendant admitted to one sexual encounter with the complaining witness in North Carolina which occurred subsequent to the offense date alleged in the indictment here.

It is well established that “evidence of other offenses is admissible if it shows the conduct and feeling of the accused towards his victim, if it establishes their prior relations, or if it tends to prove any relevant element of the offense charged. Such evidence is permissible in cases where the motive, intent, or knowledge of the accused is involved, or where the evidence is connected with or leads up to the offense for which the accused is on trial.” Foster v. Commonwealth, 6 Va. App. 313, 323 (1987), citing inter alia, Kirkpatrick v. Commonwealth, 211 Va. 272 (1970). Further, “Evidence of offenses, prior or subsequent to those charged in an indictment, is admissible as an exception to the general exclusionary rule____” Foster, supra. (Emphasis added.)

Here, Defense counsel asserts that the Defendant denies any sexual activity with the complaining witness in the City of Alexandria, where the offense allegedly occurred. At the veiy least, subsequent sexual activity with the same complaining witness would be wholly probative “of the conduct and feeling of the accused towards his victim.” Kelly v. Commonwealth, 8 Va. [74]*74App. 359 (1989). As an example of its probative strength, without such evidence, the defense might well be able to argue to the fact finder that the parties were sexual strangers, if not total strangers.

For the foregoing reasons, I am of the opinion that the statement of the Defendant relating to the North Carolina sexual encounter with the complaining witness is relevant and that the probative value outweighs any prejudicial effect. Accordingly, the motion in limine is denied.

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BY JUDGE JOHN E. KLOCH

This matter comes on the motion in limine filed by defense counsel to bar introduction of “other crimes” evidence contained in statements by the Defendant made to the police. Specifically, in his statement to the police, the Defendant admitted to one sexual encounter with the complaining witness in North Carolina which occurred subsequent to the offense date alleged in the indictment here.

It is well established that “evidence of other offenses is admissible if it shows the conduct and feeling of the accused towards his victim, if it establishes their prior relations, or if it tends to prove any relevant element of the offense charged. Such evidence is permissible in cases where the motive, intent, or knowledge of the accused is involved, or where the evidence is connected with or leads up to the offense for which the accused is on trial.” Foster v. Commonwealth, 6 Va. App. 313, 323 (1987), citing inter alia, Kirkpatrick v. Commonwealth, 211 Va. 272 (1970). Further, “Evidence of offenses, prior or subsequent to those charged in an indictment, is admissible as an exception to the general exclusionary rule____” Foster, supra. (Emphasis added.)

Here, Defense counsel asserts that the Defendant denies any sexual activity with the complaining witness in the City of Alexandria, where the offense allegedly occurred. At the veiy least, subsequent sexual activity with the same complaining witness would be wholly probative “of the conduct and feeling of the accused towards his victim.” Kelly v. Commonwealth, 8 Va. [74]*74App. 359 (1989). As an example of its probative strength, without such evidence, the defense might well be able to argue to the fact finder that the parties were sexual strangers, if not total strangers.

For the foregoing reasons, I am of the opinion that the statement of the Defendant relating to the North Carolina sexual encounter with the complaining witness is relevant and that the probative value outweighs any prejudicial effect. Accordingly, the motion in limine is denied.

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52 Va. Cir. 73, 2000 Va. Cir. LEXIS 228, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/commonwealth-v-guevara-reyes-vaccalexandria-2000.

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