State v. Thomas

In this criminal case, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the circuit court admitting certain other acts evidence and denying Defendant’s motion for a mistrial, holding that the circuit court did not err in admitting the evidence or by denying Defendant’s motion for a mistrial.Defendant was convicted of multiple sex crimes involving two minor victims under the age of sixteen. Among the issues on appeal was the court’s admission of internet searches that used terms associated with an interest in younger females and Defendant’s act of piercing his penis. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the circuit court (1) did not abuse its discretion by admitting the internet search histories and piercing evidence; and (2) acted within its discretion when it denied Defendant’s motion for a mistrial after Defendant learned during trial that the bailiff had recently been employed by the State’s attorney. View "State v. Thomas" on Justia Law