State v. Rollins
West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
760 S.E.2d 529 (2014)
- Written by Sean Carroll, JD
Facts
The body of Teresa Rollins was found under a tree in a lake. Teresa’s husband, Gary Lee Rollins (defendant) was charged with murder. Gary claimed that the death was an accident and that he had nothing to do with it. At trial, the prosecution (plaintiff) sought to introduce the testimony of Jimmy Thompson that Teresa had previously been the victim of domestic abuse. The trial court permitted the evidence over Gary’s objection. Thompson testified that he saw Gary shake Teresa once and swat her head once. Thompson also introduced three pictures he had taken showing bruises on Teresa’s body. Thompson testified that Teresa had told him that Gary had caused the bruises. Gary was convicted, and he appealed. Among other things, Gary argued that the domestic-abuse evidence was not admissible to prove the absence of accident because he was not directly involved in the claimed accident.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Per curiam)
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