People v. Frumusa

At issue in this case was whether the trial court erred in admitting into evidence a contempt order issued in a civil proceeding involving the same funds Defendant was criminally charged with stealing. Supreme Court granted the People permission to introduce the contempt order as Molineux evidence. The Court of Appeals concluded that the contempt order did not constitute Molineux evidence but that the Appellate Division correctly concluded that the contempt order was relevant to prove Defendant’s larcenous intent. Further, the probative value of the contempt order was not substantially outweighed by the danger of undue prejudice to Defendant, and therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion as a matter of law by admitting the contempt order into evidence. View "People v. Frumusa" on Justia Law