United States v. Brewer

451 F. Supp. 50 (E.D. Tenn. 1978)

Facts

D stands charged by the Grand Jury with one count of kidnapping (18 U.S.C. § 1201) and one count of transporting a stolen motor vehicle. The four convictions which P wants to introduce to impeach D's testimony, should he take the stand, all are for serious crimes. They were punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one year. Thus, the only requirement to be met before these convictions are admissible for impeachment is the requirement that the Court determine that the probative value of admitting the evidence of these convictions outweighs the prejudicial effect on D.