Ricky Dale Smith, Appellant v. State of Arkansas, Appellee

Summary

The court affirmed Smith's convictions, holding that evidence concerning two subsequent robberies and a later attempted killing was independently relevant under Rule 404(b) and properly admitted. The robbery evidence supplied context for the witness's relationship with Smith and his alleged confession, while the later shooting corroborated motive, intent, and Smith's continuing attempts to kill the intended target. Hannah, C.J., dissenting, would have reversed and remanded for a new trial because the robbery evidence was minimally relevant and unfairly prejudicial.