Marvin A. Stanton, Appellant v. State of Arkansas, Appellee

Summary

The court held that the circuit court abused its discretion by permitting the State to cross-examine Stanton about prior acts of violence after Stanton testified about his personal history, military service, firearm experience, employment, and charitable activities. That testimony did not place his character for peacefulness or law-abiding conduct at issue, so the State could not use specific instances of misconduct to rebut it. The court reversed Stanton's convictions and remanded for a new trial.