Baker v. State

Summary

The court held that the trial court abused its discretion under Rule 403 by admitting a rap-music-video excerpt depicting Baker displaying a handgun. The video had minimal probative value because Baker’s association with the artist and presence at the nightclub were established by other evidence, while its portrayal of Baker as a gun-wielding participant in a violent street culture created a substantial risk of improper propensity reasoning. The error was not harmless because the prosecutor repeatedly emphasized the video and the remaining evidence of Baker’s participation in the shooting was not compelling.