Knapp v. State

Knapp (defendant) was on trial for murder and claimed he killed the victim, a police officer, in self-defense. Knapp testified that he had heard a story that the victim once clubbed and seriously injured an elderly man during an arrest, though Knapp couldn't recall who told him the story. In response, the prosecution introduced evidence that the elderly man had actually died of senility and alcoholism, with no violent marks on his body. The trial court admitted this rebuttal evidence and convicted Knapp. Knapp appealed.