State v. Renneberg
Supreme Court of Washington
522 P.2d 835 (1974)
The State of Washington (plaintiff) prosecuted Virginia Sue Renneberg and her fiance, later husband, Milton V. LaVanway (defendants) for robbing a restaurant. At trial, the couple offered evidence of their good character, and on cross-examination the State forced them to admit their drug addiction; at the couple's own request, the judge instructed the jury it could consider the addiction only as bearing on their credibility and the weight of their evidence. The jury convicted them, and they appealed, arguing the addiction evidence was inadmissible.
Whether, in a criminal trial, evidence of a defendant's unrelated prior misconduct may be admissible to impeach the defendant's credibility or character.