United States v. Davis
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
726 F.3d 434 (3d Cir. 2013)
Terrell Davis (defendant) was found with a kilogram of cocaine in his car and was charged with possession with intent to distribute. Over his objection, the trial judge let the prosecution introduce his two prior cocaine-possession convictions, not to show propensity but to prove he knew the substance in his car was cocaine. The prosecution never showed the cocaine in his car was similar in appearance, texture, or packaging to the cocaine in his prior convictions. Davis was convicted and appealed.
Whether evidence of a criminal defendant's prior conviction for possessing drugs is relevant to prove the defendant's knowledge with respect to a drug-distribution charge stemming from a different incident.