United States v. Sanders
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
964 F.2d 295 (1992)
Relevant factsFree
Sanders (defendant), an inmate charged with assault and possession of a contraband shank, took the stand and claimed self-defense; the prosecution then introduced his prior convictions for assault and shank possession, both to impeach his truthfulness and, separately, as evidence of his intent in the current case. The jury convicted Sanders on both charges, and he appealed the admission of the prior convictions.
IssueFree
Whether a testifying defendant's prior convictions for the same offenses currently charged, assault and contraband possession, are admissible either to impeach his truthfulness or to prove his intent in the current case.