Harrington v. State (Ala. Crim. App. 2002)

In Harrington v. State, 858 So. 2d 278 (Ala. Crim. App. 2002), the conviction of a woman found guilty of reckless manslaughter for shooting and killing her husband was reviewed by the Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama. The defendant asserted that she acted in self-defense following prolonged domestic abuse and argued on appeal that the trial court erred by excluding evidence of the victim’s prior abuse of another woman, which she claimed was relevant to show his violent character and to support her defense. The appellate court determined that the jury had already heard substantial evidence regarding the history of abuse within the marriage and that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding additional testimony about unrelated prior acts. Finding no reversible error, the court affirmed the conviction and twelve-year sentence.