Pretending to Upset the Balance: Old Chief v. United States and Exclusion of Prior Felony Conviction Evidence Under Federal Rule of Evidence 403

Authors

Donnie L. Kidd Jr., University of Richmond

Abstract

The story of an event is often more interesting and informative than the mere fact that the event occurred. Aesop's morals would not be as captivating without the fables that accompany them. The fables tell the reader a story embodying a moral truth. On election night, the ballot tally proves which candidate won, but the voter is interested more in the story of the campaign trail that put the candidate in office rather than a naked statistic comparing voting percentages. The story gives not only the bare idea or fact; it mixes this bare idea or fact with the supporting factual information, making it easier to understand.

Recommended Citation

Donnie L. Kidd Jr., Pretending to Upset the Balance: Old Chief v. United States and Exclusion of Prior Felony Conviction Evidence Under Federal Rule of Evidence 403, 32 U. Rich. L. Rev. 231 (1998).
Available at: https://scholarship.richmond.edu/lawreview/vol32/iss1/6