State v. Collins, 10 A.3d 1005

Hopkins murder in Bridgeport; shell casing linked to gun used in Rose shooting three months earlier.
Rose shooting involved defendant possessing the same chrome-and-black nine millimeter handgun; he later confessed to shooting Rose in an interview.
State sought to introduce Rose shooting evidence at Hopkins trial to prove identity and intent; trial court admitted with limiting instructions.
Appellate Court reversed, holding admission of Rose shooting evidence was an abuse of discretion and harmful.
This certified appeal challenges the admissibility ruling, plus two alternative issues: police investigation instruction and defendant’s self-representation canvass.
We reverse the Appellate Court, affirming the trial court’s balancing and admissibility ruling; also address and reject the alternative grounds.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
admissibility of uncharged misconduct	State contends Rose shooting evidence is probative to identity/intent and admissible.	Collins argues it is highly prejudicial and not necessary to prove any element.	Admission not abuse of discretion; probative value outweighed prejudice.
police investigation instruction	Instruction did not mislead; properly limited relevance to defense.	Instruction impermissibly curtailed defense by focusing on guilt beyond investigation.	Instruction does not violate due process; fair to consider the defense within full evidentiary context.
canvass for self-representation	Canvass satisfied sixth amendment; waiver valid.	Canvass inadequate to convey sentencing exposure and dangers of self-representation.	Canvass was constitutionally adequate; waiver knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently made.

State v. Randolph, 284 Conn. 328 (2007) (deference to trial court in 4-5 balancing; review for abuse of discretion)
State v. Beavers, 290 Conn. 386 (2009) (limiting instructions mitigate prejudice; uncharged misconduct framework)
State v. Dunbar, 51 Conn.App. 313 (1998) (limitations on evidence of prior misconduct)
State v. Mortoro, 160 Conn. 378 (1971) (prior misconduct evidence scope; cautionary rationale)
State v. Sharpe, 195 Conn. 651 (1985) (uncharged misconduct admissible to prove certain non-character purposes)
State v. Diaz, 274 Conn. 818 (2005) (standard for sixth amendment canvass and waivers)
State v. Williams, 169 Conn. 322 (1975) (relevance of thorough investigation discussion in jury instructions)