R v Qaumi (No 6)

In the case of R v Qaumi (No 6), the accused was on trial for various criminal offences. The prosecution sought to introduce evidence that the accused had boasted of being involved in three unrelated killings. The purpose of this evidence was to explain the conduct of certain witnesses in obeying the accused's orders. The defence objected on the basis that the evidence was highly prejudicial and would unfairly sway the jury against the accused.

The legal issues before the court involved the admissibility of the evidence of the accused's boasting. The court had to consider whether the probative value of the evidence outweighed the risk of unfair prejudice. The court also had to consider whether any prejudice could be cured by an appropriate direction to the jury.

The court found that the evidence of the boasting was relevant to the accused's state of mind and to explain the conduct of the witnesses. The court also found that the evidence was part of a body of other evidence of violence and intimidation, which was relevant to the charges against the accused. The court concluded that the probative value of the evidence was not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. The court also found that any prejudice could be cured by an appropriate direction to the jury. The evidence was therefore admitted.