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MAY 16, 2000 SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA 99-KK-1750 STATE OF LOUISIANA versus JERRY JEROME HILLS ON WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE COURT OF APPEAL, FIRST CIRCUIT, PARISH OF TANGIPAHOA KIMBALL, JUSTICE* Defendant, Jerry Jerome Hills, was charged by grand jury indictment with the crime of first degree murder, a violation of La. R.S. 14:30. We granted a writ of certiorari in this case to determine whether evidence of defendant's other crimes involving non-consensual sexual conduct against postpubescent females is admissible as evidence in his upcoming prosecution for the murder of a juvenile under the age of twelve. After a review of the record and applicable law, we hold the other crimes evidence in this case does not fall under the exceptions provided by La. C. E. article 404(B). Therefore, the trial judge erred in his determination that the other crimes evidence was admissible; thus, the ruling admitting the evidence is reversed and the matter is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY On March 11, 1996, the body of 5-year-old Laquinta Mercedes "Sadie" Henderson was found floating in a pond adjacent to Yokum Road, near Hammond, Louisiana, south of Interstate 12. Sadie had been reported missing and was last seen at her grandmother's house on March 2, 1996, at approximately 4:00 p.m. The coroner, based on the remains of undigested pickles in Sadie's stomach, was able to fix the time of her death at March 2, 1996 between 4:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Although the body was in a state of decomposition, the coroner was able to fix the cause of death as a blunt strike to the head. No signs of rape were found, but the coroner was able to discern anal and vaginal trauma. On September 17, 1996, Hills was arrested for the murder of his niece Sadie based on an

* Calogero, C.J., not on panel; recused. See Rule IV, Part 2,

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