Brian Laundrie search: Motive in prior domestic incident could be used in court, lawyer says

Fugitive Brian Laundrie's motive in past domestic incidents could be used as evidence in a court of law if the FBI eventually finds him.

While it is a general rule that the prosecution is not allowed to "admit evidence of a prior crime to show that the defendant has a bad character … or acted in bad faith" or to show that "because he committed this similar crime before, he's likely to do it again," there are certain circumstances under Florida law where the prosecution can try to introduce evidence of prior bad acts to show motive, intent, knowledge, modus operandi or lack of mistake, Sarasota-based criminal defense attorney Ajay Pallegar told Fox News.

Additionally, prior convictions of past crimes may be presented in court against a witness if it involves a felony charge, or a crime involving dishonesty or false statement. But in this case it appears Laundrie may have no prior convictions.