State v. Kirby, 206 N.C. App. 446 (Aug. 17, 2010)

In a homicide case in which the defendant asserted self-defense, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by admitting evidence that the defendant had been selling drugs in the vicinity of the shooting and was affiliated with a gang. The evidence showed that both the defendant and the victim were gang members. The court held that gang affiliation and selling drugs were relevant to show that the defendant could have had a different objective in mind when the altercation took place and could refute the defendant’s claim of self-defense.