Details About Man Faking His Own Death Excluded in Fraud Trial

A man accused of identity theft and social security fraud won his bid to exclude a 1985 news article alleging that he faked his own death, after the court said its probative value would be exceeded by the risk of unfair prejudice.

The story’s probative value—providing investigative context—is minimal relative to the potential that it would make it difficult for the jury to be objective about whether Napolean Gonzalez is guilty of the currently charged crimes, Judge John A. Woodcock Jr. said.

“The ghoulish, cynical, brazen, and avaricious nature of Mr. Gonzalez’s scheme, including the purchase of a dead body, ...