Facts showing existence of state of mind or of body or bodily feeling
14.  Facts showing the existence of any state of mind, such as intention, knowledge, good faith, negligence, rashness, ill will or goodwill towards any particular person, or showing the existence of any state of body or bodily feeling, are relevant when the existence of any such state of mind or body or bodily feeling is in issue or relevant.
     Explanation 1.—A fact relevant as showing the existence of a relevant state of mind must show that the state of mind exists not generally but in reference to the particular matter in question.
     Explanation 2.—But where upon the trial of a person accused of an offence the previous commission by the accused of an offence is relevant within the meaning of this section, the previous conviction of such person is also a relevant fact.
Illustrations
     (a)  A is accused of receiving stolen goods, knowing them to be stolen. It is proved that A was in possession of a particular stolen article.
     The fact that at the same time A was in possession of many other stolen articles is relevant as tending to show that A knew each and all of the articles of which A was in possession to be stolen.
     (b)  A is accused of fraudulently delivering to another person a counterfeit coin, which at the time when A delivered it A knew to be counterfeit.
     The fact that at the time of its delivery A was in possession of a number of other pieces of counterfeit coin is relevant.
     The fact that A had been previously convicted of delivering to another person as genuine a counterfeit coin, knowing it to be counterfeit, is relevant.
     (c)  A sues B for damage done by a dog of B’s, which B knew to be ferocious.
     The facts that the dog had previously bitten X, Y and Z and that they had made complaints to B are relevant.
     (d)  The question is whether A, the acceptor of a bill of exchange, knew that the name of the payee was fictitious.
     The fact that A had accepted other bills drawn in the same manner before they could have been transmitted to A by the payee, if the payee had been a real person, is relevant, as showing that A knew that the payee was a fictitious person.
     (e)  A is accused of defaming B by publishing an imputation intended to harm the reputation of B.
     The fact of previous publications by A respecting B showing ill will on the part of A towards B is relevant, as proving A’s intention to harm B’s reputation by the particular publication in question.
     The facts that there was no previous quarrel between A and B and that A repeated the matter complained of as A heard it, are relevant as showing that A did not intend to harm the reputation of B.
     (f)  A is sued by B for fraudulently representing to B that C was solvent, whereby B being induced to trust C, who was insolvent, suffered loss.
     The fact that at the time when A represented C to be solvent C was supposed to be solvent by his or her neighbours, and by persons dealing with him or her, is relevant, as showing that A made the representation in good faith.
     (g)  A is sued by B for the price of work done by B upon a house of which A is owner by the order of C, a contractor.
     A’s defence is that B’s contract was with C.
     The fact that A paid C for the work in question is relevant as providing that A did in good faith make over to C the management of the work in question, so that C was in a position to contract with B on C’s own account and not as agent for A.
     (h)  A is accused of the dishonest misappropriation of property which A had found, and the question is whether, when A appropriated it A believed in good faith that the real owner could not be found.
     The fact that public notice of the loss of the property had been given in the place where A was, is relevant as showing that A did not in good faith believe that the real owner of the property could not be found.
     The fact that A knew or had reason to believe that the notice was given fraudulently by C who had heard of the loss of the property and wished to set up a false claim to it, is relevant as showing that the fact that A knew of the notice did not disprove A’s good faith.
     (i)  A is charged with shooting at B with intent to kill B.
     In order to show A’s intent, the fact of A’s having previously shot at B may be proved.
     (j)  A is charged with sending threatening letters to B.
     Threatening letters previously sent by A to B may be proved as showing the intention of the letters.
     (k)  The question is whether A has been guilty of cruelty towards B his wife.
     Expression of their feelings towards each other shortly before or after the alleged cruelty are relevant facts.
     (l)  The question is whether A’s death was caused by poison.
     Statements made by A during A’s illness as to A’s symptoms are relevant facts.
     (m)  The question is, what was the state of A’s health at the time when an assurance on A’s life was effected? Statements made by A as to the state of A’s health at or near the time in question are relevant facts.
     (n)  A sues B for negligence in providing A with a motor car for hire not reasonably fit for use whereby A was injured.
     The fact that B’s attention was drawn on other occasions to the defect of that particular motor car is relevant.
     The fact that B was habitually negligent about the motor cars which B let to hire is irrelevant.
     (o)  A is tried for the murder of B by intentionally shooting B dead.
     The fact that A on other occasions shot at B is relevant as showing A’s intention to shoot B.
     The fact that A was in the habit of shooting at people with intent to murder them is irrelevant.
     (p)  A is tried for a crime.
     The fact that A said something indicating an intention to commit that particular crime is relevant.
     The fact that A said something indicating a general disposition to commit crimes of that class is irrelevant.