Opinion ID: 702975
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Violation of Molina's Right to Put on a Defense

Text: 14 Molina appeals the district court's denial of his Fed. R. Crim. P. 17 motion to subpoena witnesses to either rebut testimony that the appellant's actions involved money laundering or to testify against Frasure's credibility. 15 Molina claims that the district court erred in excluding testimony that his purpose in dealing with Simpson and Frasure was to fund his food export business. We find no abuse of discretion in the court's holding that Molina's motive for entering into discussions of criminal enterprise with his coconspirators is irrelevant. Molina also challenges the district court's exclusion of taped conversations between him and Frasure, which the appellant sought to introduce to demonstrate his motivation for joining the conspiracy. Molina contends that although the government was permitted to introduce tape recorded conversations, the district court erred in not permitting the appellant to do so. We find no abuse of discretion in the court's exclusion of evidence on grounds of relevancy. 16 Molina also complains that he was not allowed to have witnesses testify as to the confidential informant Frasure's credibility. Specifically, Molina claims he sought to have Detective James Liggett (Liggett) testify about Frasure's bad check writing, lying, impersonating, reference falsifying, stealing, and securing goods and services falsely. Molina has not demonstrated that his right to produce witnesses in his defense was violated as in Walker v. Sumner, 14 F.3d 1415 (9th Cir. 1994). Molina was allowed to cross-examine Frasure on all of the conduct mentioned; thus, the district court did not err in its denial of the appellant's motion. 17 Molina claims that the district court interfered with his right to cross-examination of prosecution witnesses. Specifically, Molina appeals the district court's refusal to permit testimony regarding the credibility of the government witness, Frasure. The appellant claims that his right to question the witnesses' motives and bias was curtailed. Molina was, however, able to cross-examine on all of these issues. We note that a defendant's undeniable right to confront witnesses is limited by the trial judge's wide discretion in determining the scope of cross-examination. United States v. Payne, 944 F.2d 1458, 1469 (9th Cir. 1991). We find no abuse of that discretion.