Opinion ID: 698176
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 8 Berger's claim of insufficient evidence rests upon his contention that Moore's testimony was erroneously admitted because the government failed to lay an adequate foundation for statements of a coconspirator. Because Berger failed to object to this evidence at trial, we review for plain error. United States v. Moody, 778 F.2d 1380 (9th Cir.1985), amended on other grounds, 791 F.2d 707 (9th Cir.1986). Plain error is highly prejudicial error affecting substantial rights. United States v. Ortiz-Lopez, 24 F.3d 53, 55 (9th Cir.1994). 9 In order to admit a coconspirator's out-of-court statements under F.R.E. 801(d)(2)(E), a foundation must be laid to establish that (1) the statement was made during the life of the conspiracy; (2) the statement was made in furtherance of the conspiracy; and (3) there is, including the coconspirator's statement itself, sufficient proof of the existence of the conspiracy and of the defendant's connection to it. Bourjaily v. United States, 483 U.S. 171, 173, 181 (1987). 10 However, Rule 801 applies only to out-of-court statements, not to trial testimony. Berger identifies no out-of-court statements by Moore that were admitted at trial. While there are relevancy and foundational requirements for a coconspirator's trial testimony--for example, a coconspirator could be asked to show that a defendant's statements were made during the period of conspiracy--Berger does not frame his challenge in terms of these requirements. Thus, Berger's argument that admission of Moore's statements was barred by Rule 801 is without merit. 11 If Moore's testimony and the government's other evidence 2 is viewed in the light most favorable to the government, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of Berger's drug convictions beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979). 3 12 There was also sufficient evidence to support the two firearms convictions, in that the agents found a loaded shotgun, semi-automatic pistol and semiautomatic handgun during the first search, and a loaded sawed-off shotgun during the second search. To its credit, the government volunteers that one of the convictions should be vacated, however, because the language of the indictment is so vague 4 that both convictions could have been premised on the same drug trafficking offenses. United States v. Lopez, 37 F.3d 565, 569 (9th Cir.1994), petition for cert. filed (Feb. 13, 1995); United States v. Smith, 924 F.2d 889, 894 (9th Cir.1991). Therefore, we vacate one of the firearms convictions. 13 Under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 924(c)(1), a first conviction of use of a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes carries a five-year sentence and a second conviction carries a twenty-year sentence. As a result, Berger was sentenced to twenty-five years for the two convictions, to run consecutive to his drug convictions. We vacate the twenty-year sentence for the second, vacated firearms conviction. 5