Opinion ID: 197765
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Car Transfer

Text: In addition to Joaquim's testimony that defendant paid St. Louis with a car, the government introduced into evidence business records belonging to the defendant's auto company. These indicate that defendant sold a car to St. Louis for $2,000 one day after the second fire. They also indicate that, a few months earlier, the company had purchased that same car for $2,220. Defendant testified that the sale to St. Louis was a legitimate one, for which he received $2,000 in cash. He explained that he sold at a loss because the car had mechanical problems and had failed to sell for a few months at the intended price of $3,500. Defendant said that he questioned St. Louis about the source of the $2,000, and that St. Louis refused to answer him.2 Joaquim's mother testified that, when her son was in INS custody, she gave St. Louis $1,000 toward the $3,000 needed for his bail and, the following day, Joaquim was released. The defense argued that this evidence showed, inferentially, that St. Louis had supplied the remaining $2,000, which, as soon as 2 St. Louis did not testify at trial. -5- Joaquim repaid it, St. Louis used to buy the car from defendant. On cross-examination by the government, Joaquim's mother stated that she did not know whether St. Louis put up any money for Joaquim's release on bail from INS custody.