Opinion ID: 27814
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sequestration of prison witnesses

Text: 14 Approximately thirty-seven of the government's witnesses were housed together at a prison facility before they testified. The court failed to instruct them not to discuss the case, a violation of Federal Rule of Evidence 615, the rule of sequestration. Defense counsel suggested to the district court that the government witnesses were discussing the substance of their testimony with each other before and after testifying. In response, the district court conducted a thorough examination and found that witnesses kept to themselves concerning the trial. Relying on United States v. Blasco, 702 F.2d 1315, 1326 (11th Cir.1983), and United States v. Bobo, 586 F.2d 355, 366 (5th Cir.1978), the district court denied defendants' motions for mistrial. Defendants have not shown any taint by discussions with other witnesses nor any prejudice. Given the thorough investigation and the defendants' failure to bring out any actual harm or prejudice, we do not find abuse of discretion.