Opinion ID: 1452969
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: PART II.B.2.b: HARMLESS-ERROR ANALYSIS

Text: Although I agree with the majority's harmless-error analysis, I would emphasize that, had Garcia and Irwin not been in the Suburban together at the drug bust, the harmless-error question would have been a much closer call. The government pointed to the testimony of Dale Irwin, Oscar Nombrano, and Rickey Nombrano in support of its contention that admission of the Cheetah Transportation invoices was harmless error. But these witnesses were all involved in the drug conspiracy and received favorable treatment in exchange for their cooperation. Joint Appendix (J.A.) at 2377-78 (Irwin Test. at 14-15); J.A. at 1922 (Oscar Nombrano Test. at 151); J.A. at 1994, 1998 (Rickey Nombrano Test. at 65, 69). This arguably undermined the credibility of these witnesses in the minds of the jury. The fact that Garcia and Irwin were in the Suburban together is strong evidence corroborating their relationship with each other. Accordingly, I agree that the use of the Cheetah Transportation invoices to establish a linkage between Garcia and Irwin was harmless error.