Opinion ID: 456691
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Co-Defendant Evidence.

Text: 31 Defendants Hardin, Sr., and Hardin, Jr., next argue that the court erred in refusing to exclude, pursuant to Federal Rule of Evidence 403, evidence that pertained to co-defendants Green, Boyer and Bisig, who had already pleaded guilty. The Hardins argue that the totality of the individualized testimony related only to acts done by the co-defendants who were not on trial. 32 Under Rule 403, the admission of evidence challenged as prejudicial is within the sound discretion of the trial court. See, e.g., United States v. Brady, 595 F.2d 359, 361 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 444 U.S. 862 (1979). The reviewing court must look at the evidence in a light most favorable to its proponent, maximizing its probative value and minimizing its prejudicial effect. Id. 33 Under these standards, defendants' argument must fail. The evidence relating to the co-defendants not on trial was not only highly probative, but quite necessary in order for the government to establish the existence of the conspiracy. Against this value, the trial court weighed the prejudice to the defendants in the jury's hearing evidence relating to the other co-defendants who were not on trial. In holding the evidence admissible, the district court did not abuse its discretion. 34