Opinion ID: 565242
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Bettie Brown's Testimony

Text: 19 Each defendant argues that because the testimony of Bettie Brown was tainted by what they characterize as a contingent plea agreement, their rights to due process were violated. Defendants rely on United States v. Waterman, 732 F.2d 1527 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 471 U.S. 1065, 105 S.Ct. 2138, 85 L.Ed.2d 496 (1985). There, a panel of this court reversed a conviction on the basis of testimony given pursuant to a plea bargain. The full court then vacated the panel decision and affirmed the conviction by an equally divided court, sitting en banc. Waterman thus has no precedential value; moreover, it is distinguishable from this case. See United States v. Fazzino, 765 F.2d 125, 126 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 851, 106 S.Ct. 150, 88 L.Ed.2d 124 (1985). In Waterman, the prosecution's favorable recommendations for the witness' sentence depended on whether his truthful testimony led to further indictments. 732 F.2d at 1530. Here, as in United States v. Spector, 793 F.2d 932, 936-37 (8th Cir.1986), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1031, 107 S.Ct. 876, 93 L.Ed.2d 830 (1987) and United States v. Moeckly, 769 F.2d 453, 463 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 476 U.S. 1104, 106 S.Ct. 1947, 90 L.Ed.2d 357 (1986), Bettie Brown's plea bargain was not contingent upon the content and results of her testimony--the concern of the panel in Waterman. 20 Outside the presence of the jury, Bettie Brown testified that it was her understanding that some conspirators would have to be convicted in order for her to gain the benefits of her plea agreement with the government. The agreement itself, however, does not require a conviction. In relevant part, it provides: 21 Should you fully comply with all the terms of this agreement, and the United States concludes that this compliance includes a good faith effort to provide substantial assistance in the investigation or prosecution of another person who has committed an offense, the United States shall file, prior to sentencing, a motion pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 3553(e) and policy statement Sec. 5K1.1, United States Sentencing Commission Guidelines Manual, for a departure from the sentencing guidelines. It shall remain within the total discretion of the sentencing judge whether to grant this motion and to what extent, if any, the sentence imposed shall depart from the guidelines. 22 The following day, again outside the presence of the jury, Brown testified that she had been confused as to the meaning of the agreement and that it was now her understanding that no conviction was necessary for her to get the benefit of her bargain. A full reading of Brown's testimony during both sessions before the court reveals the confusion she experienced when questioned about her responsibilities under the plea agreement. 23 The district court decided that Brown's agreement did not place her in a position that put her under such strain or control or impossible situation that the defendants [were] deprived of a fair opportunity to confront her. (Tr. 1581). We agree with the district court. The plea agreement was admitted into evidence, and Brown was cross-examined extensively regarding her understanding of the agreement. Thus, the jury had ample opportunity to judge her motivation to testify as she did. The existence and contents of Brown's plea agreement were precisely the sort of thing that affected the weight of her testimony, not its admissibility, and furthermore provided abundant material for impeachment and cross-examination. Spector, 793 F.2d at 936-37; Moeckly, 769 F.2d at 462-63. 24 We rely on the district court's determination that Brown was not so tied to producing the conviction of another that she would skew her testimony to obtain the desired result. The credibility of Brown's testimony was for the jury to decide. Under the rigors of the vigorous cross-examination by defense counsel, any bias or prejudice underlying her testimony was surely demonstrated to the jury. We are satisfied that the jury was able to judge for itself the weight and truthfulness of Brown's testimony.