Opinion ID: 795956
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Exclusion of David Joslin as a witness

Text: 40 In addition to Seymour's contention that the district court erred in admitting the testimony of D.T. and L.M., he argues that the district court improperly excluded the testimony of David Joslin. At trial, Seymour sought to introduce testimony from his friend Joslin, who had observed D.H. and Seymour hugging and kissing and act[ing] as if they were a couple at a party held two years after the alleged sexual assault. The government objected to the testimony. In response, Seymour asserted that he wanted to introduce Joslin's testimony under Rule 405 of the Federal Rules of Evidence. Rule 405 governs the permissible methods of proving the character or character traits of a person, including the use of opinion evidence or evidence of specific instances of conduct. The Rule provides as follows: 41 (a) Reputation or opinion. In all cases in which evidence of character or a trait of character of a person is admissible, proof may be made by testimony as to reputation or by testimony in the form of an opinion. On cross-examination, inquiry is allowable into relevant specific instances of conduct. 42 (b) Specific instances of conduct. In cases in which character or a trait of character of a person is an essential element of a charge, claim, or defense, proof may also be made of specific instances of that person's conduct. 43 Fed.R.Evid. 405. 44 This court has previously noted that inquiry into relevant specific instances of conduct on cross-examination is allowed only where it goes to the accuracy of the character witness's testimony. See United States v. Green, 305 F.3d 422, 431 (6th Cir.2002) (discussing allowable character evidence under Rule 405(a)). In this case, however, Seymour failed to cross-examine D.H. about her conduct allegedly observed by Joslin, and her character was not an essential element of the charge against Seymour. Joslin's testimony was thus inadmissible under either Rule 405(a) or 405(b). 45 The district court also considered the application of Rule 608(b) of the Federal Rules of Evidence. Rule 608(b) bars the admission of extrinsic evidence of specific instances of conduct intended to attack a witness's character for truthfulness. See United States v. Jackson-Randolph, 282 F.3d 369, 382-83 (6th Cir.2002) (finding no abuse of discretion in the exclusion of witness testimony regarding specific instances of conduct pursuant to Rule 608(b)). When responding to the government's objection, defense counsel in fact expressly denied that Joslin's testimony was intended to attack D.H.'s character. But the district judge ultimately sustained the government's objection to Joslin's proposed testimony, finding, despite the denial by defense counsel, that the evidence was offered for the purpose of attacking D.H.'s character for truthfulness under Rule 608(b). We find no abuse of discretion in excluding Joslin's testimony. 46 And even if the district court's ruling was erroneous, Jenny Little had already testified for the defense about observing D.H. and Seymour acting in friendly, even sexual, ways towards one another. Joslin's testimony would thus have been cumulative. See Fed.R.Evid. 403 (Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by ... considerations of ... needless presentation of cumulative evidence.). Any error, therefore, would have been harmless. 47 On appeal, Seymour contends for the first time that the district court erred in excluding Joslin's testimony as evidence of consensual sexual behavior between D.H. and Seymour. His failure to raise below this ground for admissibility means that we review the district court's evidentiary ruling for plain error. See, e.g., United States v. Matthews, 440 F.3d 818, 824-25 (6th Cir.2006); Fed.R.Evid. 103(d) (Nothing in this rule precludes taking notice of plain errors affecting substantial rights although they were not brought to the attention of the court.). The plain-error inquiry is the four-step process set forth above. 48 Admissibility of evidence of past sexual behavior or alleged sexual predisposition is governed by Rule 412 of the Federal Rules of Evidence. Rule 412(c) requires that a party intending to offer evidence of specific instances of sexual behavior by the alleged victim ... to prove consent under 412(b) must (1) file a written motion 14 days before trial which specifically describes both the evidence and the purpose for which it will be offered, and (2) serve the motion on all parties and notify the alleged victim. Fed.R.Evid. 412(b)(1)(B), (c)(1). The record indicates that Seymour failed to follow this notice procedure. Joslin's testimony was therefore inadmissible under Rule 412. We thus conclude that the district court did not err in excluding Joslin's testimony. 49