Opinion ID: 203873
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The shootings at Covadonga

Text: The government asked Agent Toro why Espada's videotaping stopped in 2003. Despite defendants' protestations, the court allowed Toro to testify that, following the murder of Luis Osorio, a/k/a/ Trompi, one of the leaders of the drug conspiracy, there was a wave of violence against those who had been associated with him. Toro explained that Espada had been linked to Trompi and, as a result, the new owners of the drug point had tried to shoot him and then set fire to his apartment. Although the source of Toro's knowledge on these points is unclear, the testimony was not being offered for the truth of the matter asserted, but rather as an explanation for the end of the surveillance. Accordingly, it was not hearsay. Nevertheless, at the defendants' urging, the district court gave three limiting instructions because of Rule 403 concerns. [6]