Opinion ID: 714052
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Exclusion of Evidence and Denial of Right to Present Defense.

Text: 4 Wiman argues that the district court improperly prohibited mention of the attempted burglary and improperly denied him the right to present his defense. Wiman challenges here the district court's rulings on two motions in limine brought by the government prior to trial. His arguments are without merit, but they do require us to review the district court's pre-trial rulings on evidentiary matters. 5 Prior to trial, the government presented a notice of intent to offer evidence that at the time Wiman possessed the firearm, he was carrying burglary tools and was attempting to burglarize a gas station. The district court found that there was some evidentiary link between the gun and the attempted burglary. However, after considering the potential prejudicial impact of this evidence under Fed.R.Evid. 403, the district court concluded that the prejudicial effect of the burglary-related evidence far outweighed its probative value. 6 The district court also rejected the government's alternative argument that the burglary-related evidence was admissible under Fed.R.Evid. 404(b) to show motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. The district court concluded that while there was no indication that any of those matters were at issue, to the extent that they were, the government otherwise appeared to have overwhelming evidence on those issues so that the burglary-related evidence would be redundant and the prejudice to Wiman substantial. 7 Accordingly, the district court denied the government's motion in limine and ordered the government to notify its witnesses to make no reference to the attempted burglary or the burglar tools. The district court qualified its ruling by concluding [t]hose doors having been closed, it remains to be seen whether the Defendant would choose to open them in the presentation of a defense. Should the Defendant open any of these doors, this ruling is subject to reconsideration. There is no indication in the record that Wiman either objected to or joined with the government's motion. 8 We review rulings determining the admissibility of evidence under Fed.R.Evid. 403 and 404(b) for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Tringali, 71 F.3d 1375, 1379 (7th Cir.1995); United States v. Henderson, 58 F.3d 1145, 1150 (7th Cir.1995); United States v. Lampkins, 47 F.3d 175, 179 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, ----, 115 S.Ct. 1440, 1810, 131 L.Ed.2d 319, 734 (1995). However, because Wiman did not object to the exclusion of the burglary-related evidence and did not attempt to introduce any burglary-related evidence at trial, we review here only for plain error. United States v. Kellum, 42 F.3d 1087, 1092-93 (7th Cir.1994); United States v. Hubbard, 22 F.3d 1410, 1417-18 (7th Cir.1994), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 115 S.Ct. 762, 130 L.Ed.2d 660 (1995). Cf. United States v. Harvey, 959 F.2d 1371, 1374-75 (7th Cir.1992) (defendant waived issue of admissibility of travel vouchers where he did not move to admit or even attempt to describe them at trial). 9 Wiman concedes here that most defendants would applaud the district court's ruling that excluded possibly prejudicial evidence. Although the ruling was intended to benefit him, Wiman argues here that it actually prejudiced his case. He suggests that because the jury heard evidence that he had possessed a firearm and that he and others had been observed in or near a gas station late at night, it could have concluded that he was involved in a botched robbery, arguably a more serious offense than a burglary. Wiman fails to explain how, even if true, this could conceivably affect the jury's consideration of the only crime charged in the indictment here--possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 10 Moreover, Wiman's argument suffers from a failed premise. By its very terms, the district court's ruling barred only the government from presenting the burglary-related evidence. It did not preclude Wiman himself from seeking to introduce burglary-related evidence in his defense. Indeed, the ruling specifically contemplated the possibility that Wiman might open the doors to the burglary-related evidence, in which case the district court would reconsider its order precluding mention of the evidence by the government. The record reveals, however, that Wiman never attempted to introduce any evidence of the attempted burglary. The district court's in limine ruling did not prejudice Wiman's defense. 11 Having been barred from presenting any of the burglary-related evidence, the government presented a second motion in limine requesting that Wiman be precluded from making any reference to his alleged reason for attempting the gas station burglary. Wiman's defense appears to be that he believed he had no option available to him other than to perpetrate a burglary to obtain money to hire a lawyer to protect his molested daughter because the system and the authorities refused to assist him. (Wiman Br. at 20). The district court granted the government's motion as follows: 12 However, it is conceivable that the Defendant would decide to attempt to elicit evidence about this reason for being in Brownstown or more specifically in attempting the burglary. If that should occur, the Government's Motion in Limine is certainly well taken. Therefore, the Government's Motion in Limine is GRANTED. The Defendant is prohibited from making any reference through testimony, arguments of counsel or otherwise about why he may have been attempting to burglarize a gas station in Brownstown, Indiana on the night he was arrested there. If the Defendant wishes to offer evidence or argument on that subject, his counsel is directed to bring that matter up outside the presence of the jury in advance of any such efforts. 13 Wiman asserts here that his reason for participating in the attempted burglary was critical to his defense. As a consequence, he contends that the district court's ruling prejudiced his ability to present his defense. 14 Again, we review evidentiary rulings of the trial court for an abuse of discretion, United States v. Shorter, 54 F.3d 1248, 1260 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 116 S.Ct. 250, 133 L.Ed.2d 176 (1995). However, because Wiman did not oppose the government's motion and did not raise the issue at trial, we review for plain error. United States v. Huels, 31 F.3d 476, 479 (7th Cir.1994). Cf. Harvey, 959 F.2d at 1374-75. 15 It is true that a defendant is entitled to have the jury consider any theory of the defense that is supported by law and that has some foundation in the evidence. United States v. Herrera, 54 F.3d 348, 354 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 116 S.Ct. 192, 133 L.Ed.2d 128 (1995); United States v. Douglas, 818 F.2d 1317, 1320-21 (7th Cir.1987). Testimonial evidence must, however, be relevant and material. United States v. Tanner, 941 F.2d 574, 585 (7th Cir.1991), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 1102, 112 S.Ct. 1190, 117 L.Ed.2d 432 (1992). Moreover, a defendant has no right either to cross-examine adverse witnesses, or to present defense witnesses to testify, regarding facts which are not 'of consequence to the determination of the action....'  United States v. Snow, 670 F.2d 749, 752 (7th Cir.1982) (quoting Fed.R.Evid. 401). Wiman fails to explain how his alleged motivation to commit the burglary would constitute a legal defense to the crime charged. We find no error in the ruling of the district court. 16