Opinion ID: 669558
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Huskey's Testimony Regarding Marijuana Residue

Text: 17 Rayfield filed a motion in limine to exclude any reference by a government witness to material as marijuana residue. The trial court denied the motion and Huskey testified that, in his opinion, the material found on the hall table and in the room with the clothesline was marijuana. The detective testified only as to his observations and no field testing was conducted on the residue. Rayfield contends that the testimony was inadmissible under either Fed.R.Evid. 701 or 703 because neither rule allows the identification of marijuana residue without some type of chemical testing of the substance or personal knowledge gained through use of the substance. 18 Initially, we note that defendant failed to object contemporaneously with the testimony as needed to preserve an objection to a motion in limine for appeal. United States v. Frazier, 936 F.2d 262, 266 (6th Cir.1991). Therefore, we review the alleged error under the plain error standard. Id. Plain error is defined as egregious error, one that directly leads to a miscarriage of justice. Id. Here, Rayfield argues that plain error is established by the length of time the jury deliberated--over two days; the need for an Allen instruction; and, the weak nexus between the defendants and the marijuana growing in a field with multiple routes of access. 19 The record contains ample evidence to support Rayfield's conviction absent the marijuana residue testimony of Huskey. Marijuana was grown in eight separate patches near Hayes' property and a single path led to the first patch directly from the edge of Hayes' yard. That path continued on to connect the remaining paths. There was plant material, identified as marijuana by a chemist, in the vegetable drawer of Hayes' refrigerator. A set of hand scales and the note were found in the kitchen, and a clothesline and high intensity lamp in another room. Finally, Rayfield told Huskey that the marijuana was his. In addition, Parton testified that he had seen marijuana hanging in the drying room, testified that defendants were growing the crop, and intended to launder the money they made. Thus, we find no miscarriage of justice. 20